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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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The Golden Snidget
Points: 3159
Mrs. Phineas Nigellus says:
That's so cool! I'm glad, along with millions of others, he gave it a chance. Wasn't it his daughter who convinced him? Either way I'm happy!
*The MRS*
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:10 PM EST
The Dark Knight
Points: 5789
minister for magic says:
That is real neat.
I can't believe 12 other people turned Harry Potter down. Well they did not know how big it would turn out.
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 531
ronNhermione4evr says:
That is great! I am glad he looked into it more. He made is deciiom based on the right resons. I am glad to or there might not be a Harry Potter!
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:14 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3041
ThePhoenix'sSong says:
I am so glad he accepted it. Those who didn't are probably kicking themselves now! What he says about it being turned down is most likely true. It is wonderful that someone saw it for what is was and the great book it is.
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:17 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
Well now that dude has got his head in the right place...and I'm glad he did choose it, because without him, we wouldn't even be sitting here on this website today.
N
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:18 PM EST
Student
Points: 202
Fawkes the Phoenix says:
See, just imagine if he would'nt have published HP. Then, nobody would know JKR or anything about Harry Potter. I think he is right when ha says it is not a traditional children's book!
~Fawkes~
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:26 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1576
ALLI8 says:
Well im glad he chosse hp, they are great books!
alli8!
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
magna says:
It seems so silly that so many publishers had passed up Harry Potter. They are banging their heads against the desks Im sure. Well, congrats to Barry. Im sure he was promoted :)
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:31 PM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3264
MadamDumbledore says:
""I choose books purely based on what I believe children will react to. If you carry the child within you, that's what works.""
Wow, a man with great taste!
Thank you Barry Cunningham for giving JKR her big break and for making the world happier and more magical.
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:32 PM EST
Queen of the Fae
Points: 4616
marauderette says:
Bravo to his foresight! I applaud him for seeing that HP wasn't your normal childs book. Can you imagine if he didn't pick it up? What would happen if JK never got published? *gasps* to scary to even think about*
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 874
Together Forever, H/Hr... says:
That is pretty awesome. I am sure I am NOT the only person here who is glad that he gave Rowling the chance that she deserved. I have to agree though that this book is not the tradidional childrens book but it has come to be see as one of the best selling series in childrens literature. I bet the publishers who turned J.K. Rowling down are pretty sorry now huh? :)
*%* Susanna *%*
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:35 PM EST
Student
Points: 289
Jynessa says:
That's soo cool! I never thought about the guy that actually DISCOVERED Harry... pretty cool stuff...
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:39 PM EST
Emma's Darkest Secret
Points: 4617
Firestrike212 says:
Im just glad he published it! Or we would have never know of the fantastic and wonderful story!
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:48 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1918
not*so*sweet*strawberry says:
I AM SO GLAD HE DID.... just think, if he didn't take it... JK could of gave up, and then no harry potter!!!
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 932
ProngsForLily says:
Go Barry! That's awesome that he took it in when 12 others let J.K. Rowling down! Look where it all is today!
Posted May 31, 2006 at 8:52 PM EST
Auror that never talks
Points: 3679
KaKe3535 says:
That is sooo awesome that he took it when other people wouldn't well he made an awesome choice
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:05 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 305
hoggywartswitchwannabe says:
Wow!!! Go Barry!!! That's so awsome!!!! I canit belive he took the job when 12 pulishers let down Jo!!!! He is so doing the right thing!!!! Go Barry!!!!
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 869
kat_snowyowl says:
Very true. I wasn't in the least interested in Harry Potter for years, but now I'm a huge fan. If you'd told me this a few years ago, I would have snorted.
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:11 PM EST
Student
Points: 271
Germz says:
It's cool how adults also like harry potter, that all people give it a chance, even though its fiction!
<3 Germz.
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1921
gubbyfish says:
Thank you for giving Harry Potter the chance it deserved!!! The world is better for it. I bet the 12 other publishers that passed it over are have been kicking themselves in the butt ever since!
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:14 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1562
lbaylor says:
I'm so glad he gave the book & JK Rowling a chance. I'm glad he saw more to it he definately mad the right decision. What would our lives be without Harry Potter- I don't even want to think about that- scary...
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:17 PM EST
Heiress of Gryffindor
Points: 3537
Nienna Narmolanya says:
Well, of course it isn't a traditional children's book, and thank goodness for that too! Imagine life without Harry - well, we wouldn't know. I'm so glad this man didn't turn down Harry Potter, I bet the rest of them aren't too pleased about their decision now.
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:19 PM EST
Lupin's Eternal Love
Points: 3091
BlackKatL says:
Well, We Have to Thank That He Had that Particular Point Of View!!!!!
Or Where would Harry Potter Be????!!!!!!
I bet the other publishers were shocked!!!!!
To Think of all that they let go!!!!
They'll have better faith in other authors from now on.....:0)
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:27 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 401
Kelly2008 says:
I agree that it's not a traditional children's book, but I would consider the first book "dark". I mean, sure, Harry's parents die, but there are other children's stories about orphans. Other than that, the book has a happy ending.
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:31 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1375
Phoenix Phire says:
I like that guy!
I think he's right about the fact that the books aren't like alot of children's books. However, I don't really consider Harry Potter childrens' books sometimes.
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:32 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1720
hpforever138 says:
Well Barry Cunningham is a very smart man for seeing what Potter was really about. Thank you so much for seeing that!
Posted May 31, 2006 at 9:39 PM EST
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