Attention Happy Potter fans. Best-selling author J.K. Rowling recently announced the launching of a new interactive website devoted to all things Potter - Pottermore. Rowling made the exclusive announcement on YouTube on June 23, 2011.
What is Pottermore?
Pottermore is built around the popular Harry Potter book series. Two years in the making, the interactive website developed by Rowling and Sony, will feature previously unpublished work, about 18,000 words more or less. Fans will be able to explore beloved characters, places and objects in Harry Potter’s wizarding world like never before. Users will be able to create a personalized homepage and spend virtual money too. The site is free to join and is safe for all ages.
And for the first time, Harry Potter books will be available as electronic books exclusively on the site. Fans will be able to purchase and download digital audio books and e-books in several languages.
Pottermore Launch
While Pottermore will officially launch to a world-wide audience in October, 1 million registered users will have the opportunity to access a Beta version of Pottermore in July. In order to be one of the lucky fans to have early access to the site, visit Pottermore on July 31 for more information. If you’d like to be notified when registration is open, visit the website now and enter your email address.
About J.K. Rowling
Joanne Kathleen (J.K.) Rowling was born in England on July 31st, 1965, which coincidentally, is fictional character Harry Potter’s birthday. Studying French, Rowling earned a degree at Exeter University. She went on to teach English in Portugal where she met and married her husband. The following year, she gave birth to a daughter, Jessica. But when the marriage dissolved, she and Jessica moved back to the United Kingdom. It was in Edinburgh where she completed “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and the rest, as they say, is history. The author eventually remarried in 2001 and had two other children, David and Mackenzie.
J.K. Rowling’s rags-to-riches story has inspired many. According to Forbes Magazine, the 45-year-old author and mother of three has an estimated net worth of $1 billion, making her number 1140 on the Forbes Billionaires list for 2011. According to Tom Kennedy, more than 400 million copies of the Harry Potter books have been sold worldwide. Her seventh and final novel in the adventure series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows,” sold 11 million copies on the day it was released and became the fastest selling book in history. The theatrical release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” is set for July 15, 2011.
Wizards and Muggles take note – Harry Potter lives on in the digital age in this soon-to-be released magical website, Pottermore.
Sources:
- The Telegraph, “Pottermore: JK Rowling Facts and Figures.” June 26, 2011.
- Daily Mail, “Harry e-Potter! JK Rowling unveils e-book website that will magic up another fortune.” Liz Thomas. June 24, 2011.
- Forbes, "The World's Billionaires." Accessed June 25, 2011.
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway - +JaceShoemaker-Galloway is more than passionate about online safety awareness. She has devoted and dedicated over five years to Internet ...
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