When J.K. Rowling wrote the first book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, she was rejected by 12 publishers. Among the (ostensible) reasons for rejection were that the book was too conventional, too long, too weird or too old-fashioned. It is difficult to understand why any of these reasons would be a problem for the audience that Rowling wrote the book for.
The book was certainly not too conventional. Rowling’s unique world of wizards, witches, and magical creatures was anything but conventional. It was a completely new and imaginative world that readers were eager to explore.
The book was not too long either. At a mere 76,944 words, it was a perfectly reasonable length for a children’s book. In fact, it was much shorter than many other children’s books.
The book was not too weird either. Rowling’s magical world was certainly imaginative, but it was also quite accessible to readers. It was a world that readers could easily relate to and understand.
Finally, the book was not too old-fashioned. Rowling’s writing style was modern and engaging, and her characters were complex and interesting. The book was certainly not outdated or dull.
It is difficult to understand why publishers rejected Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It was an imaginative and engaging book that was perfectly suited to its intended audience. Thankfully, Rowling eventually found a publisher who recognized the potential of her book, and the rest is history.
