I came to Harry Potter just a little before you. It was just before the release of the fifth movie and the seventh book, but I too felt that I had missed out on a lot of the fan experience as well, especially as an adult with kids too little to share it with me initially. Perhaps you would enjoy Melissa Anelli’s book “Harry, A History” as much as I did. It gives you a real inside view into the whole Harry Potter experience from the beginning, and is quite entertaining.
I joined the fandom late as well — spring of 2007. I read the books straight through. The wonderful thing is there are plenty of people here who share your experience. And you’ll find latecomers (like me, for instance) who will make you feel right at home. And we still have three more movies AND leakycon 2011, which will be the ultimate potter party.
I am new to the fandom too. I never really knew one existed until after OOTP. I am a fan since 2001 but I never joined any activity about HP. So I agree with Garden State Geek, you are definitely not alone. And the fandom will never die as long as awesome people like us exist. :)
You most definitely are not alone! I was a late Harry Potter bloomer too (like many of us around here!). Had no idea about the extent of the fandom til late last spring. I’ve made up a lot of ground since then! I’m glad we’ve gotten in while there are still some “firsts” for us to experience! And so we eagerly wait…..
I think you and I must have joined the fandom around the same time! I saw my first Potter movie/read my first potter book some nine months ago. I am glad that, at least, I have three movie premieres to look forward too…I’m sure they are NOTHING to the book countdowns, though.
I started reading the books when I was in Second grade, and loved them. But as I got older I lost some of the fad (though I still was hopeful for a letter when I was 11). After reading HBP 6 months after its release I fell back in love with everything HP. I went to the midnight premiere of OotP movie, and release of DH. I can barely wait for HBP to come out, along with DH! Also, over the summer I am excited to see the Chicago exibition too! Over christmas I read Harry, A History, which turned me onto Leaky Cauldron. I wish I knew about it sooner though, but I guess it is not important about when we join, just as long as we never let the HP fandom to die.
i decided to ‘come out’ after i saw gof. i hadn’t read any of the books, only seen the movies, but with gof, i decided i should stop caring if my friends think i’m childish, hp makes me happy _. i desperately wanted to attend the release of dh, and the premiere of ootp, but mum sent me to paris for a few weeks to visit my sister. i know i should have been thrilled to be there, but all i could think was that the paris premiere had already taken place, and i would be missing the one in my own town. as for the book release, staying out that late was out of question, so i missed it all. the park is far away over the ocean, as are most events. but i don’t think of that; instead, i have chocolate, take another look at the hbp timer, and re-read the whole series. and smile.
I got into the fandom just as PoA came out and though I wish I had started at the very beginning it was still ok! I had enough time to become completly obsessed when the fourth book was finally announced! I was already aware of the existance of fanfiction but I wish I had been more implicated with the rest of the fandom world. I was just starting highschool when the fourth book came out and If i had been a little older then I think I would’ve enjoyed the fandom more. I blame my parents for not giving birth to me earlier so i could fully enjoy the wonderful world of Harry Potter to it’s fullest.
I’m also waiting for the amusement park. It’s a 24 hour drive from my home but merlin, I might faint with excitement!
Welcome to the fandom! There will still be amazing things to come, including conventions and the theme park. Let’s make sure the Harry Potter fandom never dies!
I agree! In my situation, I came into the fandom a bit too young, and had no clue about the release parties.
I too came into the fandom a bit late and only experienced a few midnight showings or book releases and I often wonder how much I missed. I’m really excited to go to LeakyCon and to finally be around people who ‘get it’.
Too bad i won’t be able to attend leaky con, since it’s too far away from me. I’ve actually never been to any midnight showings! I know i’ve missed a lot…
I could not agree with you more! I’m new to the fandom as well, and never got to experience any midnight release. That’s why I’m so eagerly awaiting HBP!