Michelle's Mailbag
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness – How did you create the names?
Fenella writes… Hi Michelle, I am relatively new to your books and I was wondering where you get all of the unique names from. Anyway I am loving your books and hope they get better as I keep reading. Thanks, Fenella Michelle Replies… Hello, Fenella, and welcome to the world of Torak, Renn and Wolf! …
Daughters of Eden trilogy
Susan writes… I have just re-read The Shadow Catcher and it has made me want to read the rest of the trilogy, but don’t even know the titles, which weren’t available when I bought The Shadow Catcher. Perhaps they are out of print? You have obviously written many books since 2002! Best wishes, Susan Carson-Rowland…
An update on Torak the dog and his human
Sasha writes… Dear Michelle, I wrote to you last year about adopting a dog and naming him Torak. I've come back to report that Torak is doing amazing in his new home! He's learned a ton of stuff, from boring old house rules (such as don't steal my slippers to get attention) to tricks. Most…
Seals in Dark Matter: some thoughts
P writes… Possible spoiler, sorry, but am so curious. I couldn't help noticing the repeated reference to a small "wet dark round head" throughout the story. I also think that Algy's mistreatment of the seals is no coincidence. I think the explanation coming from the various minor characters is a red herring. I love Scottish…
Forgot to mention in previous message on Dark Matter
Mona writes… That things are dark in the U.S. right now, very frightening, and it often feels like the news here is just more horrible and more horrible, and your bleak and haunting tale made me feel much better! I guess it was the escapism I needed. Thank you so much. Michelle Replies… Dear Mona,…
Dark matter
Mona writes… I just finished dark matter and I loved it so much. The setting and characters were so vivid, I felt like I was there. I was trying to imagine a book that would suit me more in setting, atmosphere, characters, or story and I cannot. I cried at the end and thought the…
Dark Matter – photos from when you were writing it
Victor writes… Dear Michelle. I have just started Dark Matter. Very enjoyable so far and looking forward to completing. I do not often read fiction. When you travelled around the setting of the book. I assume that you took lots of pictures. Have you thought about showing some of the pictures on your website? Thanks…
Autograph – can you sign and send one out?
David writes… Good morning, I have read all your books. I would love to have your autograph on a sticker to send to Italy. If you can of course. Thanks Michelle Replies… Hello, David. I’m really pleased that you’ve read and enjoyed my books! However I’m afraid that I can’t sign a sticker and send…
Advice on writing and getting published
Daniel writes… Hi Michelle, I wrote to you a few days ago saying how much I love your books, and asking for advice about my own writing and getting published. I'd really appreciate a response, whatever it may be. I really love your books. Thanks a lot. Cheers, Daniel. Michelle Replies… Dear Daniel, I’ve paraphrased…
New ghosts – that is, Michelle’s upcoming new ghost story
Richard writes… Recently re read Thin Ice and Dark Matter. Both fantastic and should be regarded as modern classics of the genre. Anyhow I googled to see if anything new was on the way and behold Rainforest. More than happy, cannot wait to dive in. Michelle Replies… Ah, Richard, I’m so happy that you enjoyed…
questions about your Wolf Brother books and how i love them
Violet writes… I absolutely love the series Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. I have just finished reading the last one Wolf Bane. I’ve been reading them ever since a month before the summer holidays in 2024. For World Book Day [6th of March or the day I sent you this message] I went as Renn. And…
Thank you – from a French reader who has grown up with the Wolf Brother books
Léa writes… Hello ! I don’t have a question to ask. I just want to say : thank you. I’m from France, and I read for the first time Wolf Brother when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I was immediately obsessed with the world and the characters. From book 1 to book…
Daughters of Eden – Michelle’s earlier trilogy set in Jamaica
Aimee writes… Hi Michelle, I left a message around a year ago praising the three newest Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books. Since then I’ve read Dark Matter, Wakenhyrst (particularly thrilling as I live near Ely in the fens!) and Thin Air. All three had me on edge, and although I found Thin Air had its…
DARK MATTER – where can I get a copy?
Whitney writes… Hello!!! I would love to read Dark Matter, i have heard wonderful things about that book and for some reason I can’t find it anywhere to purchase! Helpppp! Michelle Replies… Dear Whitney, I’m afraid that I’m not able to help with questions of availability of my books, as this is up to the…
Rainforest cover
Ryan writes… Dear Michelle! Hoping, as ever, that you are well and 2025 is treating you well so far! I just wanted to write to congratulate you on the STUNNING cover for RAINFOREST which I saw Goldsboro revealed a few days ago. I love how it’s so colourful and yet so foreboding and ominous! It’s…
wolfbane audio cd
lynn writes… Can you confirm how i can get a copy of Wolfbane on Audio Cd – we have every other one in the set andd whilst i can access it on some streaming sites i woud really like the CD to complete the collection – i cannot find it anywhere and am desperate to…
Just a greeting – from someone who grew up in Sweden with the Wolf Brother books
Sofie writes… Dear Michelle, Hello! My name is Sofie, and I just wanted to write and give you my thanks. My mom gave me the 1st CoAD book for Christmas back in 2011 when I’d turned 12 years old, and we both got hooked – I’m 25 now and I still love your books so,…
Wakenhyrst – I Want My Very Own Chatterpie
Rhona writes… I just wanted to say I think about this book constantly. I recommend this book to anyone I can. I want my very own chatterpie I live near a fen I want a doom painting Thanks so much for writing this true diamond xx Michelle Replies… Dear Rhona, I’m absolutely delighted that you…
Rainforest! Any signed editions or sprayed edges?
Daryl writes… Hello! I wrote to you previously praising Dark Matter & Thin Air and was ecstatic to learn you were writing a new book which we now know is titled Rainforest. Are you planning to do any signed editions or sprayed edges? Im hoping to preorder from waterstones but have jumped the gun before…
On the Writing Process, Mrs Oliphant, and Reprints of Michelle’s earliest novels
Ryan writes… Hi Michelle!! I am a writer from Edinburgh, Scotland! I first read your books back in secondary school in Dundee, where I was born and grew up, and I have loved them ever since. Nightly listening to Ian McKellen reading "Chronicles of Ancient Darkness" was one of the best thing in my adolescence.…
Developing Your Unique Writing Voice
Hilbert writes… Dear Michelle, I still remember when my brother came home from school one day with that orangey-brown book and I knew from the get-go I wanted to read it too. I think that must have been in 2009/10. We both devoured the whole Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, returning each day with another…
Mexico 🇲🇽
Ximena writes… hellooo. Good morning, afternoon or evening wherever you are. Let me introduce myself, I am Ximena Ortiz from Mexico 🇲🇽 and I am very excited to be able to write to you since she is my favorite author and her works on “Chronicles of Prehistory” have really enchanted me and allowed me to…
Clancast Q&A From 1st November 2009 – Is It Available Anywhere? (Yes!)
Asia writes… Hi Michelle, I have been a fan of yours for a very very long time!! I hope you are doing amazingly and time has treated you well. My question is whether you have a recording of Q&A that took place on the 1st of November in 2009? I know this is a big…
Wolf Brother in Russian?
Valeria writes… Hello! I love your books, especially the Wolf Brother series. I wrote to you in 2022 asking if the new books from this series would be translated into Russian. I understand the situation in the world, but I still want to ask this question again. Will the new books from the “Wolf Brother”…
Just Wondering… What Was Torak’s Joke?
Rebecca writes… Hi Michelle. I was wondering some things: At the start of Wolf Brother, Torak tells his father a joke. What was that joke? Will the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness book series be adapted onscreen (film/TV)? Because I would love to see that. Do you already have any actors in mind for the cast?…
Thin Air Sculpture
Nicola writes… We ( my husband and I ) have been reading aloud together your book thin air We are currently in Argentina on a holiday We are staying in a town called bariloche and took the cable car up the mountain We came across a sculpture I have a photo of it I could…
Wolf Brother Book Series
Sam writes… Hi, I’m a student at university at the moment. I have been debating sending you a message for about a year or at least since I finished Wolfbane as an audiobook. I loved the book and I have bee a fan of the chronicles of ancient darkness ever since my dad introduced me…
I LOVE your Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books!
Danni writes… Hello michelle. I just wanted to write to you and say I LOVE your chronicals of ancient darkness books. I first got introduced to them when I was in primary school, at around 11 years old. I would read your books all day, every day, my teachers had to tell me to stop…
Thank you!!!
Maryam writes… To michelle paver, Thanks so much for answering to my email!!! I was shaking when I read your answer. I sadly can’t read those other books that you’re making now but I’ll read the other ones!! I asked because you weren’t really active on Instagram, anyways, I understand you response and I also…
Which Character Do You Hate/Despise?
Stella writes… Dear Michelle Paver, I know I’ve written to you twice before. The first time I asked you whether there would be a TV series or not. Second time I asked you who of all the villains you’ve created you thought was the most well written. I know you’ve said that Wolf is your…
Why She Hasn’t Been Active
Maryam writes… Dear Michelle paver, Its probably too late but Ive read wolf brother (and the series) ten times. I’m 12 by the way. And I can’t hide this but on the last few chapters of wolf bane I cried so hard! Anyways to the point, why have you been so inactive lately? I also…
Audio book for Chronicles of Ancient Darkness in French?
Hélène writes… Dear Michelle Paver, While researching a possible film adaptation of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, I saw that you have published three more books. This is a great surprise and I might buy them even if I have to read them in English (I am a young French woman and I have known your…
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness – Books 7-9
Ross writes… My daughter devoured the first six books in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, but was heartbroken to discover that the next three books in the series do not have a Kindle version. Of course we could order paperback copies, but she is a voracious reader, and literally goes through hundreds of books…
We Wanted To Tell You How Much We Loved Reading Wolf Brother
Sarah writes… Hi Michelle, We are a Year 5 and 6 class from New Brancepeth Primary Academy in Durham. We have just finished reading Wolf Brother and we wanted to tell you how much we loved reading it! We especially loved hearing some of the story from Wolf’s perspective as well as Torak’s and the…
I Am Reading Dark Matter And Thoroughly Enjoying It
Stuart writes… Hi Michelle, I am reading Dark Matter and thoroughly enjoying it. It’s perfect for dark December evenings. Has this been adapted into a film or TV series? I have a vague recollection of it but I may be confusing it with something else. Thanks so much. Stuart Michelle Replies… Hello, Stuart. I’m so…
I Want To Simply Thank You For Your Dedication And Hard Work
Joyce writes… I want to simply thank you for your dedication and hard work to bring this series to life. I first read Wolf Brother when I was in 4th grade, and now as a 26-year-old woman, I just finished Ghost Hunter and am currently waiting for Viper’s Daughter to come in the mail. I…
Publishing advice
Benjamin writes… Hello Mrs/Miss Paver. Absolutely love the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness saga. It’s the only book series I’ve read five times or more. It’s one of those stories where you can feel what’s been written. It really does make you route for every hero. As an apsiring author, what advice would you give on…
Wolf brother book to TV series?
Poppy writes… Haiii I wanted to say I LOVE the world brother series, I’m currently rereading it for I think the fourth time now (I lost track haha) and I still absolutely love it so thank you so much for creating something so special :), basically I was wondering whether you were still trying to…
The Witching Hour! I for one cannot wait
Ryan writes… Dear Michelle, I hope this message finds you well and that autumn is giving you all the ghostly inspiration you could wish for! I saw in the bookseller that you’re contributing a short story to an anthology out next October! I for one cannot wait and want to thank you for keeping your…
Wolf Brother – I’m your biggest fan ever and I can’t believe how good your books are!
Raven writes… Hi 👋 I’m your biggest fan ever and i can’t believe how good your books are🤘🏼! I have read all of your books about 6 times now! I have a few questions. What is the first tree in real life? What was the joke Torah made before the bear came? Why did you…
Wolf talk
Ella writes… Hello, I was working at Waterstone’s after graduating when Wolf Brother came out and I absolutely loved it! I’m now having the great joy of sharing it with my children, and am struck again by the incredible realism of Wolf and his perceptions and “wolf talk”. My daughter is fascinated by it, and…
Crónicas de la Prehistoria
Juan Carlos writes… Hola Michelle!!! Va a producirse una serie animada de la saga??? Muchas gracias por todo tu trabajo y dedicación para crear la historia de Torak, Renn y Lobo!!! Ojalá en un futuro te animes a seguir escribiendo sobre su mundo como precuela o secuela… Un cordial saludo!!! Juan Carlos Michelle Replies… Hola,…
oath baker Imaginative Response
Noah writes… Hay Michelle Paver I hope you're doing well. I'm in S1 at High School and I'm working on an Imaginative Response based on your book "Oath Breaker." I'm thinking of adding another soul-eater or reincarnating one. If I were to reincarnate a soul-eater, which one do you think I should choose? Also, if…
wolf brother production
luke writes… hi michelle just wondered if we could all get an update on the progress of the wolf brother show production Michelle Replies… Hello, Luke. I’m afraid nothing is happening, and plans for a Wolf Brother film/tv series have lapsed. If anything happens on this, I will post the news on my website. In…
Last email
Sam writes… I got the previous email thank you so much 😄 Michelle Replies… That’s great to know – thanks for acknowledging! Michelle
Why the chronicles of ancient darkness mean so much.
Sam writes… Hi I’m Sam I have struggled with anxiety, depression and well Nef like thoughts (idk if I’m allowed to say it ) for over 2 and a half years. When I was 10 my teacher read the class wolf brother, I fell in love with it. The story, the characters, the setting all…
About a prequel to Wolf-brother
Antonio writes… Have you ever thought about writing something like a prequel to Wolf brother? About the story of Torak and Renn parents, Fin Kedinn; and their relationship, and how things turned up the way they did. Thanks for writing the way you do! Michelle Replies… Hello, Antonio. Over the years, many readers have expressed…
Pregunta
MONICA writes… Buenas noches, a mi hijo de 12 años le ha fascinado la saga de Crónicas de la Prehistoria y le gustaría saber si se va a traducir al español el libro "Wolf bane". Muchísimas gracias de antemano. Mónica Michelle Replies… Hi, Monica. Sorry I can’t speak Spanish! I’m very glad that you like…
DARK MATTER
GRAHAM writes… I've just reread Dark Matter and again was deeply impressed by how you create such an atmosphere of unease and dread in your story. I view it as at the pinnacle of contemporary ghost stories and as good as any of the classic ghost/horror stories from my youth and the myriad Pan &…
Thank you
Sofia writes… Dear Michelle, I have been a fan of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness since I was a child (I even have a little shelf dedicated to it!) so you can imagine my excitement when three sequels were announced a few years back. I am now 28 years old and still as enchanted with your…