Here’s a list that’s slightly less monstrous, having aggregated for only a week instead of a month. Never fear, though–it’s still packed with interest.
First, if you haven’t checked out Mythgard Institute, i
t’s worth a look and then some, as it offers college-level classes on medieval and fantasy literature (accreditation coming soon). Dr. Amy Sturgis has been teaching classes on Harry Potter, and on Saturday, September 1, she’ll be giving a “live, one-time only video lecture” titled “The Hunger Games and the SF Tradition.”
While we’re on The Hunger Games, the movie for Mockingjay is going to be split into two parts. Surprised, anyone?
Here’s a fascinating post: Lit Reactor’s Rob W. Hart on the question of whether–and what–series writers owe their fans. Does George R.R. Martin owe it to the world to spend every waking moment writing, in order to provide highest likelihood that he won’t die before finishing his series like Robert Jordan did? Or are fans too demanding in worrying, publicly and sometimes rather desperately, whether Martin has another six or seven years to write the last two books?
Now, something to warm every Hog’s Head regular’s heart: a couple of warm testimonials on the importance of fairy tales, fantasy and science fiction: Bryan Thomas Schmidt’s “Opening the Door to Imagination: My Discovery of Science Fiction and Fantasy“, and from Briana of the review blog Pages Unbound, posting at DebzBookshelf, “Why Fairy Tales Matter.” Says Briana: “Whether we personally rewrite or reread “Sleeping Beauty” or “The Little Mermaid” can reveal something about us as individuals. But that something will never be that we are trite.”
And while we’re talking things dear to the Hog’s Head and friends, here’s a post by Stan Szczesny on great books and the importance of discussion. He includes a superb summary of the principles of good conversation.
In other science fiction and fantasy news:
- Firefly fans can watch for a cast reunion TV special, currently filming at Comic-Con.
- Tor has announced a new five-book deal with superstar author Neil Gaiman.
- Tom Baker, who starred as Doctor Who in the late 1970s, has been asked to reprise the role for the series’ fiftieth anniversary, which occurs in 2013.
- S.M.D. at The World in the Satin Bag picks the Top 7 Science Fiction and Fantasy Musicals.
- For writers, Roger Colby sifts The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien for ten tips on writing (edited by Humphrey Carpenter).
In general fiction:
- SurvivalBlog.com has a post on all the different survival techniques practiced by Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family. Having grown up with those books, I could not but be curious.
- YA author Justine Larbalestier takes on an intriguing (at least, I found it intriguing) topic: “The Purpose of Bad Books.”
- One boyfriend got so bothered by his girlfriend reading “Fifty Shades of Grey” that he squirted her in the face with a bottle of steak sauce. Make of that what you will.
And in the world of Harry Potter:
- A trailer for Furious Molecules’ new series “Harry Potter and the Ten Years Later“
- James and Oliver Phelps–whom most of us may remember as Fred and George Weasley–have let the red hair dye go and moved to Hollywood for a new start in the movie business.
- Well worth checking out: Off the Mark’s Harry Potter cartoons.
- And finally, speaking as a wearer of yellow and black, my favorite–Not Literally’s proud Hufflepuff parody of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”. (Advisory: some of these girls are dressed like they’re in a Lady Gaga video.) “I’m in the right house, baby, I was Sorted this way!”
Happy reading!
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hart’s post on what writers owe readers and Larbalestier take on bad books were especially fascinating. I agree with Hart that series writers don’t owe their readers speedy delivery of new installments, but they might owe their publishers — depending on the contract terms! That said, I do admire writers like JKR and Tolkien who seem to view themselves as having a responsibility to the world and characters they’ve created. However, this can only be an internally imposed obligation.
There used to be a sort of implied obligation on the part of editors and publishers not to print garbage, even if it came from the pen of a recognized or genuinely talented author. But alas, gone are the days of great editors like Maxwell Perkins at Scribner, who cut 100 pages and reshaped Thomas Wolfe’s “O Lost” into the masterpiece “Look Homeward, Angel”. Bad books, especially when part of a successful series, seem to sell almost as well as good books, at least until the readers catch on– for which let’s cheer the tireless ranks of Amazon.com reviewers!
Another fun set of links, Jenna–thanks!
I wholeheartedly agree with Hana about Hart’s post on that topic. While I, too, get emotionally invested in a great series, I find it appalling that some fans get irate and even abusive about the pace of book releases. The desire for instant gratification and lack of sympathy for how much work it takes for writers to do their craft well are quite simply childish. No one can force (or cajole) another to create for him, and it often takes a substantial amount of time to produce something of high quality. I feel like telling any cranky fans, “Get off the dude’s back, and go create something wonderful of your own while you’re waiting.” (Okay, I’ll put my wagging finger back in its holster….)
The links about the value of fairy tales and fantasy/sci-fi literature are sweet, brief, and to the point. It’s always heartening to see people pushing back on cynicism and reclaiming the grand place of possibility that those sorts of literature can play in our lives.
Jenna Thanks for another great post. I am amazed at the abundance of material. This will surely keep me busy for quite some time.
The Hufflepuff video was pretty interesting & funny. Since Lady Gaga is kind of a living parody, I think her works are best appreciated as parodies, & the creators of the video did a fantastic & detailed job. Always impressive to see the great amount of creativity & dedication possessed by Potter fans.