Ask the Author: Michelle Harrison
Answered Questions (21)
Michelle Harrison
I don't currently have any plans for a book five (sorry!) but I wouldn't rule it out. I'm very fond of the characters and have ideas of where it could go, so you never know...
Michelle Harrison
Hi Lauren, thanks so much! I’m happy you enjoyed revisiting it. Yes, I think at the end, when the characters are being so much more open and honest with each other, it can only improve the relationships between them. The majority of the problems they have to overcome in the first place are caused by secrecy. Getting those secrets out and communicating with each other are the keys to fixing things and moving forward.
Michelle Harrison
Hello! It is already available on audio in the UK, read by Nicky Diss. You should be able to track it down via Amazon or Audible.
Michelle Harrison
Hi, unfortunately not, there’s no scheduled publication in the USA, so I’d advise getting the UK edition.
Michelle Harrison
Hi Aiysha
Thanks for your message, I'm so pleased you've enjoyed the books. At the moment I don't have plans for any more in the 13 series or the Pinch Adventures (although I would like to write more Pinch!) but I have another middle grade book out next April which I think you'll like. It's called Twice Upon a Time and it's about twin sisters who have visions (and other strange abilities involving time) and they use these abilities to solve a murder mystery!
Best wishes
Michelle
Thanks for your message, I'm so pleased you've enjoyed the books. At the moment I don't have plans for any more in the 13 series or the Pinch Adventures (although I would like to write more Pinch!) but I have another middle grade book out next April which I think you'll like. It's called Twice Upon a Time and it's about twin sisters who have visions (and other strange abilities involving time) and they use these abilities to solve a murder mystery!
Best wishes
Michelle
Michelle Harrison
Hello! Glad you like the books. When She Came Back hasn't been published yet. It was contracted several years ago and is only half written, due to my publisher wanting me to focus on work for younger readers (this was meant for an older audience). I hope to finish it off very soon...
I'd like to write more about the Widdershins sisters, and hope to at some point. My next book is something new - it's about twins who have magical powers so I think if you like the Pinch of Magic books you'll enjoy this, too.
I'd like to write more about the Widdershins sisters, and hope to at some point. My next book is something new - it's about twins who have magical powers so I think if you like the Pinch of Magic books you'll enjoy this, too.
Michelle Harrison
So sorry not to have replied before now, Abigail! I don't always get notifications from Goodreads. I have two older sisters, and the three of us were the inspiration behind the Widdershins sisters. We are like them in many ways. I chose to write about three sisters as I knew it was something I could do convincingly.
Michelle Harrison
Hi Vismaad
I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed A Pinch of Magic! I hope you'll enjoy 13 Treasures, too, I think you'll find it's a similar feel to Pinch.
Hmm, my favourite character... it has to be Oi the cat! He is such a terror, so grumpy (a bit like my cat Marmite).
Michelle
I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed A Pinch of Magic! I hope you'll enjoy 13 Treasures, too, I think you'll find it's a similar feel to Pinch.
Hmm, my favourite character... it has to be Oi the cat! He is such a terror, so grumpy (a bit like my cat Marmite).
Michelle
Michelle Harrison
Hi Jenny!
Sorry for the delay in replying, I only check in on GR every now and then. I was quite lucky with A Pinch of Magic. I was shown 4 pencil sketches for possible cover art and persuaded the publisher to go with the one with the tower on the front. They had wanted to go with the mermaid mirror, but I felt that would work better on the back. After that, I was shown colour art work as it progressed. Most of the time authors are shown a rough of some kind and then the finished artwork, but their input varies greatly depending on the publisher.
The designer in the art dept. usually comes up with how the books look inside, however I've had a free rein with the maps/chapter illustrations etc. as they are done by me to suit the book (my degree was in illustration). Glad you're enjoying the series!
Michelle
Sorry for the delay in replying, I only check in on GR every now and then. I was quite lucky with A Pinch of Magic. I was shown 4 pencil sketches for possible cover art and persuaded the publisher to go with the one with the tower on the front. They had wanted to go with the mermaid mirror, but I felt that would work better on the back. After that, I was shown colour art work as it progressed. Most of the time authors are shown a rough of some kind and then the finished artwork, but their input varies greatly depending on the publisher.
The designer in the art dept. usually comes up with how the books look inside, however I've had a free rein with the maps/chapter illustrations etc. as they are done by me to suit the book (my degree was in illustration). Glad you're enjoying the series!
Michelle
Michelle Harrison
Sorry for the late reply, I must have missed the notification for your question. Well, I love writing and always wanted it to be my career. In an ideal world I'd like to be able to spend 2-3 years on each book (my first took around 5 years to write and redraft and that time was crucial to its development).
However, the reality is that publishers want at least one book a year to keep you visible and continuing to grow your audience, which is especially relevant to children's authors as your audience grows up and moves on quickly. So I have deadlines to stick to which can be a challenge, but there's nothing else I'd rather be doing.
However, the reality is that publishers want at least one book a year to keep you visible and continuing to grow your audience, which is especially relevant to children's authors as your audience grows up and moves on quickly. So I have deadlines to stick to which can be a challenge, but there's nothing else I'd rather be doing.
Michelle Harrison
There aren't any plans for one at the moment, but I think if I did continue then it's very likely Tanya and Ratty (and Turpin!) would meet again.
Michelle Harrison
Hi, thanks so much, I'm glad you're enjoying the books! Yes, I'm currently writing a fourth in the Pinch of Magic series, I don't have a title yet but we're working on it. At the moment I'd quite like to keep going on the series, I have a few more things planned for the Widdershins!
Michelle Harrison
I think I'm most like Charlie - I got Charlie in the quiz. I love sweets and animals! And I'm a bit like Fliss, too: a romantic day dreamer who loves baking (but I'm much better at it than Fliss is).
Michelle Harrison
Thanks, Emma! Rowan Fox is my favourite. She was a great character to write about because of her past. There’s a lot of freedom in writing about someone who has nothing to lose - it allows for a real ruthlessness. But she has a softer side under her tough girl exterior, and that’s something fans have really connected with.
Michelle Harrison
Hi Rebecca
It's due out next year (in Spring, I believe) although I'm currently still writing it. I'll be revealing the title of it in the next few weeks!
Michelle
It's due out next year (in Spring, I believe) although I'm currently still writing it. I'll be revealing the title of it in the next few weeks!
Michelle
Michelle Harrison
Hi Lucas. Thanks for your message, it's always lovely to hear from a fan of my books!
There are a few bits about inspiration on my website, how I got the basic ideas for the book and certain places in it.
Tickey End is based on the kind of English town/village that I love to explore, with little treasure trove shops to poke around. Places like Stow on the Wold, Leek, Banbury and Stafford. They would all give you a feel for that kind of place if you ever visit the UK. The name came from a sign I saw when I got lost - a place called Lickey End, which I thought was amusing as it made me think of licking a lollipop. So I just tweaked it slightly by changing it to Tickey End, to sound a bit more 'tick tock' like a clock!
There are a few bits about inspiration on my website, how I got the basic ideas for the book and certain places in it.
Tickey End is based on the kind of English town/village that I love to explore, with little treasure trove shops to poke around. Places like Stow on the Wold, Leek, Banbury and Stafford. They would all give you a feel for that kind of place if you ever visit the UK. The name came from a sign I saw when I got lost - a place called Lickey End, which I thought was amusing as it made me think of licking a lollipop. So I just tweaked it slightly by changing it to Tickey End, to sound a bit more 'tick tock' like a clock!
Michelle Harrison
Rowan Fox. She was a great character to write about because of her past. There’s a lot of freedom in writing about someone who has nothing to lose - it allows for a real ruthlessness. But she has a softer side under her tough girl exterior, and that’s something fans have really connected with.
Michelle Harrison
Thirteen Treasures was the result of two things coming together. Firstly, when my niece Tanya was just a baby, her mum (my sister) saw a medium who told her that Tanya would grow up to be psychic. A few years later, I became interested in fairies (of the folklore variety) after my college tutor showed me the work of Arthur Rackham and Brian Froud. If you're not familiar with the book Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee then I recommend it. I began to read up on the darker side of fairy lore and decided to write about a girl with a gift to see them when other people couldn't.
Michelle Harrison
Thanks so much, that's really kind of you to say! I'm glad you enjoyed it (and assume you know One Wish is a prequel)?
I'd recommend The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh, which is a creepy mystery with a wonderful little hob fey, as well as darker Unseelie characters. Your daughter may also like the Knife series by R.J. Anderson (they have another title in the U.S.: Spellhunter). Also, Winter Magic (which has a story of mine in it) is a lovely collection of short magical wintery tales by a wonderful array of authors.
When your daughter is a little older, PLEASE check out a couple of my favourite fairy reads - The Merrybegot by Julie Hearn and Poison by Chris Wooding. Finally, you may also like Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee which is a collection of folklore snippets and the most beautiful illustrations, but have a flick through first as some of the content may be a little scary/adult.
I'd recommend The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh, which is a creepy mystery with a wonderful little hob fey, as well as darker Unseelie characters. Your daughter may also like the Knife series by R.J. Anderson (they have another title in the U.S.: Spellhunter). Also, Winter Magic (which has a story of mine in it) is a lovely collection of short magical wintery tales by a wonderful array of authors.
When your daughter is a little older, PLEASE check out a couple of my favourite fairy reads - The Merrybegot by Julie Hearn and Poison by Chris Wooding. Finally, you may also like Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee which is a collection of folklore snippets and the most beautiful illustrations, but have a flick through first as some of the content may be a little scary/adult.
Michelle Harrison
There are no plans to just yet, as I'm working on new stories and characters. I do have a few ideas for more 13 Treasures books though... so maybe one day!
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