What's This All About?

Mostly, it's about the story. I missed it when it was over. Didn't you? So, in a bout of Post-Potter-Depression, I started writing. I had no idea what "fan fiction" was. I just wanted the story to go on. I wrote for myself, my family and a few friends. It wasn't meant to be a full-length novel, but as I wrote it, that's what the story obviously wanted to be.

The premise was simple: James, the firstborn son of the famous Harry Potter, begins his first journey to Hogwarts, unsure how to live in that legendary, daunting shadow. The story grew and took on a life of its own. And when it was done... well, I thought it was pretty good, and so did my family and friends. They thought it was worth sharing.

Thus, "James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing" was released online. Some people hated it, but a lot of people loved it; a surprising number of them, in fact. The story first made local news, and then international media, and then, before I knew it, I was in contact with Warner Bros. and Ms. Rowling herself via her agent. Her agency previewed the story, announcing they supported mine and similar stories. And now, over a million readers worldwide have entered the world of James, Ralph and Zane, and what most of them have said, loudly and clearly, is "what happens next?"

Well, Constant Reader, this is what happens next. Against all probability, "James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing" was intended to be part of a larger story; I just didn't know if I'd write it all. As it turns out, I have at least written the next chapter. "James Potter and the Curse of the Gatekeeper" isn't really a sequel; it is a direct continuation of the larger story. Herein, we will meet Scorpius Malfoy, the irrepressible Rose Weasley, and yes, Albus Severus Potter, who everyone is so very curious about.

And is it any good? My few trusted test readers say it is better than the first book, which I am glad to hear. But these stories are only as good as the foundation they are built on, which is, of course, Ms. Rowling's timeless and enduring Harry Potter novels. These are an homage to her effort and her imagination; an imagination so fertile that even writers like me can tap into it. To her, I offer my humblest Salute.

If you are new here, I encourage you to go back and read the first book in this series, which you can find at elderscrossing.com. If you like it, there's a good chance you'll enjoy the sequel as well. If you don't like it, that's all right, too. There's a lot of other Harry Potter related fiction out there. It's a huge world Ms. Rowling has created. I only hope my addition continues to do it justice.