A look into the future...at Hatter’s past. On the LGW Forums first!

[lgw]

Hi Everybody!

A look into the future...at Hatter’s past. On the LGW Forums first!

This is a new idea I'm considering that I wanted to run past you first. Please tell me what you think--I'd love to hear your feedback!

All the best,

Frank


HATTER MADIGAN
MILLINERY CADET

An exciting new adventure series, prequels featuring a teenage Hatter Madigan, the most popular character from the “New York Times” best-selling Looking Glass Wars trilogy by Frank Beddor.


Madigan! What is your focus when a trio of asymmetrical blades is launched simultaneously?

Madigan!! How does one subdue a herd of charging Jabberwocky?

Madigan!!! 7 demerits AND a curfew violation? Congratulations, you’re cleaning out the Spiritdane stables.

Swordplay! Newfound friendships! School bullies! Budding love! Self-serving rivals! Scheming adults and soulless rebel plotters! Welcome, to the world of Cadet Hatter Madigan, who has just entered one of Wonderland’s Millinery academies as one of the freshmen ‘Brims’. Those born to be Royal Bodyguards are trained at one of the four academies (Heart, Clubs Diamond, Spade) linked to the royal houses. Cadets will study the mystic and martial arts, as well as the sometimes more difficult art of successfully dealing with others. Once Hatter begins his training he is thrown into a competitive world of both boys and girls vying to be the best. Arsenal cubes, blade chasers and Hat blocking 101 are all rites of passage the young milliners first take on together but must eventually perfect, separately.

As readers of The Looking Glass Wars already know, Hatter will grow up to one day serve as bodyguard to two queens and become Wonderland’s most famous traveler. But in the Young Hatter series—each installment of which chronicles a single year of our hero’s education—readers can live through the experiences that shaped this extraordinary Wonderlander. They will share young Hatter’s joy as he forges new friendships at the Millinery; suffer his frustrations as he strives to maintain these friendships; come, and witness young Hatter struggle with the first stirrings of love; watch him defend himself against rival cadets and contend with the expectations of teachers all too familiar with his infamous older brother … and all while he tries to keep up with his studies.

Written in a style that never condescends in tone yet still celebrating personal integrity, honesty, loyalty, and goodwill toward others, the Young Hatter series—while using the fantastical world of Wonderland imagined in the Looking Glass Wars as backdrop—is self-contained; readers need not be familiar with the best-selling trilogy. The action is never graphic or bloody. Narrated with wit, humor, and imagination, the books will initiate readers into the mysteries and challenges of Wonderland’s Millinery Academy where boys and girls are recruited at age 12 to begin their evolution to become masters of the Hat and elite security enforcers for the royal families. As the teenage Hatter Madigan navigates the tumultuous years of adolescence, with all of their trials and tribulations, YA readers might find that this celebrated Wonderlander is a lot like they are. Who’s to say that older teen, even adults, won’t see something of them in young Hatter?

[homburgmolly_fan]

OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH!!!!!!

Frank, do it. Please. This is exactly the book series I've been waiting for since ArchEnemy wrapped up LGW. Please do it. This sounds like an amazing idea because it would give more on Hatter AND the Millinery.

IT WOULD BE AMAZING!!!!!!

*SCREAMS*

[Hatter Blade]

Swordplay! Newfound friendships! School bullies! Budding love! Self-serving rivals! Scheming adults and soulless rebel plotters! Welcome, to the world of Cadet Hatter Madigan, who has just entered one of Wonderland’s Millinery academies as one of the freshmen ‘Brims’. Those born to be Royal Bodyguards are trained at one of the four academies (Heart, Clubs, Diamond, Spade) linked to the royal houses. Cadets will study the mystic and martial arts, as well as the sometimes more difficult art of successfully dealing with others. Once Hatter begins his training he is thrown into a competitive world of both boys and girls vying to be the best. Arsenal cubes, blade chasers and Hat blocking 101 are all rites of passage the young milliners first take on together but must eventually perfect, separately.

*amused* Oh, don't I ever know about it. Heh heh. I myself was trained in Spades~

However, you wish for comments, not my... personal accounts.

Aiming it towards the young adult category will prove quite interesting, seeing as how this will be about Madigan himself at their own age. I myself see quite the potential for many teens of Earth to easily connect, which of course will most likely draw them more into the books...

On the second hand, there is also a large potential for... cliches. Although yes, the main population of teenagers do not undergo Millinery training, the majority of them will know about the general stress of high-school drama. And therefore... I believe that you should focus more intently on telling the readers of Millinery training.

Otherwise it will be incorrectly categorized and we'll simply find another high-school drama series sitting upon a shelf, not being read but rather... observed. What beautiful, pretty spines. So many other high-school dramas, but let's pick that other one other there with the vampires... *sighs*

This sounds like quite a challenge to write it correctly, Mr. Beddor, but I do believe you are well capable.

... as long as you keep in mind that it's the Millinery they want.

[theTWiNZ]

this sounds awesome. I really do admire how LGW is expanding. :D what medium are you using to write this series? is this going to be another book series? a graphic novel? or another alternate web medium perhaps?

of what was described, I do think you will capture the 12 year old, tween-ish age audience that young Madigan begins at (as well as us dedicated LGW fans. ;)). but after reading that there synopsis thingy, I was strongly reminded of Harry Potter. and I don't know if that's what you were going for, but that's what I got from reading it. especially entering the Millinery Academy at 12 and then training within one of four academies part.

what I really loved about Hatter Madigan's character in the original LGW series (and I'm not sure if all fans will agree with me) is the fact that he was the most disconnected from human feeling which makes him much more mysterious to the reader and this really adds to his character. and now reading that he was a rebel in the academy, makes me start thinking twice what I really think about him. as much as what I want to think about him, I always thought he'd be more of a Milliner who rebelled rebelliousness (much to his code breaking in the LGW series. haha.) what I loved about Milliners was the fact that they were born and not recruited. well, at least that was what I had thought before reading this. I always thought the Millinery was a type of dystopic place, but the Milliners don't see it that way because that's what they were born into, but what do I know?

I guess what I just described is simply my opinion of Mr. Madigan, but I am not quite sure what my taste in character development can really help bring to this new adventure series. but one thing is for sure, if I had not picked up and read a Looking Glass Wars book, I think I would look over this one. but that's just if I hadn't loved the original series so much. and there's my honest opinion as a 20 year old fan. well, two 20 year old fans. :rolleyes: (may give you an idea for your demographics.)

However, I do think it's clever to continue exploring the unknowns of Hatter Madigan. I'm really looking forward to learning more about how he became who he is now in the series (even though you can read this separate from the LGW series, which is also deviously awesome).

good luck with your endeavors. I look forward to your awesome imaginings despite whether I was heard or not. :)

[The Hattertant]

Hmmm. Well, I know you asked for opinion and feedback, Frank, but if I gave it... you would be reading the same thing again. HM_F, Blade and those two people who look the same said all of what I could said before I said it. =) *hugs them all*

So just multiply their posts by two and that's that. ^_^

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/8063/lgwfalsecontest.jpg

[TeamEdwardGirltheAlyssian]

OMG! I can't wait to read this!!! TEGA is one happy camper!

[Mimsy]

I'm so going to look forward into reading Hatter Madigan's past. :)

Thank you, Mr. Beddor.

[Lady.Madigan]

That would be so cool! I would just love to see how Hatter met Weaver and fell in love with her.

[kailee]

Oh wow. Just.. Wow. You haaaave to do it! Please please please :) i've been waiting for this since.. well 2007 XD hahaha

http://www.lookingglasswars.com/img/links/I0EG011M010.jpg

[Heart Artemis Hunter]

Oh wow. Just.. Wow. You haaaave to do it! Please please please :) i've been waiting for this since.. well 2007 XD hahaha
omifungi....yer back!

[kailee]

lol um yes :) yes i am.

[Alice Madigan]

Hi Everybody!

A look into the future...at Hatter’s past. On the LGW Forums first!

This is a new idea I'm considering that I wanted to run past you first. Please tell me what you think--I'd love to hear your feedback!

All the best,

Frank

How sweet the irony that this was posted on my birthday. Alright. I am so about Hatter Madigan that I look forward to new story told on him. (I am looking anxiously forward to perhaps a third book in the Hatter M series...)

[homburgmolly_fan]

How sweet the irony that this was posted on my birthday. Alright. I am so about Hatter Madigan that I look forward to new story told on him. (I am looking anxiously forward to perhaps a third book in the Hatter M series...)

I think it's definitely safe to say that there WILL be a third book in the Hatter M. series..... seeing as how there was a "sneak peak" of it at the end of Mad With Wonder.

[The Hattertant]

I think it's definitely safe to say that there WILL be a third book in the Hatter M. series..... seeing as how there was a "sneak peak" of it at the end of Mad With Wonder.

and seeing as how there's this too:

http://img1.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/h3/h17137.jpg


....yeah. XD

[Hatter Fan]

and seeing as how there's this too:

http://img1.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/h3/h17137.jpg


....yeah. XD

am i the only one noticing his outfit is changing in the different books?

[The Hattertant]

am i the only one noticing his outfit is changing in the different books?

yeah... that, and I tihnk his face changes on every page too. XDDDD

[Alice Madigan]

and seeing as how there's this too:

http://img1.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/h3/h17137.jpg


....yeah. XD

*purrrs against the picture* Simply wonderful.

[homburgmolly_fan]

and seeing as how there's this too:

http://img1.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/h3/h17137.jpg


....yeah. XD



............Yeah, fine, I GUESS that too. LOL!!!!

[Top Hat Enthusiast]

and seeing as how there's this too:

http://img1.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/h3/h17137.jpg


....yeah. XD


That's definitely my favorite Hatter M cover yet. :) I hope the art in the rest of the novel is that good! I'd wait as long as necessary for optimum quality.

Although, really, I don't get why the hat has to have a red blinky light or whatever that is... I always pictured it just plain black, and as far as I could tell, that's how it was in the book. But that's just a minor complaint, I guess. It's hard to truly complain about a top hat that can turn into a deadly weapon with just a flick of the wrist.

[theTWiNZ]

GAH! stupid red Hat glowy light thingy!!! *punches it until it dies*

......O_O

sorry, Frank. I love you? haha.

[Top Hat Enthusiast]

GAH! stupid red Hat glowy light thingy!!! *punches it until it dies*

......O_O

sorry, Frank. I love you? haha.

Hahahaha. Hatter Madigan might hurt you for touching his hat.
But yay! It's not just me!

[theTWiNZ]

Hahahaha. Hatter Madigan might hurt you for touching his hat.
But yay! It's not just me!

That's not his Hat. That's some insane lame thing that THINKS it's Hatter's Hat! LoL!

again, Frank. I love you?

[Top Hat Enthusiast]

That's not his Hat. That's some insane lame thing that THINKS it's Hatter's Hat! LoL!

again, Frank. I love you?

HAHAHAHAHA. That's funny. :D Can you imagine Hatter trying to get away from an insane, possessed hat that kept trying to land on his head?

[kailee]

BWAHAHA XD its like the bowler hat on meet the robinsons :]

[The Hattertant]

Madigan! What is your focus when a trio of asymmetrical blades is launched simultaneously?

So. What IS your focus when a trio of asymmetrical blades are launched simultaneously? XDD

(my guess would be 'the center'.)

[Perite11]

I love the idea, giving insight on Hatter, the most outlandish character in the bizarre world of wonderland. Changing themes to action and bonds of friendship. Would be sure to encourge many readers to pursue a more competitive world.