Tim Wu in an article for The New Yorker looks at the events leading up to the trial, speaks to Steve Vander Ark, and compares J.K. Rowling to the mythical Athena:
“Once upon a time, a talented weaver named Arachne declared herself superior in skill to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who also invented weaving. Whether Arachne was actually better we’ll never know, for Athena, in a jealous rage, destroyed her rival’s tapestry and turned her into a spider. Last summer, at a “Harry Potter” convention in Toronto, a fan named Steve Vander Ark made a similar mistake when he dared to compare himself to Joanne (J. K.) Rowling.”
Wu describes what led Vander Ark to create the Lexicon website, and notes that Vander Ark has suffered “cruel fates” as a result of the lawsuit:
“In the late nineties, while working as a children’s librarian in Byron Center, Michigan (pop. 3,777), he discovered the “Potter” series. He began to take notes and, by his own estimate, has read each of the books forty or fifty times. “Something about these detailed imaginative worlds just captivated me,” he said during a court recess.
In 2000, Vander Ark, who considers himself a Ravenclaw, turned his obsessive notes into a Web site, The Harry Potter Lexicon. Soon, he was a celebrity in the “Potter” community. But when he decided to turn his Web site into a book Rowling sued his publisher, effectively exiling him from the wizard community.”
Wu also notes Leaky webmistress Melissa Anelli’s presence in the court room:
Anelli is writing her own “Potter” book, with Rowling’s blessing, and during a break in the trial Rowling sought her out and gave her a warm embrace, a moment that might have been as difficult for Vander Ark as any part of the legal proceedings.
“Melissa has done more to hurt me than Rowling,” Vander Ark said during a recess. “I can’t blame her for liking her status.” After all, he said, Rowling “is God and Melissa is her prophet.” He went on, “I am an outcast now. But I still consider myself a ‘Harry Potter’ fan.”
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Editor’s Note: In the above-mentioned article, Mr. Wu attributed several statements made during a recent PotterCast (number 148) to Melissa Anelli (“He is vilified now”, “He has ruined his good standing.”). These remarks were instead made by Leaky Editor Sue Upton, who was commenting on the impact the decision to publish the book has made upon Vander Ark’s reputation.
“Melissa has done more to hurt me than Rowling,” Vander Ark said during a recess” That was falling off my chair reading for me.
Melissa I am sure no blame can be given to you for anyones hurt feeling, and we all know it was you who tried to stop the comments getting nastily personal, so don’t let SVA’s remarks hurt you. Leaky fans are right with you.
I’d like to see a psychological evaluation of what is going on here. I’m sure there are theories to explain it. Anyone care to post a link?
In a sense, this debacle is a good thing, though. Posters are revealing their worst, pettiest sides, wich is postive because it’s a eye-opener to what kind of people become obsessive fans.
It’s a little bit like when the Harry/Hermione ship sunk, but without being as much fun, because real people are involved here.
Of course, there are voices of reasons, from both sides. I’m not going to mention any names, I’m sure you know who you are.
(I’m equally sure the rest of you meanies think you are reasonable too. Here’s a few hints to when you are not reasonable at all: Using the word disgusting; the phrase “how dare s/he”; claiming the lexicon is useless because you know the books by heart; dismissing others opinions just because they get one or two facts wrong, when changing those facts would not have any impact on the opinion at hand.)
Oooh, I forgot: The Leaky Cauldron is doing an amazing job here. Well done. I’m sure it’s very difficult being at least reasonably objective, concidering some of you guys seem to be good friends with JK Rowling, but I think you are doing a great job.
WTF?? I am constantly amazed by the professional approach of Melissa – she has taken the high road and yet SVA is claiming that she is still hurting him. Melissa I really admire the way you are handling the trial and frankly SVA’s comments are laughable.
Wu should get a good kick someplace for yet again blaming Melissa for things she hasn’t said. Why does it seem that all the news articles are on SVA’s side? Please report more pro-Jo articles if you come across them because this is really unfair and depressing!
I’ve had my own problems with a bad publishing house and though I could sympathize with the situation Steve has landed himself in, his behavior has been far more Duddly-ish lately. As a Ravenclay myself I am ashamed and embarrassed that Steve would place himself in my house.
Ugh, I hate when they bring others into this conflict.
All I know is that Steve Vander Art wished he owned the idea of the Wizarding World, but it’s stupid, Jo Rowling created this herself, and no one should try and meet the same level as her, because she has done extraordinary works
in this and he just wishes he created it.
This is reality, Steve, Jo created the Potter universe and you either accept it and be a respectful fan. Ugh, I just wish this can stop. It’s getting out of hand.
My first reaction to reading this [before I even got past the first paragraph] was: “Oh, give me a break!” – as other people here have commented, anyone can copy someone else’s work – it doesn’t take genius.
Essentially that is what Steve did…and this “journalist” who wrote is obviously biased – did he seek out the other point of view? He just wrote Steve’s point of view!
If Steve [and RDR Books as well] expects this to be tried in the court of the “people” [read: press] and get Jo to back off the lawsuit, then he better think again.
All the HP fans need to do is mount a writing campaign and start letting these publications know exactly how we feel, and that we know the truth.
Melissa – we are behind you! I can’t wait for your book to come out – I’ll be buying a copy.
Ah, poor Stevie… Just because Melissa can write and you can’t, you’re hurt? Give it a rest boyo – In school, anything written in an essay that is not properly cited and quoted is considered plagiarism when it is caught out – even if it is one line. You got caught with what, 90%? You knew you’d get sued the moment you signed the clause letting RDR pay for legal fees. Take your chops like a man, instead of whining like a 5 year old.
The thing that’s being lost in all this is that what SVA did in compiling the Lexicon isn’t entirely without value. Deep down, outside a courtroom, I think even JKR would agree with that. It’s just that he and RDR are trying to sell the book as something it isn’t. It’s not a scholarly tome, it’s something that was put together by an enthusiastic amateur. SVA (as JKR said in the trial, some of his assumptions and etymologies are simply wrong). Fans don’t deserve to pay for that, and it certainly doesn’t deserve to take market share away from the Scottish Book.
SVA certainly should have nothing to complain about in Melissa’s coverage – she has been incredibly fair and balanced given how close to home it all is.
My guess is that he’s a pretty resentful guy at the moment. While I wouldn’t pretend to be fond of him, and never have been particularly, he doesn’t deserve all the vilification that’s been thrown at him – some by people who have no deeper knowledge of the case than the journalist who wrote that article.
Rioting with pitchforks and torches; hitting SVA with a “2×4 piece of wood” in the face… JK Rowling can be proud of her “true fans” and civilized “defenders”...
I just want to thank leaky once again for their fair reporting, it must be difficult when you guys are dragged into it.
Also, Melissa is a prophet!!!!! Yay!!!!