From Benjamin

Publishing advice

Publishing advice
Benjamin Writes…

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 how you got your stories published?

Thankyou for taking the time to read this and a great, big thankyou for Torak, Renn, Wolf and The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness

Ben Aris

Michelle Replies…

Dear Ben, I’m delighted that you like the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness so much!  You’ve asked a weighty question, but briefly: I think the main thing is not to rush to submit your work.  Take the time to make sure that whatever you write is absolutely the best you can create. It’s a good idea to put it away for a few weeks, then come back to it; you’ll be astonished at how much will probably need improving!  Once you are convinced that it’s the best you can do, then I’d suggest trying to get an agent first.  This is as hard as getting published, but it really helps in the long run.  It’s years since I had to do this, so I’m afraid my advice might be a bit out of date, but you should find lists of agents and publishers in The Writers’ & Artist’s Handbook, or the Writer’s Handbook (I used hard copies in those pre-internet days, but they may be available as e-books).  These are important, as they tell you how different agents/publishers like to receive submissions.  For example, some might want just the first chapter and a covering letter, others just a synopsis; and if you don’t submit in the form that they want, your precious story will probably go straight in the bin!  Such directories also tell you what kinds of works the agents/publishers handle – and that’s also crucial.  You don’t want to send a thriller to an agent who only handles non-fiction.  Finally, try not to be discouraged if you get a rejection letter.  It has happened to us all.  It certainly did to me, I got lots of them in my early years of learning to write.  That’s all I’ve got time for, and I hope it helps a bit.  I’d like to wish you all possible luck with your writing – and if you need a break, you can always spend some time with Torak, Renn and Wolf in the Forest!  With best wishes, Michelle


Upcoming Live Events With Michelle

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Wimbledon Book Festival

October 17, 2025
Festival patron and Sunday Times bestselling author Michelle Paver will talk about her latest supernatural fiction in this live recording with Always Take Notes, a podcast for and about writers and writing.

Michelle will discuss her incredible career, from finding inspiration for Wolf Brother on Wimbledon Common to her latest novel Rainforest, which weaves Mayan culture with themes of obsession, gender and rebirth.

Only 72 days to grab your ticket!

The Witching Hour with Bridget Collins, Michelle Paver and Laura Shepherd-Robinson – Waterstones Canterbury

October 20, 2025

Join Bridget Collins, Michelle Paver and Laura Sheperd-Robinson as they discuss their stories in a brand new collection of ghostly tales called The Witching Hour.

In this dazzling collection of original haunted tales, thirteen bestselling and much-loved authors bring the old superstition of the witching hour to new and vivid life.
Transporting you from the smog of London to the freezing mists of Svalbard, from an Irish town riddled with rumour to a sinister English boarding school, these thirteen stories will serve as your spine tingling companion to the long hours of winter.
So curl up, light a candle, and wait for the clock to strike . . .
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Yeovil Literary Festival

October 25, 2025

An experience like no other. From a writer like no other...

Successfully published as an adult author, the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness (“Wolf Brother”) were her first books for younger readers, followed by her brilliant 5-part series set in the bronze age, Gods and Warriors. On the adult side, her first ghost story, Dark Matter, was a UK bestseller and won massive praise from reviewers and readers alike, as did her second ghost story, Thin Air.

Oxford Literary Festival 2026

March 29, 2026

The Oxford Literary Festival takes place in venues across central Oxford, such as Blackwell's bookshop, the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Weston Library, and Oxford colleges such as Christ Church and Worcester College. The festival includes international authors, journalists, intellectuals, historians, and poets.