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MAY 31, 2006 at 8:08 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: CNN Money via Yahoo! News
Recently Barry Cunningham, the publisher of the Chicken House children's books and the founding publisher of Bloomsbury Children's Books in the UK was asked about what guided his decision-making in choosing the Harry Potter series and stated: "I choose books purely based on what I believe children will react to. If you carry the child within you, that's what works."
Mr. Cunningham explained:
I didn't know that a dozen publishers had turned it down or that the author, J.K. Rowling, had become utterly discouraged. I think everybody else passed on it for all the wrong reasons: It was long, the title was unusual, and the story is pretty dark. Rowling needed someone to see what it was, a story of bravery and danger and adventure but with great humor - as opposed to what it wasn't, a traditional children's book.
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226-250 251-263
Witch
Points: 936
Lilium says:
That's nice! I like that guy! He's right that Harry Potter books are not like other children books (they are better!!!) and i'm glad he gave it a chance! I cannot believe so many people have turned it down!!! What would life be without Harry Potter??? I just don't wanna thing about that! We must all thank mr. Barry Cunningham!!!!
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 8:02 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1823
zues says:
I don't think the Harry Potter books are childrens books, well the first two maybe. They are more for teens and adults like myself. I also think that those other 12 publishers are kicking themselfs right about now having sayed no to J.K. Rowling and her books.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 8:08 AM EST
Squib
Points: 175
**Hermione~Gr@nger** says:
If he would have never accepted Harry Potter I don't want to know what would be doing at thise time.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 8:33 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1018
ILuvHarryDiggoryKrum says:
i am so GLAD he agreed to pubvlish it...can you imagine life without Harry Potter...
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 8:41 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5256
juliebug04 says:
All I can say is...
Bravo! Thank God Mr. Cunningham is not your typical publisher. :o)
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 8:56 AM EST
Mistress of Enchantment
Points: 19636
Muse of the Aurors says:
Well we all sincerely thank you Mr. Cunningham because without you we wouldn't have Harry Potter and be enjoying it as we do today.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 8:59 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1012
Enchanting Fairy says:
Wow, imagine if this man had never accepted it and the Jo decided to give up trying, i don't think she would have but if she did, we all would never have even heard of Harry Potter! :o
I can't believe people would even turn the book down in the first place at least this man had a brain! I bet thoses who turned it down feel bad now after its done so well! It serves them right!
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 9:14 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1444
RIP_Sirus_and_Dumbledore says:
Yay! Go Cunningham for "discovering" Potter.. I want to read the rest of the interview.. but my computer is taking forever to load.. but he was a smart guy.. I guess all the people who turned it down thought it was too long for a childrens book...
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 9:23 AM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29083
Thestral Eyes says:
Well i bet theyre all happy he took the book on now with its popularity *whistles* Thats the thing though, there are so many potentialy great sellers out there that just need someone to take the risk and publish. Makes you wounder.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 9:28 AM EST
Witch
Points: 649
Spell_Bound says:
That is exactly what I was thinking. Those publishers are probally kicking themselves everyday of their lives with this one. I think that deserves a Darwin award!! For the most stupidest executive decision ever!!
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 9:59 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 486
Sirius151 says:
I didn'y know that the book had been rejected bofore they took it on. I just thought everyone imeditaly loved it, and the first people J.K. took the book to published it.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 10:00 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1383
Tabitha Black says:
Those are great reasons and I'm glad he realized that or else we'd have never read the book. Thank Barry Cunningham!
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 10:03 AM EST
Witch
Points: 595
master_HP_Mugwump says:
He definately hit the jackpot by agreeing to publish JK's books. I bet the people who turned her down are now kicking themselves.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 10:04 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
Thats right!
Its a good thing that she stayed with Bloomsbury.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 10:09 AM EST
Magical Sanitary Supplier
Points: 2518
5225 says:
He sure has chosen to publish probably the one of the best series of our time. Good for him.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 10:14 AM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27909
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Rowling needed someone to see what it was, a story of bravery and danger and adventure but with great humor - as opposed to what it wasn't, a traditional children's book.
YOU GO DUDE!!
I will read the rest of the article later.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 10:16 AM EST
Witch
Points: 888
HarrySiriusly says:
Oh my God how happy are we that this guy showed up?? I just want to give a shout out "I Love YOU!!" what would we all have read if it weren't for this guy discovering harry?
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 10:55 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 357
RonlovesHermioneforever says:
That was a good article. I'm glad he picked HP, they are such good books, they got me hooked in no time!
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 10:58 AM EST
Witch
Points: 917
hermioneadmirer says:
That is wrong forall those companies to that to her,but I bet they are hating themselves now.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 11:02 AM EST
Squib
Points: 117
Kwini says:
You have to thank the man, for finding such a treasure. I be he is pretty chuffed with him self - and rightly so:)
Kwini
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 11:32 AM EST
Witch
Points: 830
Barbarian Black says:
Thank goodness for people like this who have the foresight to imagine greatness where others find none! Kudos and thanks for the chance to be HP maniacs!
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 11:32 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 649
Sir Blake the First says:
This man is brilliant. He has the ability to see what others could not. Too bad for all the others who passed and lost a great thing.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 11:53 AM EST
Student
Points: 299
remember_c says:
I totally owe him!!!! Without him, who knows when Harry Potter would have been published...! You rock, Mr. Cunningham.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 11:56 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
This was an interesting story, clearly from a man who knows what he is talking about...I completely agree that you have to remain in touch with your inner child to truly see its potential...Im glad that he knew it was going to be a good book and therefore decided to accept it. Otherwise HP might not be with us today. It would be a great story lost.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 12:16 PM EST
Grillows Girl
Points: 2785
Miss Baltimore Crabs says:
I like him... he's right that the boooks aren't typical childrens books, and I have to thank him for choosing Harry Potter. All those people that turned it down are crazy.
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 12:22 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1789
Veela~Girl says:
I bet the publishers who turned her down are kicking themselves now! I am glad Barry saw the unique element of her story and writing style and gave her a chance. Afterall, if someone didn't we would have no wonderful Potter stories to keep us entertained!
Posted Jun 1, 2006 at 12:48 PM EST
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