* All of us at Novel Novice are BIG, HUGE fans of L.K. Madigan. We love her books Flash Burnout and The Mermaid’s Mirror. But more importantly, we love Lisa! She’s become a good friend to us, both in the book world and personally. So along with many others, we’ve been struggling with the difficult news she recently shared with us.
But the book community is rallying around Lisa (that’s how much she’s loved) and they are putting forth a HUGE effort to get Lisa’s books into more hands. So check out the 2009 Debs “L.K. Madigan Feast of Awesome Giveaway” … which features 40 sets of BOTH of Lisa’s books. There’s a similar contest going on just for libraries, too!
And while you’re at it … go read Lisa’s books. Buy them, borrow them, just read them. And then share them.
* The lovely Lisa Schroeder has just revealed the cover for her upcoming book Sprinkles & Secrets (a companion to her Middle Grade novel It’s Raining Cupcakes), which comes out later this year:
* Ya’ll know who Alex Pettyfer is, right? He’s starring in the upcoming movie adaptations of I Am Number Four and Beastly. He’s also long been a fan favorite for the character of Jace Wayland in Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. Well, it turns out, he’s apparently been offered the role. Here’s what Cassie had to say about it:
I know Alex has met with the director, Scott Stewart, several times; I know he screened Scott’s movie, Priest, and loved it; I know he read the TMI books over the holidays and really liked them and liked Jace, and his representatives are negotiating making a deal for the role of Jace. At this point it’s all about the deal, which really doesn’t have anything to do with me, so I stand back and wait for news like the rest of you.
No word yet if it’s official or if he’s accepted, but this is VERY exciting news for fans. Previously announced casting for the City of Bones movie was Lily Collins as Clary.
* Hey Twi-Hards! Summit Entertainment has released the title treatment for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, with a lovely pinkish/reddish hue:
* Speaking of beloved books and their movie franchises … we adore this bad ass and newly released photo of Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows: Part 2:
We barely saw Neville in DH Part 1, but fans of the books know that Neville plays a very crucial role in Part 2 (and in the entire Harry Potter mythology, too). And even though Neville had only ONE LINE in DH Part 1 … it was also one of the BEST lines in the whole movie. Neville rocks!
* More exciting movie adaptation news, this time from the graphic novel world. As you’ve probably heard, director Christopher Nolan is gearing up to begin filming his third (and presumably final) Batman movie — The Dark Knight Rises, set for release in Summer 2012. Just this week, it was announced that Anne Hathaway has been cast as Catwoman. I’m not totally convinced I can see her in this role, but as my fellow staff member (and Novel Novice’s resident geek du jour) Joe pointed out, he wasn’t convinced Heath Ledger could play The Joker, either. And we all know how AMAZING he was in that role.
Also from The Dark Knight Rises, Inception rogue Tom Hardy has been cast as another villain, Bane.
* We’re uber-excited to check out the movie adaptation for Water for Elephants in April (Sara Gruen’s novel is AMAZING – go read it!!). This newly released international trailer features a few additional shots not seen in the original U.S. trailer (plus different music). Personally, I like the music & feel of the first trailer, but I certainly enjoy the extra eye candy in this version:
* Speaking of new trailers, Catherine Hardwicke’s supernatural version of Red Riding Hood also got a new trailer this week:
* This week marked Edgar Allan Poe’s 202nd Birthday … and with that came the announcement of this year’s Edgar Awards nominees for mystery. The nominees for YA are:
- The River by Mary Jane Beaufrand
- Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
- 7 Souls by Barnabas Miller and Jordan Orlando
- The Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie Price
- Dust City by Robert Paul Weston
* Our good friends from Mrs. P’s Magic Library were featured in The Oregonian! We love Mrs. P’s website, plus her fun videos, stories, contests, activities & more.
* Some VERY cool news for our friends at Bluewater Productions … Morningside Entertainment has optioned their comic Sinbad: Rogue of Mars to adapt into a feature film for 2012:
Executive Producer Barry Schneer revealed that Rogue of Mars is the first of a planned new trilogy that will bring this beloved character to a whole new generation while still showing respect to the original fans, “I am thrilled to continue the amazing legacy my uncle, Charles Schneer began with 7th Voyage and bring to the screen the Sinbad movie that he and Ray Harryhausen never got to make.”
You can get your hands on Bluewater’s graphic novel Sinbad: Rogue of Mars in April!
* Speaking of Bluewater, I’m so in love with another one of their newest titles in their Female Force line: Ruth Handler, the Creator of Barbie. Seriously, I’ll never get tired of Barbie. Plus, this non-fiction graphic novel looks at the beloved doll’s seedier beginnings:
For over fifty years, Barbie has helped young girls come of age in the midst of an ever-changing social climate, but what do we really know about her? Female Force: Ruth Handler, the Creator of Barbie tells the story of how America’s favorite fashion doll emerged from the seedy underworld of German sex symbols and cigarette shop gag gifts to become one of history’s most iconic women.
Sounds awesome!
Novel Novice 
Jeez, all of this is uberexciting. I don’t really like Alex Pettyfer (about as much as a guy can like Taylor Lautner, if you know what I mean) but still I can’t wait for Red Riding Hood or Water For Elephants. I still think they should have made SISTERS RED into a film instead of Red Riding Hood, though! That would have been amazinggg. Also, much HP7 Part 2 pep and BD Part 1 pep. 😀
I can’t wait to see Water for Elephants–I just checked out the audio version from my local library so that I could reacquaint myself with this awesome story!
Sinbad the Rogue Mars has the sound of an exciting movie title.. it has that ring to it. Harryhausen was ahead of his time. And Charles Schneer was the best of his time. Those two teamed up to create movies that were futurisitc and captivated audiences. This new film will live up to the hype. No question! Cant wait for it to be released.
I grew up watching Sinbad. He was good looking and very manly. Every girl loved him. I look forward to see it when it comes out. Everyone should see these movie, doesnt matter the age. The movie will bring all age demographics together to watch SINBAD
Rogue of Mars…. that sounds like a movie bound for success. A warrior, aliens, and in Mars. Yea, I’d go see it no doubt! I am hoping its in 3D like most major movies nowadays. Will make for a possible epic movie.
Movie producers today seem to be following the same trend. Bringing back old classics. Turning them from old classics, to modern hits. Utilizing the new technology, 3D, high definition, better sound makes these old classics instant box office hits. Sinbad is the ideal hero to bring back to the theaters. This movie will draw huge audiences, and worldwide. Will definitely go see the movie.
Carl, you are right in what you say. But I like the trend that is now. I love watching classic movies made into new films. They display more exciting, better screen play, and much better cinematography. I am curious tho on the release of the film and who will be part of it as far actors and directors.
I WISH BARRY SCHNEER AND TEAM THE GREATEST SUCCESS!!!! :))