J.K. Rowling, the author behind the blockbuster fantasy series, said at a news conference in London on Thursday that a new interactive Web site built around the series will also sell the e-book editions of the seven Harry Potter books, previously available only in print and as audio books.
“I wanted to give something back to the fans that have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new digital generation,” Ms. Rowling said.
The announcement set off an online frenzy worldwide, as fans of the Harry Potter series finally learned what Ms. Rowling had been teasing out for days. Last week, she revealed a mysterious Web site, Pottermore.com, but said she would only describe the project in any detail on Thursday.
Ms. Rowling has retained the digital rights to her books and for years has resisted the creation of e-book editions, despite the potential popularity and profit of such a move. In the past several years, electronic sales have exploded and publishers have rushed to digitize their back-list books.
The e-books will include illustrations and interactivity, she said in a statement: “You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup.”
Her publishers, Scholastic and Bloomsbury, will receive a share of revenues.
Her U.S. publisher, Scholastic, said it would provide marketing and promotional support. “This will surely inspire more interest in the series and bring a whole new generation of readers to Harry Potter, the publisher said in a statement.
“I wanted to give something back to the fans that have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new digital generation,” Ms. Rowling said.
The announcement set off an online frenzy worldwide, as fans of the Harry Potter series finally learned what Ms. Rowling had been teasing out for days. Last week, she revealed a mysterious Web site, Pottermore.com, but said she would only describe the project in any detail on Thursday.
Ms. Rowling has retained the digital rights to her books and for years has resisted the creation of e-book editions, despite the potential popularity and profit of such a move. In the past several years, electronic sales have exploded and publishers have rushed to digitize their back-list books.
The e-books will include illustrations and interactivity, she said in a statement: “You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup.”
Her publishers, Scholastic and Bloomsbury, will receive a share of revenues.
Her U.S. publisher, Scholastic, said it would provide marketing and promotional support. “This will surely inspire more interest in the series and bring a whole new generation of readers to Harry Potter, the publisher said in a statement.
Article Source from http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/rowling-releases-harry-potter-into-the-ether/
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