800-Word Harry Potter Prequel Sells 10,000 Copies in First 24 Hours

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800-Word Harry Potter Prequel Sells 10,000 Copies in First 24 Hours

J.K. Rowling

Posted by: Edward

August 09, 2008, 05:47 PM

As readers will remember, Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling wrote an 800-word note card containing a story featuring a young James and Sirius Black for Waterstone’s “What’s Your Story?” charity auction. This Harry Potter prequel was included with the 12 other stories written on postcards for the Waterstone’s auction and published yesterday. The Telegraph is reporting that 10,000 copies were sold on the first day, with many shops running out of copies before lunchtime. Toby Bourne, the head of children’s buying for Waterstone’s, is quoted as saying:

“Fans have been desperate to own this limited edition piece of Harry Potter history. Pre-orders flooded in from all over the world. Demand was so big that we stopped taking pre-orders to ensure customers had a chance to buy the book in stores.”

All proceeds from sales of this collection of stories will benefit the English Pen and Dyslexia Action charities in the UK.

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56 Comments

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Neat but not surprising! must get a copy myself!

Posted by Celtise on August 09, 2008, 05:50 PM report to moderator

Yeah I came across that article earlier today. It just goes to show that even if we don’t have any more novels to enjoy, we will still all buy Jo’s work (even if it is only 800 words long) asap!

Long live HP!!

Posted by MuggleQueen on August 09, 2008, 05:56 PM report to moderator

Jo looks great in that pic. lol, totally random I know.

Posted by Zoe on August 09, 2008, 06:23 PM report to moderator

Sorry to break it to you, but as Waterstones have fully sold out “Ordinary fans got their chance to own a copy when 10,000 cards went on sale at Waterstone’s branches across the country. Such was the demand that many stores had sold out by lunchtime, and all 10,000 copies were gone by close of business. ” From the Telegraph article You’ll have to rely on eBay or another auction site.

Posted by Lambada on August 09, 2008, 06:23 PM report to moderator

Bom, como sempre Jo esta arrasando. Era previsivel, ja que os fãs de todo o mundo estão euforicos e ansiosos por HP7, qualquer coisa que seja feita por ela, fará enorme sucesso entre os fãs. Eu mesmo ja li fantastica o que tambem ja era previsivel, Jo não faria qualquer coisa : )

Thanks

MSN Adress: diego_veiga_0623@hotmail.com

Posted by Diego Veiga (Brasil) on August 09, 2008, 06:24 PM report to moderator

will they make more? surely they’re not only letting 10, 000 Harry Potter fans to have this!

Posted by J. P. on August 09, 2008, 06:44 PM report to moderator

It seems to me that this, like Tales of Beedle the Bard will eventually be available. Or at least I hope so because it sounds really cool & I just now found out about it.

Posted by Jen on August 09, 2008, 06:54 PM report to moderator

I don’t understand why they make it limited edition if it’s for charity – surely the more the merrier?

Posted by pigwidgeon on August 09, 2008, 06:56 PM report to moderator

I have an on going fear there won’t be enough of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. It would be horrible to walk into Barnes and Nobles bookstore to be told, “Please wait for the next shipping of the book”.

Posted by Justinnsaur on August 09, 2008, 06:58 PM report to moderator

They should have anticipated that they would be flooded with orders. Wow I’m glad I pre-ordered my copy months ago on the first day. I got an e-mail from Waterstone’s yesterday saying it had been shipped. I can’t wait for it to get here!

Posted by bella vita on August 09, 2008, 07:02 PM report to moderator

i forgot to preorder it… i live in the US and now i cant get it! If anyone has any idea of how to buy it… pleaseeee tell me!

Posted by Arina on August 09, 2008, 07:09 PM report to moderator

YaY i got mine this morning! I pre-ordered it months ago – feels like longer!

Posted by scurvy_cur on August 09, 2008, 07:21 PM report to moderator

I preordered mine. Waiting patiently for the Royal Mail to wing it to my door here in sunny Florida.

OMT

Posted by Old Mr Toad on August 09, 2008, 07:38 PM report to moderator

I also forgot to pre-order! I’m so sad! But, at least I pre-ordered Tales of Beedle the Bard Collecters Ed. I CAN’T WAIT TILL DEC. 4! Yeah! : P

Posted by Moody One on August 09, 2008, 08:06 PM report to moderator

I wish I had pre-ordered. Too bad! :( A least I pre-ordered The Tales of Beedle the Bard. There’s always another chance!

Posted by Ethan on August 09, 2008, 08:23 PM report to moderator