Authortrek New Writer of the Week

We are delighted to announce that the Authortrek New Writer of the Week is Michael Cox:

http://www.authortrek.com/new_writer_of_the_week_page.html

http://www.authortrek.com/michael_cox_page.html

Authortrek New Writer of the Week

We are delighted to announce that we have chosen Alex Espinoza as the Authortrek New Writer of the Week:

http://www.authortrek.com/alex_espinoza_page.html

No Essex for Harry Potter!

One of the girls queuing up for the Luna Lovegood audition, April Waterman, says that she was told by the production crew that she would not be allowed to audition because she was from Essex. However Vanessa Davies from Harry Potter Productions told “The Daily Mirror” that she “may have overheard someone who was not part of the production say it. I don't know where this has come from, not from anybody in our organisation”.

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

Will the real Taichi Yamada please stand up?

Taichi Yamada is the author of “In Search of a Distant Voice” and the spooky “Strangers”. However, we at Authortrek are puzzled by a spooky mystery surrounding the author, as some websites portray him as a young man, and others as an older man. Both younger and older Taichi Yamadas wrote a novel called “Strangers” and are said to have worked as scriptwriters for the Shockiku film studios. “Taichi Yamada” seems to be a popular Japanese name, so we think 2 Taichi Yamadas may have been mixed up. Or Maybe they are father and son?

Taichi Yamada – a profile of the younger Taichi

Biography – of the older Taichi Yamada

If you know which Taichi Yamada wrote "In Search of a Distant Voice", and anything more about him, then please let us know!

J. K. Rowling accused of being a Scrooge by Charity

According to HindustanTimes.com, J.K. Rowling has been accused of being a "Scrooge" by fundraisers at the Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary for turning down their request for a signed edition of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" for a charity auction. However, it must be said that J. K. Rowling is well-known for her charitable endeavors, so labeling her as a "Scrooge" is extremely unfair. J. K. Rowling, like anybody else, has every right to pick and choose which charities she contributes to.

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

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

Kit Whitfield's debut novel to be published in 2006

US publishers Del Rey have bought the rights to Kit Whitfield's debut novel "Bareback", and the rights to a further, as yet, untitled novel. I'm especially delighted with this news, as I've been following Kit's career for years. Earlier this year, I nominated Kit Whitfield as "Authortrek New Writer of the Week".

To find out more about her, you must visit our Kit Whitfield page:

http://www.authortrek.com/katharine_whitfield_page.html

I've no doubt that the novels will be stunning successes.

Kevin Patrick Mahoney

Hodder pay 6 figure sum for Kathleen Jacobs' debut novel

Kathleen Jacobs' debut novel "The Friday Night Knitting Club" has been described as “Steel Magnolias meets The Jane Austen Book Club with Knitting!” It’s about a group of women who knit in a club above a delicatessen in New York. The craft of knitting enables each of the women to make transitions together. As they knit the wool together, they bond to each other just as keenly. Sounds a bit like “How to Make an American Quilt” to me, but according to “The Bookseller”, Hodder have paid a six figure dollar sum for the novel.

http://www.authortrek.com/kathleen_jacobs_page.html

http://www.authortrek.com/the_friday_night_knitting_club.html

Harry Potter and the Unsold Books

2.5 million copies of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” have remained unsold in the US, as struggling publisher Scholastic misjudged demand, and printed too many copies. The firm now fears that they will be faced with an avalanche of copies returned by bookstores. The firm has earned $600m from the Harry Potter franchise, but misjudgements like this have prevented it from maximising the profit. There were reports earlier in the year that Disney might buy the North American rights for the Harry Potter series by purchasing Scholastic.

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, visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html

Daniel Radcliffe wants Harry Potter to die!

Daniel Radcliffe has said that he wants Harry Potter to die in the final film: “I think it would be a very good ending if he had to die in order for evil Voldemort to die… (but) I wouldn't want it to be sentimental. I don't like sentimental ends to books or films.” Radcliffe has also hinted that he may not appear in the last 2 films, but we at Authortrek.com think that this is about as likely as Ewan McGregor not appearing in Star Wars Episodes II and III (i.e. not very likely).

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, visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html

J. K. Rowling pulps Jarvis

Pulp front man Jarvis Cocker is disappointed that J. K. Rowling has vetoed a commercial release of the songs he wrote for the upcoming movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”. Which is probably just as well, considering that Warner Bros lawyers are already embroiled in a legal battle with a Canadian band over the use of “The Wyrd Sisters” name. British film censors have also announced that the movie will be given a certificate “12A” rather than the “PG” awarded to previous films, due to the fact that Harry’s adventures are getting more scary as he gets 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, visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html

Imelda Staunton to play Professor Umbridge

It’s been announced that British actress Imelda Staunton will play Professor Umbridge in the movie of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”. Imelda Staunton recently received an Oscar nomination for her stunning performance as the title character in the movie “Vera Drake”. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” will be directed by David Yates, and is due to be released in June 2007.

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, visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html

Harry Potter's Hermione too busy for boys

Emma Watson has said that her schedule is so busy, she has no time to see boys. Living 2 hours away from the Harry Potter studios in Oxford, she has to get up at 6 in the morning and gets home at 9 for 11 months of the year, due to the films being shot back-to-back. When she’s away from the studios, the priority is catching up on schoolwork, playing sport, and seeing friends and family. She says, “It's restricting. Long hours. I miss my family a lot… But if I had the chance to do it again, in a million years I would always say yes. I'm so lucky.”

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, visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html

Zadie Smith's On Beauty to become movie

FilmFour have bought the movie rights for "On Beauty", and are set to film the novel on a budget of $20m. Alison Owen and Scott Rudin will produce the film. Scott Rudin has previously handled successful literary adaptations, such as "Angela’s Ashes", "The Hours", and also produced "The Wonder Boys".

For your most comprehensive "On Beauty" reading guide ever, visit:

http://www.authortrek.com/on_beauty_page.html

For your Zadie Smith biography, Zadie Smith bibliography, Zadie Smith interviews, Zadie Smith articles, Zadie Smith short stories, Zadie Smith reviews, and Zadie Smith essays, visit:

http://www.authortrek.com/zadiesmithpage.html

Russell T. Davies in danger of overstretching himself with Torchwood

The BBC has announced a new series called "Torchwood", which is to be broadcast on BBC Three next year. "Torchwood" is an anagram of "Doctor Who", and will star John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness. This character made several memorable appearances in the BBC's new series of Doctor Who in 2005. Captain Jack is Doctor Who's first openly gay/bisexual companion. Torchwood will screen between series of Doctor Who. Captain Jack will be part of a team looking at alien activity on modern day Earth in the series. According to Russell T. Davies, "Torchwood will be a dark, clever, wild, sexy, British crime/sci-fi paranoid thriller cop show with a sense of humour - the X Files meets This Life". Like Doctor Who, it will be broadcast in 13 45 minute episodes. The preceding series of Doctor Who will subtly plug Torchwood. Having said that, the Doctor Who homepage on the BBC is also plugging the show in quite an irritating way (without the links to the usual Doctor Who content). There are no plans to have cross over episodes between the 2 series as yet. It looks like it will be the most successful spin-off show that Doctor Who has ever generated (well, it's got to be better than K9 and Company).

However, I have my reservations. Just how is Russell T. Davies going to maintain quality by being so highly involved in both series? It often happens in the States that when you're a successful writer/producer who has a big hit with a cult TV show, the production company immediately commissions them to produce a spin-off show. Since the writer then becomes stretched between both shows, they get overwhelmed, and have to delegate, and both shows suffer from a lack of attention to detail. I'm thinking mainly of Joss Whedon here, and I hope I'm not the only one who thinks that Buffy went rapidly downhill after the commissioning of the distinctly iffy Angel. Prior to that, Chris Carter worked on both The X Files and the distinctly iffy Millennium, and both shows suffered from his divided attention. The producers of Star Trek in the 90s were never that successful at generating concurrent Star Trek series, with the result that they wrecked the franchise by producing too many episodes of diminishing quality.

Admittedly, Russell T. Davies has slightly less of a burden than either Carter or Whedon here, as the combined 26 episodes of Doctor Who and Torchwood will equate to about 1 series of an equivalent US show. Hopefully there will be more opportunities for other writers who have been successful in writing other Doctor Who stories in book or audio CD format (although the BBC Doctor Who novels are now restricted to a handful of trusted writers). Yet Russell T. Davis has written weakly before under far less pressure: is anyone really that fond of the second series of Queer as Folk? There is a real danger that the Doctor Who franchise will be weakened if there is no room for innovation. I'm not saying there should be a free-for-all - far from it, as if you produce too much Doctor Who, there is also the risk that each episode becomes less of an 'event'. However, the Doctor's future should not be restricted to just the same handful of writers, as good ideas may be limited and staleness may result. Let's touch wood that both the new series of Doctor Who and Torchwood will work.

Kevin Patrick Mahoney

For more content on Doctor Who, including author interviews, visit:

http://www.authortrek.com

Harry Potter actor nervous about being seen topless

Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe has admitted that he is nervous about seeing his nude screen in the forthcoming “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”. Daniel is actually only topless in the scene, as he “had a pair of flesh-coloured underwear on which was just like really something you'd never want to wear!”

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, visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html

J K Rowling wins 2 Quills Awards

J. K. Rowling has won 2 Quills Awards for “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”. She won the book of the year category, and best children’s chapter book. “You’ve made a sleep-deprived mother very happy,” said J. K. Rowling in her acceptance speech. The awards were voted for by the reading public. Since this was the first time they were awarded, public awareness was not quite as high as it could have been. The ceremony will be broadcast on October 22nd by NBC.

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, visit:http://www.authortrek.com/j_k_rowling_page.html