An Announcement from Brad Strickland

Brad Strickland has agreed to write more books in the series begun by John Bellairs. Following the death of John's son Frank, the copyright situation was complex and tangled. Through the efforts of John's and Brad's agent Richard Curtis, all of John Bellairs's surviving relatives (his former wife Priscilla, his sister Suzanne, and his brother Frank) have reached an agreement regarding copyright with Dial Books for Young Readers, clearing the way for new additions to the series. Titles have yet to be worked out, but this fall Brad will turn in the first new Bellairs series title since The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost.

I hope the readers think this is good news!

All best,
Brad

Edward Gorey Art For Sale

Up for grabs on ebay this week are the original pen and ink illustrations by Edward Gorey from the interior of The Trolley to Yesterday. On one sheet of paper are the illustration of the pointing hand, candle and sword as seen on page 120 and, our favorite device, the tabergan from page 107. The seller notes that the piece was purchased from the Gotham Book Mart on April 22, 1995.

Time Capsule: 1955

May 31, 1955 - Fifty years ago John Bellairs graduated from Marshall High School. According to the MHS yearbook, the Dial, he spent two years in the Latin club and the Chess club for all four years of high school. Dubbed "Genius John," the yearbook says his future included attending Notre Dame and studying pre-law. Only half of that came true: Bellairs did live in South Bend for four years but focused his attention on English literature and, during his senior year, becoming a minor television celebrity.

Book Alert: Le Crâne du Sorcier

The fourth book in the French Johnny Dixon series has been published: Le crâne du sorcier. It follows Le secret de la salle souterraine, published this February.