Showing posts with label Lexicon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lexicon. Show all posts

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Just an update

I'm not sure if anyone is still reading this blog, but here goes...

Here's what's been going on. Our book The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction was published in mid-January. I don't have any sales figures yet but my friends sure bought a lot of them =) and our local bookstores -- both chain and independent -- displayed it prominently.

For me personally, this victory was tempered when my mom got sick in November and died in April. I was able to show her a copy of the book, but oh well, you know how it goes. It was wonderful to have the family all together again, and I am comforted by knowing that mom had a good life and was loved by many. Miss her though.

Steve came out in March for the wildly successful first annual Tucson Festival of Books. Steve's talk was standing-room only and got great reviews, and I think I just *glowed* when I saw the line that formed afterward at our signing tent. Next year will be even better -- I'm on the committee that selects the children's and young adult authors and illustrators!

And now? Steve will have a booth for the book at Azkatraz, and he's invited me to come help. Not one to turn down free registration, I've booked a hotel room and am looking for a quiet person (well, female) to share it with. Anyone want to come to a Potter convention in San Francisco? There's some really exciting programming and a huge Wrock fest!

But before that, our library will again be putting on 2 more Potter parties. Our first planning session is tonight. One date is still undecided -- I will post an update when everything is confirmed.

More news coming, but for now I need to get ready for work!

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Local article about The Lexicon (and Tucson Festival of Books!)

The Arizona Daily Star interviewed me and Steve about our book last Wednesday for an article in today's paper. Danielle did a great job, and Fred took some lovely photos!

Article "Librarian/writer's Harry Potter knowledge is voluminous"

Steve's talk and our booksigning: Sunday, March 15th at 2:30pm, Catalina Ballroom of the University of Arizona Student Union

Signed copies of the book available at: Kids Center, 1725 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ

Tucson Festival of Books

List of exhibitors in attendance [pdf]

Come to the Book Festival next weekend! Karen Cushman (Catherine Called Birdy), Gail Carson Levine (Ella Enchanted), Richard Peck (A Long Way from Chicago), Charles de Lint (Widdershins), J.A. Jance (Cruel Intent), Diana Gabaldon (Outlander), Luis Alberto Urrea (Hummingbird's Daughter), Richard Shelton (Crossing the Yard), Gregory McNamee (Moveable Feasts), and over 350 more authors and illustrators will be speaking and signing their books.

Other friends speaking, storytelling, and/or signing: Marge Pellegrino, Martin Rivera, Lynn Bevill, and Liz Danforth.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Thief!

And on a disgusted note, it has come to our attention that someone is selling a guide to book 7 that steals original content from the Harry Potter Lexicon, Jo's website and Accio Quote (our summaries), and then calls our work "bonuses" in order to charge you extra. No, we're not speaking of Mugglenet's book. They asked.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Lexicon redesign preview

I posted today over on the Harry Potter Lexicon's blog some screen shots of the redesign we've been working on. So far the readers have been kind, even enthusiastic (which is a relief).

Basically this new design is also a reorganization. Instead of dividing the Lexicon into Muggle World and Wizarding World it is organized by the type of resource and how it relates to Potter "canon."

It will also give us much stronger site management tools so that we can react quickly to links that need to be updated.

Post your bouquets or brickbats over on the Lexicon blog.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Deathly Hallows meme

A meme copied from Moste Excellente Potter Fanartist Makani:

1. Are you going to look at every possible spoiler you can before the book comes out? Did you with HBP and how accurate were the ones you saw?
Only the ones that seem harmless, and none the last week. I didn't get spoiled for book 6 and I'm really really glad.

2. What will you do if Amazon (or whoever;) don’t deliver your copy on time, and everyone is reading it except you?
I will try to do what I did for book 6: go to the largest bookstore party I know of and then at 11:45 move on to my fave independent bookstore (Kids' Center in Tucson) to actually buy the book. I was first in line and home reading by 12:15. Last year 2 friends were hired by Barnes and Noble to play Hagrid and Dumbledore [photo here from my party] so people could get pictures taken with them.

3. Will you read the last chapter before anything else? Are you planning to read the book all in one go or are you a slow reader?
It depends on the book. Normally I read in one gulp but I had to take book 6 in small bites. It took me a day-and-a-half to read it.

4. What’s your theory on the meaning of “Deathly Hallows?”
Oy. I still hold by my earlier post (here).

5. What’s the craziest Harry Potter theory you’ve got, which you could only share with your trusted f-list?
That Harry will take a journey into death (like in the Aeneid) through the veil. I'm not sure what protects him, except for the fact that his wand wood is supposed to have properties that protect one on journeys. But that is probably nutz-o because it mixes Jo-magic with woo-woo stuff I found on the web.

6. If you could write in a sub-plot of your own choosing to the main Harry one, what would it be?
It would be torrid but funny goings on in Hogsmeade.

7. Who do you think will die in the book, and who would you be most upset to see die, even if you don’t think it’s likely?
Voldemort. And he's not coming back. Bellatrix too. I also can't see a future for Snape. Sadly, I think Hagrid, Arthur, Firenze, and the Sorting Hat are also goners.

8. Name three main (ish) characters who you think will definitely live and why. Is there a very minor character(s) you really want to have a happy ending?
Harry (I don't think this will have a Bartimaeus-like ending). Ginny and Neville too.

9. If you don’t like the book, or are bitterly disappointed by it, do you think you’ll still stay in the fandom?
It's going to be really, really hard to update the Lexicon if I'm crying.

10. One word (or concise) answers only!
- Snape: good, evil, own agenda? Um.
- Bill: will he help Remus or just be on permanent honeymoon? Help.
- Peter: a Gryffindor moment or not? Not.
- Harry: is he a Horcrux? No.
- The Weasleys: will they all survive? No.
- If no to the above: who won’t? Arthur.
- Did Snape love Lily: yay or nay! Aye.
- Hogwarts: will they go back to school or not? Yup.
- Remus and Tonks: will they get married in the book? Epilogue.
- Bellatrix: who will be her nemesis? Neville!
- The new leader of the OotP is …? Aberforth.
- Percy: will he see the error of his ways or not? Sorta.

11. If Harry could take just one adult Order of the Phoenix member with him on the search for Horcruxes, who should it be and why?
Snape. Oh, come on, who else would it be?

12. Will Remus and Greyback have a confrontation in human or werewolf form? Will Tonks be involved? Who will the other werewolves support?
Ooooh, yes. Wouldn't it be cool if Remus was taking Wolfsbane potion (because of Tonks) and Fenris wasn't but Lupin still beat him?

13. Who is the person from Harry’s class (and it isn’t him, Ron or Hermione), who will become a Hogwart’s teacher? What subject will they teach?
Neville, who went to live with Prof. Sprout after his gran died. Now, now, I know what you're thinking. I mean platonically.

14. Do you think Harry will observe Remus looking less lined and walking with a little more of a spring in his step? If so, do you think he'll attribute it to Tonks, and if he does, will he blush?
Yup.

15. Will Ginny use, "But Professor Lupin saw the futility of being a noble prat!" for one of her million arguments with Harry about why they should be together? Do you think they’ll get back together at all?
I hope so! I think Harry will go it alone in the beginning but eventually the trio +Ginny, Neville and Luna will be in on the action in the last part of the story.

16. Which house do you think Tonks is in, and why? Is she going to morph into someone important and who will it be?
Tonks is Gryffindor which is why Jo didn't mention it.

17. Who will be revealed to be the heir of Gryffindor?
Sue Upton suggested Neville and I think this is a good guess. I think few have shown more bravery than Neville.

18. As JKR has promised the final chapter will be like an epilogue; how do you think the final paragraph will read?
I want to know most what happens to Hogwarts after everything shakes out.

19. Which question from the books would it annoy you most not to have answered?
Hagrid's missing 24 hours on Nov. 1, 1981.

20. What do you think the last line of the book is?
Harry realized that he never found out the cause of Dumbledore's scar.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Potter teasers galore (movie 5 and book 7)

All kinds of news, lately! I will assume you've watched the "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" trailer, seen the 10-minute HBO teaser, and the screenshots.

Today I read that the Guardian is having a contest for the most clever name for Book 7. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours! The winner will get a bookplate autographed by JK Rowling. Aviso: You will have to register to submit your title.

And Lexicon Steve has posted his first report on his trip to Leavesden Studios this September. In case you hadn't heard, he got to tour the sets, watch filming and then interview Producer David Heyman and the movie's stars. Can you imagine? It must be torture to stay mum about it all.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

My list of fan artists

I thought I would share my list of fan artists. Some have given the Lexicon permission to reproduce their artwork, some haven't and some haven't been asked (but might -- it's not my decision).

http://del.icio.us/madampince/fanart

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Subscribe to the Harry Potter Lexicon

The Harry Potter Lexicon's "What's New" page now has an RSS feed so you can get news of site updates, resources and new Potter canon, and comment on it too. Link: http://www.hp-lexicon.org/whats_new.php.

I have been busy on my character pages for the Lexicon. Dobby now has 2 pages all to himself. A character profile and a page of his quotes.

I have also been adding screen captures from "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." The photos of the actors were looking really dated because Emma, Matthew and Dan have grown up so much!

And finally, on Harry's page I have added a chart of all his Christmas presents: http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/harry.html#skills

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Leaky Mug Trivia Contest

Here are the questions we prepared for the "Leaky Mug" podcast Trivia Challenge. Remember, they only had 10 seconds to answer.

Hogwarts
1. Name a female Hogwarts Headmaster.

2. How many secret passages are there out of Hogwarts, including those that are now blocked?

3. Why does Harry make his first visit to Dumbledore's office?

4. Despite Madam Pince's protectiveness, we have seen one Hogwarts library book desecrated. Who did it? (actually 2 possible answers)

5. After falling through Fluffy's trap door, Hermione says they "must be miles below the school." What floor did they fall from?

Magical creatures
1. In Greek mythology, Hercules 2nd labour was to kill the nine-headed Hydra, but each time he cut off one its heads, two would grow in its place. How did he stop this from happening?

2. What magical creature is usually mistaken for a hedgehog by muggles?

3. Invisibility cloaks are woven from the hair of this ape-like creature native to the Far East. Name it.

4. Harry injured his finger during a Magical Creatures class. What was the magical creature that did it?

5. Of all the dragon species in the world, how many are native to the Americas?

6. What real-world phenomenon can be explained by the existence of the Mooncalf?

Potions and plants
1. What does Neville's Mimbulus mimbletonia spray?

2. What did the Weasley twins use it to sort the boils problem caused by their Fever Fudge, thanks to Lee Jordan, (whom Harry recommended it to, after Hermione offered it to him for his bleeding hand)?

3. What does Hermione say Amortentia smells like to her?

4. What visible effect results from taking Pepperup Potion?

5. Snape can give you a potion to make you do almost anything he wants - what concoction does he say he'll offer Harry if he wants to hear nonsense?

6. For what purpose does Hermione make a Sleeping Draught?

Jo's website
1. In the Links bookcase, what is the title on the book used to decipher the Rune tiles in the Rubbish bin?

2. What portkey would you click to enter the Rubbish Bin section?

3. To get a chart called Revision of the plan of Order of the Phoenix you need to draw something on a blank paper. What shape do you draw?

4. Dialing PEEVES into the cell phone will gain you what for your scrapbook?

5. On the radio program "Toots, Shoots & Roots" Toots gives advice to a witch about reviving her dead Flitterbloom. What is the host's first name?

Death Eaters
1. What name did JKR originally use for the Death Eaters?

2. At what two times have we seen Tom Riddle supported by his friends, before they officially became known as Death Eaters?

3. What Death Eater injured Hermione and knocked her out in the Dept. of Mysteries?

4. Between Voldemort's downfall and return, he went how many years without seeing his Death Eaters?

5. Who were the only two Death Eaters who, on the night of Voldemort's return, were expected to join him in the graveyard and did not?

6. What was the spell we saw the Death Eaters use (or try to use) most often in the Battle of the Dept. of Mysteries? (2 answers accepted)

Places
1. In English, what is inscribed on the entrance to the Mines of Moria in Lord of the Rings?

2. Mrs. Figg lives on which street?

3. After picking up his gold from Gringotts, what was the first shop Harry visited on his first trip to Diagon Alley?

4. Name the shop in Hogsmeade where Hermione buys a pheasant-feather quill.

5. On Harry's eleventh birthday, Hagrid buys him a hamburger in a restaurant with plastic seats. Where is this restaurant located?

6. What's the difference between a stalactite and a stalagmite?

Wands
1. What wood was used to make Lily's wand?

2. The shortest wand we've seen thus far belonged to Umbridge, and we know Hagrid's was the longest before it was snapped. Who owns the longest wand still intact, of those we know?

3. At the core of Harry's wand is a single tail feather from Fawkes; at the core of Ron's is a unicorn tail hair. What are the other two substances we know can be used to make the core of a wand?

4. What happened when Harry's wand chose him in Ollivander's shop?

5. Who had a mahogony wand?

6. Name another wandmaker besides Ollivander.

Quidditch
1. How many players are allowed in the scoring area at one time?

2. A foul which happens when any player other than the Seeker touches the Golden Snitch is called what?

3. During a match in 1884 a Snitch escaped after eluding capture by the Seekers for six months of play. Name the moor on which it is said to still be living wild?

4. Cobbing is a foul involving excessive use of which body part?

5. What professional Quidditch Team did Oliver Wood join after leaving Hogwarts?

6. Who wrote The Beaters Bible?

Spells
1. We've seen several Permanent Sticking Charms in action, mostly in 12 Grimmauld Place. What's the only use of this charm we've seen outside of that building?

2. Name three of the spells written in the margins of the Half Blood Prince's Potions book.

3. What is the incantation that Cinderella's fairy godmother uses to transform the pumpkin into her coach, according to Disney?

4. What wizard/witch do we know to have used a Stealth Sensoring Spell, to detect intruders?

5. What does the incantation "Peskipiksi Pesternomi" do?

6. What spell does Sirius use to get the knocked-out Snape out of the Shreiking Shack?

Famous Wizards
1. What is Morfin Gaunt's relationship to Lord Voldemort?

2. According to Wicked, what was the good witch of Oz's original name before she changed it to Glinda?

3. What killed Abraxas Malfoy?

4. What family's coat of arms is on Salazar Slytherin's ring?

5. Name the only non-Gryffindor student to fight in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.

6. Name three wizards with alliterative names.

7. What is Umbridge's middle name?

8. How many times does the name Sirius appear on the Black Family Tree, not counting erasures?

9. What specifically is the status of Order of the Phoenix member Caradoc Dearborn?

10. Who invented Floo Powder?

Miscellaneous
1. Name a canon reference to Monty Python.

The answer key is available at the Lexicon.

Leaving Lumos

Well, I am a bit teary-eyed as I say good-bye to friends that are leaving today. Lumos was everything I'd hoped for and more. Steve, John, Bel, Brenda, Caroline, April, and all the new people I met have made me carry around a smile inside for the last 4 days. Yes, the sessions were great, the costumes were amazing, and our hotel room palatial, but these conferences are ultimately about shared community, and that's why it is difficult to say good-bye.

Today we had a tremendously exciting and inspirational meeting about the future of the Harry Potter Lexicon. Please watch our "What's new" page if you want to be "in the know."

What can I say, Steve, but you're the man. It is a true joy to be on your staff.

I will be writing more and posting photos soon. I wish you were here!

Sunday, July 23, 2006

HP Lexicon staff to mediate Leakymug Trivia Contest

We at the Harry Potter Lexicon are busy concocting some diabolical questions to ask at the Leakymug podcast trivia challenge at Lumos on Saturday July 29th at 6:30 p.m. The contest is Mugglenet vs. Pottercast; the Lexicon staff will be moderating. Fun, eh? Post some questions you think we should ask! Here are the categories:

Magical creatures
Potions
Jo's website
Wizarding money
Death Eaters
the Ministry of Magic
Quidditch
Famous Wizards
Places
Hogwarts
Wands
Spells

Pottercast and Mugglenet staff will have 20 seconds to answer each question.