J. K. Rowling versus al-Zarqawi

Mother Nature is the favourite amongst the betting community to take the title of Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year”. Time does not always name a person or event that has had a positive effect. Terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is currently 3rd favourite, with J.K. Rowling 2nd favourite. Lance Armstrong, Pope John Paul II, and Bono are also considered to be in the running.

For more Harry Potter news, and a J K Rowling biography with links to J K Rowling interviews, articles, reviews, and a "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" reading guide, you must visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html

Harry Potter in Space!

“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” has been beamed to the International Space Museum especially for Commander William McArthur. Meanwhile, on Earth, the success of the Harry Potter series has led to sales of science fiction and fantasy books leaping by 8.5% in the last 5 years, as Harry’s readers get older.

For more Harry Potter news, and a J K Rowling biography with links to J K Rowling interviews, articles, reviews, and a "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" reading guide, you must visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html

Wanted a Hundred Writers For Children in Need!

Press Release

A group of writers from professionals such as crime-writer Alex Keegan, Fiction Editors (Zoe King), multiple prize-winners such as Alexandra Fox and Vanessa Gebbie and many developing "wanabees" have formed an alliance to write-write-write to raise money for Children in Need.

Beginning at 9PM Thursday 17th November the group will write non-stop until Midnight 18th November (Children in Need Night).

Writers will receive a set of prompts every hour and many of the group will be attempting to write one story an hour, every hour, for the duration, 27 hours.

Leaf Books will be producing an 80-page anthology of the best stories, selected for quality but also suitability for a wider audience. This anthology is available to order for £2:50. http://www.leafbooks.co.uk

Eclectica Magazine, voted Internet Fiction Magazine 2005 will also publish the best stories, selected from the best, but for a less restricted audience.

Individual writers are seeking sponsorship for their efforts, either per hour worked, per story, or per word.

Currently we have 56 writers but hope to have 100 on board in time for the marathon and would welcome more writers.

As well as the fund-raising via sponsorship and sales of the anthology, there is a competitive element for the writers. All entrants are paying a £10 entry fee which will fill a prize fund of at least £500 for the winning stories. Any surplus will go to Children in Need.

We are currently on target to raise £10,000 from sponsorship, plus money raised by book sales. Any retail outlets prepared to carry the book should contact Leaf.

Currently the group will be connected over the internet and by email, but we are also seeking a London venue for a core group. If there is a business man or woman out there with a suitable room (with broadband internet access) please contact alex.keegan@btconnect.com

Alex Keegan is available for further information on 01635-34317

Harry Potter and the hoax email scam

Warner Brothers’ official Harry Potter website has issued a warning to fans to beware of scam emails that are currently in circulation. These emails inform the recipients that they have been selected to take part in the casting process for the movie of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”, and implies that J. K. Rowling is in charge of the casting sessions herself. Eagle-eyed readers will have spotted that the next Harry Potter movie to be made will be “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”. The spelling in the emails suggests an American origin, and the emails tantalise the readers further by saying filming will take place in London, Spain and Greece. The hoax email even suggests that the casting session may inspire J. K. Rowling to create new characters! The email then goes on to ask for personal details. Warner Brothers say: “This is to advise that Warner Brothers Entertainment Inc. does not engage in casting activity through e-mail. These e-mails are fraudulent, and you should not respond to any such e-mail. Feel free to forward any such messages to anti-piracy@warnerbros.com, and we will do our best to investigate the fraudulent activity.”

For more Harry Potter news, and a J K Rowling biography with links to J K Rowling interviews, articles, reviews, and a "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" reading guide, you must visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html