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Pullman’s podcastPosted by Bethan on December 19, 2010 in Philip PullmanPhilip Pullman has opened a podcast series on the Guardian’s website, which features famous authors reading their favourite short stories. Pullman’s choice is The Beauties, written by Russian author, playwright and physician, Anton Chekhov. Talking about the story, Pullman notes how little short stories actually need plots, and how he, an author well known for his intricate plot work, has never been able to successfully write a short story. Other podcasts in the series include Jeanette Winterson reading Italo Calvino’s The Night Driver, Margaret Drabble reading Katherine Mansfield’s The Doll’s House and William Boyd reading JG Ballard’s My Dream of Flying to Wake Island. Thanks to BlackSatinDancer for letting us know. 
Pullman quits the Lib Dems over broken promisesPosted by Bethan on December 19, 2010 in Philip PullmanPhilip Pullman has recently spoken out against the Liberal Democrats, stating that he would never have backed the party if he had known they would break their tuition fees pledge, a pledge which earned them a lot of votes from students, prospective and current. Pullman also said that “the promises [they made] bear little relation to what they’re doing now”, a sentiment that is shared by actor Colin Firth, musician Milly Bragg and fellow author Kate Mosse.
World Book NightPosted by Aletheia Dolorosa on December 4, 2010 in World Book NightNorthern Lights will be among one million books given away across the United Kingdom and Ireland as part of an initiative to encourage people to read books. World Book Night, which will take place on Saturday 11 March, 2011, will involve a give-away of about 40,000 copies of 25 books selected. 20,000 ‘givers’ will pass on 48 copies of one of these books to whomever they choose, while remaining copies will be distributed to places such as prisons and hospitals. For more information, visit the World Book Night website. You can also apply to become a giver if you live in the UK or Ireland.
Oxford Inspires webcast details confirmedPosted by jessia on March 4, 2010 in Conventions, Interviews, Philip PullmanLast month, Kinders alerted us to Philip Pullman’s Cultural Platform at Oxford Inspires. The details of the event have since been confirmed. The live webcast will take place Thursday, 4 March at 1700 GMT, “where Mr. Pullman will share his own perspectives on contemporary cultural issues and the value of culture in modern times.” Click here for more information. Thanks again to Haku from our French community partner Cittàgazze for the tip!
Upcoming appearancesPosted by jessia on February 28, 2010 in Conventions, Interviews, Philip Pullman, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel ChristPhilip Pullman’s latest work The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ will be released 31st March and the author will be making a series of appearance to promote it this coming spring and summer:
Oxfam auctioning a signed first edition of The Amber SpyglassPosted by Aletheia Dolorosa on February 25, 2010 in The Book TrilogyThe charity Oxfam will be auctioning a signed British first edition of The Amber Spyglass. It is a used copy and is described on eBay as having black boards and gold lettering, and being in good condition. The auction starts in just under nine hours, and the starting bid is 20 GBP. For more information, visit the eBay page. Thanks to Nix for this tip.
Pullman on culture at Oxford InspiresPosted by Kinders on February 3, 2010 in Interviews, Philip PullmanPhilip Pullman will share his perspectives on “contemporary cultural issues and the value of culture in modern times” at the Oxford Inspires’ Cultural Platforms 2010 event (held at the Said Business School in March). The event will be open to invited guests, and to the general public via a live web-cast of the talk and a web chat with Pullman himself. The topic for the web chat will be “culture”. Email questions to be put to Pullman at sarah.pakes@oxfordinspires.org.
New illustrated editions of a chapter from ‘Northern Lights’Posted by Aletheia Dolorosa on December 4, 2009 in Book Editions, The Book TrilogyPhilip Pullman writes that one of the chapters from Northern Lights, ‘A Outrance’ (‘Mortal Combat’ in US editions) has been released as an illustrated letterpress book by small publisher Oaktree Fine Press. This is the chapter in which Iorek Byrnison fights Iofur Raknisson for kingship of the armoured bears. - Read more -
Chris Weitz expresses disappointment with The Golden Compass filmPosted by Aletheia Dolorosa on November 13, 2009 in The Golden Compass movieIn a recent interview in The Telegraph about the upcoming New Moon film, The Golden Compass director Chris Weitz speaks out about studio interference in his adaptation of Philip Pullman’s book. “All I can say is that with The Golden Compass, I didn’t get to make the movie I had planned to make. When I look at the film, at the casting and certain scenes, I’m very happy. As for the final product, I can’t vouch for that.” So does he regret making the film? “I wouldn’t have made it had I known how it would pan out, but I learned a lot.” Such as? “For a start, I learned that you have to be in complete agreement about what kind of film you are going to make at the beginning of the process with the studio!” [Source] Thanks to Skye for this information.
Philip Pullman retells the fairytale ‘Mossycoat’Posted by Aletheia Dolorosa on October 14, 2009 in Philip PullmanPhilip Pullman retold the English Traveller folk tale ‘Mossycoat’. The retelling was published in The Observer on Sunday, 11 October and can be found here. Thanks to BlackSatinDancer for the tip.
Pullman: legalise drugsPosted by Kinders on September 20, 2009 in Interviews, Philip PullmanPhilip Pullman commented in an opinion piece on the legalisation of drugs in The Observer today, saying “Should drugs be legalised? Of course, and as soon as possible. … Legalising drugs would have three huge and immediate benefits: it would cut the link between drugs and crime, and empty the prisons; it would ensure that supplies were pure and reliable and not cut with chalk or worse; and it would provide a vast new source of tax for the Treasury.”
Q and A for ‘The Butterfly Tattoo’ in CambridgePosted by Aletheia Dolorosa on September 19, 2009 in The Butterfly TattooCambridge film-lovers were the first in Britain to see the film adaptation of Philip Pullman’s novel The Butterfly Tattoo. The screening, which was part of the Cambridge Film Festival, was followed by a question and answer session with director Phil Hawkins and stars Jessica Blake (Jenny), Duncan Stuart (Chris) and Christopher Dane (Fletcher).
The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel ChristPosted by krebbe on September 6, 2009 in Philip Pullman, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel ChristJesus Christ as the son of God was nothing more than the literary invention of St Paul, according to Philip Pullman’s new book. In it Pullman seeks to retell events from the bible with more ordinary interpretations. Whether the book will draw the ire of the church or pass under its radar will depend on media interest over the next few months. The book is set to be published by Canongate, next Spring, so watch this space.
For more information see the TimesOnline article: Philip Pullman writes off Christ ‘the scoundrel’
Weitz felt “at odds with the studio”Posted by jessia on July 30, 2009 in The Golden Compass movieTime Magazine‘s Lev Grossman had the chance to speak to Chris Weitz briefly last week at Comic Con and asked him about the experience of picking up a film franchise from the second film, with an established readership and fanbase. The director again praised Summit Entertainment, the producers of Twilight and its sequel New Moon, and compared their dedication to New Line’s: “With Golden Compass I felt that by being faithful to the book I was working at odds with the studio.” Read more. Thanks again to Haku for the tip. Discussion continues here.
Chris Weitz describes work with New Line: a terrible experiencePosted by jessia on July 27, 2009 in The Golden Compass movieAs many members of fandom are well aware, Comic Con 2009 has just passed. Golden Compass director Chris Weitz participated in Summit Entertainment’s Thursday panel to promote Twilight sequel New Moon. While answering questions regarding his new work, Weitz referenced his work on the film adaptation of the Golden Compass and confirmed what many fans have believed, “The last film that I made was recut by the studio, and my experience with it ended being quite a terrible one.” (Source: Cinema Blend) The director described his work with Summit Entertainment as rejuvenating, in comparison to his previous work with New Line, and remarked, “I now remember how much fun it can be to make a film.” (Source: Ropes of Silicon) However, it was not a complete loss, as the director found the process to be a rather instructive for him with regards to the use of CGI. (Source: Time) Thanks to Haku from our French community partner Cittàgazze for pointing this out to us. The discussion continues here.
Pullman to lecture at Open UniversityPosted by jessia on July 22, 2009 in Philip PullmanPhilip Pullman will be able to direct the discussion personally this October when he lectures at Open University. Having already spoken to a number of reporters on the vetting scheme, the children’s author will have the floor to himself 21 October: “The trouble is that they never give you enough time or enough space to go into the subject properly. So on 21 October I’m going to give a lecture to the Open University, which will be put online, in which I’m going to examine the whole area. It seems to me that there are several issues in conflict here, and it’s worth exploring them in full.” Read more.
Pullman defends school visitsPosted by jessia on July 16, 2009 in Philip PullmanEarlier today, Philip Pullman spoke to Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2 about his decision to longer make school visits in the wake of new rules that require guest writers and illustrators to register with the national Independent Safeguarding Authority, effective in the next school year. He spoke out against the underlying assumption that any visitor entering a school intends to do harm, and insisted upon the safety of children under existing protocols for guest speakers. Vine also spoke to former child protection officer Rebecca Andrews who defended the vetting scheme. You can listen to the interview again on BBC’s iPlayer. The broadcast expires in seven days (on 23rd July). Vine does not discuss the matter until later in the program, so if you’re only interested in hearing about the new scheme, skip to 1:42:20. Thanks to Jason and Chris for letting us know. Discussion continues on our forum.
Pullman refuses to be vettedPosted by jessia on July 13, 2009 in Philip PullmanThe Guardian‘s Alison Flood reports: Alongside other prominent children’s authors, Philip Pullman has condemned new rules that will require guest writers to register themselves with the Independent Safeguarding Authority in order to visit schools. The author compared the vetting scheme with the notorious legislation which banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools throughout the 1990s. “It seems to be fueled by the same combination of prurience, sexual fear and cold political calculation.” In protest, Pullman will no longer be making school visits, also acknowledging that other authors dependent on income generated from schools visits would be unable to make such a statement. “It’d be a great shame for me but I’m not going to under these circumstances.” Read more. Thanks to BlackSatinDancer for the news tip.
Author volunteering at Oxfam BookfestPosted by jessia on June 29, 2009 in Oxford, Philip Pullman
Andrew Ffrench reports: Local author Philip Pullman will be participating in Oxfam’s book collection drive this coming Saturday, 4 July at Oxford’s St. Giles store. Manager Nihal Alahendra revealed his delight that Pullman would volunteer: “It’s very exciting because he’s actually one of the world’s best-selling authors. The fact that he wants to get his hands dirty in a second-hand book shop is a tribute to the work Oxfam does.” The author will meet fellow volunteers at help to price books, stack shelves, work at the til, and is also happy to sign fans’ books. “If someone approaches me with a hopeful expression holding one of my books then I will do the usual thing and sign it for them.” Read more. Thanks to Kinders for lettings us know.
TBT director Phil Hawkins laments consequences of illegal downloadingPosted by jessia on June 11, 2009 in The Butterfly TattooPhil Hawkins, director last year’s film adaptation of Philip Pullman’s The Butterfly Tattoo, has recently posted on the surge in online popularity of the award-winning film in the wake of its DVD release. However, although the film is currently IMDb’s 75th most researched title, it has met neither proportionate financial return for the investors, nor better prospects for theatre distribution. Though TBT can now claim online distribution upward of 200 000 copies (a conservative estimate), cast and crew are left with mixed feelings. “Great for my career, terrible for my wallet,” commented lead actress Jessica Blake, who plays Jenny. “[...] we are a little indie film which has only had a small release in the US. How do the tens of thousands of people know it exists?” While Hawkins recognises the publicity power of illegal downloading, he also points out, “For our film, however, it is hurting us financially. [...] we haven’t recouped the budget yet.” Producer Rik Visser described the situation as, “two years of work downloaded in six minutes.” As an early supporter of The Butterfly Tattoo project, the community at BridgetotheStars.net strongly recommends that you to buy a legal copy of the film and support independent film making. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Netflix are currently stocking. While you wait for your DVD delivery, join the discussion on the director’s philmblog or at our forum, the Republic of Heaven.
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