July 16 is magical Potter day
2004-12-21 19:27
London - The sixth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,will be published on July 16 next year, said the publisher on Tuesday.
British publisher Bloomsbury said J K Rowling had finished the latest and penultimate book in the series about the teenage wizard's adventures that has captivated millions of childrens and adults.
They also have spawned a multimillion film, merchandising and pulication industry.
In a joint statement with United States counterpart Scholastic, Bloomsbury said the next Harry Potter novel would be published simultaneously in Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.
"We are delighted to announce the publication date," said Bloomsbury CEO Nigel Newton and Scholastic president Barbara Marcus.
"J K Rowling has written a brilliant story that will dazzle her fans in a marvellous book that takes the series to yet greater heights.
Set a British book-sale record
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince delivers all the excitement and wonder of her best-selling Harry Potter novels," they said.
The fifth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, sold 1.8 million copies in Britain on the first day of its release, setting a British record.
The magical exploits of Harry and his wizard-school chums, and their struggle against evil Lord Voldemort, have sold about 250 million copies worldwide in more than 50 languages.
Rowling's first three Potter books have spawned three blockbuster spin-off films and a huge array of merchandise. A fourth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is due for release in November 2005.
The vast sums of money earned from her creation have pushed Rowling into joint 552nd on the list of the world's richest inhabitants with an estimated net worth of just more than $1bn (about R5.8bn), according to the latest annual Forbes billionaire list.
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince takes up the story of the young wizard's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Rowling, 39, is married with three children.
On the net: The JK Rowling site