How Harry Potter Sales Changed the Book Industry

Harry Potter books have changed industry expectations for the income generated by stories for children. No longer are book sales by an unknown author, such as J. K. Rowling was pre-Potter, allowed to build and crest gradually. Instead, publishers want a tsunami of pre-orders, merchandise tie-ins and overnight sales. And why not, after the explosion the final Harry Potter book caused?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in the series alone: 

• Had over 1 million Amazon and Barnes & Noble pre-orders
• Became the fastest-selling book title of all time
• Will be made into not one but two feature-length movies (Warner Bros., to be released 2010 and 2011)

 
It is safe to say that J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series revolutionized children's publishing. While the effects on readers have been considered positive, the effects on the industry's up-and-coming authors have yet to be calculated.

To view more examples of our work, visit the Sample Content section of our website. And to learn more about J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter, read our sample article Harry Potter Blazes the Publishing Trail.