J.K. Rowling Book Tour
I know, Harry Potter is all over the news, but at risk of oversaturation, I have to write that I was charmed by this bit of news. J.K. Rowling is one of those authors who doesn't have to tour. Her books are going to sell without her doing any publicity whatsoever.
The fact that she is choosing to go on tour--and that she is coming to the U.S. to do so (for the first time in seven years)--really does show a love for her audience and a commitment to the children that she writes for. I also think it was brilliant of Scholastic to not sell tickets but to choose them from schools. It's a great way to go that will allow some people access who probably would not have been able to had the tickets been for sale. It almost hints of the Golden Ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Stan Lee
There are many who scoff at comic books as a form of literature (though you won't catch me doing it here). However, I think there are few people who wouldn't love being in Stan Lee's shoes.
Stan Lee is the man who created such superhero icons as Spider Man and the X-Men. This week he signed a multiyear deal with Disney. They'll have first refusal rights at any film, TV show, books, or video games that he makes.
It's nice to have a publisher firmly in your pocket--especially when you're 84 years old like Lee is. It frees one's time to create--something he and his POW! Entertainment company does quite well.
There are many who scoff at comic books as a form of literature (though you won't catch me doing it here). However, I think there are few people who wouldn't love being in Stan Lee's shoes.
Stan Lee is the man who created such superhero icons as Spider Man and the X-Men. This week he signed a multiyear deal with Disney. They'll have first refusal rights at any film, TV show, books, or video games that he makes.
It's nice to have a publisher firmly in your pocket--especially when you're 84 years old like Lee is. It frees one's time to create--something he and his POW! Entertainment company does quite well.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Harry Potter Theme Park
Universal Studios is opening a theme park in 2009 based on the Harry Potter series. It will, according to the Associated Press, have a Hogwarts, a Forbidden Forest, and a Hogsmeade Village.
I want to go.
I'd like to say that I'm thrilled that there is going to be a literary theme park, however, I'm sure that if there hadn't been the movies, there wouldn't be a theme park. However, I am pleased to see that J.K. Rowling is being closely consulted so that it will reflect closely the world that she created.
As much as she is eager for a break, I think she may find it more difficult than she expects to walk away from the series. She's almost become a captive the way the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle became a captive of Sherlock Holmes.
Universal Studios is opening a theme park in 2009 based on the Harry Potter series. It will, according to the Associated Press, have a Hogwarts, a Forbidden Forest, and a Hogsmeade Village.
I want to go.
I'd like to say that I'm thrilled that there is going to be a literary theme park, however, I'm sure that if there hadn't been the movies, there wouldn't be a theme park. However, I am pleased to see that J.K. Rowling is being closely consulted so that it will reflect closely the world that she created.
As much as she is eager for a break, I think she may find it more difficult than she expects to walk away from the series. She's almost become a captive the way the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle became a captive of Sherlock Holmes.
