J.K. Rowling announces Pottermore!

J.K. Rowling has announced Pottermore.  See her make the announcement by clicking here!

UPDATE: Watch video of Jo talking during this morning's press conference at this link.

UPDATE 2: Leaky has a full transcript of the press conference which you can read at this link.

Pottermore is an online experience for Harry Potter fans, promising lots of exclusive content.

Press release highlights:

For this groundbreaking collaborative project, J.K. Rowling has written extensive new material about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories, which will inform, inspire and entertain readers as they journey through the storylines of the books. Pottermore will later incorporate an online shop where people can purchase exclusively the long-awaited Harry Potter eBooks, in partnership with J.K. Rowling’s publishers worldwide, and is ultimately intended to become an online reading experience, extending the relevance of Harry Potter to new generations of readers, while still appealing to existing fans. As the Pottermore Shop develops, it is intended that it should include further products designed specifically for Harry Potter fans, offering a potential outlet for Sony products and services related to Pottermore. In keeping with Harry Potter’s international appeal, the site will launch in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish, with more languages to follow.

In the new website, the storyline will be brought to life with sumptuous newly-commissioned illustrations and interactive ‘Moments’ through which you can navigate, starting with the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone. On entering, you choose a magic username and begin your experience. As you move through the chapters, you can read and share exclusive writing from J.K. Rowling, and, just as Harry joins Hogwarts, so can you. You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup.

At a press conference at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Rowling revealed some key features of the website. In an announcement which will thrill fans, she described how she has brought to life both the Sorting Hat and Ollivanders experiences from her books for the first time on Pottermore, by revealing the questions asked by the Sorting Hat - which places newcomers into their Hogwarts houses according to their characteristics - and the magic behind the Wand Chooser – which finds the right wand for each user from over 33,000 possible combinations. She also revealed glimpses of the new information she has provided on some of the best-loved characters.

PICTURES of Pottermore:

- Christmas at Hogwarts

- JK Rowling stands in front of Pottermore sign

- JK Rowling uses her laptop

- The Hogwarts Express

- The main page

- Chessboard in the Chamber of Secrets

Visit the official website to submit your e-mail address.  Beginning July 31st, fans will be able to register for access to the Pottermore beta period.  1 million beta invites will be up for grabs.  The site will be open to everyone in October.

We will, of course, keep you updated on all things Pottermore over the coming days, weeks, months, and years!