Lessons From The Phantom of the Opera© and Other Phantom Ramblings: Print

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Print

Update: December 10, 2008

I am happy to report that I have received permission from The Really Useful Group it use portions of the lyrics in my printed version of the blog. Things are progressing!

Update: December 4, 2008

To update from my post below, I have been busy working on putting this blog into print form; however, it will take some time. Right now I'm dealing with Hal Leonard Corporation, the U.S. copyright agents for The Really Useful Group (Andrew Lloyd Webber's company), trying to get permission to reprint the lyrics. They have requested to read all of my posts where the lyrics are embedded. Today I sent them via email, very nervously I might add. I have no idea what they will think. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. In addition, I am waiting on other permissions from Warner Brothers and from Random House. You will see me removing some of the Warner Brothers pictures here, as I'm trying to stay clear of copyright violations even though I have disclaimers everywhere.

I have also been doing my research on self-publishing. A few authors who have walked that route are helping me take the journey. Hopefully, while I keep writing a few other posts, all these other issues will resolve. Some of my former posts will be edited and reposted here, as I prepare them for publication. I will keep you advised. Thanks again for following me on my journey.

Original Post: First, let me thank all of my readers who have followed my blog, written comments, sent me emails, and talked kindly about my writing on various forums around the Internet. I have received requests from many readers to place this blog into print form. Well, I am about to do that very thing. I believe it's time.

I do have a few more posts in mind regarding the Phantom of the Opera, but at present I am going back through my older posts to tweak them a bit, edit, seek permissions, find an illustrator, and finalize them for print through the means of self-publishing. This may take me a while, but my goal is to have this finalized by January of 2009.

Please, if you have any suggestions, items or topics of further discussion you would like to see included in the final print form, feel free to shoot me an email. When the blog is available in book form, I will post a link where you can order a copy.

Again, I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart who have faithfully followed this blog and left your comments and thoughts! The story has touched us all in a variety of ways, and I am quite sure will continue to do so for many years.

Fondly,
The Phantom's Student

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: Wow! Congratualtions! I do hope this all turns out.
I can only hope this doesn't mean you're not posting anything new--I have so many things I've become attached to that have stopped, that I don't need this to be another one of them.

Looking forward to where the road leads the journey,

Merely a Ballerina; October 20, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Vicki Hopkins said...: Thanks for the words! No, I probably will not stop posting. After all, Andrew Lloyd Webber is writing his sequel, and when that hits the stage, I'm sure I'll dissect that version as well!; October 21, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Moony said...: I've enjoyed reading your blog too and hope to see more. I look forward to the print form as well! An excuse for me to go do some back reading when I get time.; October 22, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Anonymous said...: you taught me alot about the phantom of the opera from your blogs thank you; October 31, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Anonymous said...: Dear Phantom's Student,
I'm excited to hear the great news!
From comments posted on your blog I learned what "Keep your hand at the level of your eyes" means,they don't seem to tell you in the movie.If you have any thoughts on it please let us know.Thanks.
Erik is proud of you,
Phellow Phan; December 7, 2008 at 6:12 PM

Blog/Book Review

"Lessons From 'The Phantom of the Opera' " is a creative and thoughtful approach to pop culture hit. I enjoyed the book because I teach French history at the college level and I have long enjoyed Gothic novels as well as opera. I connect with the story on several levels, professional and personal. "Lessons" takes a personal, reflective approach that asks readers to think about why they react as they do to the musical and novel. Why does such an old fashioned, romantic story have such appeal in post modern society? Simple: young or old or in between, we still respond to the emotions explored in the story. I plan to tell some of my students who are Phantom fans about this book." (Dr. Melanie Byrd)

The Joy of Audio Books

I love audio books. They open up a whole new world of entertainment. They save time from sitting down and reading a book. You can listen while driving to work, during work, taking a walk, running, or working outside and around the house. It's a time-saving opportunity to take a moment and enjoy your favorite books, acted out by talented voice artists, many of which are from television and stage.

The talent chosen for The Phantom of Valletta, has extensive voice experience. My other narrators are from the stage, or are professional voice artists that have done television, documentaries, and commercials.

Why not try out a membership at Audible? It's easy - starts with a free trial, has no long-term commitment, and is filled with entertainment.

Join today, and I'll give you a free code to one of my books of your choosing to get you started.

JOIN HERE AT AUDIBLE

Listen To All Things Phantom on BlogTalkRadio

All quotations used in this blog are the property of:

The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux, Pubished by Random House, Inc. 2002 (Quoted with Permission)

Introduction by Anne Perry, Copyright 2002, Random House, Inc. (Quoted with Permission)

Phantom Of The Opera lyrics are the property of their respective authors, artists and labels. (Music Andrew Lloyd Webber/Lyrics Charles Hart, The Really Useful Group, London, UK). Licensing fees were paid to use them in my book, Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera, but have been omitted here on the blog. Artwork is posted by permission of artist.

Writer's icon and other photos used in his blog were purchased from iStockPhotos.com, with rights for use, or are personal photographs taken by Phantom's Student. POTO from Photobucket.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Anne Perry who has given me permission to quote her from her introduction to The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, published by Random House, 2002, and her good luck wishes.

Special thanks to the Hal Leonard Corporation, who made my experience in getting licensing permission to use Webber's lyrics in my book easier than I dreamed.

Special thanks to my readers that allow me to express my views from behind my mask and keep coming back for more even though I poke at them.

Special thanks to Sadie Montgomery (Author of the "The Phoenix of the Opera" series) for holding my hand through my self-publishing experience and for her faithful and continued encouragement.