Penn Group

It’s been a relatively slow week for the book publishing industry. The only real action seems to be coming from the infamous Harry Potter trial. Here’s the salient news of the week. 

- As the Harry Potter copyright-infringement case wound to a close, J.K. Rowling seemed to repent of her harsh words to and about the defendant, Steven Jan Vander Ark.  

“I never once wanted to stop Mr. Vander Ark from doing his own guide - never ever,” she said, according to the New York Times. “Do your book, but please, change it so it does not take as much of my work.” 

We have decided to reward Ms. Rowling for her suddenly reasonable attitude by using a slightly more flattering picture for this post than we did for our last.  

 - In related news, Judge Robert Patterson Jr., who heard the case, revealed that he couldn’t get through the Harry Potter books himself, and referred to parts of them as “gibberish,” according to the Times (UK). The New York Times reports that he also closed the case by admonishing its participants that “litigation isn’t always the best way to solve things.” You don’t say? 

- “Millionaire Matchmaker” Patti Stanger has closed a deal for a book on her recommended dating strategies. The deal is reportedly in the six-figure range, though no word has come through as to the precise amount. It’s true: the woman knows how to make money. 

- Pete Doherty is apparently slightly less desirable than Patti Stanger; his band’s authorized biography, which is to be written “by” band members and assorted backstage witnesses, sold for an undisclosed five-figure sum, according to The Bookseller. 

- All right, just one more Harry Potter story: according to the Irish Independent, a man by the name of Dubrey Malone wrote and published an A - Z “lexicon” of the Potter books six months ago. Congratulations, Dubrey: hating your book may be the only thing that Rowling and Vander Ark have in common. Maybe they’ll form an unlikely alliance to take you down - just like Danny Glover and Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon!