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rivia on the ultra-popular Potter

Some facts surrounding the imminent publication of J.K. Rowling's sixth Harry Potter adventure: - As the largest print run in Canadian history, stacked copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince would measure 100 times higher than Toronto's CN Tower. - So many Harry Potter books are currently in print around the world that if placed end-to-end they would circumnavigate the equator 1.4 times. - Already, the new Potter book is the second-bestselling book in Amazon.ca's history, just behind Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and ahead of The Life of Pi and The Da Vinci Code.

- It is anticipated that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will sell more copies at Indigo, Chapters and Coles in the first 24 hours of its release than The Da Vinci Code sold in its first year.
Abebooks.com, an online books marketplace, has discovered hundreds of Harry Potters in North America who were leading normal lives until J.K. Rowling's fantasy books became worldwide bestsellers.

- Although the book will be available to the public on July 16, many bookstores will remain open late on the 15th to sell copies at one minute after midnight. (List price is $41.)

- Because of its unique time zone, Newfoundland and Labrador is where the first Potter books will be released to the North American public, at midnight. The Fairmont Newfoundland hotel is even offering the Hocus-Pocus Package, which includes a night's accommodation and a copy of the book.

Fantastic
Harry Potter fans gear up for release of sixth book with midnight release parties, readings

Friday is going to be a long day for LaMonte Henry, but if that's what it takes for him to get his copy of Harry Potter, he's says it's worth it. "I'll stay up for about 48 hours to read that. I've done it before," Henry, 35, said. "We got Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixand I was done in a 24-hour period," he said. Like many, Grant County residents, Henry will be hitting area stores at midnight Saturday to pick up one of the most popular books this summer, Harry Potter and the Half -Blood Prince. He and his wife Misty, Marion, are serious Potter fans - so serious in fact, Misty uses Hermione Granger, one of the series' trio of main characters, as her e-mail moniker. Misty, 30, said she was the first to start reading the books, but her husband is the bigger fan. "(My) husband keeps hoarding the books. (He) reads them so many times it's not even funny," she said. The new fantasy genre book is the sixth installment of the J.K. Rowling series. People of all ages have found themselves being hooked on the books. "The power that they have is kind of interesting," Lindsey Treadwell, 13, said. "This guy is here to save the world." She said she has not yet read the books, but has seen the movies and plans on reading the new book. Misty said the controversy that followed the release of the first book by many Christian-based churches motivated her to see what the dispute was about. "I learned a long time about not to let the church do my thinking for me, even though I'm Christian I don't let anyone tell me what I think," she said. Some libraries are finding that the older books are starting to circulate more. "I don't even know if there are any on the shelf," said Theresa Tyner, head of the Marion Public Library Children's and Youth Services. Other libraries already have had a number of people sign up for a reserved copy of the book. Rita Duncan, children's department specialist at the Gas City-Mill Township Public Library, said there are 30 people waiting to get a chance to read the new book. She said she is even hooked on the books and is re-reading the old ones to refresh her memory of the plot. "We're just as anxious as the kids are," Duncan said. Some readers have their speculations about what will happen in the new book. Will romance flourish between Ron and Hermione? Who is the half-blood prince from the book's title? "I can tell by how it's going that someone new is going to die," Scott Atkins, 10, Gas City, said. LaMonte Henry said while many people think that Ron and Hermione may end up as a couple, he thinks that it's going to be Harry, not Ron, who will fall for super-smart witch Hermione. Atkins is a true Potter fan as well, collecting the action figures and games, which he turned into a display at the Gas City Library. "When we went to take everything, we didn't have enough room to put everything in," he said of his collection. He also used Legos to build some of the castles. That took about two weeks to finish. Martel Harris, 12, said he is not a fan of fantasy books, but liked Potter's storyline. "I like stories of how someone goes from a bad family to something they love," he said. "When you read it, it takes you somewhere you never would go." He admitted that the fourth book did not keep his interest, and wasn't sure if he was going to read the sixth one. The movies are just as popular as the books. LaMonte Henry said he is giddy with anticipation for the new movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, to come out in November. Atkins said he owns all three of the films currently available.

"They (movies) take out a few things, but it's still like making the books come to life," he said.

The first five Harry Potter books

Here's a primer on the main people and places in the world of the first five Harry Potter books:

HARRY POTTER: As a baby, Harry was orphaned when the evil Lord Voldemort killed his wizard parents, James and Lily Potter. Harry was left with a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead that marks him as a hero in the wizarding world. Until the age of 11, however, Harry lived full-time with his nonwizard Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley, who dote on their overweight, overbearing son Dudley and openly loathe their nephew. On his 11th birthday, Harry learns that he is a wizard and starts his studies at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Over the course of the first five books, Harry becomes adept at magic and succeeds at thwarting Voldemort's regular efforts to kill him. But Harry also learns that he eventually must have a final showdown with Voldemort to fulfill the prophecy that links them: "Neither can live, while the other survives.''' RON WEASLEY and HERMIONE GRANGER: These are Harry's best friends, who put up with his sometimes unpredictable moods and stick with him through times of danger. Ron, red-haired and freckle-faced, has a quick temper himself, but offers Harry courage and loyalty. He is one of several children of Arthur and Molly Weasley, a venerable wizarding family that can be expected to help lead the charge against Voldemort. Hermione can be rather bossy and too academically oriented, but her intelligence and cool head are some of the most potent weapons in Harry's battle against Voldemort. In the fifth book, Ron and Hermione appeared to be developing an attraction for one another; no telling yet how it will turn out. DRACO MALFOY: Smooth and cruel, Draco is Harry's enemy at Hogwart's. The son of a wizard who has been a close aide to Voldemort, Malfoy is jealous of Harry's status as a wizard legend and constantly tries to make trouble for him. RUBEUS HAGRID: Enormous in size and a little too fond of strong drink, Hagrid is the groundskeeper at Hogwarts. He also teaches the "Care of Magical Creatures'' courses, and is a friend to all animals, especially dangerous ones. Hagrid watches out for Harry, and has developed a close friendship with him, Ron and Hermione. ALBUS DUMBLEDORE: The head of Hogwarts, he is legendary for his wizard powers. For Harry's first years at Hogwarts, Dumbledore tries to protect him from the fate that awaits him. In Book 5, however, Dumbledore finally realizes that he must tell Harry the truth - that either he or Voldemort must die in the battle of good vs. evil. SEVERUS SNAPE: Snape, the malevolent, sharp-tongued Potions master at Hogwarts, was once one of Voldemort's followers and still has a "dark mark,'' the branding symbol that allows the evil Lord to call his minions together. Dumbledore trusts Snape and believes he is a valuable member of the forces of good, but Harry and his friends distrust him, especially because he singles out Harry for unfairly harsh treatment. LORD VOLDEMORT: The head evil-doer in the wizard world, Lord Voldemort murdered Harry's parents in his quest to defeat the forces of good. Voldemort, whose name in French means "flight of death,'' is so frightening to most wizards that they dare only refer to him as "You Know Who'' or "He Who Must Not Be Named.'' Voldemort nearly died when his effort to kill baby Harry reverberated on him. Over the course of the first five books, however, Voldemort's followers help him gain back his strength and power. HOGWARTS: The school offers a seven-year course in such basics as Potions, Transfiguration, Magical Theory, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Spells. At Hogwarts, Harry discovers that he is a legend in the wizard world because he survived Voldemort's attack on his parents. Hogwarts students are sorted into one of four houses when they first arrive; the houses vie with each other for various prizes during the school year. GINNY WEASLEY: Younger sister to Ron, Ginny has lost much of her initial shyness around Harry. Once used as an unwitting pawn by Voldemort, Ginny is ready to join the fight against him. Some readers now wonder if Ginny and Harry may end up as a couple. MUGGLES: Humans who aren't born with wizarding genes. Harry's aunt and uncle are muggles, as are Hermione's parents. QUIDDITCH: A wizard game, played on flying broomsticks. Quidditch is a wildly exciting, cricket-type game that is an obsession with many in the wizarding world, including Harry and Ron.

Harry Potter events

The Enquirer

www.clintoncountyohio.com Harry Potter Call individual stores or libraries for details. For a comprehensive list of events visit Cincinnati.Com keyword: Harry Potter. Book stores B. Dalton Booksellers. The Tricounty Mall, open past midnight with face-painting, wand-making and other activities. Northgate Mall closing at regular time Friday, but reopening 8 a.m. Saturday. Barnes & Noble Booksellers. All area stores staying open past midnight Friday. Contests, games and giveaways. Newport on the Levee 7 p.m., Florence Mall 8:30 p.m., Sycamore Plaza 9 p.m., West Chester Township and Mason 10 p.m. Blue Manatee Children's Bookstore Advanced purchase required. Food, magic and prizes. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, 3054 Madison Road, Oakley. (513) 731-2665. Books & Co. Entertainment and a best-costume contest, beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, Town & Country Shopping Center, 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering. (937) 298-6540. Borders Books, Music and Caf All area stores begin festivities at 9 p.m. and stay open past midnight. Mask-making, games and special refreshments. Joseph-Beth Booksellers Refreshments, magic and prizes, 10 p.m. past midnight. 2692 Madison Road, Norwood. (513) 396-8960. Media Play All area stores stay open after midnight with special activities and re-open 8 a.m. Saturday. Meijer stores All area stores, normally open 24 hours a day, have special activities, contests, prizes and refreshments 11 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday. Montgomery Book Company Food and games, 11:30 p.m. Friday-12:30 a.m. Saturday. 917 Montgomery Road. (513) 891-2227. Wilmington Downtown-wide Harry Potter event at 5 p.m., scheduled at various stores and businesses. Games for all ages, classes, vendors, Potteropoly, Knockturn Alley and more. A unicorn horn announces midnight book sale at Books 'N' More. Activities are free, dinner $8 adults, $6 ages 11 and under. (937) 383-7323; www.clintoncountyohio.com. Libraries Cold Spring Branch Harry Potter Quidditch Tournament, 3 p.m. Thursday, 3920 Alexandria Pike. Quidditch game. (859) 781-6166. Hamilton Lane 300 N. Third St., Hamilton. (513) 894-6557. All events free. Half-Blood Prince Reading, 1-2 p.m. Saturday. Library staff presents a reading of the first chapter from the new Harry Potter book. Hogwarts Food Tasting, 2-3 p.m. Saturday. Kathleen Kern will talk about British foods and customs found in the Harry Potter novels. Registration is required. Madam Malkin's Hats and Wands, 2-4 p.m. Saturday. Ages 8-12. Marauder's Scavenger Hunt, 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Find clues and win a prized. Ages 12 and older. Ages 8-11 may need assistance. Muggle Studies: Harry Potter Discussion, 3-4 p.m. Saturday. Rememberballs for Muggles: Scrapbooking, 2-4 p.m. Saturday. Decorate scrapbooks, diaries and journals. Supplies provided. Ages 8 and up. Registration required. Madeira Branch First Check-outs, 10:30 p.m. Friday-12:30 a.m. Saturday, 7200 Miami Ave. Owls of Raptor Inc., magician, games, crafts and food. (513) 369-6028. Newport Branch Harry Potter Quidditch Tournament, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, 901 E. Sixth St. Quidditch game. (859) 572-5035. Owensville Branch Lotions, Potions, and other Strange Notions, 2 p.m. Friday, 2548 U.S. 50. Typical class at Hogwarts Academy. Grades K-8. Registrations required. (513) 732-6084.

Delhi getting ready to welcome Harry Potter

NEW DELHI: It's a day that is likely to make the muggle publishing industry in the country believe in magic. Casting a spell on the literary world, the most popular wizard is all set to give "desi'' booksellers sleepless nights in more ways than one. From opening their shops at the crack of dawn to extending their hours into the night, bookshops across the Capital are going that extra mile for this one book -- "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince''. "We have to get up at 4 a.m. to open the shop early. Last time there were long queues outside the shop even before we opened. The distributors will get the book only after midnight and will deliver it to us by 5 a.m. on July 16,'' said Amit Wig, Head of Retail at Om Bookstores. Literary merits of the book apart, while J.K. Rowling might claim to be not very happy with any book she has written after "Prisoner of Azkaban'', for the publisher and bookstores "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'' is probably her 'best' even before it takes to the shelves this coming weekend. "It is certainly unprecedented. In a year of big books, it is certainly our biggest. The pre-orders itself this year are a staggering 75,000 copies. The last book, "Order of the Phoenix", sold more than 1,20,000 through the year. It has certainly become a big publishing event,'' said an official from Penguin India. "We are offering a discount for pre-bookings. Theme parties have been organised for the publicity of the event in all our bookstores across four cities. We are also organising a quiz at our store in the Capital,'' said Rajiv Choudhury, Chief Executive Officer of Apeejay Oxford Bookstore. Beating 'desi' fiction hollow, Rowling's pre-orders for the book alone is much more than the best sellers. Ten times bigger than most best-selling Indian books, the only other book that comes close to the young wizard is Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code''. With many more adults getting hooked to Rowling's vivid descriptions, Harry Potter has moved beyond the realm of fiction for kids to become a powerful figure in the adult world. "Previously we sold only to children, now we sell about 30 to 35 per cent of the books to adults. The publishers have realised this too, so they have printed the books with a plainer cover for adults about a year and a half ago. But for this book, the adult version is expected to come only after five months. In England and the United States readers covered their books with newspaper, so that people didn't know that they were reading it,'' said Mr. Wig of Om Bookstores. With pre-bookings for stores like Om Bookstores in Gurgaon ranking much higher than its outlet in Delhi, he still has to overcome the 'dark' force here.

"The highest pre-orders we have got are from Kolkata and then Mumbai. Bangalore comes next and then the Capital," said Mr. Choudhury.

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Is Harry Potter dead?

Not the character -- the brand. With the world abuzz, one expert says the brand is overexposed

The world is abuzz about another Harry Potter book -- the sixth in the series -- getting ready to make its big, splashy, media-grabbing debut to legions of Potter fans this weekend.

Not to be a downer, but after this week's release, there's just one book left before the series ends.

Pottermania is alive and well today, but has anyone thought about what happens when the series reaches its seventh-book climax?

At least one branding expert is willing to go on the record to predict the demise of the Potter brand in the next two to three years.

"I'm even more adamant about this point of view today than I was three years ago," said Martin Lindstrom, an independent global branding consultant and author of "Brand Child." "Harry Potter is headline news today because of the media blitz surrounding the new book. Six weeks later, you won't hear anything."

Lindstrom said that kids today are not as enamored by the magic of Harry Potter as they were when the author first introduced the child wizard to young and adult readers almost seven years ago.

He cited the results of a 2003-2004 global survey of 20,000 kids between the ages of 7 and 12, which he conducted along with U.K.-based market research firm Miward Brown in 18 countries.

Said Lindstrom, "When we asked kids whether they thought Harry Potter was a fading phenomenon, 69 percent said they did. I think that percentage today is probably closer to 80 percent.

"The fact is that the main concept of Harry Potter is this idea of undiscovered secrecy," he added.

But all the multimillion dollar licensing deals for Harry Potter products, the big movies and the intensive media blitz, he believes, have overexposed the brand to kids.

"A few years from now, people will know Harry Potter because it became a huge business phenomenon in such a short period of time and not for the great story that it was," Lindstrom said.

Other industry watchers, however, disagreed with Lindstrom's views

Robert Passikoff, branding consultant with Brand Keys Consulting, said the demise of the Harry Potter brand was something that was "never going to happen.

"The Potter series has longevity," Passikoff said. "Whether or not there is life for the brand after the seventh book is not even an issue. In the same way that people go to buy Mary Poppins books, 30 years from now you will find Harry Potter on bookshelves."

Contrary to Lindstrom's critique of the overuse and overexposure of Harry Potter, Passikoff said the worldwide adoption of the story's characters and the brand itself has made it an instant classic.

"This brand resonates with consumers of all ages," Passikoff said. "It's a brand that is well-differentiated and unique. J.K. Rowlings has been very stringent with how the brand is developed. I think it's a very well-managed brand."

Lynne O'Connor, partner with branding firm Lippincott & Margulies, agreed with Passikoff.

"From my own anecdotal experience, Harry Potter is a very compelling brand," O'Connor said. "Obviously, from the point of view of licensing management, it has to be maintained wisely because there already are a wide array of Harry Potter-themed products in the market."

"The other thing to think about is the audience," she said. "If there continues to be evidence that the brand is meaningful to its current and new audiences, that means it could live long for generations to come."