J.K. Rowling is considering releasing digital versions of her lucrative Harry Potter books.
Though she has declined eBook deals for years, her agent Neil Blair now says, “The e-book format is now something that is being actively considered,” according to the
Washington Post.
Liz Thomson, editor of book industry website
BookBrunch, says the deal could add $100 million to her net worth, which is reportedly $1.1 billion.
“I wouldn’t be too surprised if the rights for the e-books are sold for $100 million,” she told UK media. “Experts believe the move could revolutionize the world of electronic publishing, triggering rocketing sales of e-book readers such as the Kindle and the iPad.”
Claire Squires, director of Stirling University’s centre for international publishing and communication, tells Scottish paper, the
Scotsman: “It is akin to the Beatles allowing their music to be launched on iTunes,” reports the
Christian Science Monitor.
Rowling has declined deals in the past — and reports have speculated on possible reasons.
Some authors prefer books on paper, others have concerns over digital piracy to competition from television and other media.
In the past, there also hasn’t been a popular reading device. Now, however, Kindle and the iPad exist, which is good news for Potter fans who have complained that the books, some of which are up to 800 pages thick, are heavy and unwieldy to lug around.
About 450 million copies of the Harry Potter books have been sold worldwide.
