JK Rowling’s views on transgender law reform has failed to dent the popularity of the Harry Potter author’s books, with publisher Bloomsbury saying they have proved a lockdown hit, pushing revenues at the group’s children’s division up more than a quarter.The company, which publishes all of the author’s Harry Potter books, said its consumer publishing arm grew sales by 28% to £31.4m.
The children’s division grew by 27% to £18.7m, with Bloomsbury highlighting Rowling’s titles as a “bestseller”.Rowling has been criticised by the majority of LGBT campaign groups after expressing “deep concerns” about transgender rights in a lengthy essay in which she also described being a victim of domestic violence and sexual assault.