In Depth

« Back to Features

Bloomsbury plans for a spell without Harry

03.08.07 Katherine Rushton and Graeme Neill

Bloomsbury is in exclusive talks to buy a “bolt-on” business to help generate growth post-Harry Potter. It is also confident that it will publish J K Rowling’s next title. Chairman and c.e.o. Nigel Newton said: “[The acquisition] is something small, not big, and in common with most acquisitions we’ve made it’s not a target; they’re people coming to us.” He declined to say whether the potential suitor was a UK or US business, but confirmed it would publish in a specialist area.

Newton also expressed confidence that Bloomsbury will win J K Rowling’s next book. “Do I expect us to publish these [Rowling’s next books]? Yes. Are they under contract to us? No. Has there been any discussion about the timing of these books? No. None whatsoever.” According to Rowling’s editor Emma Matthewson, the author’s next project will probably be for children. Rowling has also said she will consider putting together a Potter encyclopedia for charity.

The news follows sales of a further 925,991 copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in its first full week of trading. Sales for the first eight days now stand at 3,566,137, 91% of the total sales to date of HP6. The two editions of the HP7 CD audiobook have sold a combined 14,141 copies, worth £584,790—with an a.s.p. of £41 compared to the r.r.p. of £75.

The past week has seen Waterstone’s increase its price for the title from £8.99 to £10.99. It also launched a new “Life After Harry” promotion featuring Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi; Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer; Inkheart by Cornelia Funke; Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy; and Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo.

Amazon.co.uk is also running a “Life After Harry” promotion, offering discounts of between 30% and 50% across 24 titles including J R R Tolkien’s Children of Húrin, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy and Joanne Harris’ Runemarks. It continues to sell HP7 at £8.99.

W H Smith is still selling HP7 for £6.99 if more than £15 is spent instore, and for £10.99 as a standalone book. It is promoting G P Taylor’s Wormwood as a “Perfect Partner”, selling it for £1.99 alongside Deathly Hallows. WHS is also running a “buy one get one free” offer on its top 50 children’s books, with the campaign expected to continue throughout August.

harry potter Bloomsbury Katherine Rushton and Graeme Neill

See Also