J.K. Rowling (1965-) is a British author who has written a well-received series of novels that have sold moderately and gained a small, cult following. I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Not only is Harry Potter the highest-selling book series of all time, it is also the highest-grossing film franchise of all time.

Rowling’s success story is truly inspirational, and she describes it in her fantastic 2008 Harvard commencement speech, which the quotes in the above comic are taken from. It’s one of the best commencement speeches I’ve heard and I highly recommend it.

I was a big fan of the Potter books (not a hardcore, wait-in-line on the release day fan), but a fanboy enough to read each new novel and watch each new instalment of the movie as they came out. Has anyone read Rowling’s new crime book, The Cuckoo’s Calling, which she published under a pseudonym? Do you recommend it?

– RELATED COMICS: Neil Gaiman – Make Good Art. Stephen Fry – Ultimate self-help book.

– Thanks to everyone who submitted this speech.