Happy November!

Happy November, everyone!

I will be quiet over the next few days, as I'm in the final stretch of preparing my manuscript for Tecumseh: A Life for my editor, as well as teaching. Here are a few news items I wanted to share with you in the meantime:

* The October 2007 issue of Common-Place included an interesting article: "Undisciplined Reading: Finding surprise in how we read" by Matthew P. Brown.

* Heren Istarion has announced the nominees for the 2007 Imperishable Flame Awards, and the voting polls are open. The categories for the awards are Tolkien/Inklings Scholarship 2006/07, Tolkien Fan Appreciation 2006/07, and Tolkien Inspired Creation(s) 2006/07. Vote today on the right side of the main page!

* Huge congratulations to the Cherokee National Youth Choir! Considered one of the top Native language choirs in America, the Cherokee National Youth Choir has been awarded the 2007 Native American Music Award for Best Gospel or Inspirational Recording. The choir will take part in the 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, during which they will stop at Harold's Square for a one-minute televised performance to be broadcast live on NBC.

And for fun:
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Thanks to everyone who comments in my LJ!

The wild gander leads his flock through the cool night,
Ya-honk! he says, and sounds it down to me like an invitation:
The pert may suppose it meaningless, but I listen closer,
I find its purpose and place up there toward the November sky.

- Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, 1855, "I Celebrate Myself"

FYI Harry Potter readers: Potter spin-off book by JKR

J.K. Rowling has completed her first post-Harry Potter book, a collection of wizarding fairytales titled The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Only one copy will be sold, and it will be auctioned at Sotheby’s on Dec. 13. The starting bid is $62,000. All proceeds will go to The Children's Voice charity.

For those of us who want to know more about The Tales of Beedle the Bard, there is a 48-page Tales of Beedle the Bard Commemorative Catalogue offered by Sotheby’s for $16.

Here’s the description: A special commemorative catalogue for this unique item is being produced and will be available to purchase from Sotheby’s. The 48-page commemorative catalogue contains a message from the author about the creative inception of The Tales of Beedle the Bard plus images from the manuscript itself. Also included is information about The Children’s Voice charity, images showing the making of the manuscript and auction information for prospective buyers. Profits from the sale of the catalogue will be donated to The Children’s Voice.

Learn more about the commemorative catalogue here.