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

Ruby writes...

Hello my name is Ruby and I am so excited to be contacting you. My question is do Renn and Torak ever have a child? You might not have thought that far but I would just like to know anyway.

Hello my names Liana and i am in year 6.Over the past year i have been reading your books and always wanted to meet you.I love the wild and in wolfs like wolf dogs. My question is why have you stopped the series it was so good?

Hello my name is Rezahusein karim i am your biggest fan i really enjoyed wolf brother and wind singer and spirit walker and all the rest. Over the past year i have been reading your books and always wanted to meet you. my queation is will toraks gift be past on to his son (if he has one)

this is from your biggest fan RezaHusein karim

Michelle Replies...

Hello, Ruby and Liana, I'm so glad you're enjoying the WOLF BROTHER books.  To answer your questions:

• Will Torak and Renn have  a child?  I'm going to leave that one for readers to answer for themselves, as they wish!
• Why have I stopped with WOLF BANE, the ninth book?  Because I feel strongly that it's now up to Torak, Renn and Wolf to get on with their lives, and I wouldn't want to start repeating myself, and letting the quality of the stories go down.  I think I've given them a good send-off, and I hope that readers will have fun imagining what happens next.
• Will Torak's gift be passed on to his son if he has one?  Again, I leave that to readers!
• Hope that answers your questions - at least, to some extent.  And thanks for getting in touch.  Best wishes, Michelle