From Madame Pince’s always timely and professional Accio Quotes, some snips of the first media reports about Ms. Rowling’s Open Book Tour for HogPro All-Pro comments. Anything substantial here, just another celebrity event, or important because an author’s book tour is a celebrity event? Did MTV cover Philip Pullman’s latest book signing?

Oct 15 2007 8:11 PM EDT
‘Harry Potter’ Author J.K. Rowling Meets With L.A. Students, Plots Her Next Move
‘I want to fall in love with something the way I fell in love with Harry,’ she says of future writing plans.

By Shawn Adler

Although she invited questions about the books, most of the early student questions had to do with Rowling herself, with the schoolchildren all curious about what most inspired her growing up, what parts of her life were reflected in the novels, and whether she always had such a vast imagination.

But like in the novels themselves, it was the great question of Severus Snape that brought down the house. A wide grin across her face, Rowling said she delighted in the fact that, even after “Deathly Hallows,” there was still some speculation as to the true leanings of the erstwhile Potions Master. [Read more…]

When: Thursday, 11 October 2007, 7:30 PM
Where: The Easttown Public Library in beautiful Berwyn, Pennsylvania (720 First Avenue)
What: ‘Taking Harry Seriously: Reading Harry Potter as English Literature’

I’ll be talking about how to get more out of reading the Harry Potter novels via an appreciation of some of Ms. Rowling’s literary devices (Five Keys, anyone?).

This article from Zenit news service would lead you to think the Church is fighting witchcraft in Africa, right? Well, when I read the article it seems to be saying almost the direct opposite. They are fighting a “belief in witchcraft.” The German bishop “noted that belief in witchcraft is heightened by a prevailing fear in society.” How to overcome fear and superstition? He says, “the first battle is convincing family leaders of the need for literacy.”

One thing’s for sure, if they can’t read and they don’t have movie theaters, then Harry Potter can’t be blamed.

To read the whole article . . . .
[Read more…]

Hi, all. John is busy this week speaking from coast to coast, so I’m filling in temporarily. My name is Bob Trexler – John’s publisher at Zossima Press. John leaves for California tomorrow for two lectures: one at Biola University and another at Pepperdine University. Then, on Sunday, September 30th he will be signing books at the “BIG E” New England State Fair in West Springfield, Massachusettes. He will be there from 3-9 PM in the Connecticut Building.

I’ll add more specifics later – and will try to figure out how to add photographs to the posts. If anybody can explain this to me you can email me at Robert@Zossima.com