Forum:James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing

Forums: Index > The Wizengamot > James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing

Recently, an anon posted James potter and the hall of elders' crossing (sic).

Ok, for those of you not in the know, James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing is an unofficial continuation of the Harry Potter series written by G. Norman Lippert focusing on Harry's son, James.

While fan fiction of all kinds is banned here, I'm wondering if a special dispensation should be used in this case. The story has garnered quite a lot of attention, and even has the consent of J.K. Rowling herself.

Now, I'm not suggesting that any of the plot should be officially introduced into the canon articles, or that articles be made for new characters from the story. Perhaps, though, there is cause for an article on the story (and the history surrounding it), clearly marked as fan fiction/ out of universe/ fandom etc. I can see both sides of the argument, so I am throwing out the question: is this notable enough to be entered into the wiki or not? If the answer is yes, then we should bring the article up to a good standard. If not, it should be deleted. Thoughts and comments on this issue? - Cavalier One^{(Wizarding Wireless Network)} 13:42, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

As a sidenote, here are several links that may help your decision/ comments:

• Main site for James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing
• James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing at Wikipedia.

- Cavalier One^{(Wizarding Wireless Network)} 13:44, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Bumping for further attention. - Cavalier One^{(Wizarding Wireless Network)} 12:08, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Seems interesting, but i'm not going to get my hopes up. It gave me the option to download the book in PDF format so i'm going to check it out. Right away I can tell you i don't like how the main image on the page is exactly the same image as from the HP movies. I can see the author was trying to make a connection here, but i don't like that. Mafalda Hopkirk 12:54, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

PS. What I have gathered thus far is that Mrs. Norris is about 35-40 years old, at least. Mafalda Hopkirk 13:23, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

I think we'd be getting in over our heads trying to set up notability standars for fan fiction. That being said, it is included on WP which is notorious for deleting fan fiction and fiction stff in general. Has it received any media attention? John Reaves (talk) 22:45, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

I meant notable in the sense of the wider fandom, and interest to the Harry Potter community as a while. Sorry if that wasn't clear. I'm not trying to create a notability system for this wiki when it comes to fan fiction. As for media attention, the WP page has a few external references, and it certainly has come to the attention of Rowling herself, and she has even given consent for its release. I believe that this may be an exception to the rule of "no fan fiction", as long as it is properly tagged an no one tries to shoehorn the plot/ characters into canonical articles. - Cavalier One^{(Wizarding Wireless Network)} 22:51, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

I'm fine with making an exception. We just have to be careful about setting a precedent. John Reaves (talk) 22:53, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Should have a notice on the top that it is not canon...-Matoro183 ^(Talk) 01:46, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Just for my part, i didn't care for it. I read up to page 30 and i couldn't take anymore. The first chapter was awesome, but the rest was just drivel in my opinion. Maybe it gets better later on but i just got the feeling the author was taking a lot of ideas that JKR invented herself in her own mind and just using them to set up his story. Maybe it would have been more interesting to me if it was James Potter I, Harry's dad. I really didn't like all the anti-American stuff, though it might be building up to something later. Also, why would an American wizard be teaching in Scotland, and why would an American kid be going to Hogwarts? The author says its because his dad is working in Britain or something that year, but why wouldn't they just send him to the American school regardless? I also have a really hard time believing Slughorn was still alive let alone able to teach by 2017, and i just find it stupendous that Mrs. Norris was around. Even if she's part kneazle theres no way she could be alive when James Potter II went to Hogwarts. Anyway just my opinion, i guess this is a bit ranty, lol. Mafalda Hopkirk 06:07, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

I don't think it should be included because it is just fan fiction theirfore not cannon.Me_Potter_Fan 05:58, 11 January 2008 (UTC)

I am the author of the story in question (James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing. I 've seen a number of hits coming to my sites from this page, and thought I'd just say a big thank you for even considering this question. I would, of course, be tremendously honored to see this story included in the Harry Potter Wiki, and I do understand some of the concerns of those who'd rather it not be. I do have a few ideas to add to the conversation.

Mainly, I suspect that the primary reasons HP fanfictions have not typically been included in the HP Wiki is that fanfictions are often 1) AU (Alternate Universe), 2) adult-oriented (sexually explicit), or 3) rather amateurish and unknown.

Addressing the first issue: As was mentioned elsewhere, JPHEC takes place long after the events of Ms. Rowling's series (apart from the Epilogue of DH, which happens at the beginning of the upcoming James Potter sequel, http://www.gatekeeperscurse.com ). Thus, while not canon, it certainly does not challenge, alter, or nullify any of the existing HP canon, as does AU fanfiction.

Addressing the second issue: JPHEC was written very consciously for the same audience as the original series, with none of the adult overtones that many readers (and parents of readers) would find offensive and inappropriate.

And finally, addressing the third point, the sheer volume of readers (approximately 1,000,000 at last count) and enthusiastic reviewers of JPHEC do seem to indicate that it is a rather unusually well-crafted and enjoyable example of the fan fiction genre. Having foregone the typical fanfiction outlets and resorted to an exclusive distribution via its own website, JPHEC has exerted a unique impact on the HP fandom. The mere fact that the story made enough international news to warrant the specific attentions of Warner Bros. and J. K. Rowling herself, resulting in her official sanction, seems to imply a new category of Harry Potter-themed fiction that could well deserve the eye of the Harry Potter Wiki.

Either way, I will be watching this forum with interest to see what is the result. Gnormanlippert 05:58, 18 April 2008 (UTC)