From Harry Potter-style mega-hits to controversy over banned books to hot competition for literary prizes, there is never a dull moment in the book world. Chapter & Verse keeps readers up-to-date on the latest in literary headlines. Check in with us daily to learn about books and their people - those who write them and those who love them.
J.K. Rowling called writing under the pen name of Robert Galbraith 'such a liberating experience.'
Why did J.K. Rowling write under a pseudonym? 'Just for the joy of it'
Any news about J.K. Rowling and her books is guaranteed to make headlines around the world.
So when it broke that not only had Rowling written another book but that readers could already find it in stores as well as in e-book format, the novel shot to the top of bestseller lists as rapidly as it disappeared from bookshop shelves. How'd the public miss it? Rowling had released her novel, "The Cuckoo's Calling," under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith (described as a former member of the Royal Military Police).
"I had hoped to keep this secret a little longer," Rowling said in a statement. “Being Robert Galbraith has been such a liberating experience. It has been wonderful to publish without hype or expectation, and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name."
She also thanked "the writers and reviewers, both in the newspapers and online, who have been so generous to the novel."
It all made sense to horror writer Stephen King. King, who has also written under a pseudonym (he published short stories under the name Richard Bachman until Bachman's real identity was discovered), told USA Today he understood why the "Harry Potter" author would want to publish something under a new name.
"Jo is right about one big thing – what a pleasure, what a blessed relief, to write in anonymity, just for the joy of it," he said. "Now that I know, I can't wait to read the book."
Although sales of Rowling's book lagged, reviews were effusive even before the actual author was discovered, with Publishers Weekly calling it a "stellar" debut and Library Journal writing that "Galbraith's take on contemporary celebrity obsession makes for a grand beach read. It's like a mash-up of Charles Dickens and Penny Vincenzi."
Crime writer Mark Billingham wrote it was "hard to believe this is a debut novel."
Amazon editorial director Sara Nelson said she admired what Rowling had done, seeming to want to receive honest criticism separate from the attention her name now inevitably brings.
"She wants to write," Nelson said of the author. "She just wants to work."
In addition, Nelson said she found the story unusual.
"Historically, writers have used a different name when they're going to write a different kind of book," she noted. Rowling's novel is a different genre from her normal fare, but that doesn't seem to be the reason she chose a pseudonym.
As for what publisher Little, Brown thought when it released a novel by a superstar under a false name, Nelson said she thinks both the publisher and Rowling knew the truth wouldn't stay buried.
"In this world, everyone knows nothing stays a secret forever," she said.
Will we now see a rash of novels released under pen names? Nelson doesn't think so.
"I don't think it's a trend," she said, noting that she thinks authors will continue to do it if they want to try a different genre, like "if John Grisham wanted to write a romance novel."
But Nelson thinks the success of "The Cuckoo's Calling" may prove enduring.
"If the word-of-mouth on this is good, and there'll be [more] reviews now.... I think this might have legs," she said.
Protesters assemble in Los Angeles following the announcement of the verdict of acquittal for George Zimmerman as police look on. (Jae C. Hong/AP)
Zimmerman trial juror B37 drops plans for a book
A member of the jury for the George Zimmerman trial, known as Juror B37, announced plans to write a book about the trial, then stated she that she had changed her mind and would not author a book about the experience after all.
Juror B37, who also participated in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, announced that she had signed with the Martin Literary Management agency. According to MediaBistro, the juror contacted the agency on Sunday.
B37 said she would be writing the book with her husband, who is an attorney. The agency’s president, Sharlene Martin, said her “hope is that people will read Juror B37’s book... and understand the commitment it takes to serve and be sequestered on a jury in a highly publicized murder trial and how important, despite one’s personal viewpoints, it is to follow the letter of the law. The reader will also learn why the jurors had no option but to find Zimmerman Not Guilty due to the manner in which he was charged and the content of the jury instructions.”
Martin said the book could also “open a whole new dialogue about laws that may need to be revised and revamped to suit a 21st century way of life.”
However, in a statement released by Martin late Monday night, the juror said she would not be writing the book after all, saying she had been isolated from the effect of the verdict on the American public.
(Editor's note: Sharlene Martin later contacted the Los Angeles Times and said she had been the one to terminate the relationship between herself and the juror.
"I decided to rescind my offer of representation after watching Juror B37 on Anderson Cooper 360," she said. "I believe I made a grave error in judgment in wanting to represent this story. Shortly after the show aired, I reached out to B37 and suggested we terminate our book representation agreement. She and her husband agreed.")
Juror B37 said, “[I was] shielded... from the depth of pain that exists among the general public over every aspect of this case."
She said the book was supposed to be “a respectful observation of the trial from my and my husband's perspectives solely.”
“It was to be an observation that our 'system' of justice can get so complicated that it creates a conflict with our 'spirit' of justice," she said in a statement, which was tweeted out by Martin. “Now that I am returned to my family and to society in general, I have realized that the best direction for me to go is away from writing any sort of book and return instead to my life as it was before I was called to sit on this jury.”
Before the juror’s announcement, a New York City resident named Genie Lauren started a petition on Change.org asking Sharlene Martin to back out of the book deal.
“Please don't allow this person to profit off of the injustice that they've served to the American public,” Lauren wrote. “We deserve better. Trayvon Martin's family deserves better.”
The petition was closed, but not before it received 1,346 signatures.
In a Los Angeles Times article, writer Hector Tobar questioned the speed with which Juror B37 had signed the book deal and what that might mean for the case.
“Anyone who’s ever tried to reach a literary agent over the weekend will question the timing of said announcement, which came less than 36 hours after the jury found Zimmerman not guilty of all counts,” Tobar wrote. “Is it possible that Juror B37, or her husband, was in contact with the agency before the six-woman jury even began to deliberate? And might a desire to transform her experience as a juror into a marketable story have influenced B37’s view of the case?”
While the juror’s identity has not been revealed, answers that she gave during the voir dire portion of the trial proceedings indicate that she is a middle-aged, white mother of two children who grew up in a military family and at one time had a permit for a concealed weapon.
J.K. Rowling (r.) is the author behind the novel 'The Cuckoo's Calling,' which was published under the name 'Robert Galbraith.' (R: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP)
J.K. Rowling wrote it? No wonder 'The Cuckoo's Calling' is so good
Readers no doubt remember the worldwide anticipation that ensued when it was announced “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling was writing “The Casual Vacancy” – a new book aimed at an adult audience.
It turns out that Rowling’s newest novel didn’t receive quite the same pre-release buzz.
After receiving a tip, the Sunday Times of London discovered that Rowling was the real author behind a recently published mystery novel titled “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” which was billed as written by Robert Galbraith and originally released in April. In the author’s bio, Galbraith was described as a former member of the Royal Police. The bio also noted that the name Robert Galbraith was a pseudonym – a completely accurate statement, as it turns out.
In her own statement last week, Rowling said she “had hoped to keep this secret a little longer.”
“Being Robert Galbraith has been such a liberating experience,” the author said. “It has been wonderful to publish without hype or expectation, and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name.”
Now that the cat is out of the bag, "Cuckoo's Calling" has soared to number two on the Amazon bestseller list and number one on the Barnes & Noble website. Because the book rose from such low sales numbers, the book's sales on Amazon increased more than 507,000 percent.
According to the book’s publisher, Little, Brown (also Rowling’s publisher for “Casual Vacancy”), a sequel is in the works.
At least one reviewer was not entirely fooled by the ploy, writing that “the book seemed almost too assured and sophisticated to be a first novel,” NYT writer Sarah Lyall noted.
But some publishers, it seems, were.
Kate Mills, who is the publishing director of Orion, tweeted that she had seen the manuscript by "Galbraith." “So, I can now say that I turned down JK Rowling,” she wrote. “I did read and say no to Cuckoo's Calling. Anyone else going to confess?”
Mills told the Telegraph that the book didn’t catch her eye. “When the book came in, I thought it was perfectly good – it was certainly well written – but it didn't stand out,” she said.
As mentioned by the BBC, Rowling mentioned in a 2001 interview that she found the idea of writing under a pseudonym “appealing.”
Ben Affleck is reportedly in negotiations to star in 'Gone Girl.' (Matt Sayles/Fiji Water/AP)
Will Ben Affleck star in 'Gone Girl'?
Will actor Ben Affleck headline a high-profile literary adaptation?
According to Deadline, Affleck is in talks to play husband Nick Dunne in the big-screen version of Gillian Flynn’s smash hit mystery novel “Gone Girl.” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” director David Fincher is already aboard to helm the film.
Flynn is working on the screenplay with Fincher, according to Deadline.
Affleck’s film “Argo,” which he directed, recently captured the Best Picture prize at the 2013 Oscars. He starred in the film and also appeared in the recent movies “To the Wonder” and “The Town,” which he also directed.
According to the website The Wrap, there are several actresses interested in the part of Amy, Nick’s wife who disappears on their fifth anniversary, including “Looper” star Emily Blunt, “Black Swan” actress Natalie Portman, and “Prometheus” star Charlize Theron. The Wrap says “an individual familiar with the project” gave them the shortlist. However, the Los Angeles Times says a “source close to the project” told them Portman’s out.
“Gone Girl” is still at number 11 on the New York Times combined print and e-book fiction bestseller list after having been released in the summer of 2012.
Bluewater Productions plans on releasing their biography comic focused on Paula Deen in October.
Paula Deen to star in comic book
Despite Paula Deen's admission that she used a racial slur and her publisher's cancellation of a book deal, Deen will star in the a "Female Force" comic book, joining the ranks of Michelle Obama, J.K. Rowling, and Angelina Jolie.
Darren Davis, president of publisher Bluewater Productions, said in a statement that, although they “do not condone her use of racial insensitivities,” he believes Paula still has an impressive story to share. The comic book series' purpose is to highlight women who the publisher believes to be examples of female empowerment.
The publisher attempted to contact Ms. Deen several months ago, with the proposal to offer a donation and ads the charity of her choice, but the the celebrity chef and restaurateur has yet to respond, Mr. Davis told Reuters.
The comic book had already been planned before Deen was sued for discrimination and, according to NPR, Bluewater spokesman Jason Schultz said one page or more of the comic book will mention the recent events.
However, Davis said in his statement that the scandal will not be the main focus of the book.
“We’re not going to flambé her,” he told Reuters. The main focus will be on what Paula has achieved, Davis said, including her journey to celebrity status and how she became a household name.
Schultz told ABC News that the company has "heard from her fans who support us moving forward with the book."
The "Female Force: Paula Deen" comic book is scheduled for an October release.
'The Giver' will star Jeff Bridges in the title role. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
'The Giver' movie adaptation, starring Jeff Bridges, casts the part of protagonist Jonas
A movie adaptation of Lois Lowry’s classic children’s novel “The Giver” is slowly taking shape.
The film adaptation will star “Crazy Heart” actor Jeff Bridges as the Giver himself and, it was recently announced, actor Brenton Thwaites as Jonas, the protagonist of the novel.
According to the website The Wrap, “Salt” director Philip Noyce is directing the fillm. Screenwriter Vadim Perelman, who penned the screenplay for the 2003 film “House of Sand and Fog,” is adapting the book for the big screen.
“The Giver,” which was originally released in 1993, follows a boy named Jonas, who has been chosen to take on the post of Receiver of Memory in his society. He meets the Giver, the man who held the position before he did, and gradually realizes his world is not what it seems. Filming is planned to begin this fall.
A stage adaptation of the show had previously been produced and performed around the US.
Thwaites, who was reportedly born in 1989, is older than his character of Jonas in the novel, who is 12. This change has already angered some fans of the book, with Entertainment Weekly writer Hillary Busis writing a column titled “’The Giver’: Why the movie’s Jonas is the wrong choice.” The casting of Thwaites “implies that [production staff] may fundamentally misunderstand the soul of Lois Lowry’s original novel,” she wrote, calling Jonas’s age one of his “crucial traits.”
Some commenters on both the EW article and an article about the casting which appeared on the website Hypable agreed.
“I don't see how this can be ‘aged up’ and be as impactful,” a commenter named Ann wrote on the Entertainment Weekly website. “The very fact of Jonas being 12 and learning all of these things is what makes the book so compelling.”
Another EW commenter named Scheebles agreed.
“The entire concept of forcing 12-year-olds to start professions that they didn't choose and restricting their development before the onset of puberty is what is horrifying about the novel,” they wrote. “The fact that Jonas is forced to deal with all of these memories while only 12 is key.”
A Hypable commenter named Charbison expressed similar thoughts.
“The fact that Jonas is only 12 and facing these violent memories is what is so horrifying about this book,” they wrote. “He is burdened with the painful memories that those in the community cannot endure.”
Some, however, seemed fine with the decision to cast Thwaites.
“I don't think it will change the story much if they age him,” a Hypable commenter named Laura Jurgensmeyer wrote. “I always pictured him older than an eleven year old anyway.”
Either way, moviegoers will be seeing more of Thwaites – he was recently cast as the prince in the film adaptation of “Maleficent,” which will star Angelina Jolie as the Sleeping Beauty villain and Elle Fanning as the slumbering princess.
George R.R. Martin's story 'Meathouse Man' will be adapted as a graphic novel through Amazon imprint Jet City Comics.
Amazon creates a new comic books imprint
It’s no secret comic books are big business, particularly with the box office success of multiple recent movie adaptations.
And now Amazon’s getting in on it with their new imprint, titled Jet City Comics, which will publish graphic novels and comics.
The imprint is scheduled to release works written by or based on writings from authors including “Game of Thrones” writer George R.R. Martin, “Snow Crash” author Neal Stephenson, and Hugh Howey of the sci-fi series “Wool.” (Howey's books are being published through the Kindle Directing Publishing System run by Amazon.) Works will be released in both digital and print form and, according to Amazon, print versions will be available through other comics booksellers as well as through the bookselling giant.
“It's a dream to work with superstar authors like George, Hugh, and Neal on the launch of a new imprint," senior editor of Jet City Comics Alex Carr said in a statement. "We're working with an incredible, hand-picked team of comics professionals, writers, artists, and translators, who have done an amazing job developing and expanding these inventive stories.”
The imprint launched July 9 with the publication of “Symposium #1” by Christian Cameron and Dmitry Bondarenko, a comic which is set in the universe of the Foreworld series created by Stephenson, Mark Teppo, Erik Bear, Greg Bear, Nicole Galland, Cooper Moo, and Joseph Brassey. Six comics set in the Foreworld universe will be released altogether and will come out on a monthly basis.
Meanwhile, Martin’s short story “Meathouse Man” will be illustrated by Raya Golden for Jet City Comics and Howey’s first novel in his “Wool” series will be put into graphic novel form as well, adapted by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray and illustrated by Jimmy Broxton. "Meathouse" will be published as one issue in October and "Wool" will be released as six issues beginning also in October.
Through Jet City Comics, adaptations of Martin’s short works “The Hedge Knight” and “The Sworn Sword,” currently out of print, will be re-released in both paper and digital format. “Hedge” is scheduled to be released in November, while “Sword” will come early next year.
Comic book fans may remember that Amazon was at the center of a comic books spat when it got the exclusive rights to some of DC Comics’ most famous titles, including Alan Moore’s opus “Watchmen,” for digital publication. (They could also be viewed through the Kindle app, which could be downloaded onto non-Amazon devices like the iPad.) Bookstore chains Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, however, were unhappy with this and took the print versions of the graphic novels now owned by Amazon off their bookstore shelves.
Various e-readers are put on display at the Durango Public Library in Durango, Colo. (Shaun Stanley/The Durango Herald/AP)
Judge finds Apple went against anti-trust laws in e-book price-fixing case
US District Judge Denise Cote ruled in New York that Apple was involved in a conspiracy to increase e-book retail prices, siding with the US Department of Justice.
“Apple chose to join forces with the publisher defendants to raise e-book prices and equipped them with the means to do so," Cote wrote in her decision. "Without Apple's orchestration of this conspiracy, it would not have succeeded as it did.”
An Apple spokesperson, however, told the Wall Street Journal “we’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Apple did not conspire to fix ebook pricing and we will continue to fight against these false accusations," the spokesperson, who was not named, said. "When we introduced the iBookstore in 2010, we gave customers more choice, injecting much needed innovation and competition into the market, breaking Amazon's monopolistic grip on the publishing industry… we will appeal the judge's decision.”
Meanwhile, Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer, who is in charge of the antitrust division of the Justice Department, applauded the verdict.
“Companies cannot ignore the antitrust laws when they believe it is in their economic self-interest to do so," Baer said in a statement. "This decision by the court is a critical step in undoing the harm caused by Apple's illegal actions.”
The five publishers who were accused with Apple, including Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins, had all settled previously. The publishers and Apple had reportedly worked to raise prices in order to be able to compete with online bookselling giant Amazon. The Department of Justice claimed Apple convinced the publishers to go with the “agency model,” in which the publisher would decide the price of an e-book rather than the retailer selling it. During the case, evidence presented included communications from the late Apple founder Steve Jobs.
As reported by Monitor writer Husna Haq, some thought Cote might side with Apple when she said, “I thought I had prepared so well” when closing the trial.
“I learned a lot,” Cote continued. “But you have helped me understand so much more through the evidence.”
According to the Department of Justice, the conspiracy between Apple and the publishers cut down on competition in the e-book industry.
An anonymous ad promising $10,000 to a poet who could use the money was posted on Craigslist on July 5.
$10,000 for a good poem, promises a mysterious benefactor
I’ve entered a handful of poetry contests in the past and when none of these contests recognized my budding promise, I submitted my work to vanity presses, where I paid other people to not read my poems.
Suffice to say I’ve never encountered a more interesting or eccentric poetry contest than this one recently posted to Craigslist, in which an anonymous benefactor is awarding $10,000 to a promising poet, who has to submit to a job interview and essentially prove they need the money.
Submissions are to be made via email (whisper.river@yahoo.com) by July 19th and should include the poem, the background of the poet/applicant, and descriptions of why you want this grant as well as, if you were selected, how you would use the funds.
The benefactor will select the 10 most intriguing poems and will meet with the writers by the end of July.
The main consideration is that the poem be the best. The secondary consideration will be someone's need. A letter or note submitted could also have some weight.
It’s been a while since I harbored any notions of being a poet, but this posting definitely piqued my curiosity, in part because this benefactor sounds like someone who’d be played by Anthony Hopkins or Dame Judi Dench in a film adaptation.
“As background, I come from a very humble beginning and feel very fortunate that at this point in my life I am able to give back," the benefactor wrote in the ad. "I currently support a number of music and art institutions in NYC but feel that this grant is a more direct way of making a difference in the life of one aspiring poet. I am neither a poet nor a writer but appreciate poetry, music, and art.”
I reached out to this benefactor via e-mail, hoping to learn some more about their background and their quest to find a poet of promise.
They politely declined, writing,
"Cameron,
Thank you but I am interested in remaining anonymous. I believe that true 'giving' focuses on the cause and the recipient not the donor. Too many charities today are fixated on the charity event, honoring the donor, celebrating the gift. I hope you understand and respect our wishes."
I do. And I also know I could really use $10,000 and can definitely prove it in a one-on-one interview. Time to go over my rhyme schemes.
Good luck to all you other aspiring poets.
'Ender's Game' is by writer Orson Scott Card.
Geeks Out website calls for boycott of 'Ender's Game' movie
The world still has yet to find out whether the film adaptation of author Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi classic “Ender’s Game” will do well at the box office, but we already know some people won’t be flocking to theaters.
The website Geeks Out, which according to its website “rallies, empowers and promotes the queer geek community,” is calling for a boycott of the film because of statements Card has made in the past against gay marriage. Geeks Out has established a website titled Skip Ender’s Game which asks, “Do you really want to give this guy your money?”
“However much you may have admired his books, keep your money out of Orson Scott Card’s pockets,” the site reads. It urges visitors to sign a pledge to not see the film, create a “Skip Ender’s Game” event for Nov. 1, the day the movie hits theaters, and tell friends about Card’s views.
Card recently issued a statement to Entertainment Weekly about the boycott.
“Ender’s Game is set more than a century in the future and has nothing to do with political issues that did not exist when the book was written in 1984,” he said. “With the recent Supreme Court ruling, the gay marriage issue becomes moot. The Full Faith and Credit clause of the Constitution will, sooner or later, give legal force in every state to any marriage contract recognized by any other state. Now it will be interesting to see whether the victorious proponents of gay marriage will show tolerance toward those who disagreed with them when the issue was still in dispute.”
Card’s views had come up before when DC Comics hired Card to write a story for “Adventures of Superman,” an anthology series, and a petition was started to replace the author. Chris Sprouse, who had been scheduled to illustrate the comic book, dropped out of the project, stating that “the media surrounding this story reached the point where it took away from the actual work.”
Card has written pieces that slam gay marriage, including one for the magazine Sunstone that was published in 1990 in which he discussed the place of gay marriage in the Church of Latter-Day Saints. (The author is reportedly a practicing Mormon.)
“Laws against homosexual behavior should remain on the books, not to be indiscriminately enforced against anyone who happens to be caught violating them, but to be used when necessary to send a clear message that those who flagrantly violate society's regulation of sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens within that society,” he wrote.
In 2008, he wrote a piece for the Deseret News in which he stated that “human beings are part of a long mammalian tradition of heterosexuality… That a few individuals suffer from tragic genetic mixups does not affect the differences between genetically distinct males and females.”
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