Thank you so much

Ask Michelle Anything

Amanda writes…

My names Amanda and I have been a huge Chronicles of Ancient Darkness fan since elementary school. I found wolf brother in my school library and was hooked from the start. Before my question I just wanted to thank you for your stories, for feeding my niche interest in ancient worlds, getting me out into nature, but especially for Renn. Growing up she was really the first strong female character for me. I just love how her and torak are able to naturally bond and support each other. And throughout the story I wanted them to end up together,but that was never the main focus of their relationship so thank you for that. For making her a stand alone fierce , funny, and complex person. It's refreshing with your books that even though the characters are fictional I can see myself and people I know in them. My question though as I just finished wolfbane. Is had you always planned for Kujai to be Dark's mate? Or did it just progress while you were writing?. Im a gay woman so that moment when Kujai said the reason he hasn't found a mate was because he was waiting for him. I started getting emotional over it because this series means so much to me and that representation was so small ,but unexpected in the best way. I'm sorry this is a lot to read, but once again thank you for this world and can't wait to read what other worlds you may create.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Amanda, Thank you so much for your beautiful, heartfelt message.  I love what you say about Renn, as it’s very much how I saw her from the start.  As for Dark and Kujai (bit of a spoiler, that, but I’ll let it pass), Dark was in my mind from the very beginning, when I was planning the original series, but there was only space for him in what I then thought was the last book, Ghost Hunter.  And although I knew he was gay, there just wasn’t room in that story to bring this out; and to try to cram it in would have trivialised it – so with regret I had to leave it out.  I was then really pleased when I had the idea for the final three books, as it gave me the chance to take Dark’s character further. I didn’t know with whom he would end up until Kujai made his appearence when I was planning Wolfbane; but I knew immediately where they were going, and I so enjoyed writing their scenes.  I’m delighted that you found them moving, as I did too when I was writing them.  Thanks again for getting in touch – and may the guardian run with you!  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 52 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.