Harry Potter’s Father? Is there a Book 8?

OK, I’m intrigued? How about you?

Found this link: http://www.elderscrossing.com/wizard.html

PW (Publisher’s Weekly) seems to think it is all a hoax, but I’ll be checking back to the website to find out what James Potter and the Hall of Elder’s Crossing is all about, how about you? After all, Warner and Rowling have to have given them permission, since the site hasn’t been taken down – see the copyright note at the bottom of that site.

Here is the link to the article on the Australian site mentioned in the PW article: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22729949-1702,00.html

Feel free to share any links you find about all this, either confirming or denying.

Maybe it’s just the kid in me, but I can’t wait to see what this might be about! How about you?  Even if it is a hoax, its got me wondering how James did get that invisibility cloak!

Does Jane Austen pass the test…

What happens when someone decides to test the publishing world’s knowledge of a classic?

Well, according to these articles we found on Yahoo and the BBC site, the industry fails miserably when Jane Austen‘s work gets described by Penguin (who reprinted one of her novels, in question, just last year) as an “original and interesting read.”

Well, sure, her body of work is interesting and even considered original (though published first in the early 1800′s), but why didn’t today’s notable publishing houses recognize it as blatant plagiarism?

And who, of all people, was plagiarizing Ms. Austen? None other than the head of the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, David Lassman.

One might wonder why Mr. Lassman submit these classic manuscripts to 18 editors, on the guise of obtaining a publishing deal. Well, as a bit of a test… to see how the work would stand up in today’s marketplace.

Yet, even he was surprised to find out that only one publishing house caught the obvious piracy of such famous works as “Pride and Prejudice“, “Persuasion” and “Northanger Abbey“.

Using only slightly disguised versions of Jane Austen’s work, he submitted sample chapters, which included the following opening line of Pride and Prejudice in its entirety:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

Why did only one publisher spot the fakes?

What do you think? Post a comment below and let us know…

Which line will you be sorted into…

So many fun Harry Potter events happening this weekend to support the new release Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The Boulder Bookstore (a local Boulder, CO favorite) has a GIANT SORTING HAT for your place in line and a LIVE OWL SHOW. We may just have to go there…

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows AudioBook is not available as a download from our site, but if you want the CD version, click here.


Sounds like the Tattered Cover in Denver is expecting a big crowd. In 2005, they had over 3500 people show up! Lots of great things seem to be planned there.

Where are you planning on celebrating the release? Let us know, by posting below…

July 2007 Audiobook Specials

Whether you are sitting on the beach, mowing the lawn, taking a family vacation or heading to work…here are some great titles to enjoy this summer…

Jazz 101 Normal Price: $16.95 Offer Price: $11.73 Jazz 101 is a fascinating entrance into the world of jazz, for the beginner, novice, or jazz enthusiast. Szwed takes listeners on a tour of the varied and nonlinear history of jazz, exploring how it developed from an ethnic music to become Americas most popular music and then part of the avant-garde in less than fifty years. Szweds complete overview includes the major types of jazz and significant jazz musicians of the twentieth century; the roots of jazz, including its European and African influences; and recommended listening, plus appendices on jazz singers and record guides. Infinitely readable and highly entertaining, Jazz 101 is a vital tool in understanding and appreciating jazz.Normal, in-store price for physical product: $44.95ON SALE for only $11.73!!! WOW, is that price right? Grab it before we realize our mistake!!! » More Info

	New York Times: Sales & Marketing Normal Price: $11.00 Offer Price: $8.80 The New York Times Pocket MBA Series is a 12-volume reference tool for all businesspersons. Each volume, written by professors from top graduate business schools and edited by The New York Times business editors, presents 25 key principles of specific areas of business expertise.The 12-volume series includes: Analyzing Financial Statements Business Financing Business Planning Forecasting Budgets Going Global Growing & Managing a Business Leadership & Vision Managing Investment Organizing a Company Sales & Marketing The Board of Directors Tracking & Controlling Costs Michael A. Kamins, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Marshall School of Business Administration at the University of Southern California. He has published over 30 articles in journals, and has consulted for firms such as AT&T, Canon, Hilton, MGM, and Sony Tristar. Normal, in-store price for physical product: $16.95 ON SALE for only $8.80 ALMOST 50% OFF!!! » More Info

	Lord of the Rings, The: Part One: The Fellowship of the Ring Normal Price: $59.49 Offer Price: $54.28 Following Bilbo’s 111th birthday, Frodo Baggins and his companion Sam Gamgee, set off along the same East Road down which Bilbo the Hobbit had accompanied Thorin Oakenshield and his dwarves all those many years ago. Much danger and many strange encounters await them: Gandalf, Tom Bombadil, the Black Riders, Strider, the Council of Elrond and the grass-clad slopes of Lórien.Exclusive on-line price! » More Info

	FATHER BROWN Mysteries. Episode 1 “The Blue Cross” Normal Price: $1.75 Offer Price: $1.08 From London to Cornwall, then to Italy and France, a short, shabby priest takes on bandits, traitors and killers. Why is he so successful? The reason is that after years spent in the priesthood, Father Brown knows human nature and is not afraid of its dark side. Thus he understands criminal motivation and how to deal with it.Episode 1 THE BLUE CROSS Father Brown is traveling to London to attend a meeting of priests, and he is carrying with him a priceless silver cross, studded with blue sapphires.Flambeau, the thief, plans to steal it.The Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air presents THE FATHER BROWN MYSTERIESStarring J.T. TURNER as Father Brown. HUGH METZLER as Inspector Craven.From the FATHER BROWN short stories by G K ChestertonDramatized by M J ElliottExecutive Producer MARK VANDER BERG. Directed by JERRY ROBBINS. Produced by MATTHEW McLARENMusic by KEVIN McLEOD (c) 2007 The Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air Exclusive on-line price! » More Info

	Anna Karenina Normal Price: $18.75 Offer Price: $13.63 Anna Karenina has been described as the perfect Russian novel. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Anna Karenina is defenseless against the power of her passions once they are unleashed by the adoration of Count Vronsky. Having defied the rules of 19th-century Russian society, Anna is forced to pay a heavy price. Human nature, with all its failings, is the fabric of which this great and passionate work is composed.Normal, in-store price for physical product: $34.26ON SALE for only $13.63Take close to 40% OFF!!! » More Info

	Darwin Awards I: Evolution in Action Normal Price: $9.75 Offer Price: $7.80 #1 Los Angeles Times bestseller The Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it, showing us just how uncommon common sense can be. Marvel at the thief who steals electrical wires before shutting off the current. Gape at the would-be pilot who flies his lawnchair suspended from helium balloons into air-traffic lanes. And learn from the man who peers into a gasoline can using a cigarette lighter. These tales of trial and awe-inspiring error illustrate the ongoing saga of survival of the fittest in all its selective glory!Jason Harris has hosted Nickelodeon’s Double Dare 2000 and has voiced the lead character for the animated television show, Welcome To Eltingville, seen on the Cartoon Network. His feature film credits include The Guru and Unfaithful, and he has appeared on numerous television shows, including Law & Order, Special Victims Unit and All My Children. New York Times bestseller – 24 weeks Publishers Weekly bestseller Normal, in-store price for physical product: $14.95 ON SALE for only $7.80 – over HALF PRICE!!! » More Info

What do you do with the Playaway once your done?

I had to share this video with you.

It’s about a new product called the Playaway. And these girls (Katie and Susie from ShinyShiny.tv) are not only entertaining to watch, they also remind me why downloadable audio books are so cool!

Even Susie, the one who likes this playway product, states that the “sound quality is not that good” and calls it “anti-tech”. She goes on to say she likes it because “it does one thing…it reads this book.” Yet, she points out that “Once you’re finished with this book, you can’t do anything…”

Katie points out that it is “a bit wasty” (environmentally, that is) and she is not that impressed by it.

I have to agree, but then again, I am a bit bias… I love downloadable audiobooks that you can get anytime of day or night and listen to on a bunch of different devices!

Enjoy watching them, though! They have a rather amusing discussion about the term “playaway.”

And leave a post telling us what you think of the playaway…

First Lines: The breeze was thick and hot and weighed down…

Opening Line:

“The breeze was thick and hot and weighed down with the stench of cigarettes, alcohol, cheap perfume, and dead fish.”

Ugly Americans is the untold, true story that will rock the financial community and redefine an era.

This is the true story of John Malcolm…Listen to the first 5 mins of this title:

Audio Book Suggestions

There are so many great titles available on the downloadable format, but how do you know which are worth listening to?

Well, hopefully we can help. We will do a series of things to introduce you to some of the best titles currently out there.

Sometimes we will have authors suggest their favorite titles by other authors

Sometimes we will give you the first line of a book and a chance to listen to the first 5 mins for Free

And all the time, we encourage you (if you have listened to a title we suggest) to share your thoughts by posting a comment…

Whenever you think you have an interesting idea – from sharing a review to an interesting story about what happened after you read the title – regarding any audiobook that is currently listed on AudioBookClick.com, please either post it in the comment section below or email us (at ShareIdeas at audiobookclick.com) and let us know your thoughts!

Looking forward to hearing what you think!

Note: Sorry, we are small guys, there is no financial compensation for use of your reviews submissions and ideas – but we will make every effort to credit you (if you indicate you would like to be mentioned). Also, though we’d love to use everyone’s suggestions, please note that sometimes they may not work in our current format. Also, as odd as it seems, sometimes two people email rather similiar ideas. So, if you feel you were not credited with an idea you submitted, please email us so we can resolve it at once.

We appreciate your efforts and look forward to hearing from you!

Kids: The Human Body

Ok, not sure if this qualifies as a audiobook, but it was so fun I had to mention it.

I came across this site, by accident, and saw that they had (what they are referring to as) a Talking Book.

It is web based, but it is cool. It was done by an elementary school class in Vermont:

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/elibrary/bodybook.html

Nice work, we give it an A+ for inspiration, entertainment and effort!
Tell us what you think, by posting a comment below:

JK goes on the road

No, not Jack Kerouac (though that would be a trick!)

We’re talking JK Rowling, as in the publicity-shy author of the Harry Potter series!

Yes, that is correct, Ms. Rowling will be heading out to do several book tour dates, (in the U.S.) 4 to be exact. And, as if you couldn’t have guessed they are not in middle America:

These are the current dates and locations:

• Kodak Theater in L.A. on October 15
• The auditorium of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on October 18
• Carnegie Hall in NYC on October 19 - And, if I understood it correctly, Scholastic is doing a sweepstakes event for a 1000 people to win tickets to this event (no more info, yet)
• It was unclear about the forth scheduled event, except that it is in NYC and sounds like it may be for select students only

In fact, other than the Carnegie Hall event, the good people at Publishers Weekly stated the events are all directed toward students.

When I hear more, so will you! Of course, if you have more info now, please post away…

The Oscars of the audiobook industry

The 2007 Audies® :

Audio Publishers Association held their 12th Annual Audies Awards, on June 1, 2007, at the Rainbow Room in New York City. The evening was hosted by Grammy and Tony Award-winning actor, Jim Dale.

If you think you aren’t familiar with Jim Dale, think again: he is the voice of the Harry Potter series of audiobooks.

Oh, and Jim didn’t just host the event, he also won in the category of Solo Narration – Male for Brilliance Audio’s Peter and the Shadow Thieves.

Michael Connelly‘s Echo Park, on Hachette Audio, took home the Best Mystery title of the year.

And one of my favorite reads (listens), The Long Tail, by Chris Anderson (on Hyperion Audiobooks) received the Business Information/Education audiobook award.

Former Designing Women star, Annie Potts, took the honor of Solo Narration – Female for Telegraph Days.

Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy – Quintessential Phase (from the BBC Audiobooks America) placed first in the category of Audiobook Adapted from Another Medium.

These are only a handful of the awards presented at the event. For the complete list you can read the official press release, available as a pdf, off the audiopub.org site.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!!!

P.S. Remember, you can hear the first 5 mins (for Free!) of any title listed above on AudioBookClick.com. Enjoy your listening choices!