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We knew it when we were coming in to this year, and now it has proven to be true. 2012 will be a monumental year for not only J.K. Rowling but Pottermore too. Because of this, I have logically figured out a timeline of events to highlight these occasions. It is entirely built around my own predictions of when these events will take place. Enjoy!
OUTLINE OF POSSIBLE EVENTS IN 2012
MARCH:
-More details will leak about J.K. Rowling’s new book, causing more predictions and reports.
-Perhaps another update from Pottermore.
REASONING: As much security is likely on this book, details are bound to find their way out into the public.
LATE APRIL- EARLY JUNE:
-J.K. Rowling’s site opens back up (or at least an update is released) in later Spring – most likely in mid-late April or May, probably not June. When the site is revamped, it is likely she’ll discuss the new book and Pottermore. Official details about the book may be released, but I think that will occur later (see below). The reasoning behind Pottermore’s delays could also come out in this time.
-The Pottermore Insider updates with an official launch date for Pottermore and an explanation about the site’s failure to launch, and what to expect from the site (see below). They will explain that the site will be offline for a long period of time (2-4 weeks) to make some of the “obvious changes” previously reported.
-These two events could coincide with one another (hint, hint). I am suggesting that the two projects were affected by one another.
REASONING:
This prediction is based around a recent Telegraph article that suggests J.K. Rowling had a part in the Pottermore delays. In the article, JKR’s rep was quoted that the “changes will be obvious” and the author was “not ready to say” why the site has been delayed.
JUNE
-If not during the launch of JKR’s new site, official details about the new book are released. Included in the details are the title, cover, plot, price and perhaps book trailer. The book could be available for pre-order at this time, where it would break all the previous-set records.
-The mother of all marketing campaigns begins. Posters and signs are splattered against bookstore and library windows with the wording going somewhat like this: “FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON: THE NEW BOOK BY J.K. ROWLING. COMING TO BOOKSTORES THIS FALL”.
-Pottermore opens to immediate success and the original beta testers will be excited by the “obvious” changes. The Pottermore Insider will post again, thanking the fans for their patience and reflect on the one year anniversary of the Pottermore announcement.
-Bloomsbury and/or J.K. Rowling reflects on the 15th anniversary of the publishing of the first Harry Potter books. Celebration parties are a possibility.
REASONING:
Details on J.K. Rowling’s new book can’t be released too late. Little, Brown will be strategically planning their campaign and decisions. There is no doubt there will be a perfect and convincing marketing campaign for the new book.
The new Pottermore will likely open to success IF they make the correct changes. They have said they are paying close attention to the fans’ feedback, and it would be wise to do so to gain support.
JULY-AUGUST
-If the details are not released in April, May or June, it is definitely going to happen in July. Any time after July would be too late.
-J.K. Rowling releases a number of statements about the book, expressing her excitement for the release.
-The Pottermore Shop opens with more products than just e-books and audiobooks. I’m thinking e-reader covers, apps, games, collections of the books, etc.
REASONING:
In the past, J.K. Rowling has released statements before a book is released. This is unlikely to change.
Concerning the Pottermore Shop, you have to think of who we’re dealing with: Harry Potter. There will be loads of more merchandise to get your hands on. Also, Pottermore has previously said that the Pottermore Shop will open in the first half of 2012. Let’s see if they keep to their deadline.
SEPTEMBER
-Countdown for the new book begins, with a countdown clock appearing on J.K. Rowling’s website along with The Blair Partnership’s and Little, Brown.
– Midnight release parties are planned as the fans and publishing world’s hype grows.
-Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble release a statement saying that pre-orders for the new book have reached an all-time high, breaking more records.
-Fan feedback on Pottermore exceeds expectations, but visitors are left bored upon finishing the first book. Because of this, the second book’s release could be announced by Pottermore at this time.
REASONING:
The book will most likely be released in the fall of 2012, and will excite everyone in the literary world while breaking many records as they go.
Even with great feedback, Pottermore will have to keep visitors content between the books.
MID-LATE OCTOBER- NOVEMBER
-(Pre-book release) Millions of copies of the book are printed and delivered to libraries and bookstores around the world weeks in advance. One-five books will be sold by accident and librarians and booksellers will secretly take the book home and read it.
-After months of waiting, J.K. Rowling’s new book is released. Harry Potter fans and adult readers alike flock to bookstores across the world at midnight to get their hands on the book.
-The book could potentially break first release records. Yet, adult readers may pre-judge and not read the book because of JKR’s experience in children’s books. Book readers will buy because of its “must-read” status, and the millions of Harry Potter fans will because of loyalty and excitement of reading other writing by Jo.
-The first reviews are released by all major newspapers and online media outlets including the New York Times, The Guardian, The Times, Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly and TIME Magazine. I am predicting that the [first] reviews will be mixed but many will praise the book.
-The book rises to the top of the New York Times bestseller list, and sparks a re-issuing of all Harry Potter books.
-Pottermore announces the release of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Pottermore edition.
REASONING:
As with the Harry Potter books and any popular book for that matter, librarians and booksellers are urged to take the book home and read it for early reviews and for knowledge about the book. We are also predicting that some copies will be pre-sold and security on the book will be tight.
The new book is ultimately going to break records, but it may not please everyone, and may not win over all of the readers’ hearts. As stated above, reviews will be mixed, perhaps with the New York Times. Others like Entertainment Weekly (whose book reviewer is Stephen King) will likely praise the book.
The book will be released just in time for the holiday season, perfect for sales. It has the potential to break the records set by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, but as stated above it may be looked over by adult readers.
I chose this time as the initial announcement of the second Pottermore book because it has been stated since the beginning that the second book was to be released in early 2012. If the Pottermore team was ready to release it then, going with the original opening in October 2011, they are sure to be ready by fall 2012.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012:
-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is released on Pottermore, bringing back old visitors and more.
-(post book-release) J.K. Rowling releases a statement on her website once again expressing everyone’s feelings about the book, and her thoughts about the readers’ reaction.
-(pre or post book release) J.K. Rowling may be interviewed for a prime-time special, where she would discuss her new book, life post-Potter, and what to expect from her next.
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