Remembrances: Alan Loxterman

Recent comments from Alan Loxterman:

Both in physical appearance and with his sardonic sense of humor, I recall John Bellairs as a cross between Alfred Hitchcock and Charles Laughton.

Interview: Lalex

Imagine our surprise to see some familiar characters running around - but this time around speaking French!  Bon Sour One Frank, indeed! Lalex is the contemporary illustrator of the French translations of John Bellairs' Lewis Barnavelt books in the "Kévin et les Magiciens" series.

"Tower" nomination

From Kalev Hantsoo:

The children's magazine Disney Adventures is having its annual book awards and The Tower at the End of the World is a nominee. The information is found in the Winter 2002 issue with votes due by February 15. Go vote!

Book Alert: 鏡のなかの幽霊

The Japanese edition of the The Ghost in the Mirror (loosely translated as Ghost inside of the mirror) will be published next March.

Evidence of Autumn

Jay Cook passes along word that dummies.com, through their daily travel e-Tips, began running a number of Halloween-themed tips October 11, including the following:

Book Alert: The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost

Lewis Barnavelt's legacy continues as Brad Strickland lists the next title on his website. The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost is due out summer the 2003. For now, The Tower at the End of the World is his latest release, with cover by illustrator S.D. Schindler.  Says Brad:

The next book (The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost) will be out, my editor tells me, in the summer of 2003 because Dial's rejiggering its publication dates so that Halloween books come out in summer.  Although John Bellairs' characters have run up against evil sorcerers, animated mummies, and ghosts before, they've never had to deal with a classic monster, like, oh, say, a vampire...until now.

Book Alert: La Pendule d'Halloween

The French edition of the The House with a Clock in its Walls, with cover art by Lalex, is to be published this October. This is the first book in the Kévin et les magiciens series.

Remembrances: Norbert Geier

Recent comments from Norbert Geier:

I knew John during the two years that he taught at the College of Saint Teresa in Winona and, if I remember correctly, I was Chairman of the English Department during his second year.

I don't recall that John talked about his family or much about his life in Marshall, Michigan. I do remember that he talked about the nuns in the parochial school, especially how they made the children practice life-saving maneuvers should the Russians deiced to bomb Marshall. The children had to practice hiding under their desks.

Meet the Dead Boy Detectives

The Dead Boy Detectives are Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine, two British schoolboys from different eras who are now ghosts. The characters were created by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner during the "Season of Mists" storyline in the Sandman comics. Now the boys are being given their own adventure in Sandman Presents: Dead Boy Detectives by writer Ed Brubaker and illustrator Bryan Talbot:

Who Will Play the Cook?

We knew Professor Childermass liked to bake a thing or two but don't forget there's plenty of food in John's books, including Mrs. Zimmermann's cookies and that German restaurant Anthony and Miss Eells enjoy visiting.  And drink, too, such as Snake-Year Sherry.

Earlier this year we discovered that Bellairs fan and author Ursula Bielski was putting together a cookbook inspired by the works of John Bellairs. Yum!  At the time the book was still being written and she was in the process of finding a publisher.  She said at the time that she will see the project through to the end and if it comes down to it, she might even publish it herself.

Being Anthony Monday

Can you imagine the thrill of going through life having the same name as one of Bellairs's characters? Yes, the thought of calling one's self "Brewster the Rooster" does have some perks but until then, here's Anthony Kyle Monday and his story:

Book Alert: The Tower at the End of the World

S.D. Schindler's cover art for Strickland's The Tower at the End of the World is now visible at Amazon.

All Eyes on Gorey's Prize

Edward Gorey's original art for The Eyes of the Killer Robot is available in an online sale from Bromer Booksellers. The original watercolor, tastefully matted, glazed, framed and signed by Gorey is sold with an extremely fine copy of the published work.

Only $7500.00.

Book Alert: 魔法の指輪

The Japanese edition of the The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring (loosely translated as Ring of Magic) will be published in November.

Book Alert: 闇にひそむ影

The Japanese edition of the The Figure in the Shadows (loosely translated as Lurking in dark shadows - or something like that...) will be published later this August.