Trading Statement

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
20 June 2003

20 June 2003

                                 Trading update

On the basis of sales of Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix to the UK and
international booktrade for the launch at one minute past midnight tonight, the
Board of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc ('Bloomsbury') now expects that its pre-tax,
pre-goodwill profit for the year ended 31 December 2003 will be not less than
£15 million.  Bloomsbury confirms that the launch of the fifth book will be the
biggest to date in the seven book series.  Christopher Little, agent to J.K.
Rowling, confirmed today: 'J.K. Rowling has already started writing book six.
Bloomsbury have contractual rights but there are no delivery deadlines'.
Commenting today, Bloomsbury's Chairman, Nigel Newton, said 'We are delighted
with the response to the latest book in the Harry Potter series.  The rest of
our list is performing in line with the Board's expectations and we are
particularly pleased with the on-going sales of Schott's Original Miscellany and
Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake'.



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