Possibly the biggest mistake in publishing history

The revered sage Frank Sinatra once said, "The best revenge is massive success." He never spoke a truer word, particularly when it comes to aspiring authors who, after suffering severe smackdowns from publishers, went onto become renowned writers. Usually, children’s book authors don’t make a ton of money, which could partially explain how no less than 12 publishing houses in the UK decided to pass on struggling newcomer J.K. Rowling’s book about a pre-teen wizard attending boarding school. Nearing the end of her rope, Rowling submitted the first chapter of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” to London-based Bloomsbury Publishing. Bloomsbury’s chairman reportedly gave the chapter to his 8 year-old daughter, who immediately clamored for the rest of the story. Suitably impressed, he gave it a go. You have to love that Chairmans daughter. Billions later