[HPforGrownups] The Veil of Secrecy - Marketing OotP

[yellows at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 60991

In a message dated 6/18/2003 11:40:35 AM Eastern Standard Time, Jenny writes:

> In light of recent events (ie. people getting copies of the book early, 
> spoilers discovered here and there), I've started to wonder, why is it J.K. Rowling 
> and publishers were so desperate not to let reviewers get the book to review? 
> Seriously, can any of you say you really thought nothing 
> would come out 
> before the book's release date?

:)  I love spoilers too, Jenny, and I agree with you. Of course everyone knew that spoilers would leak. That's just life. But I think 1) they *liked* the idea it would add to the hype, as you said. And 2) they counted on the fact that not all spoilers could be confirmed as legitimate, as is the case in most spoiler situations.

But as far as the reviewers are concerned, ... I'm going to buy the book regardless of what the reviewers say.  :)  I don't think I'm alone in that, either. So, if they *gave* a number of copies out to a number of reporters, that would only increase the possibility of legitimate spoilers being released. And for what? Most of the millions of fans out there couldn't care less what a reviewer has to say. By book five, we've invested enough time and emotional energy into this series to want to see it through book seven.  :)

So, when it comes to either increasing your chances of leaks or not getting unimportant reviews, I'd say the publishers made a reasonable choice. 

Brief Chronicles