Kira writes…

Hi Michelle,

When I was younger my FAVOURITE books were the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. I was obsessed with wolves, and I attended a writing class you hosted at a wolf sanctuary here in England, many, many years ago. I must have been barely a teenager. I had a wolf themed bedroom hahaha.

In my 20s I stopped reading as much. I lost a lot of interest in things. Then I watched a TV show about an Arctic expedition, and became obsessed with it. I collected every book I could find on the matter. I was reading again, I was learning again, and it reminded my very much of my Wolf Brother days.

Imagine my surprise finding out you wrote an adult ghost story set in the Arctic. (Dark Matter – in case anyone else reads this!!) It felt weirdly nostalgic to be buying books with your name on them again, it felt very full circle. It is, as always, an excellent read. (I also bought Thin Air – exceptional !!)

I wanted to thank you, for being there in my childhood, and again in my adulthood, for somehow always writing great books about my niche interests, for teaching me to love reading as a kid and for helping me find that love again as an adult.

Sending lots of love, and hoping you and yours are well,

Kira

Michelle Replies…

Full circle indeed, Kira!  I love the sound of your wolf-themed bedroom when you were a child; and I too have fond memories of those Wolf Writing Workshops at the Trust – although for me they could be quite full-on, especially the bit when everyone else took a well-earned break, while I read through their writing at lightning speed, fishing out examples to quote in my talk!  What an extraordinary coincidence that you happened to pick up Dark Matter at the time when you were obsessed with the Arctic.  I’m so glad that you enjoyed it, as well as Thin Air.  And I hope that even if your interests these days don’t tend towards jungles, you’ll also enjoy Rainforest, when it’s out later this year.  In the meantime, thanks so much for getting in touch.  With very best wishes, Michelle