25TH ANNIVERSARY SERIES

PATH TO FAME is a unique series by Sean Smith, the UK’s leading celebrity biographer, in which he chronicles the inspirational and often bumpy life journeys of our most famous and best-loved stars. ‘The path to fame for these very famous people is never a smooth, well-paved one; there are potholes and uneven kerbs just waiting to trip them up. Their journeys are much more interesting and engaging than those invented by the image makers, the publicists and management or the media seeking sensational material. I have never needed to sensationalise, spin or be judgmental. So please celebrate my personal silver jubilee of biographies by walking these paths to fame with me.’​ ​​​​​​ ​​  ​– Sean Smith

Sean Smith is celebrating twenty-five years as the UK’s leading celebrity biographer. He is the author of the number one Sunday Times bestseller Cheryl, the definitive biography of the ever-popular star, as well as bestselling books about Robbie Williams, Victoria Beckham and Gary Barlow – all of which are included in his unique PATH TO FAME series. His books about the most famous people of modern times have been translated throughout the world – from Japan to Germany, from Taiwan to France.

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J. K. ROWLING – HER PATH TO FAME

This special edition of the PATH TO FAME is published to coincide with the first of HBO’s new big-budget TV adaptation of the Harry Potter book series, premiering on Christmas Day 2026.

The acclaimed book tells the inspirational story of J.K. Rowling's magical journey to becoming the most famous writer in the world. Joanne is not only the creator of Harry Potter, the best-loved character in contemporary fiction and film, but also the author of her own escape from an unhappy first marriage and a depressing existence on the verge of destitution.

In this new edition of his original, definitive work, Sunday Times Best-selling Author Sean Smith traces the real-life path to fame of a shy girl who realised her dreams. He goes behind the tabloid legend of a single mum sitting in a cafe, making a coffee last for hours – her baby daughter asleep beside her – while she wrote Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. For Harry Potter fans, he reveals many of the origins and sources of the books drawn from her early life.

The film Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story was based on his biography of the Harry Potter creator.