New Delhi, June 24 : J.K. Rowling, the creator of Harry Potter, has launched Pottermore -- a website which builds an exciting online experience around the reading of successful HarryPotter books -- in partnership with her worldwide publishers,Bloomsbury, a statement said Friday.
Rowling has written extensive new material, nearly 18,000 words, about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories, which will inform, inspire and entertain readers as they journey through the story lines for the books on the site.
At a press conference at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London Thursday, Rowling revealed some of key features of the website.
She described how she has brought to life the Sorting Hat experience from her books for the first time on Pottermore, by revealing the questions asked by the "Sorting Hat" -- a magic hat which places newcomers into their respective houses at Hogwarts, the school of magic that Harry attends. She has also brought to the site an interactive module on the magic behind the Wand Chooser that finds the right wand for each user from over 33,000 possible combinations.
From October 2011, Pottermore.com will incorporate an online shop where people can exclusively purchase all seven of the Harry Potter e-books.
"I wanted to give something back to the fans who have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new digital generation. I hope fans and those new to Harry will have as much fun helping shape Pottermore as I have.
"To add to my input into the website, everyone will be able to join 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," Rowling said.
Sarah Odedina, publisher & international editor-in-chief of Bloomsbury children's books, said the initiative brings the books and the digital age together in an innovative and unique way.
The site will be open to all users in October 2011.
At a press conference at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London Thursday, Rowling revealed some of key features of the website.
She described how she has brought to life the Sorting Hat experience from her books for the first time on Pottermore, by revealing the questions asked by the "Sorting Hat" -- a magic hat which places newcomers into their respective houses at Hogwarts, the school of magic that Harry attends. She has also brought to the site an interactive module on the magic behind the Wand Chooser that finds the right wand for each user from over 33,000 possible combinations.
From October 2011, Pottermore.com will incorporate an online shop where people can exclusively purchase all seven of the Harry Potter e-books.
"I wanted to give something back to the fans who have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new digital generation. I hope fans and those new to Harry will have as much fun helping shape Pottermore as I have.
"To add to my input into the website, everyone will be able to join 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," Rowling said.
Sarah Odedina, publisher & international editor-in-chief of Bloomsbury children's books, said the initiative brings the books and the digital age together in an innovative and unique way.
The site will be open to all users in October 2011.