The author in her own words

Merchandising

Questions are sorted in chronological order. Most recent ones are at the bottom.

Question on Video games

What would you think if a person made one of your Harry Potter books into a computer game?

I'd like to play it!

(Source: Chat session - 03-02-2000 )

Question on Input on merchandising

Parents and even a lot of children are delighted that so far there are no commercial spinoffs--no dolls, no toys, no lunchboxes. But that's about to change.

I know, I know. Warner Brothers has really given me--I have been knocked backwards by the amount of input I have been given and the number of meetings I have been invited to. And we know why this is, because there are so many children out there who want to see it my way rather than their way. So I can only say to anyone who's concerned about [the merchandising], "Please trust me, I am fighting in your corner."

(Source: Newsweek, Malcolm Jones - 10-07-2000 )

Question on Video games

Any plans for a video game soon?

I think there probably will be a video game, but when, I have no idea.

(Source: Chat session - 16-10-2000 )

Question on Input on merchandising

How much control do you have on all of the products flooding the marketplace with a Harry Potter theme? Do you think they will sell well?

Unless it's a Warner Bros. product, it shouldn't have Harry's name on it at all, so I have no control and accept no responsibility! Warner Bros. has allowed me to have a say in merchandise relating to the film.

(Source: Chat session - 16-10-2000 )

Question on Sweater patterns

I like the products. Could there be sweater patterns for us knitters?

Sweater patterns?!!!! Now I've heard everything. I really don't know... I'll have a word with Warner Bros.!

(Source: AOL Chat hosted by Jesse Kornbluth - 19-10-2000 )

Question on Input on merchandising

Couldn't you have said "No, I'm not gonna have any merchandising".

I don't think I could at the time. Not at the time. I'm so bad with dates. It must have been about 1998-99, I started talking to Warner Brothers, and at that point I just didn't have the power to stop them. That is the nature of the film world. Because they are very expensive films to make, and if they keep making them which is obviously not guaranteed, but if they do keep making them, they are going to get really even more expensive, and I mean I shudder to see what they say when they see Book Five. Because I think they are starting to feel I am writing stuff just to see if they can do it. Which of course I'm not. But I know there are headaches about the scale of the world that I'm writing.

(Source: Newsnight interview, Jeremy Paxton - 19-06-2003 )

Question on Influence of merchandising

Do you ever worry that perhaps your legacy will be not this entire world that you created but lots of bits of plastic?

Do I worry honestly? Completely honestly. No. I don't worry about it. I think the books will always be more important than the bits of plastic. I really, really believe that, and maybe that sounds arrogant but that's how I feel.

(Source: Newsnight interview, Jeremy Paxton - 19-06-2003 )

Question on Input on merchandising

When you look at a lot of that marketing stuff, that merchandise, when you look at things like the Harry Potter Ice Pumpkin Slushie maker and all that junk. There's a list of about 50 of these things. Harry Potter Embroidered Polo Shirts, the Late Night Ride Towel, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley alarm clock. I mean it goes on and on.

I knew about the alarm clock. How do I feel about it? Honestly, I think it's pretty well known, if I could have stopped all merchandising I would have done. And twice a year I sit down with Warner Brothers and we have conversations about merchandising and I can only say you should have seen some of the stuff that was stopped: Moaning Myrtle lavatory seat alarms and worse.

(Source: Newsnight interview, Jeremy Paxton - 19-06-2003 )