Dicentra from HPfGU attended Mary GrandPré’s talk with other fandomers from SugarQuill and HPfGU, and posted a report over on HPfGU’s off-topic list. She reported that when Mary gets a new HP book to illustrate, she makes three preliminary sketches and they choose one, “they” being the Scholastic editor and art director. She does not …read more!

Thanks to Molliee for letting us know that the new docudrama on BBC1 about Charles II features at least two HP actors in supporting roles. Sean Biggerstaff was in the episode that ran last night, and Christian Coulson is expected to be onscreen later in the series as James, Duke of Monmouth.

Scholastic has made available an Order of the Phoenix screensaver, which features artwork from the American edition. Thanks to El Cronista de Salem from ExpresoHogwarts.com for the link.

J.K.Rowling has written a piece in the Sunday Herald on what the disease is, and how important it is to support and fund research, as well as set minimum standards of care for those with the disease; and what it was like to lose her mother to multiple sclerosis: I used to miss being able …read more!

Newsweek has an article on Mexico’s latest generation of directors, which mentions Harry Potter director Alfonso Cuarón: “It’s very hard to put films together in Mexico,” Cuarón said last week from the “Harry Potter” set. “What is ironic is that at a time when there’s all this attention being paid to Mexican cinema, the Mexican …read more!

The Salt Lake City Tribune has an article on yesterday’s public library visit with Mary GrandPré.

Actress Jenny Tarren has on her website an account of her experience playing the Knockturn Alley witch in Chamber of Secrets. Thanks to Bill for pointing out the link!

Many readers have recently sent in links to this poster, identifying it the first teaser poster for the Prisoner of Azkaban. We actually commented on this back in July. We’re confident that’s a fan-faked poster – note that Gary Oldman’s appearance is quite different from what we’ve seen in the new teaser trailer. Readers have …read more!

MGM has bought a movie script that spoofs both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. But even the title of this would-be comedy is crass, and it looks to be inappropriate for younger viewers and readers. Please pursue the link to Yahoo News with caution. Thanks.

If you live in or around Salt Lake City, then you can meet Mary GrandPré at the main public library on Saturday, November 15th. Her presentation will begin at 11am, and the book signing will be at 1pm. According to the site: “During GrandPré’s appearance, Scholastic Books will hold a Book Fair at the Main …read more!