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More Trouble With Vander Ark
By Alyssa | September 13, 2008
American author, Steve Vander Ark, has been asked to show Rowling’s agents a copy of his newest book, a travel guide, based off Harry Potter, before it is published next month. “In Search Of Harry Potter” would be a guidebook where Vander Ark details locations that may have inspired the novel series.
Not long ago, Rowling and Vander Ark went to court over his Harry Lexicon. She argues the encyclopedia was:
“wholesale theft of 17 years of my hard work.”
Though the judge ruled his book had too many copyright breeches, Vander Ark says he intends to publish this new guide. In the novel, he explores places such as Kings Cross station, and London’s Charing Cross Road (site of the Leaky Cauldron). He also claims he found that the location of Hogwarts is in Rannoch Moors in the Highlands. Says Vander Ark:
“This is my own writing about my own experiences and I can’t imagine there will be any problem with this book.”
Read the full article at Times Online.
Topics: Books, News | 22 Comments »
September 13th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I sorta feel sorry for Steve you know? Im sure it was a huge job to build up the Lexicon and I guess he actually never intended any harm making it into a printed version either, which understandably got barred from being published though.
I don’t really get why he would have to show what would basically be a travel guide, to Rowlings agents, just because of the earlier clash.
September 14th, 2008 at 3:28 am
My publisher was slightly put out. He said it’s unheard of for an outside party to ask to see a manuscript before a book is published. I told him it was fine with me if he wanted to show them. It’s a bizarre situation from his point of view. I can understand where they’re coming from, though.
I do have to laugh a little at the press coverage, though. You’d think I sat down at the computer last Tuesday, the day after the ruling, and banged out another book. ‘In Search Of Harry Potter’ has taken me almost a year to write. I was working on it before the original lawsuit was even filed.
September 14th, 2008 at 5:07 am
And, to Steve, I hope it does get published. It’d be nice to read more books about our special buddy from an outsiders (and by that, I mean not JK’s) point of view.
At least you’re not attempting to pull off a fake sequel, eh?
September 14th, 2008 at 5:14 am
Thanks, I honestly can’t imagine that there will be a problem with ‘In Search Of …’ After the ruling, I reviewed the entire manuscript of the new book, just to be sure, and couldn’t see anything that would be a problem. I loved researching and writing it and I think fans will really enjoy it, even fans who don’t think much of me these days. The star of the book is the fascinating, magical country of Britain and not me.
Can you imagine how exciting it was to drive down a lane in Devon outside Ottery St Mary, hedgerows towering on either side, and discover a road sign pointing off to the left saying ‘Burrow 1/4 mile’?
September 14th, 2008 at 5:21 am
I’m sure that seeing that would’ve been about as exciting as going to Kings Cross and seeing Platform Nine and Three Quarters, like I did last year.
I’m sure JK’ll think it’s fine, partially because I’m looking forward to seeing it.
September 14th, 2008 at 5:39 am
…or finding a black door on Charing Cross Road with a hanging sign over it, tucked just off the beaten path, with no handle!
September 14th, 2008 at 5:41 am
I agree, I can’t see the “In Search Of…” book having a problem with publishing. It’ll be exciting to read about Harry Potter’s various locations from the point of view of someone who isn’t JK Rowling.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:58 am
I want to read this book! It sounds great, Steve! I read so many books about HP that aren’t written by Jo. I can see the problem with the encyclopedia being published, but your new book sounds like no problem at all. Sounds like an analysis, like plenty of other books about HP that have been published with no problem. (But probably better than many of them. ^_^) I really hope it gets published. I promise I’ll have it preordered and everything months in advance.
September 14th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
-nudges Laurieman- Suck up.
But, she’s very right. Many HP books have been published, and, honestly, aren’t very good. They show that all the author is doing is cashing into the HP world. Steve, as you’ve actually been to court over your old one… Well, you trying again shows that you must love the world as much as we DM-addicts do. Kudos!
September 14th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I was a tad bit disappointed by “Platform 9 3/4″ so it would indeed be fun to find signs for burrow, or that door if hinges. It’s that Britain is a very far way away from me right now… otherwise I wouldn’t mind spending a holiday hopping around such places.
And Steve, good luck with the new book!
September 14th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I don’t see any problem with the book :] i hope it gets published. good luck! can’t wait to see it on the shelves :]
September 14th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Hush, Nana. One, I’m not sucking up, I’m just scarily obsessed and easily excited. And two, I am not a man!!
Now I want to go to England more than ever and see this stuff! I need this book as a guide. And I’ll still find a way to get lost…XD
September 14th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I think it’s kinda rediculous that she went to court over the lexicon when she links to the fansite on her official webpage
September 14th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I dont see that this book would present a problem. If anything, it will just get more media attention and hopefully sell more. It would be great to have a holiday in Britain based entirely on visiting the sites of HP
September 15th, 2008 at 1:00 am
The book will be published in the UK on October 9. I don’t think there’s a US publisher lined up yet, but hopefully there will be soon. Right now you can order it on Amazon, but you’ll be paying import prices in America.
September 15th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Not too shabby then, I can have it deliver to my mammy in Holland and she can take it with her when she comes over ^_^
September 15th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
So many reasons to be British over American. <_< Ew, I don’t like Amazon, I like bookstores. (Partly because I have OCD with books and need to spend 10 minutes picking out a copy in perfect shape. XD Especially when it comes to HP.) I will find a way to get that book! I hope you can get it published here!!
September 18th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
.___. Same issue here, Laurie. I hope it’s in the US soon, too.
I’ll be getting it, even if I have to fly all the way to Britain to get it!
September 20th, 2008 at 11:35 am
I’ll be getting it then
October 9th…I must write it on my calendar. It sounds like a really good book…I wanna go to all the places now ^_^
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:45 am
Да, таких интересных блогов я еще не видел! Этот блог даст фору многим сайтам ( по содержанию и не только)! Пять с плюсом баллов!
May 30th, 2009 at 8:47 am
А если это не тайна, автор откуда родом?
June 19th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Что касается непосредственно, то мне кажется что ее актаульность будет выяснена только через некоторое время.