Ask me a question

  • Ask me a question, I love receiving them. As soon as I reply, you'll get an email containing my answer which will also be posted on this web site.
  • Please take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions to make sure I haven't answered your question before.
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
Your Question:
Please enter the code above in the text box below:

Search past questions

Submitted by visitors to this website

Posted by Katy

March 14th 2010

I'm full of excitement and trying to think of a coherent question I can ask you. Perhaps I should begin by saying that you're one of the most inspiring authors I've ever read; there seems to be some deep truth, some rare understanding in your writing that makes my heart sing. I'm a teenager rereading 'Slaves of the Mastery' (you're never too old, in my opinion) and I like to write, too (I've completed one book, though looking back on it, it was pretty bad); I hope one day I'll be as good as you. Okay, I've come up with a question. I've been reading the Nursery Crime books by Jasper Fforde recently; I don't know whether you've heard of them. I went on his website and was reading his question and answer page; he had written about different drafts of his books and the fact that he'd redrafted some of them over and over again to make them publishable. Do you do the same? How many drafts do you get through before you (or your editors) feel a book is decent enough to be published? Thanks again; you've inspired me and doubtless many others to write. We owe you.

William Nicholson responded:

I do work hard on my books, rewriting them until they look okay; though I'm never satisfied. Not everyone does this. Some prefer the freshness of a first draft. It depends very much on the kind of writer you are. The test is simple: show your work to someone else, get their criticisms, and either that will make you want to dive back in or it won't.

Posted by Rhys

March 14th 2010

Hi, I own a book review website, and I am interested in reviewing a copy of Rich and Mad. Is there any way I can recieve a review copy? Thanks a lot, Rhys

William Nicholson responded:

I'll pass your email address on to my publisher.

Posted by jessie

March 13th 2010

mr nicholson, i read your book in 3 days but what gave you the idea of it? and will you ever make it into a film? jessie

William Nicholson responded:

Maybe a film one day, if I get the right offer. For the rest, check the Q&As. You're an amazingly quick reader!

Posted by Daniel Angeles

March 10th 2010

Dear WIlliam, I'm curious as I love the Wind on Fire trilogy, how successful has the book been in the world both financially and critically? There isn't a lot of information on it that I could find.

William Nicholson responded:

The trilogy is translated into twenty-four languages, and has been well received critically, but I wouldn't describe the books as best sellers. A certain type of reader - at the higher end of the education spectrum - seems to love them. At the middling levels of readership I don't think they have any profile at all. Financially they bring in a steady income for me, but nothing that would startle you. For me the great joy is that so many readers seem to love the books. So thank you.

Posted by Room 7

March 10th 2010

Dear Mr Nicholson, Kia Ora, we are from Room 7 at College Street School. Our school is located in the city of Dunedin in New Zealand, we are in Years 4 & 5, which means we are aged between 8 and 10. Our teacher Mrs Braithwaite has been reading us the novel "The Wind Singer". We love the book and we are only about halfway through and we look forward to reading it every day. Mumpo is one of our favourite characters because he is really funny but also because we can't quite figure him out, he is surrounded by mystery. Kestrel is also fun because she says what she thinks and we really enjoy her language - we have even been heard using it when we are frustrated in class. We also enjoy the encounters with the old children because they are funny and scary at the same time! We were wondering if you could andwer some of our questions, please. We were wondering if you have ever considered making this book into a movie? When you get an idea for a story how do you plan it all out? How long did it take for you to write The Wind Singer? Did you enjoy writing when you were at school? How old were you when you sent your first book off to be published? How and where do you get your ideas or inspirations? We thank you for your time and we really look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Room 7 College Street School Dunedin New Zealand.

William Nicholson responded:

Kia Ora? That used to be the name of a soft drink, here in England. Anyway, greetings to Room 7 in Dunedin. A movie? Yes, gladly, if the right offer comes along. The original idea: it came from my anger at all the tests in schools; and then it grew. It took over a year to write the first book. Yes, I adored writing when I was at school. I wrote my first full length book when I was a teenager, but it was no good, of course. I wasn't published till I was 30. I get my ideas from my life and my reading and a lot of time spent lying on a sofa listening to music and letting my brain drift. Try it.

Posted by David P. Hoadley

March 10th 2010

Dear Sir: I've been making some CGI artwork based on your incredibly beautiful movie Firelight. You can read about it here, if you wish [url]http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119125/board/thread/158742752[/url] I would hope that you would find it pleasing in your eyes. Yours truly, David P. Hoadley

William Nicholson responded:

Amazing work, but also strange for me to see - my own creation re-imagined. Now it's your creation. Which is just how it should be.