wow! on the cover of the paper on that historical day! on the same page with then-future-president-elect barack! coolness, melissa. =)

haha wow. Mccain, Obama, Mellissa.
Plainly awesome, can't wait to get the book.

Melissa,

I picked up your book today and am only a few chapters into it, but I must say I am quite impressed and truly happy for your success with it. I am looking forward to savoring every chapter and reliving my own parallel memories. Interesting that you and I both starting reading Harry about the same time, after GoF came out. I've been hooked ever since. So, from one adult fan to another - Harry is the best.

Congratulations on a great success!

that's phenomenal.

Awesome! And bang on! I just got my copy today and absolutely love it!

That's so great Melissa!!

I got my book today! I was wandering around helplessly at my bookstore, because I had no idea where they would keep it, so I looked it up ontheir computers and the lady that worked there said "Why is it there? Unless it's supposed to be some kind of farce..." You cannot imagine the death glare I gave her when I said "No, it's quite serious. Thank you."

Anyway, I'm 17 pages in and loving it so much. The foreward was (obviously) amazing, and the first chapter made my own memories of that day come flooding back. I've barely started it and can't put it down. Congrats on an amazing book, Melissa.

that has to be the coolest thing in the world to be on the front cover of USA Tocay!!

Melissa,

Congratualtions on the USA Today cover.

Thank you for writing "Harry". You totally captured what it is like to be part of the fandom. Brought back many memories of reading the series for the first time and being part of the entire Harry Potter experience from the beginning. Absolutely loved it.

Wow congrats Melissa that is fantastic hope you get it framed, I can't wait to get my hands on the book however I do have to wait till the 18th as i've ordered the British Edition.

Well done chuck!!

So cool!

I got my copy of HaH on monday and since then my day pattern has been pretty much the same. I am participating in NaNoWriMo and try to write as much as possible, so what I have been doing is get home from school, write untill I'm to tired to do that and then read HaH untill I fall asleep with the book on my stomach. I am trying to take my time with it and NaNoWriMo is somehow allowing me to not rush through it.

Revisiting the beginning of the books, the movies, the online fandom and Wizard Rock has reminded me of things that I had forgotten and told me some things that I did not yet know. Most of all, though, it has allowed me to place my Harry story into the right place in the whole story arc. When I was twelve and did lots of duelling practice during every break in school I had no idea about the fandom or how big it was, so it was nice to sit back and see what else was going on at the time. Frankly, I sometimes thought I was going nuts when I realised how much time I spent thinking about Harry. Looking at classmates who didn't even care if it should be Harry/Hermione or Ron/Hermione confused me even more - how could I be the only one? Later, the HP spider web caught me and of course I found lots of people to talk to about Harry, but before that I was the slightest bit freaked out by how obsessed I was. Harry, a History has somehow given me the final confirmation that I wasn't crazy.

So thank you. I'm going to write some more tonight and then snuggle behind my covers to let that magical curtain be draped around me, the one that allows me to exist in an alternate universe where Harry is the only thing that matters.

Melissa, I picked up your book for my birthday yesterday (the 4th.. what a day to have a birthday!). I just had time to sit down with it and read the first chapter this morning. Your writing is absolutely fabulous. I had to fight myself to stop after only one chapter so I can get some work done. ;) Very much cannot wait to finish the rest.

Congrats! You go, girl. :D

Omg! How awesome! Congratulations!

Melissa - How cool to be on the front page the day Obama is elected president. What an amazing day. YOu have to have that framed!

Many congratulations, Melissa. I look forward to reading your book soon.

Wow, this is one of the most notable dates in history for the fact that Melissa's first book is officially released! Oh and in other news, a new president has been elected, forgot what his name is... :D. Congratulations to all my American friends here for their vote of change. It was the most fascinating presidential race i have seen from overseas.

This is great, Melissa! Congratulations! I was lucky enough to get the day off work, so I'll be leaving shortly to head down to NYC from MA. I was able to get a ticket to the Equus matinee, and then I'll be at the signing - a great day all around. Can't wait to see you!

I had to wait 30 min. for a B&N employee in Fresno CA to find your book for me in there store. they kept saying it was in and it was kind of funny seeing 4 different employies looking for your book. in the end they found it in the humor section of all places, by all the Peanuts and Get Fuzzy comic strip book. it was worth the wait just for that!

Congrats Melissa. Your book is getting so much publicity. I love it. Frown upon me as I have not yet ordered the book because I have been waiting for the Australian Dollar to recover a bit. And since now it is hovering at 68 cents I might.
Anyway congrats on making the front page :)

That cover of USA Today is amazing and made more so by YOU! So Cool!

I caught you on You Tube reading at Terminus and even though I had already ready and enjoyed your book I found myself choking up at the memory of the announcement of the release date of Deathly Hallows. It's a great book...USA Today, Tomorrow the World!

Melissa, I finished your book a few hours ago after rushing to Borders this morning to get it and taking a picture as soon as I had it in my hands. It was amazing and I thank you immensely for writing it. I got lost in this book and found the world that I love and all of the great people and things that have happened in it and have happened to me. Thank you for this book. Thank you so very much for this book.

Melissa,
Congratulations on the book! I just got it today, went straight to the acknowledgments and read the names of all the people I feel like I know through the site and the podcast and it made me SQUEEEE! You are awesome and I can't wait to get started.

Melissa- you are amazing! congrats! i am sitting here watching election returns and i picked up USA Today to look at the predictions- and OMG, there you were!

Congratulations on your book and being on the front of USA today. I made note on the forum that I couldn't believe that you have only read the series three times. That's just not normal for a Potter fan! Glad you cleared that up...lol. Picked up my copy of your book today - going to disappear and read it. Good on yah!

Melissa - Thank you for writing this book. I've been excited about it for weeks; so excited, that when I left Barnes and Noble, I sat in my car and read a few chapters. Huge, huge congratulations, and thanks again for sharing this with us!
Victoria

Awesome! The future leader of the nation and the leader of the Potter fandom! I hope to see you at an event, too- I'll be there if you come near to where I live.

oh my goodness that is so exciting!!!!!!
i've ordered my from amazon and it says it's coming. am going to check if it's at my local book store today (yeah, i kind of did things backwards) but you can never be too careful. but if i do it this way i may end up with a UK edition and a US edition.

I picked up two copies today at lunch. One for me and another as a gift for my brother. I've got the book sitting right next to me on my desk. Somehow having it in eyesight makes me happy. I've snuck a read of J.K. Rowling's foreword and the beginning of the first chapter, but work got in the way of my fun. I can't wait to get home and tear into this tonight.

I've picked up the book in the english original at the local bookstore this noon. I had it pre-ordered yesterday, and when I arrived at the order-pickup, the sales Lady asked "What is it with this book? We've had 10 pre-orders for it in the original version. That is highly unusual for something that isn't Harry P..." and then she looked at the cover and went "Oh. OH! The webmistress of the Leaky Cauldron! Oh, I'm going to snag one of these for my lunchbreak."
.. and the universe shifted and for a moment, all was well ;)

But seriously, congrats! I'm finally off to read it now after hours of college work.

Ninny Treetops
Germany

I saw this! i was like OMG ITS MELISSA!
that sentence is so funny.

Oh my god. I'm buying a copy and clipping the article and putting it on my wall immediately.

YEAH!!!!! THAT'S AMAZING!!! Mine is "on the way" I can't wait!!!! (I guess I'll have to wait until your next youtube contest though...)

YEAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melissa, I just have to add my congrats to the many you have already gotten! TLC is my absolute FAVE HP site, it really captures every facet of the books and the fandom in a very real and amazingly fun way, and so ever since I heard you were writing a book I was really excited. Now I have it and can't wait to read it! Thanks for representing all the HP fans of the world :)

Thank you, Melissa!! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Your book is a very special gift for every Harry-Potter-Fan and those, who are just curious about what the hell a wizard boy`s story could possibly have to transform more or less "normal" human beings into stupendously devoted and enthusiastic fans who know no boundaries when it comes to celebrating, discussing and simply loving everything Potter and its Fandom!
I live in Germany and could pick up your book today, which is really amazing since I usually have to wait at least a week for english books after the release date! I started to read it whenever I found a minute in between classes at university. And after my last class I actually missed my bus stop; never happend before, not even with a Potter book! I was so captured by your wonderful writing - all those memories, all these emotions, I teared up a lot, it`s almost ridiculous.

Love your book, love your ability to express such complex happenings and feelings in this wonderful way and I certainly love you for investing so much time and effort in giving us the pleasure of Podcasts, Vlogs, News, Projects, your book and much much more!
Whatever you do, I`ll always want more!

XXX

HOLY HELL.

I'M GOING TO BUY THREE COPIES AND BATHE IN THEM.

Awesome, just found the book is gonna available in South Africa too! Look forward to getting my hands on it Melissa - will publicise it as much as I can here.

Dear Melissa,

I picked up my copy of your book in Amsterdam (you know, from the liquor) yesterday and had a hard time putting it down. I've read most of the books about Harry Potter by now, but yours certainly is in the top five of them. I could relate very well to its content (recognised it easily) and had a great laugh every now and then. Maybe because I've never been interested in shipping or wizarding rock, I found those parts harder to read, but the rest made the book a real page-turner and I was sorry to see the last page appear - even though the book was thicker than I thought it would be. So thank you very much and I hope your book will do well. Good luck with TLC, my favorite site as well...

Hey Melissa,

Your book is great--what fun to read and think, "Yeah, that was exactly what it was like!" Well, except the part where you meet Jo... =) I laughed out loud when you described Paul DeGeorge digging a smelly shirt out of the van--when I met them before a show started one time, I thought, "Really? THIS smell before the show??" =)
I admire you so much for taking this fandom to a new level and creating a nitch for yourself and Leaky out of nothing. You go girl!!

Wow! This is so great Melissa! Crazy! And it must be seriously surreal. haha. Congrats!!!

Blimey!!

I just cracked it open and am already half to tears with flashbacks. Awesomeaswesomeawesome job, and congratulations! :D

I just went totally slack-jaw when I saw the cover...congrats, Melissa, that is so awesome! I'm currently reading your book and I'm really enjoying it so far. Not only is it incredibly informative (I'm learning so many new things!) but is also just generally fun to relive moments from years past. Thanks for writing.

I waited to buy your book in the store. I wanted the experience of going into the store finding it and purchasing it. I finished the first chapter and had to stop and you know... work.

The first podcast I listened to was when you got yanked off iTunes. I've been listening ever since. Scary.

Yes I also voted today too. I think we shall be celebrating two important things tonight.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

YES, YES, YES!!
I just got my book in the mail today, and you are on the front page of USA Today. All is well!!

Congratulations Melissa!!! You deserve it!

Just placed my order. Congratulations Melissa. :)

Firstly...

ZOMG THAT IS AMAZING AND AWESOMEPANTS. AGAIN. I swear, at this rate, I won't be too surprised if I wake up tomorrow to find "Anelli Wins In Biggest Write-in Upset in US History!" as the front line...

By the way, I voted for Moochka for Attorney General in my state, because the Dems and Repubs had fielded the same candidate, so with that kind of political power behind him, he's sure to win, so I didn't mind writing in a cat.

Secondly...

"It's John McCain, Barack Obama, and YOU." AGAIN, HILARITY ZOMG AWESOMEPANTS. Siriusly, if you keep this up, you may have to write a companion book - ""Harry, A History", A History"!

Thirdly...

This sentence really bugged me: "(Rowling's approval is key: Earlier this year she won a lawsuit to block another fan's plans to publish a Potter lexicon.)" No it's not! What's key is really her lack of disapproval! Sheesh! I mean, it was great and all that you got an interview with Jo, and made the book more fun and such, but you easily could have sold the book without it! Sorry, but the media's seemingly willful misinterpretation of the WB-RDR case makes me mad.

Fourthly...

However, I did like this sentence: "She has read each Potter book three times and interviewed Rowling the same number." Just saying, a fun little sentence, and proves that they at least did their homework on you, if not on J.K. Rowling's views on companion works.

So, CONGRATS MELISSA!!!! AWESOMEPANTS!!!!

Well done Melissa!!!!!

I pre-ordered my copy today but because I'm from Ireland it won't be here until the 19th!

Ciara

xxx

Happy Election Day and Happy Book Release Day, Melissa!

Norway loves you to:) one of the two biggest newspapers here has an article about your book today: http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2008/11/04/552694.html

When I picked up the paper today I was thrilled to see Melissa. Can wait to go pick up the book!

Hi Melissa! Congratulations so much on your book! I am very happy for you. Just thought I'd give you this link which I just found on the main page of a Norwegian newspaper :)

http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2008/11/04/552694.html

Dagbladet is a big newspaper in Norway. A quick and probably messy translation (sorry, but my English skills have kinda gone down the drain the last few years) of the article follows:

I'm really happy to see you've reached the newspapers in my teeny tiny country (newspapers flooded with US election articles atm) as well. Go Melissa!

POTTER FANS GET THEIR OWN BOOK

She is, if not the biggest, then one of the biggest Harry Potter fans in the world.

Melissa Anelli (28) has been webmaster at The Leaky Cauldron since 2001. This is the second largest Harry Potter fansite on the web, with more than a million hits each month.

It's only beaten by Mugglenet, whose main readers are younger. Now, Anelli has written a book about being a Potter fan.

Harry, A History was released today, and here, she tells why she loves Harry Potter so much, how her website has developed, and the history behind the Potter books.

The foreword is written by none other than Potter author JK Rowling. She previously hasn't been all that excited about unauthorized Potter books, and earlier this year, she sued a fan who tried to publish a Harry Potter lexicon. But she doesn't mind Anellis book at all.

The tale of the online fandom is every bit as extraordinary as Harry's own, she writes, and it has left me with a feeling of awe and gratitude, Rowling writes in the foreword according to USA today.

And there's obviously still room for Potter out there. Anellis book is #1 on the list of pre-ordered childrens books at Borders.com. Ahead of Rowling's latest tale, "The tales of Beedle the Bard".

oh Melissa! i am soo happy for you and have never been prouder to be a fan! this is such an amazing start! I am mildly upset that my mother, who is not a fan, knew taht you were on the cover before me-but even that can not dull my joy!Due to a book stores stupidity and my lack or a computer while out of town, i recieved teh book 4 days ago and am just over half way done. I LOVE IT!!!! i especially enjoyed hearing about how you entered the fandom and hte chapter on wrock! i feel like i can hand this book to any of my friends and say "read this...you will understand my life"! i am soo happy for you and i already treasure the book! it is truly wonderful!

How wonderful for you! I am so very happy for you and you deserve it. Enjoy every moment.

OMG, Melissa, that is soooo cool! Congratulations again for making history! I bet you're feeling kind of shell-shocked right now - try to enjoy it, I'm sure you will.

Guh! I'm DYING to read this book! Any ideas when It'll be out in Dubai?

Woohoo! Major congrats to you on that accomplishment. I got my book yesterday and am now through the first 3 chapters and most of 4. I laughed out loud at the comments about it being "over" with book 7. Right! Harry Potter lives on .. and will continue to do so with people like you and all of the other fans.

Taking my lunch break now so that I can read feverishly while I eat.

What seems to be the online version of the article is at
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2008-11-03-harry-potter-history_N.htm
You do get a front page link, but not a prominent one.

Melissa, that is so freaking cool. On one of the most important days in US history, you get your face on the cover of USA Today! LoL. That is so awesome.

Anyway, I went to Barnes and Noble here in Morgantown, WV a couple hours ago and picked up THE LAST COPY ON THE SHELF! There were probably more in the backroom, but it was still neat nonetheless. I took a picture on my phone just to prove it. Yes, your books are flying off the shelves even in West "By God" Virginia.

Congratulations on everything! My copy isn't here yet (I'm from Argentina) and I can't wait. I'm sure it'll be amazing.

I am so incredibly proud of you, Melissa. Congratulations on all the hard work and determination that made this happen. As I read, I keep getting caught up in my own memories and nostalgia...that's so hard to choke back!

Enjoy your day...because no matter WHAT is going on in the Muggle World, this day in the Wizarding World is uniquely and totally yours. <3

Oh, Melissa! That is too unreal!

omg! melissa that is so kool! congrats! sadly i cannot buy your book until the weekend )=! have fun being a famous author!

HOLY CRAP! You should be thanking everyone who helped make this day the books release date, because election day with you smack on the front cover is pretty flipping impressive!!!

You're a star now! :-) Congrats on all the wonderful news surrounding your book. I got mine yesterday, stayed up too late reading it and can't wait to finish it.

Hooray! Melissa with Obama and McCain!!!! This is so exciting.

Wow, concratulations on the cover!!
It must be really weird to see your picture on the cover of USA Today, on the same day as the elections.

I'm still waiting to get my copy, I can't order it from any site from the US, cause I haven't got a creditcard, but I hope it will get available in the Netherlands soon.

For now, just enjoy all the attention you are getting. I'm sure you deserve it!

Aaahh! Melissa! That's YOU!! Aaaaahh!!!

Oh my Gosh Melissa! How cool is that???? It must be so surrealist to have your picture on the same front page as the candidates of one of the most important elections in our country's history! Wow! I just love it! (Huge smile on my face).

Why is my pre-ordered (from Amazon.co.uk) U.K. edition of your book going to be dispatched on Nov 18? Did they get the release date wrong?