NEWS FOR THE DAY 07.07.06

Greetings from Indianapolis

Hey guys: as you read in the post below about the radio interview, I'm in Indianapolis right now with Emerson of MuggleNet. We were invited to be guests at the 2006 InConJunction Sci-Fi convention. We'll be here for the whole weekend, so if you're in the area, feel free to stop by! Get more info about the convention, including admissions and directions, at the link; we'll be doing a number of HP panels and discussions, including predictions about book seven. See you there!

Cheryl Klein Joins This Week's PotterCast

Extendable Ears returns to PotterCast this week in a big way with Cheryl Klein, editor at Arthur A. Levine books at Scholastic, who has helped bring the last two Harry Potter books to the world, as well as serves as the guiding hand to a wide range of other novels. We'll be talking with her not only about Potter but writing and editing in the fantasy/young adult genres in general.

She'll be with us for the whole show, so here are the ways you can interact:

-1. Leave your question for Cheryl on our voicemail (call 702.42.LEAKY, Skype "PotterCast or follow the other instructions on PotterCast.com)
2. Leave a voicemail about Canon Conundrums (which makes its return this week): What do you think the gleam in Dumbledore's eye at the end of book four meant?

Thanks guys, we can't wait - this is going to be a very fun show. Cheryl is not only wickedly smart, but very funny (and I don't just say that as her friend; and yes, PotterCast listeners...she's "hott" Cheryl, who has recently earned her third T. You'll find out why on the show.)

Cheryl's bio is below:

Cheryl Klein is an editor at Arthur A. Levine Books, where she handles a wide range of domestic and international projects. She works closely with Lisa Yee, Saxton Freymann, and Kate Constable, among others, and is also known as our imprint baker and queen of editorial doggerel. Cheryl grew up in Peculiar, Mo., graduated from Carleton College and the Denver Publishing Institute in 2000, and joined Arthur A. Levine Books that same year. Her favorite non-AALB books include Charlie Parker Played Be-Bop by Chris Raschka; A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett; The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley; Possession by A. S. Byatt; If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino; The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon; and the complete works of Jane Austen, Dorothy Sayers, and Patrick O'Brian.

The separate bookstore sites have been advertising them, but here they are in one place: This July, I for Leaky, Emerson for MuggleNet and Cheryl Klein, editor at Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic books, will visit bookstores in three states to talk about the Harry Potter series and what's left for our hero. The live events will also become a podcast, and more information about that is forthcoming. But for now here are the dates so you can consider coming; we'd love to see you!

July 20, 7 p.m.
Anderson's
123 West Jefferson
Naperville, IL

July 25, 7 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
8915 W. Charleston (within walking distance from the Lumos site)
Las Vegas, NV

July 30, 1 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
189 Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA

We hope to see you there! More info and links soon.

Melissa and the King on WIBC Radio Today

TLC's own Melissa Anelli will be a special guest on theDave "The King" Wilson radio show starting tonight at 6pm ET to discuss all things Harry Potter. Melissa is in Indianapolis, Indiana this weekend at the Inconjunction Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention, as is Emerson Spartz of MuggleNet. You can listen live to the Dave Wilson program via this link. Anyone who can record this, please send it in!

Scholastic Begins Twenty Day Countdown to HBP Paperback

Scholastic, the US publishers of the Harry Potter books, has now launched their twenty day countdown to the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in paperback. Each day until July 25, there will be a new question about the books; the first one here. Then, the last question will be a special Scholastic audio podcast, which will feature our own Melissa Anelli, Emerson Spartz from MuggleNet, and Scholastic Harry Potter book editor Cheryl Klein. It will be followed by a podcast from Las Vegas, held at the Barnes & Noble in Summerlin on July 25 at 7pm, so be sure to stop by and enjoy the show! More info about this podcast is forthcoming soon.

While at the Scholastic site, check out their entire Half-Blood Prince section, which include new downloads and other fun activities, as well as the video of Jo reading from HBP last July at the release.

Walters, Driving Lessons Honored at Moscow Film Festival

Actress Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley) received the Best Actress Award at the 28th annual Moscow International Film Festival on Sunday for her work in "Driving Lessons," also starring Rupert Grint. The film also took the Festival's Special Prize for best picture. Congratulations to Ms. Walters and the "Driving Lessons" cast and crew!
Thanks to those who alerted us.

Director David Yates Nominated for Emmy Award

New Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix director David Yates has been nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on "The Girl in the Cafe." David was nominated as "Best Director " for his work on the film, which is currently airing here in the States on HBO. You can see recent photos of David, and read a new interview with him at this link. The film also received several other technical award nominations, as well as a nod for "Outstanding Made for Television Movie." The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will present the Emmy Awards on Sunday, August 27 in Los Angeles, CA and will be broadcast on NBC at 8pm ET. Congratulations David!

J.K.Rowling Receives Honorary Degree

Today, author J.K. Rowling received her honorary degree from the University of Aberdeen. Jo received her Doctorate of Laws from the University in honor of her continuing support of research in the fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Upon receiving the award, JKR noted "I am thrilled... it is very exciting." Jo has long been involved with MS, giving very generously through the years, and is a Patron ofMS Society Scotland.

"J.K. Rowling is best known because of a book that she wrote in a cafe in Edinburgh which has made her a household name," Neva Haites, head of the university's College of Life Sciences and Medicine, told the award ceremony at Aberdeen's Marischal College. "However, what is less well known is Ms. Rowling's significant contribution to many charitable causes."

Haites said Rowling had taken on leadership of the MS Society Scotland after discovering "what she called 'the appallingly poor quality of care available to people with multiple sclerosis in Scotland'."

"She is an example of a Scottish leader who has used her reputation and wealth to support the battle for improving human health and for fighting human disease," Haites said. Dressed in a dark suit, Rowling smiled to acknowledge the audience's applause as the received the honor.

You can see some early photos of Jo receiving her award, here online from Getty, more here at Reuters/Yahoo.

UPDATE: Dissendium has a report from a person who attended the event, and even managed to get Jo's autograph and more, here.