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Area booksellers conjuring up fun for new Rowling novel

Excitement continues to build for the upcoming July 16 release of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” For fans who want to be the first to own the latest book in this enormously popular series, Barnes & Noble, along with other retailers, announced that, at the stroke of midnight July 15, copies of J.K. Rowling’s new book will go on sale!

For that special Friday evening, Barnes & Noble will host a “Midnight Magic” party. Muggles can enjoy Harry Potter-related contests, games, giveaways and more. Customer registration for pre-orders and walk-ins will begin at 6 p.m. The evening festivities will begin at 8 pm with a look-a-like contest. Conjure yourself into Harry, Hermione or Ron and compete to win a prize in one of the four age divisions: Pre-K, Elementary School, Middle School and High School/Adult. Don’t leave the party without standing by the honored guest. Take a picture with a Harry Potter standee at 9 p.m. and don’t forget to grab a complimentary frame for the memory. At 10 p.m., a little bit of magic will appear in the air with Ken Scott the Magician, who will entertain the Muggles until the clock strikes twelve. Don’t miss the party of the year, something for everyone!

“The anticipation surrounding this new Harry Potter book has been unprecedented,” said Linda Metoyer, Community Relations Manager. “In response to customer demand, we will stay open past midnight so Potter fans can be among the first to purchase a copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and have loads of fun at the same time.”

Barnes & Noble is offering the title for the discounted price of $17.99, 40 percent off the list price ($16.19 for Barnes & Noble Members). The compact disc and audio cassettes for the unabridged book will also be available. Customers can place pre-orders at any Barnes & Noble store or online at Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com).

Books-a-Million in Peachtree City announced that there will be no long lines at midnight, with super-fast Express Lane vouchers. In an effort to offer “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” at the earliest possible moment, they will open Express Lanes in most of their 207 locations. Customers who have purchased an Express Lane voucher may simply exchange it for one copy of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” Express Lane vouchers are on sale now at Books-A-Million locations for 40 percent off the retail price, plus an extra 10 percent off with a Millionaire’s Club Card.

J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” with over 672 pages, has a first printing 10.8 million - an all time United States publishing record.

“With the Express Lane, our goal is for Books-A-Million customers to get their copies of Harry Potter 6 at the earliest possible moment,” said Jeff Skipper, Vice President of Marketing at Books-A-Million. “The advance demand for the ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ Express Lane voucher indicates that fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series, as well as the convenience of the Books-A-Million Express Lane.”

Books-A-Million stores wil also be hosting a “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Celebration beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 15. The celebration includes facepainting, trivia contests, Harry Potter crafts, costume contests and a chance to win lots of prizes. The Books-A-Million Celebration counts down to the 12:01 a.m. release of the long awaited and greatly anticipated sixth book in the Harry Potter series. For customers who can’t stay awake until midnight, there will be another magical event, complete with contests and prizes at all Books-A-Million locations on Saturday, July 16 at 9 a.m.

Omega Books at 100 North Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree City, will also be getting into the act Friday night when they re-open their store at 11 p.m. Have some Pumpkin juice, eat a few of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, and register for a $10 gift certificate while you await the stroke of midnight. Omega customers will receive an addititonal 30 percent off the cover price which is already discounted 10 percent.

Fans of the Harry Potter series will be out in full force this weekend with an estimated 800 - 1500 book lovers clamoring for volume six of the series at Books-A-Million alone. Registration at Barnes & Noble for the look-a-like contest begins at 6 p.m. with the actual event beginning at 8 p.m.