History of Harry potter Publishing

1990: JK Rowling has the idea for Harry Potter while she is on the train from Manchester to King's Cross. She begins writing what will become Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone that evening.
1995: JK Rowling fi nishes the fi rst book and types it out on an old typewriter. She sends it to an agent and a publisher. Several publishers reject the novel. Her literary agent warns her, 'You do realise, you will never make a fortune writing children's books?'
1997: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is published by Bloomsbury .
1998: In July, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets goes straight into the No. 1 slot in BookTrack's bestseller list. In September , the retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is published in the USA.
2000: In June, JK Rowling is awarded an OBE. In July, 'Pottermania' takes hold as bookstores worldwide begin holding events to coincide with the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It breaks all records to become the fastest-selling book ever.
2003: The word 'muggle' is added to the OED: 'a person who possesses no magical powers. Hence: a person who lacks a particular skill or skills.'
To date, the books have sold more than 300 million copies and been translated into 47 languages; more than any other book except the Bible.