Book Alert: Le Secret de la Salle Souterraine

Some news from France: The third book in Les aventures de Johnny Dixon will be Le secret de la salle souterraine to be published in February 2005.

We realize that The Secret of the Underground Room is actually the eighth Johnny Dixon book in the series but it has jumped up to book three in the French series. Lalex, the illustrator of the French books, notes on her website that the fourth book will probably be The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull but no release date has been set.

Book Alert: La Tour de La Fin du Monde

The French edition of the The Tower at the End of the World, with cover art by Lalex, is to be published next June. This is book #9 in the Kévin et les magiciens series.

Holidays in Marshall

If you find yourself in Michigan at any point during the remainder of the year, John Bellairs's hometown is celebrating the holiday season with their annual Christmas Parade, Nov. 29, 2004. It's a traditional delight that's highlighted by many bands, dozens of floats, horses and lots of marching units all out to help usher in the holiday.

Compleat Bellairs offline

The Compleat Bellairs website is (temporarily?) offline. Comments from founder Jonathan Abucejo on October 21 noted that the server administrator had recently cut costs and "one of those costs was hosting my sites for free. I've sent an e-mail to the original server hosts and have been waiting for a response from them, in terms of pricing and such. Haven't received word yet."

A week later, on October 26, Abucejo again posted to the compleatbellairs discussion group that he had yet to receive a reply from the other server host. "It may be time to look at other avenues; however, that hosting service has all the most recent Interactive Board submissions. It's vital that I get that from them even if they don't choose to host the Compleat Bellairs anymore!"

The Marvelous Saint Fidgeta

It's the return of the marvelous Saint Fidgeta! Author Susanne Washburn has been working on this article for quite some time, and we're pleased to announce that the National Catholic Reporter published the piece in their October 29 print edition.

For more information:
http://www.natcath.com [article]

Daniel Handler Did Utter Forth A Voice

Bellairs fan Alex de Luca dropped us a note today to share a story of his radio run-in with author Daniel Handler – aka Lemony Snicket, the author of the popular A Series of Unfortunate Events stories:

Book Alert: 魔術師の復讐

The Japanese edition of the The Revenge of the Wizard's Ghost (loosely translated as Revenge of the Magician) will be published this coming February.

Marshall Scarecrow Festival 2004

As autumn approaches, more and more figures stuffed with straw will begin popping up in John Bellairs's hometown of Marshall. The annual Scarecrow Festival takes place during much of the month, October 16 through 31, 2004.

Review: The Ghost Finds A Body

Review: The Ghost Finds a Body

2004 Living History Portrayal Walk

Oakridge Cemetery is once again host to A Living History Portrayal on Saturday, October 16. This is a guided, walking tour of Oakridge Cemetery in Marshall, during which actors portray significant persons from the past at each of those individuals' gravesites. The actors, impersonating each individual, will provide factual information about each personage, but in the tradition of the theater - the Marshall Civic Players is one of the sponsors along with the Marshall Historical Society - the evening will be high drama!

Book Alert: L'opéra Maléfique

The French paperback version of L'opéra maléfique has been released; its cover illustration is by Jean-François Martin.

41st Annual Historic Home Tour

The 41st annual Marshall Historic Home Tour takes place September 11 and 12, 2004. The event takes place every year on the weekend after Labor Day in John Bellairs's home town. For further information or tickets contact the Marshall Historical Society. If you visit the historic community, be sure to stop and learn about the John Bellairs Walk as well.

Book Alert: La Momie Dans La Crypte

The French edition of The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt is to be published this fall. It is the second book in Les aventures de Johnny Dixon series.

Book Alert: Puffin Reprints

Puffin is re-releasing ten titles by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland in August. While the cover art is identical to previous paperback releases (done by Bart Goldman, Brett Helquist, Paul Zelinsky, and even Edward Gorey), the books all share a new, uniform style. Titles include the classics (and some surprises):

• The Curse of the Blue Figurine
• The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie
• The Figure in the Shadows
• The House with a Clock in Its Walls
• The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring
• The Mansion in the Mist
• The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt
• The Specter from the Magician's Museum
• The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull
• The Trolley to Yesterday

Brad Strickland News

Acclaimed fantasy artist Joe De Vito and top fantasy and science fiction writer Brad Strickland join forces to create an interactive visual-narrative storytelling experience. Check dhpressbooks.com for updates and information on future DH Press releases.

For more information:
Press Release

With Our Stately Presence Glorified

So I was cataloging a series of children’s books on the different states and just got through looking at the one on Rhode Island. Knowing H.P. Lovecraft was a native of the state, I thought to look for mention of him.

Book Alert: La Malédiction de la Statuette Bleue

It's the debut of Johnny Dixon in French: La malédiction de la statuette bleue. Lalex is back at the easel with her modern take on the popular characters of Johnny and Professor Childermass.

Book Alert: La Médaille Ensocelée

The French paperback version of La Médaille Ensocelée has been released; its cover illustration is by Jean-François Martin.

Book Alert: La Pendule d'Halloween

The French paperback version of La Pendule d'Halloween has been released; its cover illustration is by Jean-François Martin.

Brad Strickland's Grimoire Trilogy

The Richard Curtis Agency has negotiated a contract with Nancy Mercado of Dial Books for Young Readers for GRIMOIRE, a fantasy trilogy by Brad Strickland.

Book Alert: 橋の下の怪物

The Japanese edition of the The Beast under the Wizard's Bridge (loosely translated as Monster under the bridge) will be published this April.