Pottermore.com revealed (GUA, REU, PC)

By Nancy Tartaglione

The meaning of Pottermore is a secret no more. On Thursday, JK Rowling unveiled the mystery behind the website that has had people playing guessing games all week. Pottermore.com will be an interactive site which will offer the seven existing "Harry Potter" novels in ebook form beginning in October. While Rowling confirmed she will not write another Potter novel, she has written extensive new material about the world of the boy wizard which will offer fresh background and which she said she's "been hoarding for years."

According to The Guardian, while the ebooks will be for purchase, the new material is free and unrestricted for users. The first book, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" will go up in October with the others following suit.

The site will open to one million users (enter early!) on 31 July - Harry's birthday - with its full launch to all users in October.

Here's a video of Rowling making the announcement:

GUA:

The site is intended to bring the storyline to life for users, with new illustrations and interactive "moments" which can be navigated through. Users start out by choosing a magical username, and as they move through the chapters of the book they will be sorted into houses, choose wands and experience life at Hogwarts, just like Harry. Points can be won for houses by casting spells and mixing potions.

Regarding a memo that was leaked to UK papers on Wednesday, Rolwing's rep on Wednesday confirmed to Paid Content that the memo was real.

"Much as we would like to say this is an elaborate stunt to create excitement, I'm afraid it was a simple error," the rep said. "The document is an old plan which is now out of date. The full details about the Pottermore project will be revealed at the press conference tomorrow (Thursday)."

Related Links

Pottermore website launched by JK Rowling as 'give-back' to fans (GUA)
Harry Potter novels to become ebooks, but no sequel (REU)
Rowling Rep Confirms Leaked Pottermore.com Memo Is Real, Not A Stunt (PC)