I’m just back from a talk to Church of the Mediator parishioners here in Allentown on a topic near and dear to me — and good news was waiting at home. Tyndale House, the publishers of Looking for God in Harry Potter, has agreed to contract terms for the updating of that book and to give it a new title.
You want to know the new title?
HOW HARRY CAST HIS SPELL; The meaning behind the mania for J. K. Rowling’s bestselling books
This is a tremendous relief to me for a bunch of reasons, the only one of which I should share here is that the title now reflects what the book is about –the meaning behind the mania — and will have, God allowing, a much broader audience. I’ve agreed to deliver re-writes and significant add-ons yesterday (well, almost yesterday) so I’m already behind. I’m very excited and pleased Tyndale agreed to the change despite what they had invested in the previous title.
Posts tomorrow on the Pullman interview with Lev Grossman, our man at Time Magazine, and about the penultimate Prisoner of Azkaban chapters. Now that I’m almost free of the A&E curse (just before the DVD is released 12/11), we can only hope and pray that the Screen Writers Guild strike ends (Tomorrow! Hold on, Janet!) and that Steve Vander Ark’s life returns to normal soon.
That is good news. I missed your original book and so finding (more ‘being found by’!) God in Harry Potter was a delightful surprise to me. However I will look out for the updated version & enjoy! (It will be marketed in Australia?)
What a great title! Good luck with the book!
Wonderful news! Do you have an estimated publication date yet?
John,
Congratulations. I’m glad to hear that Tyndale is going to have you update your book to include analysis of the entire series.
Good luck in making sure your book contract reflect your wishes in regards to advances, etc.
Linda
Congratulations, John! Now I will concentrate on remembering the new title so I can remind all those yet-to-be Granger fans what to look for 🙂
God’s blessings as you finish the revision.
John, What great news! Congratulations & blessings for the work ahead!
I’m looking forward to reading your Grossman-Pullman interview post. This month’s Atlantic Monthly had an article, including an interview with Pullman, on the newly released movie & the book series. The article title & some of its author’s interpretations/assertions were tiresome, but Pullman’s remarks were interesting reading.
Great news, John. I’m looking forward to reading it. Any time line yet? I know, just what you need–deadlines to complicate your life.
Pat
Great news, John!
Of course that means I’ll have to stop bouncing around through your books and postings and actually read “Looking For God…” straight through to see if I can forward any useful comments. I’ll try to get that done in a week or so. Not, I suspect, that I’ll add much of value, but it will make me feel I have done some token thing to pay you back for all the wonderful insights you have given me.
Now stop reading this and get back to work;-)
It is indeed wonderful news– and I really like the new title, too! 🙂
~Nzie
My only concern, and would you kindly address this, dear Professor, is that bewildered/cautious Christians looking for a helpful book on HP will now not come upon an excellent book with both God and HP in an assuring title, such as “Finding God in Harry Potter.” Otherwise, I think your net will definitely be cast wider and be more palatable to all readers who will find a big gift inside.
Kittles love gifts; paper and ribbon, bring it on…
I had emailed you before about whether a new edition would be out. I’m so excited for what God is doing through you. I’m still working on the class material and I’m so glad to have a teacher like you.
Congratulations John!!!
Looking for God in Harry Potter was the book that gave this student Christian Apologist the inspiration to study, not only the elements of the religious content within Ms. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, but to research the works of Tolkien and Lewis as well from a Christian perspective. Now I can share these insights with church youth groups and parents and some of the conferences involving the Harry Potter story and fandom.
Arabella, I share your concern for the “bewildered/cautious Christians” out there wondering if any helpful book on HP will lead them to God within the story. Well, I will tell any one interested that, “The meaning behind the mania” will help them, “Look for God in Harry Potter”!!!!!
How’s that for a closing John!!!
Congratulations, John! So glad this book continues to live, I love the “stealth” title, and glad you’re getting to update it! Woo-hoo!