Who wrote the Harry Potter series?

The British author and philanthropist Joanne Rowling, better known by her pen name J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter novel series. Published between 1997 to 2007, the series consists of seven fantasy novels that were adapted into the Harry Potter film series. In addition to being translated into 84 languages and selling over 600 million copies, the series has inspired a global media franchise that includes video games and movies.

The novels follow Harry Potter, a young wizard, and his close companions Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as they join Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The core plot line is around Harry's battle with Lord Voldemort, a wicked wizard who seeks to become immortal, overthrow the Ministry of Magic, the body that oversees wizards, and rule over all wizards and Muggles.

J.K. Rowling’s journey with the Harry Potter books

In June 1995, Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. A drawing depicting Harry near a fireside with a scar in the shape of lightning on his forehead was part of the first manuscript. Christopher Little Literary Agency agreed to represent Rowling after an early reader gave a favorable evaluation. Twelve publishers received her manuscript, but all rejected it.

Before Philosopher's Stone was published, Rowling received a writer's grant from the Scottish Arts Council to help with childcare expenses and finances. The grant also helped her write the sequel, Chamber of Secrets. Philosopher's Stone was first printed by Bloomsbury on June 26, 1997, with 5,650 copies. The royalties Rowling received before the publication of Chamber of Secrets totaled £2,800 ($4,200).

Sorcerer's Stone was released in September 1998 in the US. Although it did not initially receive many reviews, those that were given were largely favorable. By December, Sorcerer's Stone was a New York Times bestseller. All three of the series' subsequent books—Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999), and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)—sold millions of copies between 1998 and 2000.

There were rumors that Rowling was experiencing writer's block when Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix had not yet been released in 2002. Rowling denied these rumors, claiming that the length of the 896-page book required three years to complete. On its first day of release in June 2003, it sold millions of copies. Two years later, in July 2005, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released, and on the day it was released, it sold millions of copies yet again. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which came out in July 2007, marked the conclusion of the series.

Warner Bros. reportedly paid $1 million in 1999 to acquire the film rights to the first two Harry Potter books. Rowling agreed to the terms of the deal, which included the studio making only Harry Potter movies based on her books, keeping some control over merchandise, and having final authority over script approval.

The first Harry Potter book was adapted into Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which came out in November 2001. With Rowling's help, Steve Kloves created the screenplays for all except the fifth movie, following the plots of the novels. The two-part adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which were out on November 19, 2010, and July 15, 2011, respectively, marked the end of the film series.

Also read: Where to watch Harry Potter?