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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
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1588
Severus' Advocate says:
awesome. Oh muy god...those people who didnt accept her books must be drowning themselves!
Posted Jun 2, 2006 at 7:28 PM EST
Student
Points: 265
ThePowerOfRedemption says:
J.K.'s Writing is so awesome and yet very plain for all to relate to in some way that I can't believe others passed it up. I think that she does expect a lot of her readers, she doesn't write a "see Jane run" book, but is able to amazingly allow her audience read her books to whatever depth they wish.
Posted Jun 2, 2006 at 8:00 PM EST
Witch
Points: 639
Harry(the 4th champion) says:
I think Harry Potter is awsome! the publishers that turned down the series and J.K Rowling need to go get help!
Because they are completly crazy!
Posted Jun 2, 2006 at 8:15 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 711
Crookshanks the Auror says:
=I am so glad that he gave it a chance, too. Because we all know what would have happened if he didn't: I wouldn't be here typing about something that I am quite takent with, that's for sure!!
Posted Jun 2, 2006 at 10:34 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23488
KT Lady says:
Wow, I love this guy. Without him, we would never have experienced Harry Potter at all...we should all bow down to him! haha!
Posted Jun 2, 2006 at 11:03 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1596
alastor_moody says:
Well wernt thoSe people stupid for turning it down...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...i can see them kicking themselvs!
Posted Jun 2, 2006 at 11:13 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 476
MRS_BRENDON_URIE says:
Im so glad that he gave it a chance god no's were we would all be if he haddnt. I love harry potter.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 2:10 AM EST
The Chosen Hobbit
Points: 2447
Enisnitch Baggins says:
Big, big, big thanks to Mr. Cunningham! Not only he provided the means for Harry's first publication, but he also gave those money for JK!
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 4:58 AM EST
Student
Points: 275
~>*PhoenixGurl*<~ says:
I totally agree with him, and I will forever be gracious to him. Without him, we may not have had the Harry Potter books today.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 7:31 AM EST
Points: 10165
GodricGryffindor says:
Thankfully this guy wasn't stupid and decided to give the book a shot...Imagine how our lives would be if there was no such thing as Harry Potter
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 11:35 AM EST
Witch
Points: 817
PadmaPatilPassion says:
His reasons do make a lot of sense. And an unusual title? What about Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? That's an unusual title! I'm just so glad this guys published HP. My life would seem so empty without it...
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 11:57 AM EST
Every Flavored Bean
Points: 2890
the bean says:
A very smart man if I do say so myself. I'm so glad that he took the chance to see the book for what it was. Bravo!
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 12:55 PM EST
Chief Auror
Points: 15502
auror_potter says:
I never knew he was the one who first discovered the books. THats really cool what he said about why he picked it though!
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 1:27 PM EST
Harry's Lost Brother
Points: 10073
American Harry Potter says:
That's great to hear. It's truly been a great book to read, and I'm glad to hear that he chose it for that reason. How exciting.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 2:22 PM EST
Witch
Points: 695
LunaLove#1 says:
I'm sure those other publishers wish they were him right now!
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 2:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 695
LunaLove#1 says:
Hey, I just noticed all the text is in purple!!! I guess that's a nice change.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 2:34 PM EST
Ron's Love Advisor
Points: 5933
~Sarah~ says:
I can't belive that any publisher would turn down harry potter.. they must feeel pretty stupid now. That guy sure does have great tatse in books :)
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 2:34 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
That guy looks like oliver stone.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 3:10 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2431
PHOENIX5625 says:
Well it's a good thing he gave it a chance. All those others must feel really bad at themselves. That is the way you should pick a book.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 4:41 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
And I am very glad he did publish Harry Potter.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 4:54 PM EST
Princess of Nargles
Points: 4137
hp_fan206 says:
Wow, thanks to that man we have all been able to read these wonderful books and be part of such a wonderful fandom. Or else they wouldn't have been distributed. Incredible. I'm so glad he found potential in Harry Potter :)
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 7:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2861
mad_eye muggle says:
Wicked!I'm sooooo glad that he gave "Harry Potter" and JK a chance.I really think he made a right decision.I believe he truly understand what "Harry Potter" is all about.It's not just your common children's book story,its more than that.It's a great story,wherein anybody could relate to.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 11:05 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1987
tigerlili_08 says:
Well he certainly picked something amazing & Im sure hes delighted with the success now...I am sure other publishers regret the regection at this point, I can just see the head guy of ________ ___ sitting in his office reading the bestseller list "nnooo!" *face palm*
And furthermore, I agree with what he said about JKR. =] Its not really much of the "childrens category" anymore though. I like that guy.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 11:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1815
hufflepuff_babe says:
That's true that a lot of publishers would have doubted the story because of the dark events. It would be hard as a publisher to look past the dark stuff for the fluffy happiness and morales if they were looking for books for young children.
Posted Jun 3, 2006 at 11:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 822
I love HP says:
They must feel real stupid right about now for not taking JK and her brilliant story just because it was a story about a boy wizard and they thought it was too chiladish!what idiots l.o.l
Posted Jun 4, 2006 at 2:55 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 92
Elf Kid says:
Good on Mr. Cunningham, he made the right decision, and I bet he's glad that he did! Go Harry Potter!
Posted Jun 4, 2006 at 4:46 AM EST
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