Publishers prays for Harry Potter ‘halo effect’
NewYork (Reuters)
As millions of fans devour the 870 pages of the latest Harry Potter blockbuster, rival publishers pray for a “
Halo effect” and the chance to serve up the next book to young readers.
“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phonix.” The fifth book in J.K Rowling’s series about the bespectacled boy wizard,sold more than 5 million copies on June 21 alone ,the first day it hit bookstore shelves.
Rather than envy U.S Potter publisher Scholastic Corp’s success, industry insiders are grateful that Rowling’s magic touch has field up interest in children’s books.”Everybody’s excited that all the hoopla is about reading.”said Tracy van Straaten, director of publicity for simon& Schuster.”It’s a very feel-good thing.”
“Everyone is anxious to see the impact of all the media attention on foot tracks into bookstores this summer.”
Said Doug whiteman,president of Penguin Young Readers Group,”Harry Potter has flung the door open to sales of children’s fantasy books.”
Fantasy series and serials are the rage and there is no shortage of titles.
From the”Artemis Fowl” series by Eoin Colfer about a brilliant,criminally minded youth,to Daniel Handler’s humorously gloomy Lemony snicket books of”A series of Unfortunate Events” and Philip Pullman’s sophisticated “his Dark Materials”series , a wide variety is offered.
“I think without a doubt you have to say that Ms.Rowling did a service for readership and the book industry ingenerals,”says Richard Klonfas,children’s books buyer for Coliseum Books in New York .
“She has gotten kids very excited to read.”
Fantasy sections are flush with choices,according to Dara La Porte,manager of the children’s department at Washington’s Politics and Prose book store.
Vienna-born Eva Ibboston, who has written on witches and Wizards and ghosts,is among authors to benefit from the Harry Potter “halo effect,” according to La Porte.200307081941pison172161170