Michelle Paver's Blog

Les Chroniques des Temps Obscurs en Français?

Bonjour,
je suis une fan depuis énormément d'année des votre œuvre "Les Chroniques Des Temps Obscurs". J'ai eu le plaisir de voir une suite arrivé vers 2020 en anglais ensuite 2 autres tomes.
Mais je n'arrive toujours pas à les trouver en Français. auriez-vous une adresse pour acheter les tomes 7-8-9 en Français s'il-vous-plait?
Je tiens à vous dire que votre œuvre m'a beaucoup fait rêver, votre travail est phénoménale.
Merci

Hello,
I've been a fan of your work "The Chronicles of Dark Ages" for many years. I had the pleasure of seeing a sequel released around 2020 in English, followed by two more volumes.
But I still can't find them in French. Do you have an address where I can buy volumes 7, 8, and 9 in French, please?
I just want to tell you that your work has really inspired me; your work is phenomenal.
Thank you.
I'm sorry for writing in French!

Michelle Replies…

Hello, Anais!  I’m really glad that you like the books, but I’m sorry to tell you that the publishers decided not to translated Books 7, 8 and 9 into French – so no French versions exist.  I’m afraid that was their decision, not mine.  So sorry to disappoint you!  With very best wishes, Michelle

On Writing Horror Fiction

Hi there, Michelle,

I hope you’re doing well and that with the ever-nearing release date for RAINFOREST, you are getting as much rest as you can before you are facing the public! I am very excited to about this novel and have been wanting to receive a new Michelle Paver novel for some time. It’s always an event when a new book by you is released in my household, and almost everything gets put on pause for me to read it. My poor family despair when there’s a new book by you out in the shops, since they know they won’t be seeing me for at least a week!

But my question concerns the writing of horror fiction; it is very clear that you are a fan of the genre, and that notion is written very much in the DNA of your three horror novels, WAKENHYRST, DARK MATTER, and THIN AIR. It is also clear that there is an influence of the great Gothics in there, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, etc. The questions are this: at what point in the plotting or the planning did it become clear what kind of ghost story or horror fiction the books would become? Did it come naturally, during the process of writing, or was there a moment of “This, this is what the book is going to be!” I have heard you plan in very great detail and outline everything that’s going you happen in the book, but where there moments when you were writing that surprised you, during the inception and the action of the book? The bear post scene in DARK MATTER is one that I’ve read to people time and again when I have said “you need to read this book”, and it is the scene that freaks them out most. And I love that. And when they read it, they message me (sometimes rather angrily) that they have been incredibly freaked out by the book as they are reading it, but they love it all the same! No friendships have ended because of it!

I am longing for RAINFOREST to hit the bookshelves, since I know I am going to be there almost instantly and picking mine up. I will also be purchasing the audiobook, and what en excellent choice, if I may say so, of Richard Armitage as the narrator. I love his work narrating books, particularly those of Angela Carter (alongside Emilia Fox, when they read THE BLOODY CHAMBER together), and Charles Dickens. He did a wonderful narration of DAVID COPPERFIELD some years ago.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and apologies for taking so long to get round to the point! I hope RAINFOREST receives all the praise and every commendation, as it definitely deserves it. May I also say, thank you for giving Dark in WOLF BANE the ending he deserved, and thank you entirely for that validation. Wishing you the very best this approaching spooky season, and I cannot wait to hear of more stories of yours being written!

Kindest and warmest regards,

Ryan Petrie
Edinburgh

Michelle Replies…

Dear Ryan, thank you for your marvellous, funny message – and for your enthusiasm for Rainforest and all things Gothic!  (Thanks too for spreading the word about Dark Matter; I’m so glad that no friendships were hurt while you did!)  You asked great questions.  My idea for the haunt in each story comes at the start, along with (crucially) the emotional and mental problems which my protagonist is facing.  With Dark Matter and Thin Air I knew at the outset that we’d be dealing with a ghost (either real or in the protagonist’s imagination, it’s for the reader to decide) – although with Wakenhyrst, though I knew there’d be a demonic element, the other supernatural element came during the writing. But even with relatively “straightforward” haunts like the first two books, the plan always changes, a lot, during the writing.  So for instance, the bear post took on far more importance in the writing, which wasn’t something I’d expected at all.  And in Wakenhyrst the “watery” element of the haunt (I’m avoiding spoilers here) wasn’t something I’d planned either.  So as you can see, it varies a lot.  That’s part of the fun.  Anyway, I hope that gives you an idea – although it must seem rather imprecise.  But then, so much of Gothic fiction concerns the unconscious; that’s the nature of the beast!  Thank you again for writing in – and I really hope you enjoy Rainforest when you get your hands on it!  With best wishes, Michelle

The Witching Hour

A Spellbinding New Collection Of Original Haunted Tales

Featuring new and original stories from:

Michelle Paver
Stacey Halls
Bridget Collins
Imogen Hermes Gowar
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Andrew Michael Hurley
Jess Kidd
Natasha Pulley
Elizabeth Macneal
Susan Stokes-Chapman
Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Stuart Turton
Catriona Ward

There is something peculiar about the hour after midnight.

It is the time when darkness reigns.

And strange things roam the earth.

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 rumor 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 . . .

Audible – Gods & Warriors

Hi Michelle, I don’t suppose there’s any possibility that nice Richard Armitage would read the so-far unrecorded books in in your glorious Gods and Warriors series? It’s the most brilliant and satisfying series on so many levels and I feel it is most unjustly not given the respect it deserves. Toby Stephens made a very good job of Book 1. We need the others ! Toby or Richard, I don’t mind! All the best , Kay

Michelle Replies…

Hello, Kay – and thank you for saying such lovely things about Gods and Warriors!  I don’t really think that series had a fair crack at the whip, so it’s great that you like it.  However I’m afraid that as far as I know, Puffin have no plans to record audiobooks of Books 2-5; and it is of course their decision, not mine. But you’re right, Richard Armitage would have been terrific. Thanks for your appreciation!  With very best wishes, Michelle

Book beginnings and Without Charity

Hello Michelle

I think I picked up from another thread on here that you are now writing something new, and I also noticed that you have quite a few events lined up over the next month or so.

I wonder if I may ask; as a published author how easy it is for you to put aside what you may be currently working on, to publicise your newly published book. Is it easy to get back into ‘the zone’ with your current book once these events are done, or do you take it with you on the road?

I am thankful that you have a decent backlist as having read your most recent novels, I am
now half way through Without Charity. (I don’t like Dominic) and wondered do you put a magpie in each of your novels? Please don’t make me re-read Thin Air to find out because I’m still terrified of the kit bag.

Thank you for reading thus far. See you in Ely

Valda.

Michelle Replies…

Hello, Valda.  I used to take my writing with me on the road when I had a pressing deadline, but it never really worked; although I know authors who are able to write like that, so if it works for you, then fine!  As for getting back into the zone afterwards, that’s never easy, and it always involves lots of effort – and coffee.  At least, for me. Concerning Without Charity, I’m glad you don’t like Dominic; I didn’t want you to.  (He was based on a number of real men I’d worked with, but they never recognised themselves.  It’s funny, people rarely do.) Finally, those magpies.  Hmm, I’d completely forgotten that about Without Charity.  And to save you re-reading Thin Air – yes, there are weird blue and yellow Himalayan ones with long tails.  Including a magpie in each book certainly wasn’t intentional (and I don’t think there are many in the Wolf Brother  books) – but I could’t resist those Himalayan ones!  Thanks for getting in touch – and the best of luck with your own writing. Michelle

Hay Festival Book Club – Dark Matter

Michelle in conversation with Danny Robins – this is a FREE online event!

Timeless titles to offer you a break from the day to day. Can’t decide what to read next? Follow your curiosity and join Hay Festival on a journey to imagine the world anew through great literature. Unconstrained by genre or form these are our monthly picks of great books worth reading (or re-reading) right now.

Register to watch free online
Tuesday 14 October, 7–8pm BST

Women in Horror Weekend

Come and celebrate Women in Horror Weekend with Waterstones Nottingham! Including author talks from the some of the best women writers in horror, a classic film screening and spooky goody bags and workshops from Lush Nottingham! Michelle will be in conversation with Julia Armfield on Saturday from 5;15pm onwards… See you there!

Waterstones Nottingham
1/5 Bridlesmith Gate
Nottingham NG1 2GR
Te. 0115 9470069

Russian edition of Wolf Brother

Hello
With my class, we are reading and enjoying,Wolf Brother and have a class set of books . I have a Ukrainian boy in my class who is a refugee from the war in his country and although his English is improving daily, I would love to find a Russian (the language he speaks) translation of the book. It would help him with his understanding of the story plot and also appreciate the richness of the language in your writing.
I cannot seem to find anywhere to buy the book in Russian and I wonder if you could point me to stockists ?
Many thanks and with kind regards
Lynn Hinder

Michelle Replies…

Dear Lynn, it’s great that your class is enjoying Wolf Brother, and I would love to help; but I’m afraid I can’t be much use.  At the time Wolf Brother first came out in 2004 it was translated into Russian, but I don’t know whether it’s still sold in Russia.  So all I can suggest is that you look on one of the online secondhand book websites (I often use abe.co.uk for research, and it covers foreign language editions), and if you can’t find it there, maybe ask my UK publishers, Hachette Children’s Books, if they can assist you.  I’m so sorry I can’t be of more help, and I do hope that you’re able to get hold of a Russian edition.  With my best wishes to you and to all of your class – and may the guardian run with you!  Michelle

Toppings Bookshop, Ely

It’s nearly Halloween! Where better to get in the Gothic mood than with Michelle’s spine-chilling world of the supernatural? Come along if you’re in the Ely area (book your place first) and enjoy a thrilling evening of shadows!

Venue: St Peter’s Church, Broad Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4BB Doors Open 6.40pm Start Time 7pm

Writing Advice – Getting Published

Hello Michelle and her team.

I hope you are well. I don't know if you remember this, but I contacted you a while ago asking for advice on writing a book and you very kindly suggested that I take my time and make it the best I could make it. Well, I have done just that and I was just wondering what the next step would be or rather what step you took to getting your first book published?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Kind regards,

Benjamin Aris

P.S Would it be possible to send you a full copy of my work that you could read and perhaps give me any more experienced/helpful advice?

Michelle Replies…

Dear Ben, Yes I do remember you, and congratulations on having (presumably) finished your story! That shows a lot of commitement and dedication on your part, and I’m glad you’ve taken your time.   As for how to get published, though, I pretty much covered the main points when I wrote to you in November last year; so I don’t think I can add much to that – ie getting an agent, submitting your work to the right publishers/agents and in the form they want it, using the Writer’s Handbook or similar to help you in that; and so on, as in  my previous message.  All I can add is that if you’re set on getting published, keep going –  and don’t be deterred by rejections.  It took me 16 years to get published – and I’m not unusual in that (although I was of course holding down a full-time job as well, so I didn’t have that much time to write). But what kept me going was the thought that if I gave up, I was 100% certain not to get published; whereas if I kept going, I had a slim chance.  Perhaps that will encourage you too.

Finally, you asked whether you could send me your work, but I’m afraid the answer has to be no, because I simply don’t have the time to read it; these days I can barely manage a couple of hours on my own work, and often not even that!  But again, congratulations on having the commitment to finish a piece of work – and I wish you all possible success with it.  With best wishes, Michelle