MuggleNet's Top 15 Moments
Part 2: Moments 10 through 6
Throughout October, MuggleNet is celebrating its 10th birthday with a variety of special features looking at the site and the fandom. Below is Part 1 of our look at the site's Top 15 Moments.
Our Harry Potter social network pioneered a new medium for Harry Potter fans to connect with one another. Fans had previously resorted to chat rooms, forums, and instant messaging programs to get together and chat, but MuggleSpace took the concepts of Facebook and MySpace and created an environment where solely Potter could connect through their passion for the Wizarding World.
Just approaching 10 months online, MuggleSpace currently holds close to 23,000 members and continues to grow rapidly! We thank the entire Chat Mod team for their help in making MuggleSpace the success it has become.
9) MuggleNet releases "What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7" and "Harry Potter Should Have Died"
As the release of Deathly Hallows in Summer 2007 drew closer, fans couldn't stop theorizing and discussing what they thought would happen in the final book. It was with the fans' actions in mind when MuggleNet decided to publish its first book, "What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7". An instant success once it hit bookstores, "What Will Happen" hit the New York Times Bestseller list. It peaked at the #2 spot and stayed on the list for six months. Today, it has over 300,000 copies in print.
Drawing on the success of "What Will Happen", MuggleNet published its second book, "Harry Potter Should Have Died." It is currently selling in bookstores across the country.
One of MuggleNet's most unique features even to this day is our Editorials section. JK Rowling herself recognized it when she awarded us with her prestigious Fansite Award, stating that there was "more insight [in the Editorials section] than in several companion volumes I shall not name". It has been loved by fans for its wonderful columns and analysis that can't be found anywhere else.
7) Evanna Lynch learns about the Luna Lovegood opening casting call through MuggleNet
On January 10, 2006, MuggleNet reported that there would be an open casting call for the role of Luna Lovegood for the upcoming fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. A girl by the name of Evanna Lynch happened to be online that day. She told the Drogheda Independent in February 2006, "Before I got the part I used to go on MuggleNet (a Harry Potter fansite) every day and about four weeks ago I was checking the news and it said there were going to be open auditions for Luna Lovegood." Lynch beat out close to 15,000 girls who showed up for the audition.
6) MuggleNet celebrates the release of each Potter film
One of the things we look forward to each time a film is released is gathering with fellow Potter fans to celebrate at the US and UK premieres. From live podcasts to press junkets to red carpet interviews, MuggleNet has been there to cover it all!
All of the interview opportunities are thanks to the wonderful people at Warner Brothers, Scholastic, and Bloomsbury. Their generosity when we come knocking with interview requests is extremely appreciated by MuggleNet's staff and visitors.
View Moments 15 - 11 | Moments 5 - 1