There are a few major names in self-publishing success–names like Hugh Howey, Bella Andre, HM Ward, and a laundry list of others–and they’re synonymous with doing it right. These authors have managed to build entire business empires out of writing and publishing their own works, and doing so while laughing in the face of criticism from an industry still built on gatekeepers.
But the most successful self-published author is also one of the most overlooked: JK Rowling. Many don’t consider her to be self-published due to the traditional publishing success of the Harry Potter books and franchise, but the author did retain her digital rights and release those ebooks herself through her Pottermore website. Now, the author has taken to using Pottermore to release new and innovative content, games, updates, background stories, and more.
Her most recent announcement involves the launch of three ebooks early next month, which will include short stories and first-person narrative of her behind-the-scenes work on the series. These three titles focus on the famous Hogwarts school.
“Pottermore Presents is intended to supplement the Harry Potter book series with short-form content that is entertaining and thematically curated by the Pottermore editorial team,” said Rowling’s press release. “The eBooks will delight readers as they take them beyond the Harry Potter stories and deeper into the wizarding world. J.K. Rowling’s writing in these collections reveals intricate details of her characters’ lives, their histories, as well as her inspiration.”
The three ebooks are: Short Stories from Hogwarts: Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists, Short Stories from Hogwarts: Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, and Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide. They are available now for preorder through Pottermore and from ebook retailers.
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Mercy Pilkington is a Senior Editor for Good e-Reader. She is also the CEO and founder of a hybrid publishing and consulting company.
