A Journey to John

We’ve heard some great stories of young people (and some probably a bit older) writing John Bellairs, who would usually write back and include one of his drawings. Or calling John on the telephone, and talking with him after a speaking engagement at a library or convention.

It was a Pleasure to Burn

I guess we missed the news about this "celebration." Kansas City bookstore owner Tom Wayne couldn't find anyone to buy the excess books from his store so he set out to get rid of them the only way he knew how - burning them.

First Edition Potter Worth $14K

I have a feeling all of my First Edition Bellairs collection wouldn't be worth this much. Scratch that – it wouldn't be worth that much money, but you can't buy these memories.  Does that sound sappy enough for this early in the morning?

A first edition of the debut Harry Potter novel by J.K. Rowling is expected to sell for up to 7,000 pounds (10,300 euros, 13,950 dollars) at an auction in London on June 26. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first in the series about the young wizard, will be sold by the auction house Bonhams. Between 500 and 1,000 copies of the first edition of that novel were published in 1997, signaling the beginning of one of the biggest successes in publishing history.

On Being a Plain Jane

Cecil Castellucci acts more like a 15-year-old boy than a 37-year-old woman. And she makes no apologies.  And this article about her first graphic novel (June 5, 2007) reminds me more of Rose Rita Pottinger.

Spreading Michiganess

From time to time we like to share some of what we get in our inbox (you know, printable stuff - not news of our winning the Kiribati lottery or stuff like that). A note over the weekend was from an Instructional Technologist at Kalamazoo RESA. Haven’t you always wondered what Instructional Technologists do?

Bellairs the English Instructor

Before there was “John Bellairs the author” there was “Bellairs the English instructor,” a quick-witted, intelligent young man, fresh from college and starting out in his chosen profession (maybe like a young Roderick Childermass). After John returned from England in 1968 he chose to reside in the New England area and would teach English for a few years at Emmanuel (1968-69) and Merrimack (1969-71) colleges. With such tenures on both campuses it has been difficult establishing contact with any student or faculty member who remembers John. If you were associated with either institution during the time periods mentioned as a teaching colleague or student (and the name "Bellairs" rings the right bells with you) we'd love to hear from you.

Potter Deemed Readable in Georgia

A judge in Georgia will allow the adventures of Harry Potter to be read in Gwinnett County school libraries despite objections from parents who feel the books and character promote witchcraft.  Read on, if you dare.

A Look Back: the University of Notre Dame, 1956-57

Call us enthusiasts yet again for tracking down a copy of the 1956-57 Dome, the University of Notre Dame yearbook. We’ve thumbed through the thing and found a few items of interest, which we’ve highlighted below - plus with added commentary.

Hauntings at Massachusetts' Hoosac Tunnel

This article, entitled "Ghosts of the Bloody Pit", from PrairieGhosts.com talks about hauntings at Massachusetts' Hoosac Tunnel. We were interested since the name of the tunnel (and the mountain range) figures into some of John's books that take place in Minnesota.

All About Evil: Tori Sfinx

by Broteus Mitchell

May 7, 2007

Picturing Marshall as It Was

A new book showcasing 196 photographs of Marshall, Michigan, taken before the 1950s will be released May 19 during Michigan Week celebrations. Jane Ammeson and Susan Collins compiled the book, titled Marshall, part of the Images of America series, with the help of the Marshall Historical Society as well as family photos and postcards from Marshall citizens.

Uncovered: Grimoire - Tracked by Terror

Brad Strickland's second book in the Grimoire series - Tracked by Terror - is scheduled for release in October 2007, the cover art was recently revealed.

Memoriam: Kurt Vonnegut

Author Kurt Vonnegut has died. He was 84. Some of his best-known works include Cat's Cradle (1963), the #1 best-seller Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), and Breakfast of Champions (1973).  We're not really sure what else to say.

"No good at life, but very funny sometimes with the commentary."
- KV

The Spaghetti Incident

Down on the farm 50 years ago today the BBC reported about the Swiss Spaghetti Harvest, where “thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop.”

Destined Livery

A fan of Bellairs found one of the anthologies in a Barnes and Noble and, tempted at the prospect of reading more Johnny Dixon, picked up a copy. Good move! Why?  "I found R. L. Stine incredibly boring and non-subtle after them... I don't know why he was so popular."