J.K. Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter series has captivated readers of all ages since its first book was published in 1997. The series has gone on to become one of the most successful franchises in history, but it almost never happened. A new exhibit at the British Library in London reveals that Rowling’s original pitch for the series was rejected 12 times before finally being accepted.

The exhibit, which is called “Harry Potter: A History of Magic,” includes the original pitch that Rowling sent to publishers in 1995. The pitch was written on a typewriter and includes a synopsis of the first book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” as well as a list of characters and a sample chapter.

The pitch was rejected by 12 publishers before finally being accepted by Bloomsbury. According to the exhibit, Bloomsbury was initially hesitant to publish the book, but the 8-year-old daughter of the chairman of the company read the book and insisted that they publish it.

The exhibit also includes a number of other magical items, such as a handwritten draft of the first chapter of the book, a rare first edition of the book, and a number of other artifacts from the Harry Potter universe.

The exhibit is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of believing in yourself. Despite being rejected 12 times, Rowling never gave up on her dream and eventually found success. The exhibit is a reminder that no matter how many times you get rejected, you should never give up on your dreams.