The Rejection of Harry Potter
When J.K. Rowling first submitted her novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, to publishers, she was met with a resounding “no.” In fact, the book was rejected by 12 different publishing houses before Bloomsbury accepted it.
The rejection of Harry Potter was not for lack of quality. In fact, the book was praised by many of the publishers who rejected it. The main issue was that the book was considered too long and too complex for a children’s book. Many publishers were concerned that it would be too difficult for children to understand.
However, one publisher, Bloomsbury, saw the potential in the book and decided to take a chance on it. A copy of the book was submitted to Bloomsbury and was a significant step in convincing them to offer J.K. Rowling her first contract.
The rest, as they say, is history. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released in 1997 and went on to become one of the most successful books of all time. It has been translated into over 80 languages and has sold over 500 million copies worldwide.
The rejection of Harry Potter is a reminder that even the most successful books have to start somewhere. It is a testament to J.K. Rowling’s determination and perseverance that she was able to find a publisher who believed in her book. Thanks to Bloomsbury, the world was able to experience the magic of Harry Potter.