Reading, Writing, Rowling

**This episode is dedicated to our friends in Australia, including our fabulous editor Emma Nicholson, who are still dealing with the aftermath of the recent fires. Our hearts are with you.** Whether you love or hate - or love to hate - Draco Malfoy, you will thoroughly enjoy our deep dive into this controversial bad boy of the Harry Potter series. In this month’s episode, John and Katy talk with “Hogwarts Professor” Louise Freeman (Mary Baldwin University) and “Bathilda’s Notebook” author Beatrice Groves (Oxford University) about the many facets of Draco Malfoy. We consider his literary and film predecessors, whether he’s the cool kid or not, and whether he breaks out of the cardboard villain stereotype. What does J.K. Rowling want us to think about him? Bea reveals surprising connections to both Kipling and the movie The Young Sherlock Holmes. We also parallel Draco and other villainous characters in the series, like Dudley, to see how they compare as bullies and whether they have redemptive experi

Discover the origins, influence, and magic of medievalist children’s fantasy literature in our conversation with Dr. Maria Sachiko Cecire about her new book Re-Enchanted: The Rise of Children’s Fantasy Literature in the Twentieth Century (University of Minnesota Press). In this episode, Katy and Emily talk with Dr. Maria Cecire (Director of the Center for Experimental Humanities at Bard College) about the importance of “minor” literary genres: medieval literature, children’s literature, and fantasy literature. Childhood and the European Middle Ages alike are often scorned as undeveloped periods of irrationalism and immaturity, but they are also important origin times during which the adult and the modern world are formed. Magic, belief, and innocence can be emphasized (against science, rationalism, experience) in literatures directed toward these formative developmental periods. These “trivial” literary genres ultimately have tremendous impact on our expectations for ourselves and our world, making childho

Eavesdrop on our conference conversation recorded at Chestnut Hill College! This episode showcases both the new and enduring trends in Harry Potter scholarship, as seen at the Harry Potter Academic Conference at Chestnut Hill College in October 2019. Katy and Emily talk with a panel of scholars who organized, attended, and/or presented at the conference: Laurie Beckoff, Lauren Camacci, Elise Trudel Cedeño, Louise Freeman, Patrick McCauley, Kat Sas, Karen Wendling, and Lana Whited. We talk about the ways presenters found new insights in character studies (of Professor McGonagall, Luna Lovegood, Dolores Umbridge) and thematic studies (models of education, medieval tropes, house-elf liberation), how they embraced new methodologies (digital humanities, geography) and asked new questions (Why are love potions feminized? Where did Rowling get her understanding of Cormoran Strike’s injury?), and how they considered not just the books but also films (including Fantastic Beasts) and fan works. Many presentations

Harry Potter empowers us to speak across borders of difference and find our authentic voices. In this month’s episode, Katy and Emily talk with Dr. M’Balia Thomas (University of Kansas) about the border-crossings of students like Harry and Hermione, which M’Balia calls the “Harry Potter Border-Crossing Analogy” (HPBCA). Wizarding world characters’ experiences of going into a different world, with a different language and social system, can help us develop empathy for real-world border-crossers, including particularly second-language learners in the classroom environment. M’Balia also talks personally about how the Harry Potter novels have helped her find her authentic voice, as a woman of color in academia, as a southerner teaching in the Midwest.  Rafael Carneiro (Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil) and Amy Quirin (University of Kansas) also join us to discuss research all three scholars are producing on Albus Dumbledore’s pedagogy. Is Dumbledore a good teacher? M’Balia, Rafael, and Amy are studyi

Fandoms and film adaptations of Middle-earth and the Wizarding World in this week’s episode. Katy and John continue the conversation with Dr. Sara Brown and Dr. Amy Sturgis, this time focusing on the fans and the film versions of the iconic fantasy series of J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling. We discuss whether the Rowling and Tolkien fandoms are oppositional or intersecting, and what the newer Rowling fan community can learn from Tolkien fans’ experiences. In both fandoms, there are questions about how people became interested in the worlds (books, movies, cosplay), intergenerational and global differences, and people who mingle elements of Middle-Earth and the wizarding world in their own creative fan productions. Amy asks, “What Hogwarts house would Galadriel have been in?”

What does the wizarding world owe to Middle-earth? This month, Katy and John talk about the fantasy worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling with guests Dr. Sara Brown (Rydal Penrhos School and Signum University) and Dr. Amy Sturgis (Lenoir-Rhyne University). Though Rowling has minimized the influence of Tolkien’s saga on her own world-building, readers can spot several connections at the superficial level, from names (Wormtongue/Wormtail, Butterbur/butterbeer, Longbottom) to frightening magical beings (Ringwraiths/Dementors, Shelob/Aragog) and important magical objects (Mirror of Galadriel/Mirror of Erised/Pensieve). The influence carries over to the themes (coping with mortality, loyalty, and friendship) as well as their critiques of modern society. Both series classify as “fairy stories” according to Tolkien’s definitive essay on the subject. Amy calls Rowling’s work “a modern-day Tolkienian project.” 

J.K. Rowling’s comedy helps us connect with the darker themes of the Harry Potter story. Join us for Part 2 of our discussion of “Humor and Harry Potter,” where we continue our conversation with Emily Strand (Mount Carmel College of Nursing), Louise Freeman (Mary Baldwin University), and Caitlin Harper (NYDA - Harry Potter Alliance, New York City). Exploring humor theories, we analyze how Rowling’s comedy works and its effect on the reader. We talk about how the laughs are balanced out by frightening and tragic moments, and how so much of the tragedy in the books stems from jokes gone wrong. We also consider the humor in the films, fan creations, and Rowling's other works.

What are your favorite funny moments in Harry Potter? J.K. Rowling’s deft use of humor is one of the core reasons for the success of the Harry Potter series, yet one which is not much discussed. In this first of a two-part episode, we remedy that lack! Katy talks with Emily Strand (Mount Carmel College of Nursing), Caitlin Harper (NYDA, Harry Potter Alliance—New York City), and Louise Freeman (Mary Baldwin University) about the silliest scenes, wittiest phraseology, funniest foods, and most amusing characters in the Harry Potter series.

Uncover the literary secrets within Harry Potter, Cormoran Strike, and Fantastic Beasts! In this episode, Katy and John do a deep dive into the symbolism and transformative power of J.K. Rowling’s work. First, John describes the concept of literary alchemy and how literature can effect an alchemical transformation on readers. Then, special guest Evan Willis (University of Dallas) explains how Renaissance alchemical symbolism intertwines with classical myth in Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike. From the Orestes myth to Castor and Pollux and Leda and the swan, we learn about the well of myths Rowling draws from in her literary creations.

Explore the many Harry Potter references to King Arthur in this month’s episode!  Three generations of Potter scholars gather to talk about J.K. Rowling’s Arthurian influences. From significant naming of characters to points of plot and theme, Katy and John discuss the many connections between the wizarding world and the medievalism of the King Arthur stories with special guests Laurie Beckoff (MuggleNet, MSc University of Edinburgh) and Beatrice Groves (Oxford University, author of Literary Allusion in Harry Potter).  Come along for this wide-ranging and meaningful discussion about knights and enchanters and women in ponds distributing swords! 

Whether you love the movies or hate them, this episode will open your eyes to the challenges and artistry of the **Harry Potter** movies. In this episode, Janet Batchler, screenwriter (**Batman Forever**, **Pompeii**) and professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, helps us understand the **Harry Potter** movies, what we love about them and why - as well as what bothers us about them and why. Professor Batchler and Katy, along with returning guests Kat Sas and Elizabeth Baird Hardy, talk about the value of critically examining the **Harry Potter** movies to understand the technical challenges of film adaptation.

You do not want to miss this compelling, poignant episode about the power of reading (and reading **Harry Potter** in particular) in our emotional lives. **Harry Potter** helps adoptive and foster families deal with trauma, questions of identity, and family relationships. In this episode, Katy and her co-host Emily Strand investigate the use of **Harry Potter** as “bibliotherapy,” especially for adoptive and foster families. Margie Fink, co-founder of Transfiguring Adoption (transfiguringadoption.com), explains to us how she was inspired to create resources for adoptive and foster families - parents as well as children - from the Harry Potter books but also other young adult literature and media. Louise Freeman (Mary Baldwin University) and Lana Whited (Ferrum College) join us in discussing the value of literature for encouraging empathy, dealing with trauma and PTSD, and coping with issues of family and identity.

Who could have predicted this episode? Join us in Divination Class for this episode on tarot, astrology, and games in the Harry Potter series. With the help of guests Eglantine Pillet (Sorbonne, University of Paris) and Beatrice Groves (Oxford University), Katy and John examine the symbols of prediction, destiny, and cosmic interconnection in J.K. Rowling’s universe.

This month join us at alchemist Nicolas Flamel’s house, where we’re searching for answers to the profound questions raised by the second film in the **Fantastic Beasts** series. Spoilers abound! **The Crimes of Grindelwald** left a lot of fans and critics scratching their heads. With our guests Elizabeth Baird Hardy (Mayland Community College), Megan Kelly (SpeakBeasty), and Lana Whited (Ferrum College), Katy and John investigate the mythic, literary, and alchemical references in this movie to answer key questions and decipher where the series may be headed next.

Katy and her co-host Emily Strand discuss these fan favorites with guests Katherine Sas  (University of Pennsylvania) and Robb McDaniel (Middle Tennessee State University). We take a deep dive into the characterization and group dynamics of Harry’s father’s generation. Are they really “marauders”? Are they bullies? Why did things go so badly for their friendship in the past and what role does this play in the unfolding story in the present?

We pull apart the latest **Cormoran Strike** novel on this episode of **Reading, Writing, Rowling**. Katy and John dissect J.K. Rowling’s most recent crime novel **Lethal White** with guests Beatrice Groves and Louise Freeman. In a lively, detailed, and wide-ranging conversation, we talk about predictions we got right (like Louise’s accurate guess about the London Olympics), how the relationships in the books are developing, literary allusions, mythic elements, and where the story might be going in future books.

Reading, Writing, Rowling: Imagination and Fiction in the Age of Harry Potter Episode 17: Harry Potter Festivals Which Must Not Be Named Host: Katy McDaniel Guests: Emily Strand, Louise Freeman, Amy Sturgis, Lana Whited, Christen Church Have you recently attended an unnamed magic festival filled with Harry Potter wonders? In this episode we come to you from Roanoke, Virginia's Generic Magic Festival to discuss Harry Potter in popular culture and the challenges that fan activities pose for copyright and trademark law.

Harry Potter Is The Perfect Mystery! Discover the detective-rings of Harry Potter on this month’s episode. Especially since J.K. Rowling has now transitioned to writing detective crime fiction, in hindsight we can find elements of that genre in the Harry Potter series. 

Join us for an all-out Quidditch-palooza! Do you skip over the Quidditch scenes in the Harry Potter novels? Katy and Guest Expert Emily Strand talk with author and wizard activist Caitlin Elizabeth Harper about the meaning of Quidditch—the sport from Queerditch Marsh—for the Harry Potter series.

Catch up on the latest Cormoran Strike analysis before the release of the fourth novel in the series September 18! With guests Dr. Karen Kebarle and Dr. Louise Freeman, Katy and John examine the connections between the _Harry Potter_ series and the first three Cormoran Strike novels.