Before J. K. Rowling became one of the world’s best-known authors, she was a single mother living in Edinburgh, Scotland, writing while caring for her young daughter. She has said she often worked on the manuscript for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in local cafés, where she could write while her daughter slept.

After finishing the manuscript, Rowling submitted it to publishers across the United Kingdom. It was rejected by around 12 publishers, many of whom doubted that a lengthy children’s fantasy novel would attract a large audience.

In 1997, Bloomsbury Publishing agreed to publish the book. According to the widely recounted story, Bloomsbury chairman Nigel Newton gave the manuscript to his eight-year-old daughter, Alice Newton, who quickly became engrossed in the story and asked to read more. Her enthusiasm helped convince the company to move forward with publication.

The decision proved extraordinary. The Harry Potter series has sold more than 600 million copies worldwide, been translated into more than 80 languages, and inspired a hugely successful film franchise, stage productions, theme parks, and countless other adaptations.

Rowling’s journey remains one of publishing’s most famous success stories, illustrating that repeated rejection does not necessarily determine an idea’s ultimate success.