A little remorse here, Steve?
So now his publisher “talked him into it”. And this is not what he said in the interview. Let’s see now, the publisher is furious with him for laying the blame on them, the fandom is furious with him for trying to rip off Jo Rowling … I hope he has a dog.
Sort of Karkarov-like. He’s going to end up in a shack up north with the Dark Mark over it.
Also it has never been sloppy or inacurate. I have used it all along for reference when reading and having forgotten some detail.
It sounds like a huge sympathy ploy and it won’t work with this reader. I am anxious to read more specifically what he said.
I also wonder whether he brought his pop tart with him today, and whether she was able to stay in the courtroom yesterday.
Gwynnie, I think the other books are more like commentaries and speculations. SVA’s book is more like a factual source (which of course came from JKR’s work) although he tried to make it less of a ‘lifting’ ie plagiarism, by including some personal comments here and there.
Gwynnie, the reason the online version remained online was because it was free. Like Jo said, “it wasn’t hurting anyone.” However, publishing the Lexicon in book form for profit does violate copyright laws if it does not have significant commentary in it, or is poorly cited (which it is). A badly done encyclopedia does hurt fans, and ultimately JKR (though not to an extreme).
If you had read the early post you wold have seen that Jo mentioned several other Harry Potter companion books that she enjoyed because those books had commentary and were written in proper MLA style. Steve’s book does not do that. There are significant flaws with the Lexicon, and Steve, due to his poor research, wrote a plagarized encyclopedia. It’s extremely poorly done, and sadly it’s no different than a college student writing a bad paper and not following MLA style.
Even if his encyclopedia was published I wouldn’t buy it, it would only have the information we already know. JKR’s on the other hand will have tons of new info and background on all the characters and my money would be going off to charity not into Steven’s pocket.
i’m sorry but this “he was talked into it” thing is just ridiculous.if he wa talked into it than why didn’t he say:ok,don’t puplish the book ,the first time when JKR/WB said? I really hope Jo wins!!
Harriet,
No Leaky severed their association with the Lexicon after Steve’s interview (which definitely seems to be a 180 from what he’s saying now) came out.
UN – BE – LIE – VA – BLE. Here’s hoping this back-peddling is a deathtoll for the case. By the by, kudos to Barnes and Noble and Borders for pulling their original orders for this would be book. I hope they don’t offer it for sale if it is published. Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of America, but not plagerism.
No. Leaky is no longer associated with Mr. Van Ark or the Lexicon. Leaky posted that weeks ago. I had no idea that a.) Mr. Van Ark was 50 – not that there’s anything wrong with that since I’m in my 50’s myself (how did THAT happen?) or b.) that he had moved to London to become a WRITER! London? A writter? A HP Encyclopedia? A little Rowling envy maybe? I wished everyone – except JK – would drop this so that she can get back to what she does so well. I WILL NOT buy Mr. Van Ark’s “encyclopedia” under any circumstances. All true HP and Rowling fans should do the same if this unfortunate case does not go in JK’s favor. Let’s pray it does. I’ll wait the two, three, or more years for HER version of ANYTHING! I wish that we all had a petition to present to the presiding judge!
Thanks Dawn for mentioning that Barnes and Noble had pulled their original orders for this “book”. Way to go B & N!! If this truly is a “small” publisher, then the best way to make our feelings known is through their profits from this travesty. Long live JK!
The wall street journal law blog also has it at http://tinyurl.com/6jnwmq According to that JKr was there at the Plaintiff’s table directly in front of the witness stand.
Just because we don’t agree with his decision doesn’t mean we need to villify the man. He’s been raked through the coals for months, and you all think it’s a sympathy ploy? If he loved Harry Potter enough to make a fan resource like that, being on the receiving end of this backlash has to have taken a toll. I think Ms. Rowling has merit on her side, and I certainly don’t blame her for taking legal action. But as unfortunate as Mr. Vander Ark’s decision to publish was, I think it needs to be kept in mind that he’s just another fan who made a very serious mistake by overreaching.
“Talked into it? Give me a break.. He can speak for himself, can’t he? He could easily have backed out if he had doubts.