Ology (book series)

The Ologies are a series of illustrated fantasy books presented in a fictional encyclopedic format. The series is primarily edited and authored by Dugald Steer. The books, which are intended for young readers, are published by Templar Publishing in the United Kingdom, Five Mile Press in Australia and Candlewick Press in the United States. They have been very popular in sales; the first book, Dragonology, remained on the New York Times' children's bestsellers list for 76 weeks.[1]

Ologies
Dragonology
Egyptology
Wizardology
Pirateology
Mythology
Monsterology
Spyology
Oceanology
Vampireology
Alienology
Illusionology
Dinosaurology
Dungeonology
Knightology
Ghostology
AuthorDugald Steer and others
LanguageEnglish
GenreFantasy
PublisherTemplar Publishing (UK)
Candlewick Press (US)
Five Mile Press (AUS)
Published2003–2020
Media typeHardcover

Format

Each of the books is given a fictional "author", and purport to be "lost" journals of fictional investigators. Since the books follow an encyclopedia format rather than a narrative, Steer has said that, "It's slightly different from traditional reading. Readers can dip in and out, but the essential story is told in a linear way."[2]

The books are illustrated by a variety of artists, including Helen Ward, Wayne Anderson, Nghiem Ta, Chris Forsey, A. J. Wood, Douglas Carrel, J.P. Lambert, Ian P. Andrew, Nick Harris, Anne Yvonne Gilbert, John Howe, Tomislav Tomic, G. Hunt, R. Sella, and Carole Thomann.

Works

Books
  • Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons (2003)
    • Working with Dragons: A Course in Dragonology (2004)
    • The Dragonology Handbook: A Practical Course in Dragons (2005)
    • Drake's Comprehensive Compendium of Dragonology (2009)
  • Egyptology: Search for the Tomb of Osiris (2004)
    • The Egyptology Handbook: A Course in the Wonders of Egypt
    • An Egyptologist's Code-Writing Kit
  • Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin (2005)
    • The Wizardology Handbook: A Course for Apprentices
    • A Guide to Wizards of the World
    • A Wizard's Code Writing Kit
  • Pirateology: A Pirate Hunter's Companion (2006)
    • Captain William Lubber's Pirateology Handbook
    • A Pirate's Guide and Model Ship
    • The Pirateology Handbook: A Course in Pirate Hunting (2007)
  • Mythology: Greek Gods, Heroes, & Monsters (2007)
    • The Mythology Handbook
  • Monsterology: The Complete Book of Fabulous Beasts (2008)
    • Dr. Ernest Drake's Collector's Library
    • Working with Monsters
    • The Monsterology Handbook: A Practical Course in Monsters (2008)
  • Spyology: The Complete Book of Spycraft (2008)
  • Oceanology: The True Account of the Voyage of the Nautilus (2009)
    • The Oceanology Handbook: A Course for Underwater Explorers (2010)
  • Vampireology: The True History of the Fallen Ones (2010)
  • Alienology: The Complete Book of Extraterrestrials (2010)
  • Illusionology: The Secret Science of Magic (2012)
  • Dinosaurology: The Search for a Lost World (2013)
  • Dungeonology - made in collaboration with Dungeons & Dragons (2016)
  • Knightology: A True Account of the Most Valiant Knights (2017)
  • Ghostology: A True Revelation of Spirits, Ghouls, and Hauntings (2020)

Video games

In October 2007, Codemasters announced a licensing agreement to create video games for the Wii and Nintendo DS based on Dragonology, Wizardology and Pirateology.[3] Nik Nak was to develop the Wii titles.[4]

Film adaptations

In 2008, Universal Studios acquired the film rights to the Dragonology series, with Leonard Hartman set to write and executive produce the adaptation.[5] In August 2012, it was reported that Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci would produce the film for Universal.[6]

In October 2012, it was reported that Carlos Saldanha, the director of the Ice Age and Rio films, was developing for 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios an animated feature film based on Alienology: The Complete Book of Extraterrestrials.[7]

On January 31, 2018, Paramount Pictures announced they were in the process of developing a film franchise centered around all 13 Ology books, by setting up a writers room currently consisting of Jeff Pinkner, Michael Chabon, Lindsey Beer, Joe Robert Cole, Nicole Perlman and Christina Hodson. The vision for the franchise is the hope that each of the writers will embrace the books by working with visual artists to create treatments that will eventually evolve into seven movie scripts with interconnected stories. Paramount also announced that Akiva Goldsman will act as overseer and producer of the franchise.[8]

References
  1. "CHILDREN'S BEST SELLERS: September 11, 2005". New York Times. 2005-09-11.
  2. Minzesheimer, Bob (31 October 2008). "Kids' 'ology' titles go beyond reading". USA Today. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  3. David Jenkins (2007-10-05). "Codemasters Signs Wii/DS 'Ology Book Deal". Gama Sutra.
  4. Leigh Alexander (2008-01-22). "Nik Nak Developing 'Ology Wii Titles For Codemasters". Gamasutra.
  5. Kit, Borys (June 13, 2008). "Universal acquires 'Dragonology' rights". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  6. Kit, Borys (August 27, 2012). "'Star Trek 2's' Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci to Produce 'Dragonology' for Universal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  7. Kroll, Justin; Abrams, Rachel (October 25, 2012). "'Rio' helmer Carlos Saldanha inks Fox pact". Variety. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  8. Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 31, 2018). "Paramount Assembles Killer Scribe Roster To Kickstart 'Ology' Franchise". Deadline. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
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