Rowling Named Best British Author

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been voted the best British author that is still alive.

She got three times as many votes as the second-placed writer, Discworld creator Terry Pratchett.

The three authors that came next in the survey from The Book Magazine have all won the most important book award in the UK, the Booker Prize.

Another kids' favourite Philip Pullman - who wrote His Dark Materials - also made the top 10, at number six.

JK Rowling is currently hard at work on the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series.

(SOURCE: CBBC NEWSROUND)

New Michael Gambon Interview: Driving, Dumbledore and More

Michael Gambon recently appeared on the British television show Top Gear, and sat down with presenter Jeremy Clarkson for a chatty and very funny interview in which he discussed cars, interviews, theater and film. You can see this interview in WMV and iPod-friendly format here, thanks to our reader Sarah, who sent it in:

WMV
MP4 (iPod Friendly)

Here's the Dumbledore bit -- but please bear in mind that this was said in a tongue-in-cheek manner:

Jeremy Clarkson: " . . . but of course since then, now Harry Potter has come along."
Michael Gambdon: "Yeah, I'm Dumbledore. Richard Harris did two films, and he died. I am now on my third."

JC: "Do you understand the first thing that's been said in Harry Potter?"
MG: "Well, I read the script and learn the lines and I try to understand. I have to understand it, don't I, sort of . . . Quite often I don't know what's going on."

Thanks Sarah!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

EW: Harry Potter Number Two Fictional Character

There is a new list out from Entertainment Weekly magazine, this time of the top fictional characters. Harry Potter came in at number two on their list of top franchise characters, with Wolverine from X-Men taking the top spot:

Few other teenagers could boast of vanquishing evil wizards and box office records even before puberty began to take root. The most recent film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, has raked in $290 million, bringing the series' total box office to more than $1 billion. The sixth chapter, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - directed by series newcomer David Yates (The Girl in the Cafe) - will hit theaters next summer.

Note: yes we know that they have the number wrong, it's the fifth film, not the sixth. Thanks to everyone who emailed!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

New HPEF Convention: Prophecy 2007

HPEF, the same group who brought Potter fans Nimbus 2003, The Witching Hour, and the upcoming Lumos 2006 convention, have announced their new event: Prophecy 2007. Being held in Toronto, Ontario Canada, Prophecy 2007: From Hero to Legend will occur August 2-5 next year. Hotel and registration information will be coming soon. Members from HP Education Fanon will be at Lumos to answer questions and more, so stay tuned! Thanks Doris!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

New Photos of Dan, Emma, and Rupert from Bravo Awards

Page from DanRadcliffe.co.uk let us know she has some nice new photos of the Trio winning their recent Bravo "Otto" Awards. You can see some good high res photos of Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione), and Rupert Grint (Ron) on the set of Hogwarts, holding these awards via this link. Thanks Page!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Dan Radcliffe 17th Birthday Fundraisers

Recently, actor Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) wrote to fans asking that in lieu of gifts for his upcoming 17th birthday, donations be made in support of his favorite charity, Demelza House. As such, both DanRadcliffe.co.uk, and DanRadcliffe.com have now both launched their annual birthday charity fundraisers.

"Kaleidoscope for Kids" is the name of DanRadcliffe.co.uk fundraiser; info here. DanRadcliffe.com has a three part fundraiser involving the Demelza Drive 2006, Aced Magazine, and the Greatest Fans Idol; more info on all that via this link. Demelza House is a children's residential hospice in the UK, and Dan Radcliffe has long been a supporter of this charity. Dan will turn 17 on July 23. Thanks to Page and Jenna!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)