The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

Fan-site spat over new Hitchhiker

17.09.08 Benedicte Page

Booksellers have reacted positively to the news that children's writer Eoin Colfer is to write a sixth instalment of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series for Penguin. But the news has received a mixed reception among Hitchhiker fans, with spats appearing across the web between Atermis Fowl fans and Hitchhiker devotees.

Waterstone’s science fiction buyer Michael Rowley said that the match of Eoin Colfer and The Hitchhiker’s Guide was "an equally inspired combination" to Penguin’s pairing of Sebastian Faulks with James Bond. "There’s a ready-made audience of millions for more HHGTG books - this is very exciting news for all those fans," Rowley said.

However there were defensive reactions from some fans, with comments on Floor 42, a Douglas Adams online fan site, including: "It’s just sad that a complete unique series can’t remain untouched", and "I hope this Colfer guy doesn’t completely ruin the books."

But Artemis Fowl fans took a different view: "Haha, here at AFC [Artemis Fowl Confidential] us AF fans are pretty happy with the result. But what about the HHGG fans? They don't seem too pleased." Such has been the response that an Artemis Fowl Confidential moderator has stepped in, warning Fowl fans not to "start anything up". "They have their opinions and we have ours. Starting a debate there (or here) with them won't do us any good. We certainly don't want a cross-forum flame war."

Penguin beat off competition from one other publisher to secure the commission for the Irish children's writer after an approach from the Douglas Adams estate and the late author's widow Jane Belson. The new novel, titled And Another Thing, will be published in hardback in October 2009, backed with a big campaign.

Penguin group marketing and publicity director Joanna Prior said that Penguin had announced the news to Adams and Colfer fan sites before issuing the press release: "Actor Simon Jones [who played Arthur Dent in the original radio series, and the TV adaptation] recorded a special message. We went to the fan sites first to get them excited and to explain that it’s a sanctioned thing, and that Douglas’ estate and his widow are happy to have it happening. They want to reach out to new readers and younger readers." Prior added that only one sequel by Colfer was planned "for now".

Around 16 million copies of the Hitchhiker books have been sold around the world, with translation into 35 languages.

Benedicte Page Penguin Home Eoin Colfer douglas Adams The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy colfer

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