F. A. Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)


I've never heard of the "Young Wizards" series before. Is it a ripoff of the Harry Potter books?

Diane Duane began the construction of the Young Wizards universe in 1981, and wrote the first Young Wizards novel, So You Want to Be a Wizard, in 1982. It was first published in the USA in 1983, when J. K. Rowling was just entering Exeter University -- nearly fifteen years before the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone / Sorcerer's Stone.

New books in the YW series were published every few years or so until the mid-1990's, at which point the books moved to a new publisher (Harcourt Trade Publishers / Magic Carpet Books) and started a new once-a-year publication schedule. At present there are more than a million copies of the Young Wizards books in print around the world. See the full publication history for cover images and more details about the various English-language editions.


How many books are there in the series? How many are there going to be?

Right now there are eight Young Wizards novels. (See the list below.) Unlike "closed" series like the Harry Potter books, the Young Wizards series is open-ended -- and DD has said she will keep writing YW novels "until she doesn't feel like writing them any more."

Book 9, A Wizard of Mars, will be going to the publisher shortly. Though there is no official publication date as yet, AWoM will probably be published in spring of 2008.


The tenth, eleventh and twelfth novels are in the planning stages, but so far Diane Duane has not released any information about their titles or plotlines.

What order should I read the series in?

The order in which the books were published. That is --

 

Can I start reading anywhere in the series?

While each book theoretically stands on its own, as the series progresses the plotlines and relationships between the characters become more complex -- so for maximum appreciation of what's going on, it's probably a good idea to start at the beginning, with So You Want to Be a Wizard.

Is there any truth to the rumors about a Young Wizards movie?

DD is presently involved in the early development stages of such a film. Details are here.


Does Diane Duane ever do book signings / autograph sessions? Does she ever speak at schools?

To both questions, the answer is "yes". Book signings happen mostly around the time a new book is released, or when DD is scheduled to attend a nearby science fiction convention or other event in the USA or Europe. School appearances can happen at any time of year when other work or travel commitments do not interfere. Speaking engagements can be arranged via Diane Duane's literary or screen agents. Interested parties can be put in contact with her agents via manual@youngwizards.com.

DD will be visiting the US several times during the late summer and autumn of 2007, and signing events will be associated with these visits. Please check the Young Wizards news and events weblog during August, September and October for more information on specific events, locations and times. Information can also be found at the YoungWizards.com author signings and appearances page.


Last revised: February 9, 2007

Technorati Tags:
  • 8817 reads