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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2007 > December > 18 > Entry
replacing Harry Potter
The Harry Potter franchise will continue to sell books. Now that Potter’s creator JK Rowling has put an end to the series, Potter’s publisher, Scholastic Books is praying for another plump goose that will lay lots of golden eggs. It won’t be easy finding one as fat as Potter was. Kajillions of dollars later, that goose has finally been retired.
An article in today’s edition of the New York Times plots their wistful strategy.
Here’s one other view from the Book Standard:
Scholastic to Launch Multi-Platform ‘39 Clues’ Series December 18, 2007 By Kimberly Maul
Scholastic, the U.S. publisher of the bestselling “Harry Potter” series, is hoping to re-create some of J.K. Rowling’s magic with a new series: “The 39 Clues.” The multi-platform adventure series is for children ages 8 to 12 and will release 10 books over two years. Additionally, the series will include collectible cards and an online game.
“‘The 39 Clues’ is an immersive experience, whose high powered, adventurous storylines and characters are perfect for development across both traditional and new media platforms,” said Deborah Forte, president of Scholastic Media. Each book will come with a set of six cards, which readers can register and manage online. Throughout the series, Scholastic will give away more than $100,000 in prizes through various contests.
“The 39 Clues” is a series about the powerful Cahill family, whose secret source of power can be uncovered after assembling 39 clues hidden around the world throughout history. The first book in the series, The Maze of Bones, by Rick Riordan, will be published in September 2008, with “The 39 Clues” adventure launching worldwide on Sept. 8, 2008. Different authors will write the upcoming books, including Gordon Korman (Book 2 in January 2009), Peter Lerangis (Book 3 in April 2009) and Jude Watson (Book 4 in July 2009).
“With the breakthrough concept of ‘The 39 Clues,’ Scholastic is uniquely positioned to reach millions of young people who are readers, gamers, collectors, or all three, and encourage them to participate in a multi-dimensional 21st Century reading experience,” said Ellie Berger, president of Scholastic Trade. “With this innovative series, Scholastic will reach millions of kids worldwide—getting them excited about books in a whole new way.”
Will it be as successful as Harry Potter? Call me doubtful. But then, I was a Potter Doubter so what do I know?
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: booms and busts
Comments
By victor mickunas
December 21, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Lightning can strike twice in the same place. Can you catch lightning in a bottle twice consecutively? Maybe. I don’t see it in this case.By tiggermom
December 20, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
Ten books in 2 years would be difficult, I’d think, for 1 author … but the article from Scholastic mentions that different authors will be writing the books. I’ve heard of the first 2 guys (Riordan and Korman. I think they’re established writers for this age-group. So if they get some good authors collaborating on the series, it might turn out well.By Riverdale Ghost
December 19, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Ten books in two years sounds like pretty much, unless they are not very time consuming.