The Writer's Life 8/5 - More Pop Culture

In an article in today's NY Post, John Oleksinski warns Harry Potter fans that the eighth book may be a disappointment. It is not a novel but a printed version of the smash London stage production. The idea is credited to J.K. Rowling, but the script was written by Jack Thorne, a Brit. Rowling's name is larger on the cover than Thorne's, a ploy used by publishers for works based on the characters of deceased authors such as Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy and Vince Flynn. Heck, James Patterson is still alive and he's making a fortune in alleged co-writes where his name appears above that of the person who probably wrote the work. The play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, has received glowing reviews. It is in two parts and theater-goers must buy tickets for each. This cow is really being milked. It is sold out for a year. As for the book, it is number one at Amazon. The story takes place 19 years after the previous installment. In the piece, Oleksinski refers to fans as "potheads." I don't recall having heard that.

In September it will be three years since I will have played golf. My buddy Cuz is working long hours and has no time for the game, and I don't have the same zeal for it I once had. It seems many have followed suit. In 2000, 30 million rounds were played in the USA. Last year it was 24.1 million. In 2013, only 13 new golf courses opened, while 157 closed. Nike just announced it will discontinue manufacturing and selling golf equipment. The game's two biggest drawbacks are cost and slow play. I always hated it when rounds exceeded four-and-a-half hours. Some stretched to five-and-a half. I had more time burn in the past and gladly used it to make good shots, to try to beat my best score. Now 66, I'd rather use most of my energy promoting and selling books.

Wayne Gretzky, who retired in 1999, set many NHL records. His O-Pee-Chee rookie card has sold at auction for $465,000, smashing the previous high for a hockey trading card. The same card brought $94,000 previously. The bidding yesterday began at $100,000. The card, similar to those made by Topps, was judged to be in "Mint 10" condition, the highest possible. The winner wishes to remain anonymous. I wonder if he's worried his wife will find out.

No luck selling books on the street today.

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