Monday, February 26, 2007

The Next JK Rowling


If you are a children's book author. If you are a fantasy author. If you are an author. Chances are you have had someone tell you after you've told them you write, "Oh cool! So then that means you'll be the next JK Rowling!"

Which is very sweet and supportive and totally and completely not possible, as what made JK Rowling the first JK Rowling was the very fact that no one expected her to be JK Rowling (that along with writing an amazing story that everyone wanted to read).

Also I think with all the arts, the only way to successfully navigate yourself through the mire of self-indulgence and isolation and flakiness that somehow makes it acceptable to write a blog with a the phrase "navigate yourself through the mire of self-indulgence and isolation", that comes with being an "artist", is to have a realistic outlook and understanding of the business. To note that the JK Rowlings of the world are the exception that proves the rule, and not the gold standard.

Nonetheless . . .

I would like to inform you all that I am well on my way to being the next JK Rowling.

Not only is my British/Canadian publication date of August 6th a mere two weeks after the final Harry Potter is released (I am so excited and yet depressed at the thought that Deathly Hallows will be the bitter end, thank goodness we still have a few movies to go), but I officially now have two different titles for my first book (you will recall her first book had the titles: Philosopher Stone/Sorcerer Stone).

I happen to like both of my titles, and feel like I am getting the best of all worlds with this decision. They are:

UK/Commonwealth - Alex and the Wigpowder Treasure

USA - Alex and the Ironic Gentleman

I appreciate this may be ever so slightly confusing for you, but I will endeavor to keep the matter as clear as possible (you may have noticed I have changed my link to the synopsis of the book to accommodate this new development).


And now to celebrate two titles, I think we should take some already existing children's book titles and give them secondary ones ie:

Alice in Wonderland aka The Rabbit Hole
Peter Pan aka The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Winnie The Pooh aka The Bear with the Strange Name

Anyone else have other ones? Possibly slightly funnier?

5 comments:

J m mcdermott said...

"Where the Wild Things Are" - "Where the Mundane Things Aren't"

"From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" - "Guidebook on Finding Affordable Residences in New York City for Starving Artists"

Adrienne said...

Awesome!

Katie Alender said...

"Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret" - "Puberty, Religion, Etc."

(I followed your link at Backspace!)

Anonymous said...

I write fantasy but I don't expect to the first J.K. Rowling.

Adrienne said...

Well yes, after all the first JK Rowling, was JK Rowling.

I hope that in time, people will stop asking fantasy authors if they are the next JK Rowling, and I think eventually it will happen.

Though maybe now they'll be asking us if we are the next Stephanie Meyer!