In which I make fandom statements that have no logical basis in reality.

[quidditchgrrl]

I'm a bad, bad fangirl.

While I 100% understand JKR and why she's blocking the publication of the HP Lexicon's book, can I just say that I really don't want a HP reference book/encyclopedia from the author?

I like my fandom world and my own personal thoughts about the characters (and isn't that what reading is all about? That you can put your spin on characters?) without the author writing a compendium to be sure that we all know every particular about every person in her canon. Especially if she goes into it to specifically denouce widely-held opinions on certain characters *cough cough*

And JKR didn't go after the myriad different authors (and freaking Mugglenet) when they published their books/theories/crapoop. So, what gives? Is it because this book would be just the facts? Actually, I want to know that - what makes the "We've come up with some crazy-ass theories" or "Harry Potter makes kids worship Satan" book okay, but this one not okay?

Hopefully the online Lexicon won't be going away anytime soon, and that there will always be enough money to keep it afloat (especially since JKR has said that she personally has used the site to research her own books!).

I'm feeling my oats as a disgrunted fangirl today.

Comments

[qwyneth.livejournal.com]

Quick thoughts, just from reading this post (I hadn't even heard the Lexicon was publishing, because I'm out of touch):

1. It might not be her, it might be her publishing company or agent or attorneys protecting "her" interests. Especially if she's thinking of publishing her own encyclopedia, they wouldn't want to lose money or be beat out.

2. I understand your viewpoint on preferring fandom. I like fandom too. But I know I'd love an encyclopedia written by Rowling, with lots of details and backstories that she put together to build her characters. I love that stuff. I love fandom stuff, and my own character interpretations too. There are so many ways to interpret a story, and they're all valid. :) I love that about literature. /rambling

That sucks for the Lexicon though. :-/

[qwyneth.livejournal.com]

Oh hey, how's your brother doing? I hope he's recovering smoothly. :)

[chickadilly.livejournal.com]

So, what gives?

She said on her website it was a charity thing. She's always said that the encyclopedia profits would be for a charity like the text books she wrote were and I guess she's worried that the Lexicon encyclopedia would take away from that? I dunno, the whole thing seems odd to me - personally I wouldn't buy a Lexicon encyclopedia if all it is is a text version of what is free on the website. But if it had extra essays and such I might.

I kind of wonder how the whole thing even got this far - I've heard rumours (and that's all that are - rumours so take it for what it is) that Steve did approach JKR and her 'People' about this and they said they didn't support it because of the charity aspect but he decided to go ahead anyway. I have no idea how accurate that story is but if true I can't help but wonder why he thought it would be a good idea. At the same time though, I dunno ... I could be wrong, of course but I find it hard to believe that his sales would hurt hers.

[teshara.livejournal.com]

The deal is, is Steve hoped he'd be getting paid for her encyclopedia because he'd already gathered info.
When he heard all the proceeds were going to charity he decided to publish the lexicon.
He's not publishing theories or essays or speculation, he took someone elses work and regurgitated it and wants money.
No one told him to start the lexicon. No one stopped him, but no one told him to use all his spare time doing this.
When he discovered he wasn't going to get paid he turned into a butt-hurt jackass.
And JKR used the site because it was more organized than her notes, not to do actual research.

[ladyaeryn.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I was starting to feel like I was the only one out there who didn't think JKR was being a total fascist bitch for the Lexicon thing.

Is it because this book would be just the facts? Actually, I want to know that - what makes the "We've come up with some crazy-ass theories" or "Harry Potter makes kids worship Satan" book okay, but this one not okay?

That's more or less how I see it. The Mugglenet and Galadriel Waters, etc. books weren't meant to be encyclopedias - a book equivalent of the Lexicon would be. And when it comes to doing a "definitive" encyclopedia for her world, I think JKR's perfectly in her rights to be the one who releases it.

I don't care one way or the other if she does the encyclopedia - if she wants to publish it, fine; I don't feel especially bound by it.

[killerbeautiful.livejournal.com]

Especially if she goes into it to specifically denouce widely-held opinions on certain characters

lol... yeah, i'm always afraid of her doing this... hopefully this will not go anywhere. n_n;;;;

[leftsockarchive.livejournal.com]

This provides a LEGAL overview how this is being interpreted. Hope it helps you form your own opinions.

http://rubymiene.livejournal.com/68538.html