JKR.com Guide

Ever since it was relaunched on the 15th May 2004, jkrowling.com has been the fandom's favourite destination, offering intriguing puzzles and secrets, hot-off-the-presses news and rare insight into the depth of planning that has gone into the Harry Potter universe.  (Before the relaunch, the site only held a list of publishers and other such details - as JKR herself said, 'boring'.)  It's now a huge part of the fandom, keeping us going through those lean times when no new books or movies are being released, and news is scarce.  Our forums already have a hugely-popular Official JKR.com Site Thread, and this guide is intended to serve partly as an archive of past JKR.com events, and partly as a helping hand for those who just can't find that last secret.  (Of course, for the latest site news, we recommend checking the thread regularly - especially since many of the events of JKR.com are only available for a very limited time!)

The site contains a variety of different sections, each of which can be reached by clicking on the appropriate item on 'the desktop' - the main page of the site.  (Some of these are items to be opened by clicking on them, like opening the newspaper to read it.  Others, obviously, are Portkeys to other areas.)  Almost all of these site sections contains some kind of secret to unlock, and you can find more details about these secrets on the Easter Eggs page.  We also have an archive of the information given in a couple of the pages - namely the Wizard of the Month feature, and the occasional openings of The '?' Door.  Below, you can see a summary of each section, and what you have to click on to reach them.

'?': A mysterious room exists on jkrowling.com, described only as '?'.  This room contains the mystical and powerful object on the site - the Secret Door.  Usually, a 'Do Not Disturb' sign hangs on the handle, but occasionally it opens to reveal something wonderful.  This room can be accessed by clicking on the pink rubber/eraser just below the keyboard.

Biography: Clicking on the Diary on the desktop will bring you to a brief biography of JK Rowling's life, although it only covers the time up until she finds a publisher for Philosopher's Stone.  Could a future update add more pages to the Biography? 

Calendar: In the top-right corner of the desktop, you will be able to see a calendar showing the date, which usually bears the title 'Wizard of the Month', and clicking on it will take you to a description of that month's wizard.  (The Wizards - and Witches - of the Month are archived on our Wizard of the Month page.)  This calendar also displays the birthdays of prominent Harry Potter characters on the appropriate dates.

Diary: Not to be confused with the diary that you click to reach the Biography, this diary takes the form of a notebook on the desktop, and contains JK Rowling's own (infrequently-updated) blog, where she discusses progress with her writing, events in her life, and other things that 'don't qualify as real news'.  The Diary was started at Christmas 2005; before this, there was a simple welcome message in it's place.

Extra Stuff: By clicking on the black hairbrush (Formerly a coffee mug) on the right side of the desktop, you can access the 'Extra Stuff' section, which contains, among other things, a large noticeboard.  This board carries a wealth of little snippets of information garnered from the ultimate resource - Jo's own, jealously-guarded, private files.

Fan Sites: Occasionally, JKR.com gives one fansite a great honour - her own Fan Site Award, and a permanent link in the Fan Site section of the site.  Click the binder clip (Which was once a golden key) on the desktop to check out the latest Fan Site Winner, and the archive of former winners.

FAQ: A cluster of paperclips leads you to the FAQ section, which appears in the form of letters dropped onto the desktop.  Here, a variety of the fandom's most burning questions are answered by Jo herself, either through simple Q & A pages, or in the FAQ Poll, where an open vote is held to determine the next question to get an answer. 

Links: Virtually every site on the Internet has a Links page.  JKR.com is no exception.  By clicking the glasses on the desktop (Which was once a pen), you can find links to Jo's publishers around the world, her literary agent, the WB website, and a selection of her favourite charities and causes, which includes Amnesty International, oneparentfamilies, The MS Society and the Children's High Level Group.

News: The news section can be found by clicking on 'The Daily News' - a large newspaper on top of the pile on the desktop.  (Bottom-left of the screen, if you're uncertain.)  This is where Jo occasionally posts her own news, including details of personal appearances, warnings of online scams, and even updates on the progress of her next book.

Rubbish Bin: From time to time, the world's press feel it necessary to publish stories about JK Rowling, world-renowned celebrity that she is.  Unfortunately, a considerable number of said stories are what might be considered 'steaming piles of dragon dung'.  When such a story appears, Jo files it where it belongs - in the Rubbish Bin, which can be accessed by clicking on the pencil sharpener. (Formerly a chewing gum wrapper.)

Rumours: All the latest rumours that scatter across the fandom end up in the rumours section, which can be accessed by clicking the red-topped tabloid newspaper on the desktop.  (No doubt a joke at tabloids like The Sun.)  Many of the more outlandish theories of the fandom are scorched here, and a few not-so-outlandish ones.

Scrapbook: The Scrapbook section is where you will find all the treasures you have unlocked, by finding the Easter Eggs that are hidden around the site.  (It's the brown book at the top of the screen, resting on the keyboard.)  You can find more details about the Easter Eggs that you can unlock in our Easter Eggs section.

WOMBATs: In April 2006, a new portkey appeared on the desktop, in the form of a student ID card resting on top of the keyboard.  (Does Jo ever type anything?)  Clicking on this card allows access to the results of the WOMBATs, which are a series of Potterverse-themed exams that can occasionally be accessed through the '?' Door.

Return to Main Page | Easter Eggs | The '?' Door | Wizard of the Month

Last Updated: 17 November 2006