‘Potter’ prequel not in the cards
An 800-word “Harry Potter” prequel is one of 13 card-sized works to be sold at a charity auction in London.
The cream-colored cards – each slightly bigger than a postcard – were distributed to 13 authors and illustrators, including “Potter” creator J.K. Rowling, Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing, novelist Margaret Atwood and playwright Tom Stoppard.
Rowling used both sides of her card to hand-write a prequel to her seven-book Potter saga, while Lessing penned a story about the power of reading.
Stoppard wrote a short mystery and Atwood was due to fill out her card remotely using a robotic arm controlled by computer linkup.
The cards will be auctioned June 10 at Waterstone’s Booksellers flagship store. Copies will be collated into a book to be made available at the bookstore and online in August.
Organizers refused to comment on the content of the Potter prequel, but Hogwarts fans hoping for another book to add to their collection may be disappointed by her signoff.
“From the prequel I am not working on – but that was fun!” Rowling wrote.
Rocking the cradle
After months of playing coy, newlyweds Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz have made it official: Yes, they’re expecting a baby.
“While many have speculated about this, we wanted to wait until after the first trimester to officially confirm that we are expecting our first child,” the couple said on Wentz’s blog.
The cad in ‘Caddyshack’?
Bill Murray‘s wife has filed for divorce after nearly 11 years of marriage, alleging he abused her and is addicted to marijuana and alcohol.
Jennifer Butler Murray says he “travels overseas where he engages in public and private altercations and sexual liaisons.”
She claims that he “hit her in the face and then told her she was ‘lucky he didn’t kill her.’ “
Bill Murray’s attorney declined comment on the allegations.
Flying off the handle
Naomi Campbell has been charged with assaulting two police officers last month at London’s Heathrow Airport.
The 38-year-old supermodel was aboard a British Airways flight to Los Angeles when she became involved in a dispute over lost luggage.
Campbell previously pleaded guilty to assault charges for beating an assistant on a movie shoot, and throwing her cell phone at her maid in an argument over a missing pair of jeans.
Career death penalty?
“CSI” co-star Gary Dourdan won’t do prison time after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine and Ecstasy.
Dourdan’s lawyer said the case will be dismissed after he completes a 30-hour drug diversion program.
The 41-year-old actor was arrested last month after police found him asleep in his car.
His “CSI” character was shot and killed during the show’s eighth-season finale.
The birthday bunch
Actor Clint Walker is 81. Actor Keir Dullea is 72. Actor Michael J. Pollard is 69. Actor Colm Meaney is 55. Actor Ted McGinley is 50. Actor Ralph Carter (“Good Times”) is 47. Singer Wynonna Judd is 44. Singer Cee-Lo (Gnarls Barkley) is 34. Rapper Remy Ma is 28.