For the past week, Harry Potter fans have been anxiously waiting to find out what author J.K. Rowling planned to unveil with the mysterious new website Pottermore. Would it be something as disappointing as a Harry Potter encyclopedia, or something as brain-melting as a new Potter adventure. Well, good news and bad news: Rowling revealed on Thursday that Pottermore will include some new content! (Brain melts.) Unfortunately, that content will be of the additional notes variety. (Brain doesn't melt.) At least you can get e-book versions of all seven Potter novels?
It's actually not that uncool. Pottermore is designed as an interactive (and free) site where fans can really immerse themselves in the Potter 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 generation," Rowling said at a press conference announcing the site. "I hope fans and those new to Harry will have as much fun helping to shape Pottermore as I have. Just as I have contributed to the website, everyone else will be able to join in by submitting their own comments, drawings and other content in a safe and friendly environment. Pottermore has been designed as a place to share the stories with your friends as you journey through the site."
As for the "new" material, Rowling will reveal things like the fact that a young Professor McGonagall once loved a Muggle as a young woman, as well as new information about Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses. The Guardian reports that she's written 18,000 words of backstory, with more to come.
Though that doesn't mean she's also writing more Potter-centric stories. "I'm pretty sure I'm done on the novel front."
Anyway, kinda nice? As mentioned, the site is free, but you can exclusively purchase the new Harry Potter e-books from there as well. (Rowling, in a bold move, bypassed Amazon and other online retailers.) Pottermore won't launch until October, but a select group of users will be able to start shaping the site on July 31.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II arrives in theaters on July 15. Watch Rowling's video announcement below.
ยท Pottermore website launched by JK Rowling as 'give-back' to fans [Guardian]