Welcome to HarryAHistory.com!
Welcome to my new site for Harry, A History!
The idea for this book came to me in a much watered-down/hazier version of what it's become more than four years ago. I sat on it for a long time; I tinkered with an outline, I put it aside, took it out again, put it aside again (etc.), and I mostly kept it quiet because it felt like one of those ideas you don't curse by overtalking before it has a chance to take true form. It's somewhat unbelievable to me, then, that it has not only actually been written, but in a few short months it will have been placed between covers and put onto shelves.
As a Potter fan since 2000, I've watched this phenomenon grow...and grow...and grow... until it seemed impossible for it to grow any more. Gathering information about its rise and synthesizing it with my personal story to create this book did at least two things to me that are at odds. First, it provided, not an end, but a natural checkpoint for this stage of the Potter experience for me, one in which I've had time to absorb and distill and reflect. But it also made everything about this time that much more dear. On one hand it felt like a natural wrapup to a life-changing time, and on the other it made it even more a part of my genetic makeup than it had been before.
I hope that when you read this book you enjoy it, and that through my story and the stories of the many and varied fans interviewed and profiled here, you catch reflections of your own time within the Potterverse.
This site will be updated very frequently from here on out, so check back often: Here on the front page will be news and updates about the book and its publication, as well as commentary on the phenomenon or discussion of things that didn't quite make it into the book but about which I know you'd care - basically, it's a blog. I'll also leave a standing offer: e-mail me any questions you have and I promise to answer them to the best of my ability.
There are also several other sections to check out: Down the right side of the page you'll notice a purchase link and an events calendar. Those are pretty self-explanatory, as is About the Author, which contains boring information about me and a link to my personal Web site. Same for Links, which is, ingeniously, a list of links. Ditto for Excerpt: I will eventually post an excerpt there. About the Book is where I'll post synopses and covers, as well as publication information for the various territories. On the Pictures page, I will be posting various pictures from my years in fandom (while I was going through the 10,000+ I've acquired, I noticed many that I wanted to share but which weren't quite right for the book) as well as images I take at events related to the book.
My favorite part of this site is Vault 27, my special little trove for the piles of information that now live in a box in my closet and in too many folders on my computer: all the extra info, stories, tidbits, fun facts, etc., that I couldn't shove into the overflowing drawers of the book. I take that back: I tried to shove them in there, but like laundered socks and bulky sweaters they always stuck out and ruined the shape of things. Now I get to take them out of storage and display them here. There will be a lot of little things from the interview with Jo, as well as stories from various interviews that never fit. The great Sue Upton came up with the name of the section; 27 is after my birthdate.
So, thank you for reading! I look forward to the next few months and to publication, and I can't wait to see this site grow and develop as this book takes its next steps!
Not bad... Not bad.
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Just wanted to let you know that once I got into your web page for the book, I could not go "back" in my browser (Firefox), which is a little bothersome (not the comments page, but the home page).
Can't wait to read it! Thanks!
Congrats Melissa!! Your book looks amazing. Can't wait to read it :D Since I live in Sweden I can't come to any conventions... but I'm there in spirit :) Have a fun tour Melissa I hope we get som great PotterCast shows (not worried at all) :P
Congratulations, Melissa! This is truly inspirational, to watch this come to life from when you first mentioned it, to when you turned in the final, to the actual cover, and soon we get to see the actual book itself! I can't WAIT to read this! I'll see you at Terminus, have a GREAT week!
- Ashley
Well done Melissa :-)
Do the chapters have titles? If so it would be useful to see the Table of Contents in the "About the Book" section of this site.
Wow, Melissa, I'm so proud! Congratulations! I can't wait to buy it.
Melissa,
Conratulations, your book looks amazing! I can't wait to read it- it will be up on my bookshelf right next to my copies of HP. You have always been a great voice for the fandom, and I'm sure your book will be amazing!
Everyone knows Melissa probably did just a simply amazing job on the book and will not let any of us down or leave us out b/c her excitement and passion for the series and fandom sums up us all. I would have no other person write about this, good luck and Congratulations Melissa, I’ll be buying both the English and German copies <3
I am STUNNED that Jo wrote the forward. I'm so jealous but so happy for you at the same time! I hope that makes sense! I have pre-ordered your book on amazon and I cannot WAIT to read it!!! LOVE YOU AND POTTERCAST!!!!
Congrats Melissa. You've been a wonderful part of the Harry Potter expirience for me (along with the rest of the Leaky team). I can't wait to read this book.
Congratulations are for sure in order. Even though I've been in the Facebook group for a month or so now it's still exciting to see the sign of your book. Should we give it a name like 'The Scottish Book'? Hmm..
Congratulations, Melissa! I completely envy your experience in the Potter fandom. Mine has been awesome two, but I've never gotten to interview Jo! I can't wait to read your book and I'm looking forward to meeting you on Tuesday once you decide a time and place for the Boston PC. I'll have to make a bookplate for you to sign that I can put in my book once I buy it.
Love the Cover Melissa, and Good Luck with the sales, I can't wait till November!
Hi Melissa.
First of all.. Concratulations on your book! It must be absolutely awesome to write a book about Harry and the fandom.
I hope I can get my hands on it, cause I don't know if I'm able to buy it in the Netherlands, but I'm going to everything I can to buy it :P
Can't wait till November!
- Patricia
Cheers Melissa!Well done!
Congratulations Melissa! I'm so excited for you and cannot wait until November 4th!
As a devoted Leaky fan (ever since I ordered the TLC window sticker and you actually responded to me via e-mail way back when) and an avid Pottercast listener to boot- your book's publication is the icing on the cake for me! Yay! I love all that you and the Leaky crew do!
I was thrilled when I heard you announce your book on pottercast, Melissa, and I can't wait for it to come out! You've got a purchase link to Amazon.com - but after listening to you for years on pottercast and reading Leaky, I feel like you're a friend (we're all friends in the fandom), and I want an autographed copy - I bet I'm not the only one!! I treasure my autographed copy of Chamber of Secrets from when Jo was in Washington, DC, lo these many years ago, and I want an autographed copy of Harry, A History on the shelf with CS. Please talk to your editor about getting extra author copies that you can sell to those of us who can't get to venues where you'll be doing signings - or consider getting special bookplates that you can autograph and we can order from you (illustrated by Frak??). You're a special part of the fandom history now, and your Leaky friends want signed first editions - I'm sure they'll run out fast!
Hey Melissa .. I love your book (already) and this site totally rocks, too.
The cover is awesome :)
Congratulations, Melissa! I absolutely cannot wait for this book! :D
I love to listen to pottercast. When I heard that you were writing a book, my ears perked up. Now seeing the book cover and knowing how close it is to publication, I'm getting so excited. I'm so happy for you Melissa and I know this book is going to be great! Can't wait to get my hands on it. BTW, LOVE the cover!
Wow. As a longtime listener to pottercast, and a frequent visiter to leaky, I've become so used to your writing style and vocabulary. I shouldn't be surprised that you've made what I'm sure is going to be a well written, informative and very entertaining book, though I am yet to get over the shock of actually seeing a cover!
Congratulations on getting published, and enjoy your sucess to come.
Melissa,
I love the site. Please tell FRAK that the illustrations are the best. I am so excited about your book. Since it is coming out in Australia, I am hoping I can get a copy in New Zealand. If not, I'll have it sent by my 80 year old Dad in Dallas!
Thanks for being the Potter-nut you are and best of luck with the book.
Melissa, I have just posted under the Leaky News entry, so won't repeat myself. Instead I'll just say ...
Hooray for the HP fandom, and thank you for putting this book together - I am sure there is no-one better suited or more capable of documenting this fantastic fandom over the last few years.
The site looks good and I can't wait to see it really fill up with cool info etc. Keep up the good work and I can't wait to read the book.
I can't wait to read it i just need to have my dad help me get it first. I wish i could of joined the potter fandom sooner, because i actually didn't start reading them till about three years ago, so i came in kind of late , but i am glad i did. I listen to pottercast, and anticipate one after the other you have inspired me deaply and i thank you for that. I want to become an author myself , and i am starting out with fanfiction first though. well can't wait to read your book.
addicted pottercast listener
marri green age 13
Hoooray!! Can't wait to read it, Melissa!!
-Mary (aka ZoeRose)
Hiya,
This is fantastic :) Congratulations on the book!! It really is about time that a book about our amazing and wonderful fandom came out and I can't think of a better person to write it.
Congrats again and I am so looking forward to November.
Best Wishes to you :)
I can't wait to read your book! My family and I love everything Potter. It's so wonderful to know that there are so many people that love to escape to JK Rowling's world. Congratulations Melissa on your book ~~ I am sure it will be a great success!!
Hi Melissa just wanted to stop by and say that you are amazing and I am sure your book will be too. I know that everyone (and not just Leaky fans!) is eager and excited to read Harry, a History and I wish you all my support and good luck.