Q&A with Charlie Higson - ANSWERS BACK

[RachelMumsnet]

In the lead up to World Book Day we're joined by author and Fast Show star, Charlie Higson. Charlie's phenomenally successful Young Bond series has now sold over a million copies in the UK. He's also thrilled and terrified teenagers with his zombie-adventure series, which includes The Enemy, The Dead and The Fear. A huge fan of horror films and books, Charlie even studied gothic literature at university.

If you or your child have a question for Charlie, post it here before 5pm on Friday 2nd March. At the end of the week we'll be sending over the questions and the authors of the ten questions Charlie answers will each receive a signed copy of his book, The Fear.

Charlie, why do think that young teenagers get such a kick out of being scared? My two absolutely love being frit of the zombies. (Then they have to sleep with the light on.)

Charlie, how strongly do you feel about the issue of continuity within the JB universe? There was some controversy about you changing Fleming's backstory for Bond when Silverfin came out. Was this something that affected your approach for later books, or do you feel that the series don't need to be perfectly consistent?

I love Charlie Higson. He's an excellent writer. I'll have to think of a half-decent question

Hello Charlie, can I ask if your children like your books? Are they your best critics?

Oooooooooh, I've come over all fluttery I rather love Charlie Higson. Must think of a question that I can use to disguise my fawning. Haven't read any of his kids' novels but his adult ones are excellent.

Hello Charlie . My son is an avid reader of Young Bond books - so a big thank you for keeping a boy reading!

He would like to know what are you most proud of in the Young Bond books?
Thank you!

My only question to Charlie Higson is, will her run off with me? I've had a disturbing overactive crush on him for years.

Ooh my son just read the first two and loved them.
Will think of a good question as he really wants the third book in the series.

Although i or my sons have never read any of Charlies books, i do still possess The Higsons' single from '81 in my collection, and it still makes me smile!

Bit personal for a Q&A?

seeker, are you on the right thread?

Sorry- wrong thread. I have reported myself!

Both of my children love charlie's books, though!

What are his top 3 tips for dealing with a zombie invasion? Should you stay indoors?

Serious question...does he have a favourite author from childhood who are a bit forgotten now and he'd like to rehabilitate for this generation's children? Mine would be John Buchan.

When are you going to reform the Higsons...?

According to this article in the Guardian, boys are at last closing the reading gap with girls. I think writers like Charlie Higson deserve to be applauded and thanked because at last they are writing books (and publishers are publishing books) that boys want to read. So thank you!

My question(s) for Charlie... You have obviously researched zombie invasion a great deal for your current set of books so my questions are, are you prepared and do you have an OFRS (Oh F**k Rucksack)? And if so what is in it?

Question from my son who loves the Enemy Series ? in the Q & A at the end of ?The Dead? you say that there were some characters that you became too attached to, to kill off. He was interested to know which ones they were.

Hello Charlie. As an author you obviously love book and so you must be really concerned about the number of library closures in the UK. I am currently campaigning to save the Upper Norwood Joint Library in Crystal Palace, London SE19. What do you think about library closures? Do you have a message we could pass on to Croydon Council on your behalf? Many thanks Michelle

Ok - this question comes from my son, aged 10, who is a big fan of The Enemy and The Dead. He hasn't read The Fear yet.

Charlie - why did you choose to have people over the age of 14 to become zombies?

The Q&A is now closed and we've sent a selection of ten questions over to Charlie. The answers will be linked to from this page next week and we'll be announcing the winners of the ten signed books.

It's not really a selection when only ten questions were asked, is it?

Looking forward to the book, anyway.

The answers to the ten questions are now back (thanks bruxeur!) You can read the full Q&A here and we'll be notifying the winners of the books and requesting your details via PM so keep your eyes peeled.

Charlie Higson Q&A

I loved the answer to my question!

Have I actually won a book?

Ah thank you, Rachel MNHQ, for your message, that's brilliant.