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Know the mind behind Hary Potter phenomenon
Joanne Kathleen Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books.
HER SIXTH book in the Harry Potter series to be released by July next year is already on the bestseller list and the only one sure about how it all turned out is J.K. Rowling herself. But the life and inspiration of this rarely interviewed author will no longer remain a mystery.
A 50-mintue documentary titled "J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and Me" to be aired on BBC World on December 25 at 7- 40 p.m. with repeat on Sunday at 2-40 p.m., will speak about the authors phenomenal success, her inspiration and her amazing skills as a writer.
And speaking about Rowling, the famous children news presenter, Lizo Mzimba -- who made a name for himself on his reporting on the Harry Potter sensation having met and interviewed the media shy author over half a dozen times -- says that the `elusive' author is not so media shy after all.
The publication of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone in 1997 began a publishing phenomenon that has broken all records -- over 100 million copies of the first four Harry Potter books have been sold world-wide in 47 languages. Only the Bible has more translations.
"Just seven years before, Rowling was an unemployed single mother spending her afternoons writing in an Edinburgh coffee shop while her baby slept," says Lizo.
The programme on BBC World will talk exclusively about the genesis of Harry Potter, inspirations from her past, and her plans for Harry's future.
"What is amazing about the author is that fact that she knew from the beginning that there would be seven books, one for every year he is at boarding school. Each book has been meticulously planned; each character has a family tree, a psyche, and even dietary requirements. She has already written the final chapter of the final book, which she allows the programme to see, locked away in a vault in a secret location," says Lizo.
Lizo made the leap from behind to in front of the camera when he went from being an assistant producer to a reporter on Newsround in 1998. Before this Lizo had been part of the BBC news trainee scheme and an assistant producer on numerous BBC series. Originally from Birmingham, Lizo studied Medicine and Law at Birmingham University before turning to journalism when he joined the BBC in 1994. A complete film buff, Lizo is known for his love of Star Wars and for his reports on Harry Potter.
And speaking about the Rowling's media shyness he says: "It is a myth that she is media shy, what is true is the fact that she talks only when there is something to say." And as for the eternal question about what will happen to Harry... "Well my guess is as good as anybody else," says Lizo, revealing nothing.
By Bindu Shajan Perappadan
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