I originally had a different post for today, but this morning's announcement *CLEARLY* takes precedence. Be warned - this will be a long post and there will be A LOT! OF GUSHING! WITH EXCLAMATIONS! I'm overusing !!! and I don't care!
POTTERMORE is the last word in Potter fandom. In JKR's own words:
"This was about the give-back. The technology existed to do something outside the books and films for the existing fans....I wanted to give something back to the fans that have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new digital generation. I hope fans and those new to Harry will have as much fun helping to shape Pottermore as I have. Just as I have contributed to the website, everyone else will be able to join in by submitting their own comments, drawings and other content in a safe and friendly environment – Pottermore has been designed as a place to share the stories with your friends as you journey through the site."Thank you, JKR!
So Pottermore is heralded as an interactive website where HP fans can share stories, interact, and blah blah blah. We already do that elsewere on the interwebs. MORE IMPORTANTLY, Pottermore will sell digital audiobooks and finally...E-BOOKS! (Pottermore is the exclusive place to buy HP e-books. Sorry, Amazon and B&N.) Finally I can have ALL SEVEN
EVEN MORE IMPORTANT than e-books, JKR announced she will be unveiling NEW MATERIAL! *reaches for inhaler* More than 18,000 new words featuring info she's been hoarding lo these many years - and that's only a third of what she's written so far! Among these 18,00 words will be...wait for it... McGonagall's backstory - her childhood, ministry career, early heartbreak(!!!), and long relationship with Dumbledore. We also get some backstory on Vernon and Petunia. (They met at work.) There will be a lot more content to come as Pottermore develops and grows. While not The Scottish Book (the official, definitive HP Encyclopedia) that many of us were waiting for, I can't say I'm disappointed. I'm excited to dive back into Hogwarts again and learn something new!
::breathe in, breathe out::
In my excitement, I kind of glossed over the interactive portion of Pottermore, so let me go back. The "interaction" is actually pretty cool - you get to digitally experience each book as if you were really a Hogwarts student. So for the first book, Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone, you're Sorted into a House by the Sorting Hat according to your characteristics (as JKR says, "You get one shot at this. It's like a Mensa test, there's no going back.") - and if you're not sorted into Gryffindor, you get to find out even more info about your House. (Ravenclaw FTW!) The Wand Chooser also factors into your Sorting and assigns you a wand (from over 33,000 combinations personally crafted by JKR!) You can even visit Diagon Alley, cast spells, mix potions, and win points for your House in the race for the House Cup - just like a real Hogwarts student.
Holy moly, this is the ULTIMATE timesuck! The second book, Chamber of Secrets, doesn't come out until 2012. And we're only beginning! I seriously *cannot wait* until Prisoner of Azkaban (OMG dementors! Time Turner!) and Goblet of Fire (Quidditch World Cup! Triwizard Tournament!) And Order of the Phoenix. And....okay, okay, you get the picture.
Pottermore doesn't actually beta launch until July 31 - Harry's birthday - but I am SO! FREAKING! EXCITED! about everything JKR has revealed so far. If you sign up now on www.pottermore.com, Pottermore will send you notification for "open registration" on July 31st when an online challenge will be launched. The first million people to complete the challenge and successfully register will get early beta access. The rest of us unfortunate Muggles must wait until the universal launch in October. I've been trying to register since 7am and the site continues to be overwhelmed under the crush of HP fans worldwide. Somewhere, a server is gurgling smoke and flame. Still, I keep trying!
Have YOU signed up yet? www.pottermore.com
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