Some traditional author issues, Lonely Planet and Harry Potter

Two of the major literary brands have been in the news the past few days (via CNN and various major web news sources).

First, the minor scandal. It was reported that the very popular Lonely Planet Guide series of travel and tourism books - an author had not visited all locations that the book series reports on. Ha-ha..  So we cannot trust the newspapers, now we cannot trust the books either..  The publisher stands by what is said in the books even if the author hadn't visited quite every location. I still like the books and the website etc.

Then of Harry Potter. JK Rawlings the author has sued a rival book which was to be an encyclopedia to Harry Potter...  She has her own encyclopedia project about Potter in the works. Hmmm.. Don't really know what to make of this. There are copyright issues no doubt, about her characters she created and storylines. But - a study of her books? Isn't that the ultimate form of a compliment? Are we "not" allowed to make in-depth studies of James Bond or Star Wars or other cultural phenomena? I can understand if someone tries to re-sell her stories. But an encyclopedia, which explains what relates to what, timelines, etc - I am quite troubled by this. A further issue is that of the web resource, which I understand she has endorsed - upon which apparently the encyclopedia is based.

Yes, we live in interesting times, us authors and this print industry ha-ha...  even at over 500 years of age and "maturity" the print industry (the first of the seven mass media) manages to throw interesting twists at us quite regularly.

Comments

[Max]

Well you don not have to test the poison to see its effect if you already know it its understandable that the author dont visit all places.

[Max]

Well you don not have to test the poison to see its effect if you already know it its understandable that the author dont visit all places.

[Tomi Ahonen]

Hi Max

Ha-ha, yes, thanks. Good point.

Tomi :-)