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Rowling 'nerves' at Potter launch Rowling 'nerves' at Potter launch
(9 minutes later)
Author JK Rowling says she feels a "heady mixture of excitement, nerves and relief" as the midnight launch of the last Harry Potter book approaches.Author JK Rowling says she feels a "heady mixture of excitement, nerves and relief" as the midnight launch of the last Harry Potter book approaches.
She published a message to fans on her website as, around the world, people queued to get hold of the novel.She published a message to fans on her website as, around the world, people queued to get hold of the novel.
"Within hours you will know what happens to Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest," Rowling wrote."Within hours you will know what happens to Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest," Rowling wrote.
"All the secrets I have been carrying around for so long will be yours, too.""All the secrets I have been carrying around for so long will be yours, too."
The author will read excerpts from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to 500 fans at midnight and sign books at the Natural History Museum in London.The author will read excerpts from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to 500 fans at midnight and sign books at the Natural History Museum in London.
UpsettingUpsetting
Appearing on BBC One's Blue Peter on Friday, she warned that the book could be upsetting for some readers. The author appeared on Blue Peter to answer children's questionsAppearing on BBC One's Blue Peter on Friday, she warned that the book could be upsetting for some readers.
"Will I cry?" asked Natasha, a young fan in the audience for the show."Will I cry?" asked Natasha, a young fan in the audience for the show.
"Have you ever cried before at a sad book?" asked Rowling."Have you ever cried before at a sad book?" asked Rowling.
"Well, I cried when Dumbledore died," she replied."Well, I cried when Dumbledore died," she replied.
"I think you'll probably cry at this book, too," the author said."I think you'll probably cry at this book, too," the author said.
325 million sold325 million sold
A decade after the first book, Harry Potter has become a global phenomenon with 325 million books already sold. A decade after the first instalment, Harry Potter has become a global phenomenon with 325 million books already sold.
That number will grow as millions of copies of the new novel are snapped up at the weekend.That number will grow as millions of copies of the new novel are snapped up at the weekend.
It is being released simultaneously in 93 countries, with a print run of 12 million in the US alone and more than 2.2 million ordered in advance from internet retailer Amazon.It is being released simultaneously in 93 countries, with a print run of 12 million in the US alone and more than 2.2 million ordered in advance from internet retailer Amazon.
A few people who got the book early posted on my friend's blog, telling her the plot - she was devastated Abi CHarry Potter fan Growing up with Harry Send us your comments Loyal fans will finally reach the climax of the story after 10 years of twists and turns in the life of the young wizard.A few people who got the book early posted on my friend's blog, telling her the plot - she was devastated Abi CHarry Potter fan Growing up with Harry Send us your comments Loyal fans will finally reach the climax of the story after 10 years of twists and turns in the life of the young wizard.
A final confrontation between Harry and his evil nemesis, Lord Voldemort, has been building throughout the series - and Rowling has revealed some characters do not survive.A final confrontation between Harry and his evil nemesis, Lord Voldemort, has been building throughout the series - and Rowling has revealed some characters do not survive.
Fans in London have been braving heavy rain as they wait for the book to go on sale.Fans in London have been braving heavy rain as they wait for the book to go on sale.
Laura Halinen, 23, travelled from Finland to join them outside the Piccadilly branch of Waterstone's.Laura Halinen, 23, travelled from Finland to join them outside the Piccadilly branch of Waterstone's.
"This is the biggest Harry Potter party in Europe, so it's worth the wait," she said."This is the biggest Harry Potter party in Europe, so it's worth the wait," she said.
Fans queuing in London have had to cope with torrential rainChellie Carr, 17, from Okemos, Michigan, said she pestered her mother to bring her to London.Fans queuing in London have had to cope with torrential rainChellie Carr, 17, from Okemos, Michigan, said she pestered her mother to bring her to London.
"For all the other books she said: 'No. It's just a book.' But for this one, she said yes," she said."For all the other books she said: 'No. It's just a book.' But for this one, she said yes," she said.
Cahina Lewis, who dressed as a witch to mark the occasion, said: "For the last nine or 10 years it's been such a big part of my life.Cahina Lewis, who dressed as a witch to mark the occasion, said: "For the last nine or 10 years it's been such a big part of my life.
"I've been talking to my friends about Harry Potter theories for so long, and I'm not going to be able to do that anymore. What will I do with my life?""I've been talking to my friends about Harry Potter theories for so long, and I'm not going to be able to do that anymore. What will I do with my life?"
Global celebrationsGlobal celebrations
All-night parties and Hogwarts Express-style train trips have been planned elsewhere around the world to celebrate the release.All-night parties and Hogwarts Express-style train trips have been planned elsewhere around the world to celebrate the release.
Staff at stores in Hong Kong will tour the city dressed as wizards, while in Bangladesh, customs offices are continuing to work on a Friday - a holiday in the country - to ensure the novel is delivered on time. The book's launch has sparked a price war between British retailersStaff at stores in Hong Kong will tour the city dressed as wizards, while in Bangladesh, customs offices are continuing to work on a Friday - a holiday in the country - to ensure the novel is delivered on time.
A live band will play and a discussion about the boy wizard will go ahead in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.A live band will play and a discussion about the boy wizard will go ahead in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
The book's launch has sparked a price war between British retailersIn New York, a street party will include face-painting, wand-making, fire-eaters and magicians, while in Bangkok, an outdoor movie screen will show all the Potter films throughout the night. In New York, a street party will include face-painting, wand-making, fire-eaters and magicians, while in Bangkok, an outdoor movie screen will show all the Potter films throughout the night.
Despite the embargo, some copies have been sent out early by mistake and reviews have appeared in some newspapers.
Rowling said she was "staggered" that papers including the New York Times had printed plot details in reviews.
The paper described the book as a "monumental, spellbinding epic" and said it ended with a "big-screen, heart-racing, bone-chilling confrontation".
Children's helpline Childline has asked volunteers to take on extra shifts to cope with an expected surge of calls from distraught youngsters after the reading the book.
Price war
The expected death of a key character could spark feelings of loss and bereavement among young readers, it has warned.
The books' release has also sparked a price war among UK supermarkets, while Royal Mail said it would deliver 600,000 copies on Saturday - one for every 43 households in the country.
Rowling recently admitted she felt "devastated" as she penned the final words to the book.Rowling recently admitted she felt "devastated" as she penned the final words to the book.
The book will be released around the world at 0001 BST on Saturday.The book will be released around the world at 0001 BST on Saturday.