Harry Potter events

by Travis Prinzi

Despite the fact that the supposed next big Potter event – the release of the Half-Blood Prince film – has been delayed till next summer, the Potterverse will be alive and kicking, with lots of key events, until that film release.  Here’s a breakdown, in as close to chronological order as possible.  Consider this your magical map to the next 8 months in Potter:

•  John Granger’s first books since the release of HP7.   How Harry Cast His Spell: The Meaning Behind the Mania for J.K. Rowling’s Bestselling Books is currently available.  This is the revised version of the older Looking for God in Harry Potter, and it’s a great starting place for Granger’s indispensable work on Potter.  The Deathly Hallows Lectures is on its way!  More details on that to come.
• September 21: NYC Wizard Rock Festival – Guess I should have planned my NYC trip for a month later!
• September 23: Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone: 10th Anniversary Edition.  It’s available for pre-order now, and since it has new material from Rowling, it will certainly spark some discussion.  There will also be a big celebration in NYC on the release day, so if you’re making plans to be in town for the Wizard Rock Festival, you may want to make plans to stick around for this event, too.  
• September 23:  For those who aren’t going to be in NYC for the release of the 10th anniversary edition, there will be a live webcast of the event!  Expect a busy day here at The Hog’s Head.
• Any time now (?): The decision in the Vander Ark/RDR vs. JKR/WB trial.  Not to bring up a touchy subject, but that decision, whenever it comes, will make a big splash in the lake next to Hogwarts.  Hopefully it won’t upset the grindylows too much.
• October: My Book!  Ready for the title?  Harry Potter & Imagination: The Way Between Two Worlds.  More info, including cover art and release date to come.
• Halloween: Apart from the fact that Halloween is always a good time to celebrate and discuss Harry Potter, there is a conference scheduled for Northern Illinois University on Halloween and the following days: Searching for Platform 9 & 3/4.  I’ll be speaking there!
• Halloween:  For those in the Redondo Beach, CA area who can’t make it to “Searching for Platform 9 & 3/4,” there is a Halloween Feast.
• November 4: Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli, webmistress of The Leaky Cauldron.  With a forward by and interviews with Rowling, this book, which focuses on the Potter phenomenon, is likely to get a lot of attention.
• Later in November (hopefully): A volume of excellent essays on Potter from Zossima, edited by myself.  More info to come.
• December 5: The Tales of Beedle the Bard!  We’ve discussed it here, and I podcasted on it.  I can’t wait.
• Forthcoming: The release of James Thomas’s book from Zossima Press on re-reading Harry Potter.  This will be a must-read.  Details to come.
• January 9, 2009: HP-Ohio’s ”The Crystal Ball” event – a formal ball with Draco and the Malfoys.
• May 21-24, 2009: LeakyCon.  Highly unlikely that I’ll be at this one, but I bet it’ll be pretty big.
• July 17, 2009: Half-Blood Prince film (finally!)
• July 18-21: Azkatraz.  The website’s getting active.  Should be a really good time.  I intend to be at this one.

The Marauder’s Map is alive and magical: there are lots of things I’ve missed (book releases, Wizard Rock events, etc.), so feel free to add events in the comments! [click to continue…]

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