{{Short description|Harry Potter fansite}} {{Multiple issues| {{Original research|date=May 2025}} {{Primary sources|date=May 2025}} {{Independent sources|date=May 2025}} }} {{Infobox website | name = MuggleNet | logo = [[File:MuggleNet_Logo_2019.png|200px]] | company_type = [[For-profit]] [[domestic corporation]] | location = [[New York, NY|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States | caption = The #1 Wizarding World Resource Since 1999 | url = {{URL|http://www.mugglenet.com/}} | commercial = Yes | language = English [[American English|(U.S.)]] | registration = Optional | launch_date = {{start date and age|1999|10}}<ref name="MNAU">{{cite web|url=http://www.mugglenet.com/aboutus.shtml|title=MuggleNet - About Us|publisher=MuggleNet|access-date=August 16, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105230717/http://www.mugglenet.com/aboutus.shtml|archive-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref><br />([[Incorporation (business)|Incorporated]] in 2007) }} '''MuggleNet''' is the Internet's oldest and largest{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} ''[[Harry Potter]]'' and [[Wizarding World]] [[fansite]]. MuggleNet was founded in 1999. It has expanded over the years to include a handful of partner [[podcast]]s, a separate book blog, over half a dozen published works and live events. At one point, it also ran its own forums, social network and separate [[fan fiction]] website. Originally owned by founder [[Emerson Spartz]], MuggleNet became an independently owned and operated brand in early 2020.
==Relationship with the franchise== MuggleNet once benefitted from friendly relations with [[J.K. Rowling]], the author of the ''Harry Potter'' books, and the producers of the films. She has praised MuggleNet on her website and awarded it her Fan Site Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/fansite_view.cfm?id=15|title=J. K. Rowling Official Site - Section: Fan Sites - MuggleNet|author=J. K. Rowling|publisher=JKRowling.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206023706/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/fansite_view.cfm?id=15|archive-date=2006-12-06|author-link=J. K. Rowling}}</ref> Rowling has recounted on her website that she visited the site and sometimes read comments left by visitors, although she never commented herself. The author stated in a 2004 post on her website that she visited the site's chat room and was snubbed when she anonymously joined a conversation about ''Harry Potter'' theories.<ref>{{cite web |author=J. K. Rowling |url=http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/news_view.cfm?id=63 |title=Mugglenet Chatroom Uninterested in JKR's Theories |publisher=JKRowling.com |date=March 15, 2004 |access-date=January 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706015208/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/news_view.cfm?id=63 |archive-date=July 6, 2009 }}</ref>
In July 2005, Rowling invited Spartz and [[Melissa Anelli]], of the [[The Leaky Cauldron (website)|Leaky Cauldron]], to Edinburgh, Scotland, for an interview at her home on the release of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=21|title=J.K. Rowling Official Site - Meeting Melissa and Emerson|publisher=JKRowling.com|author=J. K. Rowling|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316221055/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=21|archive-date=2006-03-16}}</ref> J.K. Rowling mentioned MuggleNet through the interactive ''Harry Potter'' website [[Pottermore]] in September 2013, saying how proud she was to own the [[Freedom of the City#Key to the City|key]] to [[La Porte, Indiana|La Porte]], [[Indiana]], hometown of MuggleNet founder Emerson Spartz.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hawk|first=Keith|title=Pottermore: early access granted to Hufflepuffs and MuggleNet mentioned on site|url=http://www.mugglenet.com/2013/09/pottermore-early-access-granted-to-hufflepuffs-and-mugglenet-mentioned-on-site/|publisher=MuggleNet|access-date=1 July 2018}}</ref>
[[Warner Bros.]], the producers of the ''Harry Potter'' movies, regularly sent MuggleNet [[Film still|stills]] taken from the upcoming movies before they were released. The studio also provided MuggleNet staff with advance views of the new official website designs, as well as included staff in a video conference to discuss the [[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Studios Hollywood)|''Harry Potter'' theme park]] at [[Universal Orlando Resort]]. [[Universal Parks & Resorts|Universal]] has extended invitations to MuggleNet to attend the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at [[Universal Studios Hollywood]] in addition to the opening of Diagon Alley and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort.<ref>{{cite web |title=WWoHP Hollywood Red Carpet 2016 Park Opening |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUr67y3-Jns |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/aUr67y3-Jns| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|website=YouTube | date=6 May 2018 |access-date=16 March 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Grady |first1=Felicia |last2=Beckoff |first2=Laurie |title=REVIEW & WALK-THROUGH: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Is Exhilarating |url=https://www.mugglenet.com/2019/06/review-walk-through-hagrids-magical-creatures-motorbike-adventure-is-exhilarating/ |website=MuggleNet |date=13 June 2019 |access-date=16 March 2021}}</ref>
In July 2020, MuggleNet, together with the [[The Leaky Cauldron (website)|Leaky Cauldron]], took several steps to distance themselves from Rowling due to comments she made the previous month that they perceived as [[transphobic]]. In a joint statement, the sites wrote that her views were "out of step with the message of acceptance and empowerment we find in her books and celebrated by the Harry Potter community". They announced that they would no longer use photos of the author, link to her website, or write about achievements unrelated to the Potterverse.<ref>{{cite news |title=Harry Potter fan sites distance themselves from JK Rowling over transgender rights |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/03/harry-potter-fan-sites-distance-themselves-from-jk-rowling-over-transgender-rights?CMP=twt_b-gdnnews |work=The Guardian |date=3 July 2020}}</ref> In January 2021, MuggleNet promised to no longer provide news coverage of J.K. Rowling's works set outside of the wizarding world. The next month, that policy was updated to state that MuggleNet would no longer provide editorial coverage of J.K. Rowling's works set outside of the wizarding world "unless related to works set within the wizarding world."<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Commitment |url=https://www.mugglenet.com/site/our-commitment/ |website=MuggleNet |access-date=16 March 2021}}</ref>
==Podcasts==
=== ''MuggleCast'' ===
'''''[[MuggleCast]]''''' launched in August 2005 when podcasts were still up and coming.<ref>{{cite web|title=About/Contact Us {{!}} MuggleCast|url=http://mugglecast.com/contact/|work=MuggleCast|publisher=MuggleCast.com|access-date=1 July 2018}}</ref> Inspired by the passion within the ''Harry Potter'' community, MuggleNet staff members Andrew Sims, Ben Schoen, and Kevin Steck created a short podcast to discuss some of the recent ''Harry Potter'' news and the just-released ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''. Following Sims's departure from the site in summer 2011, ''MuggleCast'' separated from MuggleNet to become an independent podcast.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sims |first1=Andrew |title=Thank You for These Seven Years |url=https://www.mugglenet.com/2011/08/thank-you-for-these-seven-years/ |access-date=17 April 2021 |website=MuggleNet|date=29 August 2011 }}</ref> The hosts now discuss the ''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film)|Fantastic Beasts]]'' films, the [[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter|Wizarding World of Harry Potter]] theme parks, and fandom news, along with continued discussion of the original ''Harry Potter'' series.
''MuggleCast'' recorded what it announced would be its final regular episode on August 26, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/mugglecast/posts/10151751542778346 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/5967488345/10151751542778346 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=MuggleCast|website=www.facebook.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> However, on December 27, 2014, it was announced that they would be returning to regular episodes.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Scull|first1=Eric|title='MuggleCast' #275: 'Quarter Quell' now available!|url=http://www.mugglenet.com/2014/12/mugglecast-275-quarter-quell-now-available/|access-date=28 December 2014|work=MuggleNet|date=27 December 2014}}</ref> ''MuggleCast'' began posting weekly podcasts again in April 2017. It is currently hosted by Andrew Sims, Eric Scull, Micah Tannenbaum, and Laura Tee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mugglecast.com/contact/|title=About / Contact – MuggleCast|language=en|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref> In September 2019, ''MuggleCast'' was featured in an article in ''[[O, The Oprah Magazine|The Oprah Magazine]]'': "26 of the Best Book Podcasts to Listen to When You're Not Reading".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/books/g29194023/best-book-podcasts/|title=21 of the Best Book Podcasts to Listen to In-Between Reads|last=Jean-Philippe|first=McKenzie|date=2019-09-26|website=Oprah Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref>
==Published works== In 2006, in advance of the arrival of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', five MuggleNet staff members (Andy Gordon, Jamie Lawrence, Ben Schoen, Emerson Spartz, and Gretchen Stull) coauthored the reference book ''What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Falls in Love, and How Will the Adventure Finally End'', which was a published collection of unofficial fan predictions. By July 21, 2007, the book had sold 335,000 copies and reached #2 on the ''[[New York Times]]'' Children's Best Seller list, where it spent six months.<ref>{{cite news|first=George|last=Raine|title=Potter spin-off a hit for tiny Berkeley publisher|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/07/BUGQ5QSEEJ1.DTL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711161955/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/07/BUGQ5QSEEJ1.DTL|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2007|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|date=August 22, 2010}}</ref> In 2009, Emerson Spartz and Ben Schoen penned another book, MuggleNet.com's ''Harry Potter Should Have Died: Controversial Views from the #1 Fan Site''.
==In popular culture==
In 2010, MuggleNet, along with several groups in the ''Harry Potter'' fandom, created a four-hour event called Helping Haiti Heal, with all proceeds going to [[Partners in Health]] to help provide health care to areas without reliable medical care following the [[2010 Haiti earthquake|disastrous earthquake]] that hit the country that year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Milam |first1=Whitney |title=Harry Potter fan activists help Haiti, present livestream with Evanna Lynch |url=https://www.hollywoodnews.com/2010/06/26/harry-potter-fan-activists-help-haiti-heal/ |website=HollywoodNews.com |publisher=Hollywood News Network |access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>
In October 2007, ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' did a parody of Emerson Spartz's recent interview on the "[[Geraldo Rivera|Geraldo]]" segment of [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]. Both the original interview and the parody discussed J. K. Rowling's recent [[outing]] of Headmaster of Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore.<ref>{{cite web|author=craigbald89|title=Emerson Spartz Parody on Jimmy Kimmel Live - October 23, '07|date=24 October 2007 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-tfnt3PP28 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/_-tfnt3PP28| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=14 January 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In 2012, Mugglenet published an [[April Fools' Day]] post suggesting that then British Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] was declaring May 2 as "International Harry Potter Day" to commemorate the [[Battle of hogwarts|Battle of Hogwarts]], a claim that in the years since has since been falsely cited as true by some media outlets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MuggleNet |date=2012-04-02 |title=May 2 to Officially Be Declared "International Harry Potter Day" |url=https://www.mugglenet.com/2012/04/may-2nd-to-be-officially-declared-international-harry-potter-day/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=MuggleNet |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=International Harry Potter Day coincides with Battle of Hogwarts - UPI.com |url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/05/02/International-Harry-Potter-Day-Hogwarts/4711651505818/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zafar |first=Mishal Ali |date=2020-05-02 |title=International Harry Potter Day: How Fans Around the World Are Celebrating |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/international-harry-potter-day-how-fans-around-the-world-are-celebrating.html/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=10 wacky 'national holidays' in May {{!}} WBTW | url=https://www.wbtw.com/didyouknow/10-wacky-national-holidays-in-may/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504022000/https://www.wbtw.com/didyouknow/10-wacky-national-holidays-in-may/ | access-date=2025-10-05 | archive-date=2022-05-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Harry |date=2025-05-02 |title=International Harry Potter Day: All eight films, ranked! |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/harry-potter-films-ranked-best-worst-a3986101.html |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Harry Potter fandom]]
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== * [http://www.mugglenet.com MuggleNet] * [http://alohomorapodcast.com/ ''Alohomora!''] * [http://mugglecast.com/ ''MuggleCast''] * [https://speakbeasty.com/ ''SpeakBeasty''] * [https://blog.mugglenet.com/ MuggleNet Book Trolley] * [http://mugglenetfanfiction.com/ MuggleNet Fan Fiction] * [http://mugglenetlive.com/ MuggleNet Live!]
{{Harry Potter}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mugglenet}} [[Category:Harry Potter websites]] [[Category:Companies based in Indiana]] [[Category:Internet properties established in 1999]] [[Category:1999 establishments in Indiana]]