HisDarkMaterials.org

TimesOnline reports: The British author Philip Pullman has attacked leading American Catholics as "nitwits" after they called for a boycott of The Golden Compass, which has its world premiere in London tonight.

Philip Pullman visited the Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York City, which HDM.org staff member JParry was lucky enough to attend. His write-up of the event, including photos, follows below. The event was filmed by Barnes & Noble, and is available for viewing at Barnes & Noble media.

Philip Pullman addressed several issues, including claims that the His Dark Material books are anti-Catholic and promote atheism, raised by readers of Al's Book Club on MSNBC. He also answers questions on how he imagined such an epic world and how he came up with the concept of dæmons. Thanks to IMDb.com user downinnewyork for bringing this to our attention.

Webblogger of educating alice was in attendance at the October 30th talk with Philip Pullman at The Times Center in New York. Her event write-up follows.

The Chicago Sun-Times has a couple of articles on Philip Pullman who will be a part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. He talks about the film ("It looks fabulous"), his critics, comparisons with Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and more:

• Author's next chapter 
• Questions of life and death

In August, our friends at the French His Dark Materials website, Cittàgazze.com conducted an interview with Pullman. Below is a transcript of the interview, which includes a number of interesting insights into Pullman's Oxford life and his work with The Golden Compass movie, and other great questions. Translation provided by Cittàgazze.com, with slight edits, from original source, as well as an English version.

Back in August, our friends from the Israeli HDM community HDM.co.il had a meeting and interview with His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman. The following is a write-up of the meeting and subsequent news gathered from speaking with the author. Interview conducted by Udi and Yeal. Translation from original copy provided by Udi, with some edits for clarity.

His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman will be at a Barnes & Noble in New York City on November 1 at a book signing event. The event is open to the public and will take place Nov. 1 at 7:00 pm EST.

Oxford Mail writes: Award-winning novelist Philip Pullman has warned that encroaching development is threatening Oxford's unique character.

Mr Pullman, who lives in Cumnor and is the author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, spoke out while lending his support to campaigners who are concerned by plans to redevelop the Castle Mill Boatyard site in Jericho.

The Scotsman reports: I was lucky enough to chair an event at the Dundee Book Festival with Philip Pullman, who was receiving an honorary degree, in Dundee. He is a seasoned performer, so much so that the occasion felt unique and tailored to its audience, despite the fact that Pullman must have answered many of the questions many times before. He gave a few insider snippets about the new film, The Golden Compass, which is based on his novel Northern Lights - Daniel Craig, who plays Lord Asriel, became rather more prominent (on account of 007) between casting and filming; and, since his role is rather limited in the original, some new scenes had to fill the "Daniel Craig shaped hole". One of these, Pullman revealed, cost £12m to realise.  He also had a bone to pick with Russell T Davies, who was "inspired" by the ending of His Dark Materials for the departure of Billie Piper from Doctor Who.

Philip Pullman writes on his website: Carnegie of Carnegies

This award, which was voted for by the public, was announced on Thursday 21 June. It came as a great surprise and a great delight to me. People from several countries voted for `Northern Lights`, and it came top out of a shortlist of ten very good novels that have won the Carnegie Medal during that award`s 70-year lifetime. It was a great pity that I couldn`t be in London for the event and the announcement. I did write a few words to be read out on my behalf, but I had to write them in a hurry, and perhaps I wasn`t as clear as I like to be.

Work on the film of `The Golden Compass` continues, but meanwhile there`s another film being prepared from a novel of mine, and that`s the production of `The Butterfly Tattoo`. This is a very different thing in many ways - a different scale altogether, a realistic story rather than a fantasy, and so on. It shows a side of Oxford that `His Dark Materials` doesn`t. I like the script very much (the writer is Stephen Potts), and I met the production company recently and was very taken with their enthusiasm and evident talent. You can read about what they`re planning at www.thebutterflytattoo.co.uk.

The BBC reports: Literary stars Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson are set to headline the first ever Dundee Literary Festival. During the two-day event the authors will also receive honorary degrees from the University of Dundee.

Philip Pullman, author of the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, and Children's Laureate Jacqueline Wilson will both read from their novels at the festival.

The Independent reports: More than 100 celebrities, academics and pressure groups challenge Gordon Brown today to give ordinary citizens a direct say in overhauling Britain's democracy.

The call follows a promise from Mr Brown to re-engage people in the political system by reforming the constitution. The independent Power inquiry, which has warned about the dangerous gulf between the public and politicians, is urging Mr Brown to match his words with a real commitment to involve ordinary voters in modernising the way they are governed.

Signatories include the novelists Philip Pullman and John le Carré, the singers Damon Albarn and Billy Bragg, the radio presenter Emma B, the comedian Mark Thomas, the actors Miriam Margoyles and Patricia Hodge and the anti-poverty activist Bianca Jagger. The statement has also been backed by prominent figures from across the political spectrum, more than 20 academics and an array of pressure groups.

24dash.com reports: Philip Pullman, world-renowned author of ‘His Dark Materials’ children’s trilogy, has pledged his support to a new environmental initiative at his local primary school on the outskirts of Oxford.

The Norwich born former schoolteacher, whose work is inspired by his adopted home of Oxford, officially launched ‘Cumnor Goes Green,’ Cumnor Primary School’s drive towards becoming carbon neutral, at the annual school fete. “I am naturally concerned about the environment and our energy use, so I applaud my local community’s positive steps to combat climate change, particularly those of the younger generation who will inherit this threatened planet,” said Pullman, a keen supporter of sustainable energy schemes.

The Observer reports:  Philip Pullman, the Whitbread award-winning author of His Dark Materials, has condemned children's television as 'social poison', treating its audience as marketing opportunities while portraying them as dangerous and feral. Pullman castigated broadcasters for sacrificing high-quality programmes in favour of those that yield more marketing opportunities.

'Children are regarded by broadcasters as a marketing opportunity at best, a dangerous and feral threat at worst, and an expensive nuisance otherwise,' Pullman said. 'This social poison goes much deeper than broadcasting, of course, but it's particularly visible there. 'There used to be ... a sense of responsibility among broadcasters: a feeling that this extraordinary medium ... should be used to make things better, richer, more interesting for those who made up the audience - especially for children,' he added.