A Writer`s Guide to Harry Potter

A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter
Fifth Anniversary Edition
By S.P. Sipal
Media Kit
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Sell Sheet
Media Release
Author Biography
Praise for A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter
Public Appearances by S.P. Sipal
Seven Things You Might Not Know About the Harry Potter Series
Sample Interview with the Author
www.DeepRiver.press 919-770-3746
918 Twin Oaks Farm Road Sanford NC 27330
[email protected]
A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter
NONFICTION
ISB978-1-945561-00-9
Trade Paper
250 pages, US $15.95
ISBN: 978-1-945561-01-6
E-Book US $ 9.95
Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Distributor: Publisher, Ingram,
Smashwords
Contact: Lisa London
[email protected]
For Writers, Fans, and Educators of Wizards and Muggles
The Harry Potter magic lives today on as J.K. Rowling expands her wizarding world. For five years, writers
and fans around the globe have used A Writer's Guide to Harry Potter to discover the skill and artistry
which created the stories that enchanted audiences across generations.
In this newly revised and expanded edition, S.P. Sipal takes you even deeper than before, exploring new
techniques, and peering into the artistic and marketing vision behind the upcoming Harry Potter and the
Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Through fifteen lessons, discover the expert techniques J.K. Rowling employs which makes her series
such a phenomenal success and which will help improve your own craft and style. Fans will enjoy
learning how she laid down clues, pulled in mythology, and kept her readers guessing even to today.
Topics include:
characterization, world building, backstory, mystery plotting, myths and archetypes,
fan interaction, social media, and author-driven publishing and promotion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: S.P. Sipal is a writer, editor, and international speaker who has
presented the material in this guide since the Harry Potter phenomenon gripped the
nation. Susan celebrated the release of the last Harry Potter book, Deathly Hallows, as
a presenter at a fan conference in London. For over a decade, her writing workshops,
school and college lessons, and numerous fan conference presentations have been
met with enthusiasm and repeat requests.
You can find her on Twitter @HP4Writers, her website at SPSipal.com, and her blog at
harrypotterforwriters.blogspot.com.
www.DeepRiver.press 919-770-3746
918 Twin Oaks Farm Road Sanford NC 27330
[email protected]
MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACT: Lisa London, 919-770-3746
Email: [email protected]
LOCAL AUTHOR RELEASES POTTER COMPANION BOOK IN
ADVANCE OF HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD
www.DeepRiver.press
PITTSBORO, NC— Author S.P. Sipal releases A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter analyzing
J.K. Rowling’s mysteries and techniques in advance of the eighth book of the series, Harry
Potter and the Cursed Child.
Sipal is best known for her analysis of the myths and secrets of the Harry Potter series
through her blog at HarryPotterforWriters.com. She is an author, editor, and international
speaker who has presented workshops on the Harry Potter phenomenon for a dozen years.
She was thrilled to speak at a fan conference in London on the eve of the release of the
last Harry Potter book.
When asked what made Rowling’s series such a huge success, Sipal replied, “Three things
top the list: characterization, world building, and the layers of mysteries and clues hidden in
subtext. Seeking out those hidden Easter eggs truly engaged her readers.”
Sipal fully expects that Rowling will continue the same game with her readers, not only in
Cursed Child, but also in the upcoming film trilogy, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find
Them. She hopes her guide, which helps fans as well as writers discover how Rowling hid
her clues, will prepare readers and movie goers to sleuth all over again when Fantastic
Beasts hits theaters November 18.
With her expertise in analyzing Rowling’s work for both writers and fans, Sipal is quickly
becoming a favorite to include in events for the release of Rowling’s newest work. Sipal has
been interviewed for local TV sites and included in several bookstore release events for
Cursed Child. Her own launch party will be held at a mini Renaissance Faire in Pittsboro for
Starrlight Mead Day.
As for A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter, it is already getting rave reviews, with Kiki Hamilton,
award-winning author of The Midnight Spy—named One of the Best Books of 2015 by
Kirkus Reviews—saying, “I seriously think A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter is BRILLIANT
and the analysis amazing—from both a reader’s AND a writer’s perspective.”
Each chapter of the guide covers a different aspect of fiction writing, including
characterization, world building, mystery plotting, and adding a layer of subtext through
myths and archetypes. The workshops Sipal presents based off this guide have been met
with enthusiastic audiences and repeat performances.
Media kit and photos are available at www.DeepRiver.press. For booking presentations,
interviews, and/or book signings, contact [email protected] or the author
directly at 919-444-9395.
www.DeepRiver.press 919-770-3746
918 Twin Oaks Farm Road Sanford NC 27330
[email protected]
Author Biography
S.P. Sipal
S.P. Sipal is a writer, editor, and international speaker who has presented the material in this guide since the
Harry Potter phenomenon gripped the nation. Susan celebrated the release of the last Harry Potter book, Deathly
Hallows, as a presenter at a fan conference in London. Her writing workshops, school and college lessons, and
numerous fan conference presentations have been met with enthusiasm and repeat requests.
Susan lived with her husband in his homeland of Turkey for several years and enjoys writing about its history
and myths in many of her novels. Now back in North Carolina, they live among the deer and chickens on their
small farm in Chatham County. You can find her on Twitter @HP4Writers, her website at SPSipal.com, and her
blog at HarryPotterforWriters.blogspot.com.
To book Susan for speaking engagements, interviews, and other Harry Potter or writing events, please
contact [email protected].
Published Works by S.P. Sipal:
 Southern Fried Wiccan—March 2015
 “Lighting the Sacred Way” in Journeys of Wonder 2—October 2012
 “Running Raw” in Sweeter Than Tea—June 2012
 Egyptian Myths in Harry Potter, an editorial in three parts; Mugglenet.com—July 2007
 “Grandma's Cupboards” in On Grandma's Porch—June 2007
 One Last Memory; a Featured Editorial on Mugglenet—Feb. 2007
 “From Online to Paperback: The Making of The Plot Thickens” and “Geomancy and Alchemy in
Harry Potter” in Proceedings of Accio UK 2005—July 2006
 Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter: Analysis of Book 5; by Galadriel Waters;
Wizarding World Press—June 2005. (editor and contributor.)
 “A Family Treasure” in More Sweet Tea—April 2005
 “Chamber of Thoth” and “Geomancy and Alchemy Gems in Harry Potter” in The Plot
Thickens...Harry Potter Investigated by Fans for Fans; Wizarding World Press—November 2004
www.DeepRiver.press 919-770-3746
918 Twin Oaks Farm Road Sanford NC 27330
[email protected]
Praise for A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter
“I seriously think A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter is BRILLIANT and the analysis amazing – from
both a reader’s AND a writer’s perspective.”
-- Kiki Hamilton, award-winning author of THE MIDNIGHT SPY--named One of the Best Books of
2015 by Kirkus Reviews
“There are countless books about good writing, but few that peel back the curtain on what makes a
book beloved. THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO HARRY POTTER is a treasure trove for writers and readers
alike, filled with nuggets of insight into the characters, world, and techniques J.K. Rowling used to
work her magic. It’s a resource I’ll go back to again and again!”
-- Martina Boone, award-winning author of COMPULSION and the Heirs of Watson Island trilogy.
www.DeepRiver.press 919-770-3746
918 Twin Oaks Farm Road Sanford NC 27330
[email protected]
List of Upcoming Appearances
S.P. Sipal

July 25 -- WRAL Go Ask Mom interview Monday, July 25, reporter Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
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July 27 -- Fox 50 Morning News, Wednesday, July 27, reporter Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
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July 27 -- A Writer's Guide to Harry Potter Release Day Facebook and Twitter Party,
Wednesday, July 27
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July 30 -- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Countdown to Midnight Magic Release Party,
Barnes and Noble New Hope Commons in Durham, Saturday, July 30, 8 pm

July 31 – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Event at Barnes and Noble in Cary, Sunday, July
31. 2:00 pm Raleigh Little Theater performs skits based on Harry Potter. 4:00 pm S.P. Sipal
booksigning and event.
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August 3 – Article for WRAL online: “Teaching Your Child Critical Reading with Harry Potter
as Your Text”
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August 6 -- A Writer's Guide to Harry Potter Book Launch from 11 am to 1 pm at Chatham
Marketplace as part of the Renaissance Faire and Mead Party at Starrlight Mead, Saturday,
August 6 (food trucks, sword fighting, and a ton of cospolay)

September 10 -- Barnes and Noble at The Streets at Southpoint, event and signing,
Saturday, September 10 at 1:00 pm
To request a signing or event, please contact Susan’s publicist at [email protected],
or directly at [email protected].
www.DeepRiver.press 919-770-3746
918 Twin Oaks Farm Road Sanford NC 27330
[email protected]
A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter
Improve Your Writing with Harry Potter as Your Text
By S.P. Sipal
Seven Things You Might Not Know
About the Harry Potter Series
There’s a giant squid of subtext living below the surface. Often not seen by the casual
reader, the avid Harry Potter fan was thrilled to discover the layer of mysteries, myths,
and clues that Rowling hid beneath her pages’ surface. It was through this subtle use of
word play and mythical analogies that Rowling deeply engaged her fans, turning the
casual reader into a Harry Potter sleuth.
Quidditch took the Muggle world by storm. Yes, the Muggles truly do have a Quidditch
World Cup. Fans were so enthused with Rowling’s world, needing to play in it constantly,
that they formed wizard wrock bands, Quidditch teams, fan conferences, and created their
own fan fiction and fan art to continue the wizarding world experience past the end of the
series.
Maybe Ron was right to be jealous all along. After the series was finished, Rowling
admitted in an interview that she’d had second thoughts about Hermione ending up with
Ron. She believed she’d written their relationship as she’d foreseen in the early stages of
planning the series, and maybe not as what should have been.
Rowling vandalized hotel property. But they probably appreciated it very much. Rowling
spent the last six months of writing the Harry Potter series in the Balmoral Hotel in
Edinburgh. When she completed Deathly Hallows, she signed a marble bust of Hermes that
adorned her rooms. That bust has since become a feature in what is now the JK Rowling
Suite.
Rowling apologized for killing Lupin. Originally, she’d not planned the death of the
beloved werewolf Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. But when she decided to save
Mr. Weasley’s life in Order of the Phoenix, she knew that another father would have to take
his place. A death, that in leaving Lupin’s newborn son an orphan, circled back to the
beginning of the Harry Potter saga.
Michael Jackson wanted to sing to Rowling. Before he died, Michael Jackson had
approached Rowling with the idea to produce a musical based off Harry Potter. She said
no, but that didn’t stop fans from producing their own musicals. The best of these is A
Very Potter Musical, which brought lead Darren Criss into fame.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione achieved immortal fame as chocolate frogs. After their
victory over Voldemort at the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were made
into chocolate frog cards…something Dumbledore had once indicated was his own
favorite success.
www.DeepRiver.press 919-770-3746
918 Twin Oaks Farm Road Sanford NC 27330
[email protected]
A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter
Improve Your Writing With Harry Potter as Your Text
By S.P. Sipal
Sample Interview with S.P. Sipal
(919) 770-3746
How did you decide to write a book about Harry Potter?
I first met Harry when I was looking for something to read to my young son, and a
bookstore owner recommended it. We were both hooked. Over the course of the next
couple of years, I discovered the layer of subtext and mysteries hidden in Rowling’s
stories and wrote articles exploring her use of myths to hide secrets. I kept thinking to
myself how much I had learned from studying Rowling’s writing, so I put together a
workshop to share my enthusiasm with other writers. The workshop was so well received,
I eventually wrote it out as a book. I am now thrilled for Deep River Press to release the
completely updated and expanded fifth-anniversary edition.
What was it like to be in London for the release of Deathly Hallows?
Would magical be too cliché an answer? Because it totally was. I was asked to present at a
fan conference held for the release. After my presentation, my sister and I went down to
the Waterstones in Piccadilly and played gawking fans, watching all the other costumed
gawking fans. As an author, it was incredibly inspiring to see the lines of people winding
through several blocks waiting to buy a book, the blocked off streets and police directing
traffic, and the excited camaraderie among the costumed fans. It was an experience I will
never forget.
Is it true that you predicted part of the Deathly Hallows plot before it released?
Yes, as did a lot of other fans. We were all wildly speculating in those last days before the
series ended. However, I was thrilled to see a couple of my pet theories validated in
Deathly Hallows. I’d written articles predicting that we’d get one more critical memory
revealing key information on what happened in Godric’s Hollow, though the nature of
Snape’s actual memory varied from what I’d foreseen. I also predicted that Harry would
come face to face with James and Lily in a more real form before the end of the book. That
speculation was based on some Egyptian mythology clues I believe Rowling weaved into
the series.
You mention Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts in the book, but they
aren’t out yet. Do you have an early copy?
No such luck. Everything I have written about either Cursed Child or Fantastic Beasts
comes from what has been made public. I’ve researched both stories intensely and have
also pieced together my own speculation based on years of observing both Rowling and
her magical works.
When and where can we buy the book?
A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter will be released July 26, 2016 and is available anywhere
books are sold.
www.DeepRiver.press 919-770-3746
918 Twin Oaks Farm Road Sanford NC 27330
[email protected]