Harry Potter’s magic

I am out of the cupboard under the stairs, as a huge Harry Potter fan!  Whether you are a fan or not, Harry Potter is a ripping yarn and great if sometimes dark storytelling.

What is also interesting is the larger narrative that surrounds the books.  We all know how J.K. Rowling was a struggling single parent and how the book was rejected several times as publishers thought it too long and too slow for children.

Popular myth has it that Bloomsbury ‘s decision to publish Rowling’s book apparently owes much to Alice Newton, the eight-year-old daughter of one of the company’s executives, who was given the first chapter to review by her father and immediately demanded the next.  Although Bloomsbury agreed to publish the book, they also advised Rowling to get a day job, since she had little chance of making money in children’s books!  So glad she didn’t listen to them.

Just this morning when I was listening to the radio, Red Symonds was interviewing  Andy McCray. Andy a keen fan set up his website harrypotterfanzone when he was 11 years old.  Andy has  grown up with the stars of the Harry Potter series, and even had his site recognised by J.K.Rowling and  been invited onto the set several times. Of course he set the site up out of passion not expecting this largess.  Both J.K.Rowling and Andy are testimony to the power of  ‘Do what you love and love what you do’.  And I am personally looking forward to loving the movie tomorrow!