Wizarding World Audiobooks Now Available Through Local Bookstores!

by · May 24, 2017

Great news for those of you who love to support your local bookstores – Harry Potter digital audiobooks can now be purchased locally! Libro.fm, a platform partnered with over 300 indie bookstores for the distribution of digital audiobooks, announced today that wizarding world audiobooks, including the Potter series and the Eddie Redmayne-narrated Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, would now be available through their partners.

J.K. Rowling’s novels have been staples on independent bookstore shelves for almost 20 years, so the move is one booksellers appreciate. Beza Wondie of Washington, DC bookstore Politics and Prose, said this of the move:

As far as I’m concerned, Harry Potter is the great Epic of our time. It uses accessible language and sincere storytelling to meditate on deeply complex themes like Death and Love. What’s more, with its clear message of active resistance and social justice, it will remain relevant so long as the world remains imperfect.

Stephanie Ballien, Director of Marketing at libro.fm, also lauded the announcement:

Harry Potter titles have always held a special place within independent bookstores — on the shelves and in the hearts and minds of booksellers. Now in digital audio, current and future generations of [w]izarding [w]orld fans can discover and rediscover these stories through their beloved local bookstores.

Local bookstores are the place where thousands of us congregated for midnight releases to geek out over each new Harry Potter book, so it’s only fitting that they now have the chance to share in the sale of digital audiobooks. Libro.fm also offers 30% off retail price to members, so you may want to consider joining today. Find out more information about the wizarding world audiobooks here!

Press Release

Libro.fm announces J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World digital audiobooks now available through local bookstores

SEATTLE, May 24, 2017 – Libro.fm (www.libro.fm), the digital audiobook platform for independent bookstores, has partnered with Pottermore, J.K. Rowling’s digital publishing, e-commerce, entertainment, and news company, to offer eight Wizarding World digital audiobooks through independent bookstores nationwide.

This announcement marks the first time independent bookstores in the United States have been able to offer Wizarding World digital audiobooks to their customers.

“Books Inc. is thrilled to be able to offer J.K. Rowling audiobooks to the loyal customers of our partner stores. With summer approaching, these audiobooks will be perfect for family road trips or long plane rides, and our customers will love being able to immerse themselves in the timeless stories and magical world that J.K. Rowling has created,” said Margie Scott Tucker of Books Inc., one of the oldest and largest independent booksellers on the West Coast of the US.

The Wizarding World digital audiobooks include all seven novels in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series as well as the indispensable introduction to the magical beasts of the Wizarding World, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It is narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne who starred as Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the 2016 film inspired by the Hogwarts Library book.

“Harry Potter titles have always held a special place within independent bookstores — on the shelves and in the hearts and minds of booksellers. Now in digital audio, current and future generations of Wizarding World fans can discover and rediscover these stories through their beloved local bookstores.” said Stephanie Ballien, Director of Marketing at libro.fm.

The print editions have had great success throughout local bookstores and with the addition of the digital audiobooks, the opportunity to share these stories will only increase.

Oren Teicher, American Booksellers Association CEO, said, "For two decades, the Harry Potter titles have held a singular spot on the shelves of independent bookstores, as young readers — who are now themselves parents of young readers — discovered the wonders of an amazing story and great writing. Indie booksellers look forward to this new opportunity to share J.K. Rowling's remarkable series in digital audio."

About Libro.fm:
Libro.fm is the independent store for digital audiobooks. An independent company based in Seattle, WA, Libro.fm offers tens of thousands of DRM-free digital audiobooks, available for download and through its free iOS and Android apps. A partner of the American Booksellers Association (ABA), Libro.fm works with independent bookstores to create co-branded audiobook storefronts.

About Pottermore:
Pottermore, the digital publishing, e-commerce, entertainment and news company from J.K. Rowling, is the global digital publisher of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. As the digital heart of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, pottermore.com is dedicated to unlocking the power of imagination. It offers news, features, and articles as well as new and previously unreleased writing by J.K. Rowling.

Jessica J.

I've been making magic at MuggleNet since 2012, when I first joined the staff as a News intern. I've never wavered from the declaration in my childhood journal, circa October 2000: "I LOVE Harry Potter! If I clean my room, my mom says she'll make me a dinner a wizard would love!" Proud Gryffindor; don't hate.