Harry Potter online launching with e-books 
The long wait for Harry Potter in digital format is coming to a close.
Author J.K. Rowling announced today that her series will finally be available as e-books. Though pricing hasn't been revealed, the titles will be available in a new online world developed around the series called Pottermore, which was also unveiled today.
To say that the Harry Potter series has become an international mega-hit would be an understatement. About 450 million Harry Potter books have been sold worldwide since the first of seven novels was published in 1997. The series has broken box-office records too, with seven theatrical releases and final one coming in July.
Aside from being the exclusive home of Harry Potter e-books, Pottermore is a place where fans can interact with one other and events in the books. After signing up for the free, immersive site, fans can "visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells, and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup."
Rowling noted that she has unpublished material that will make its way to Pottermore.
"I wanted to give something back to the fans that have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new digital generation," Rowling said in a statement today. "Just as I have contributed to the website, everyone else will be able to join in by submitting their own comments, drawings and other content in a safe and friendly environment--Pottermore has been designed as a place to share the stories with your friends as you journey through the site."
Pottermore will launch for all muggles--nonmagical humans--in October. However, those who want to enter and help shape the site before then can try to do so when registration opens July 31. The first 1 million people who successfully "follow the owl," as Rowling teases, will earn the right to enter the site early.
Video: J.K. Rowling announces Pottermore
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