Harry Potter going digital

Associated Press

LONDON

The secret of “Pottermore” has been revealed — Harry Potter’s wild wizard adventures are going digital.

Author J.K. Rowling announced Thursday that her seven Potter novels will be sold as e-books starting in October — ending the boy wizard’s status as one of the highest-profile holdouts against digital publishing.

The magical stories that conquered the world in print form will be available as audiobooks and e-books in multiple languages exclusively through a new interactive website called “Pottermore” — an announcement that delighted fans but deeply disappointed booksellers.

Rowling, one of the world’s most powerful authors, is bypassing established online retailers like Amazon, although the creators of Pottermore say the books will be compatible with popular e-readers including Amazon’s Kindle, Sony’s Reader and Apple’s iPad.

Rowling also has written 18,000 words of new Potter material for the new site, which promises to immerse users in her world of wizards, combining elements of computer games, social networking and an online store. She says the site includes “information I have been hoarding for years” about the books.