How Pottermore will revolutionize publishing: 4 predictions

J.K. Rowling's new Harry Potter website — an exclusive venue for selling e-books — is poised to shake-up the publishing industry in myriad ways

J.K. Rowling
(Image credit: REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett)

On Thursday, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling cleared up the "mystery" of her Pottermore website. As many suspected, it will be an exclusive venue for selling the books in e-book form directly to consumers as well as a social networking site for Potter heads. Given that Rowling has, to date, stubbornly refused to make Harry and Co. available via e-reader, what does this development mean for the publishing industry? Four takes:

1. It represents a "tipping point" for e-books: "Pottermore.com could absolutely move the needle toward widespread e-reader adoption in a way that no other series possibly could," says Laura Hazard Owen at Paid Content. It's perfectly positioned to bring in a number of new e-reader adopters: Adults who never read the print versions; fans of the books who want the digital experience; and a new generation of kids who've never read the books. That's potentially millions of e-Potter buyers. "Combine that massive audience with falling e-reader prices and the release of the books near the holiday season," and it's shaping up to be an e-publishing "tipping point."

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