Author sued by J.K. Rowling says issue is over

"You know that woman who was sitting by the windows a while ago was taking photos on her cell phone," the 51-year-old author confided under his breath. "We're probably on the Internet already."

His publisher, Roger Rapoport, looked around nervously. "We didn't say anything wrong, did we?" he asked.

Vander Ark, who lives near Grand Rapids, and Rapoport, from Muskegon, have been choosing their words very carefully these last few months. That's what happens when you're sued by one of the wealthiest women in the world.

J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, was not happy last year when Rapoport's RDR Books decided to publish Vander Ark's book "The Harry Potter Lexicon," an encyclopedic guide to the Potter world.

Rowling and Warner Bros., producer of the Harry Potter films, sued to block publication of the "Harry Potter Lexicon," saying it infringed on Rowling's rights.

Fair speech experts from across the country came to the aid of the Michigan pair. Last fall, in a landmark ruling, a New York judge decided that authors must allow publication of works such as the "Harry Potter Lexicon" but only if the books include substantial original commentary.

Vander Ark, who is a celebrity among Harry Potter fans for his Harry Potter Lexicon Web site, began rewriting.

The 347-page paperbacks stacked on the table in front of Vander Ark on Wednesday are the result. Rapoport is thrilled to report that he has printed 40,000 copies -- a substantial run for a reference book. The softcover sells for $24.95. A hardcover edition for schools and libraries also is planned.

Rowling recently issued a news release expressing relief that the issue has been resolved. In the past, she praised Vander Ark's Web site, which gets 25 million hits a year.

"I wish we hadn't had to walk this rocky road to get here," Vander Ark said, "but am I bitter? No. I'm excited for this book to be published and hope fans will ...give the book a chance."

He says he understands why some Potter fans were angry with him last year for upsetting Rowling. .

Vander Ark is working on another Potter-related book, which he won't discuss, and looking for different work to keep him busy when the market for Potter material vanishes like a disapparating wizard.

"Eventually, something else will come up, and off I'll go," he said.

Vander Ark is scheduled for another book signing at 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at the store at 500 S. Main in Royal Oak.

Contact EMILIA ASKARI at 248-351-3298 or easkari@freepress.com.

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