Elias writes...

Hello! I’m a little late to reading Skin Taker, mainly because I didn’t want the COAD series to end after I’d finished it and Wolf Bane. This book series means a lot to me, I started reading it after a Swedish book store handed out samples of Chapter 1 of Wolf Brother and I was completely hooked and just had to know how it ended. You may enjoy hearing that if it wasn’t for you, I may never have started writing my own novel (the first draft is finished, still working on polishing it). I’m writing you to tell you that I listened to the audiobook of Skin Taker and in the first chapter, when the falling star is seen, the description is so vivid and strong that I actually got goosebumps! That’s never happened to me before, truly a testament to your writing (and of course Sir Ian McKellan’s excellent narration). Also, I’m the one with the cave painting tattoos, I’ve now got a reindeer, an elk, a bear, a wolf (I like to think it’s Wolf actually), and a lynx running down my arm, all based off of real cave paintings. I had the tattoos done by hand, which felt appropriate given the subject matter. Anyway, your writing is phenomenal and you make it very easy to picture what happens in my mind’s eye as I read (or listen). I hope you have a nice day and that you are well. Thank you for everything!

Michelle Replies...

Dear Elias,

It's great to hear from you again (I remember answering your comments/questions in some of my live streams), and I'm so pleased that you found the beginning of SKIN TAKER vivid.  I usually hate writing Chapter One, as it can be extremely difficult to know how to begin a story; but with SKIN TAKER, I knew how I would write that first chapter right from when I had the idea of the meteorite strike. So it was actually fun.  I'm also delighted that you enjoyed Ian's recording of the audiobook.  I think in these final books he has outdone himself.  Your cave-painting tattoos sound amazing.  And huge congratulations on finishing the first book of your own novel.  Personally, I loathe first drafts, and I much prefer re-writing.  I hope you enjoy it - and the best of luck with your writing in general!

Thanks for getting in touch.  Best wishes, Michelle

Aiyana writes...

Dear Michael,
I am a huge fan of yours and I’ve always wondered is there a specific place you describe when you talk about where Torak grew up in Wolf Brother, if so could you please tell me where because I love wolves and the forest so I really want to visit a place like that, and your books seemed perfect.
When you talk about wolf what type of wolf are you talking about? And have you ever met a wolf in person? If you have please could you tell me where as it is my dream to see one.
I have loved reading Wolf Brother and Spirit Walker and I can’t wait to read the others.
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Michelle Replies...

Dear Aiyana,

I'm so glad you've been enjoying my books.  I set them in northern Scandinavia (that's northern Norway and Sweden), but I have changed the geography a bit, for instance, the mountains and rivers, so that in real life you won't find anything that corresponds exactly to the map of the Forest in the books.  (I explain this in more detail in the Author's Note at the end of each book.)  However if you just want to get the feel of Torak's Forest, northern Norway, Sweden or Finland would be a good place to go.

As regards wolves, Wolf is simply Canis lupus, ie a wolf, of the kind indigenous to Scandinavia.  I have indeed met wolves for my research many times over the years.  That was at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust near Reading (again, I mention this in the Author's Note) - but I'm afraid that the Trust is now closed to the public.  I don't know whether you live in England, but I believe there are a few places where you can see wolves  in England.  Best to Google them.  I don't know about other countries, but I'm aure there are some.  It would be great if you could get along to see some real wolves at close quarters, as they really are quite unlike dogs.  I certainly found it invaluable to see them close up.  They are incredibly charismatic creatures!

I hope this helps, and that before too long, you can get to see some wolves!

Best wishes, Michelle

Stella writes...

Hi there, Michelle Paver.

I'm from Sweden. When I first read wolf brother, I was twelve. Now I am eighteen and I still get obsessed by these books. However I've got a question: Will there be a TV series? If so, when will it release date?

Michelle Replies...

Dear Stella,

I'm delighted that you still enjoy my books even now that you are older.  As regards a tv series, I can tell you that we have done a deal with a wonderful pair of producers, but that's as far as we've got.  This is normal for film or television development: first you do a deal with producers, then they try to raise money to make the film or series, find a screenwriter, get a script written, find a director, and so on.  This can take years - and is actually very difficult.  In fact, most film deals don't end up going into production - that is, actually getting made.  In the case of the WOLF BROTHER books, I've done about four or five separate film deals since I first wrote WOLF BROTHER back in 2004 - and none of them has yet resulted in a film!  This is just the way it goes.

All this is a long-winded way of saying that although I do currently have a deal for a tv series, we are still a very long way from starting filming, and have no idea whether it will actually come about. So, er, don't hold your breath!  However if there are any developments, you may be sure that I will announce it on my website.

I'm sorry I can't be more definite.

Best wishes, Michelle

Luca writes...

First a comment, I just wanted to let you know how much you and your books mean to me- having grown up with them and growing with the characters over time.
Torak, Wolf and Renn's journeys were amazing to witness, but Dark holds a special place in my heart, and has ever since Ghost Hunter.
I have wondered since finishing Wolf Bane, but have you always had ideas about Dark's character growth and his sexuality (I'm unsure of how spoiler heavy I should be with this, forgive me if its too detailed)
The books have always been inspired to draw by your books, so I thought I would leave my most recent drawing of Dark.

Michelle Replies...

Dear Luca, I'm so very glad that these books have meant a lot to you, and thank you for sharing your liking for Dark.  I particularly liked him too, and (without, as you say, including any spoilers here!), I always knew what his true nature was - and where I would like him to end up - but when I was writing GHOST HUNTER I realised that I wouldn't have room in that story to deal with the rest of his character.  To have tried in that book would have been to trivialise it.  So, with regret, I had to leave it unsaid.  It was therefore one of the great joys of writing the final three books that I have had enough space to do Dark justice - and to find him a really nice partner.

Many thanks for getting in touch.  Regards,  Michelle

Ed writes...

Dear Michelle, I greatly enjoyed Thin Air. Indeed, I’d like to follow the protagonists journey from Darjeeling to Kanchenjunga. I believe you took just such a journey. Is there a travel agency or your company you’d recommend? Thank you, Ed

Michelle Replies...

Dear Ed,

I'm so glad that you enjoyed THIN AIR.  I did indeed follow part of the protagonists' journey, but I didn't trek all the way to Kangchenjunga Base Camp, as that would have taken longer than I had time for (although I believe some companies do do that trek, if you're up for it).  In 2015 I went with World Expeditions (who were then based in Wimbledon but I think they've since moved) and trekked from Yuksam in Sikkim to Dzongri, where we spent a few days exploring, before trekking back to Yuksam. I started off in Darjeeling,  then we drove to Sikkim, and much of the trek was through the foothills, which is much as I describe in the book.  I found World Expeditions very good, with an excellent guide whom I mention in the Author's Note.  Obviously,  that was a few years ago, though, so I have no idea if things have changed since then.  Again, I'm glad that you liked the book - and the best of luck with your travel planes, it's a fascinating part of the world!

Regards,  Michelle