Campaign to Save the Potterverse

I confidently predict this will cause uproar in some circles: Waterstone's has launched an online petition to Save Harry Potter. The site proclaims:

There has never been a place like Hogwarts. There has never been a writer like JK Rowling. And there has never, ever been a character like Harry Potter. Millions, perhaps billions of us love reading his adventures, and we never want them to end.

The professed aim of the site is "to get one million names by July 21st (the launch date for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)" at which point the petition will be presented to J K Rowling, who during a recent interview on the UK chat-show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross apparently agreed that you should "never say 'never'" with regard to the possibility that she might write more fiction set in the Potterverse in future. (You can see something of the JKR interview with Jonathan Ross on YouTube.)

Harry Potter tag

Sheila of Wands and Worlds tagged me for this Harry Potter meme that's doing the rounds right now.

1. Butterbeer or pumpkin juice?
Since I don't drink alcohol and have a lactose intolerance, Pumpkin Juice...

2. What House would you most likely (or want to) be in in Hogwarts?
Without a doubt, Ravenclaw.

3. If you were an animagus, what animal would you turn into?
Like Sheila, I'd probably be a cat.

4. What character do you empathize with, or resemble best?
I most resemble Hermione (I was nicknamed Hermione by one friend whilst doing my degree; I most empathise with Harry though...

5. What position do you play at Quidditch?
None - can I be excused even watching it so I can spend more time in the library?

6. Which teacher is your favorite?
McGonagall and Lupin - I can't choose between them.

7. Any Harry Potter 7 predictions?
Sure - over on the Scholar's Blog Spoiler Zone.

I'm not sure who's been tagged for this and who hasn't, so if you want to pick it up, feel free.

Book Related News

This news just in from Waterstones.com e-newsletter:

What better way to fall in love with a country than to do so in your formative years? Anyone who read Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking as a child would have longed for a life free from adult supervision, sharing a house with a horse and a monkey in Sweden! This children's classic is being re-published in September with illustrations by British picturebook queen, Lauren Child. Known and loved as the creator of some equally feisty little girls - notably Clarice Bean and Lola - Lauren has brought her own inimitable style to this beautifully-illustrated edition of Pippi Longstocking.

I have to confess that I've never yet read Pippi Longstocking but I know she's highly regarded by lots of fans of children's literature.

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In other book-related news, David Yates has confirmed that he's going to be directing the movie of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Post-production work on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix finished a few weeks ago and the movie's due for world-wide release on July 13 (which means that this is going to be a very Potteresque summer what with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows hitting the shops eight days later !)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Movie posters

ComingSoon.net have posted some images of the posters for the forthcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie. I'm not planning to see the movie, but I think these posters are fascinating ! The poster above features Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge, the Hogwarts High Inquisitor and the tagline in the top corner reads "Dissent will not be tolerated".

What will happen in HP and the Deathly Hallows?

Do you have a theory (could it be bunnies? *) ? If so, I invite you to pop over to the Scholar's Blog Spoiler Zone where I've posted a list of my predictions. Feel free to come and tell me that I've got the wrong end of the stick or to ask if I've been at the Butterbeer!



(* A Buffy the Vampire Slayer joke - I can never think of the phrase "I have a theory" without immediately thinking of Anya's song in "Once More, With Feeling"...)

Book News: Tolkien, Harry Potter

An unfinished book by J R R Tolkien will be published on April 17 after being completed by the late author's son. Christopher Tolkien has spent 30 years working on The Children Of Hurin, which his father started in 1918 but later abandoned. Extracts from the novel, which is set before the events of the Rings trilogy, have been published before. It has been illustrated by Alan Lee, who won an Oscar for his artwork on The Return Of The King film in 2004. The Children Of Hurin will also be available from Amazon.com on April. 17.

The full story is at the BBC website.

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The audiobooks of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released July 21, the same time as the books. The Grammy-winning Jim Dale will once again be narrating the US version, whilst the British Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows audiobook will be narrated by Stephen Fry. Apparently the unabridged novel will come in at around 21 hours.

Harry Potter book 7 - Title Revealed

Unlike the folks on a discussion forum I frequent, I'm not going to make you go looking for the title, which has been announced - I will tell you that it is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

This week Rowling revealed that she has gone back to writing in cafes - as she did 13 years ago when starting to write about the boy wizard. She has also admitted how she has been dreaming of the character. Writing on her website she described it as an "epic dream" where she was Harry and the narrator simultaneously.

The End of Harry Potter? - David Langford

A little while ago, Kelly of Big A, little a reported that David Langford's The End of Harry Potter was the prize in a Guardian/Waterstones competition to guess the name of the final Harry Potter novel. David kindly sent me a copy of his book to read and review.

The book, I'm happy to report is full of Langford's trademark wit and sense of humour, but it has its serious moments too. He looks at such questions as "What are the remaining Horcruxes, the places He Who Shall Not Be Named has stashed his soul so he can never die?", "Does Harry himself bear a part of the Dark Lord's soul in his scar?", "Is that why Harry understands Parseltongue - and if not, why does he speak the language of the serpentssss?", "What will happen when Harry is technically a grown-up, and no longer under the protection of his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia?", "Is Albus Dumbledore really dead?", "Whose side is Severus Snape really on?" and "What will the last book be called?"

Langford also takes a serious look at such things as the use of Memory Charms on Muggles, the use of Mandrakes in Herbology, and the prejudices of pure-blood wizards, and he discusses the place of the Harry Potter series in various children's literature traditions.

Probably my favourite (and by far the funniest) chapter is called "The End of Harry Potter" (no question mark) in which Langford offers some parodies of other famous tales - thus, "The Classic Fantasy Version" sees Harry and Neville set out for the "Cracks of Doom at the Pyramids of Furmat in the Dark Lord's own realm, the Land of Voldemordor, where the Shadows lie". They are followed by Kreacher, the house-elf of the Black family. Harry is about to throw the final Horcrux (the RAB locket) into the "Cracks of Doom" but then changes his mind saying he's "Basically too nice" and it's down to Kreacher to send the locket (and himself) into the fire... We also have "Professor Trelawney Predicts" (which is full of Sybil's bizarre predictions for Harry's death), "On the Cutting-Room Floor" (in which Voldemort, the Darth Lord, tells Harry he is Harry's father !), and the "Parseltongue Proclamation" which begins: Sssssssssssssss. ! After which Langford offers a few serious comments about what Harry will definitely or probably do - turn 17, go to Privet Drive, attend Bill and Fleur's wedding, find the remaining Horcruxes, etc.

This is a good book, an interesting mix of the funny/silly and the serious, and comes highly recommended.

Sectus 2007 - Harry Potter Conference

I'm on the Harry Potter for Grown Ups mailing list and I've just received details of the Sectus 2007 conference. This is an unofficial Harry Potter conference being held in London from 19-22 July 2007.

This is a unique opportunity to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Harry Potter books in the country where it all began. Sectus will be held in the heart of the capital, close to Regent's Park and within easy walking distance of Oxford Circus, Madame Tussaud's and King's Cross.

Sectus will comprise a varied mixture of academic papers, panels, informal discussions and workshops. We already have Steve Vander Ark, creator of the Harry Potter Lexicon, confirmed as a guest speaker, and some exciting proposals lined up from all areas of fandom.

Call for Papers

For the academic side of the programming, we're seeking papers on a wide range of topics - the following are just some suggested themes:

- *Science and technology.* Can science be said to exist in the Wizarding World, and if so, how far does it reflect our real-world knowledge? Is magic bound by the laws of physics ?

- *Mythology, alchemy and symbolism.* How myths and legends support Rowling's storytelling, and how an examination of alchemical theory and symbolism can help us unravel the secrets within the text ?

- *Education.* The portrayal of education in the Wizarding World, the effective use of Rowling's books in real-world education and is the 'reading revolution' a myth?

- *Social and political issues.* Explorations of class, race, gender and sexuality in the narrative, the Wizarding World and/or derived fan works.

- *Fandom history.* From paper to screen - how would the HP fandom have fared without the internet, and what lies ahead for the fandom after the publication of the seventh book?

- *Fandom issues.* Staying on the right side of international law, fan fiction vs. fan art, gender and the fan community.

Proposals for papers on these or other topics, or for any other events, should be sent to submissions@sectus.org. Full guidelines for submission can be found at Sectus 2007.

The deadline for submitting proposals is 31st January 2007.

Extra-curricular activities:

As well as the academic side of the conference, we will be running a unique Wizarding Tournament. This is open to all attendees, and will consist of three tasks, culminating in a treasure hunt around London.

At the centre of the tournament will be Not the Yule Ball, a formal dinner and opportunity for some well-mannered frivolity. Entertainment will be provided by ZHL Strings, a string quartet renowned for their energetic performances. Tickets are not included in the registration price, and will be on sale soon.

Outside the conference:

For those who want to extend their trip into a full holiday, we're offering two options.

Starting on 14th July 2007, we will be running a series of sighseeing trips and activities designed to help you make the most out of your stay in London. As well as the usual sights, we're planning a themed medieval banquet and a cruise down the Thames. All suggestions are accepted: please email info@sectus.org with your preferences.

Also in the works is a trip to Alnwick Castle, better known as Hogwarts from the first two films. This trip is to be held on Wednesday July 18th, and will include a tour of all the filming locations in the castle, lunch in the castle restaurant, organised games and a themed gift bag. Tickets for this trip will be on sale shortly: please watch the website and/or LJ community (sectus_2007) for details.

All pre-conference events will be organised on an informal basis, and are subject to availability and demand. Payment for some events may be required in advance.

If you're looking for a way to relax after a busy conference weekend in London, you might be interested in our Residential Course.

From Monday 23rd July until Sunday 29th, we will have exclusive use of a bunkhouse in an isolated part of Snowdonia, North Wales. As well as the academic programming, which will consist of presentations and roundtable-style discussions, there will be plenty of opportunity to relax and explore your surroundings in one of the most unspoiled areas of Britain.

The cost of the Residential Course is £250 (payable in installments), which includes travel to and from London, six nights' accommodation and all meals for the duration of our stay. Further details and a booking form are available at Sectus Residential

Please note that places on the Residential Course are extremely limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Where your money goes

Sectus is completely non-profit and run entirely by volunteers. Unlike other conferences, everyone involved in running Sectus pays the same registration, accommodation and travel as everyone else.

Any surplus resulting from the event, as well as any proceeds from our Charity Auction, will go directly to Book Aid International, an organisation who work to provide books to libraries, hospitals, refugee camps and schools in the developing world.

We hope you will join us in supporting this worthy cause.

Registration and where to find out more

You can book for Sectus on our website, at Sectus 2007 Registration.

Our special early booking rate of £45 is available only until 31st October 2006.

This all sounds like great fun - but I find myself thinking "Hang on. What if HP7 comes out the weekend of the conference ? I shall want to be at home, reading the book and then Blogging about it, not hanging about a London conference centre, trying to find time to read it in between going to sessions !"

Of course, the inclusion of the residential course in Wales, means this conference may attract visitors from overseas, although there are a number of HP conferences taking place in the US next year (I know of at least 2 - Phoenix Rising May 17 - 21 2007, in New Orleans and Prophecy 2007 August 2 - 5 2007 in Toronto, Canada !) - so if you want to attend Sectus 2007, it may be best to book early !

Order of the Phoenix film news

The film magazine Empire has exclusive news on their website about the fifth Harry Potter movie for which filming is now under way (use the link above to access the full story). Daniel Radcliffe says of David Yates: "The new director’s fantastic. I've never been quite this pushed before, so regularly. He's really pushing Harry's emotional and psychological journey. But he also seems to have an incredible eye for sets and shots and things."

Producer David Heyman reports on what they've filmed so far: "We've done a little bit of action so far. We've done some stuff involving centaurs and Grawp, who is Hagrid’s 16ft brother. The kids have to act against a lot of blue screen for characters like Grawp, but thankfully they’re used to that by now."

The fifth book is not universally popular with the cast; Emma Watson has said she "really didn’t like" it, compared to the others, but Daniel Radcliffe says "It's actually my favourite. The third and the fifth are my favourites, which is a very uncommonly held opinion." He suggests that "the problem is that Harry can be seen to come across as quite petulant in the book, and I don't actually think that's the case. I think when J K Rowling puts things in capital letters I don't think that necessarily means he's shouting. It could just refer to the sort of energy behind what he's saying. I think that's one of the things that people object to about the book, is that they don't want a manic-depressive superhero." Both Radcliffe and Heyman insist that Harry will not be just a petulant teen in the film version.

Filming is due to continue until the middle of May, after which they will take a two month break so the young actors can do their exams (GCSEs in the case of Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe). Filming will resume in July and continue until October or November, and it's expected that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will reach cinemas in November 2007.