When J.K. Rowling learned Harry Potter would be published

For J.K. Rowling, learning that she was going to be a published author was more exciting than any of the accolades and sales achievements that followed in the years to come.

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"Nothing has equalled the moment when I knew my book was going to be published what a moment," theauthor told CBC in 2000, just a few years after her mega-selling Harry Potter book series made its debut."Walked on air for days."

In the same interview, Rowling actually ranked that life-changing momentjust below another key life event the day she gave birth to her daughter, Jessica. (Since then,she has also given birth to a son named David and a second daughter named Mackenzie.)

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Her most famous offspring, however Harry Potter has since helped Rowling sell more than 500 million books around the world, according to sales figures quoted on her website.

In addition to Harry's ongoing popularity and commercial success, thereis something else Rowlingcan celebrate about her famous wizard character his given birthday of July 31, which is also her own.