The German version of The Ask and the Answer is now out!  The first translation of it anywhere in the world.  It's called Das dunkle Paradies ("The Dark Paradise"), so if you're German-speaking, check it out!  Kudos, too, to my excellent German translator Petra Koob-Pawis.

I also wanted to confirm one of the comments (who got there before I did) that I'll be signing at the Preston branch of Borders Books on Tuesday, 13 October, at 5pm.  Call 01772 703856 for info.  Hope to see you there.

And speaking of those comments, thanks to Charlotte, Rachel, Christie, Fiona, Alexx, Kyle and Karen for the most recent round!  Kyle, mate, you're just going to have to keep reading, I'm afraid.  The horrible truth is all there.

And cheers to Fiona for the music suggestions.  Here's a (possibly) interesting thing.  I do have particular songs that I played a lot during the writing of each book that kind of became theme songs.  For The Knife of Never Letting Go, it was definitely "Map of the Problematique" by Muse for it's pure, thunderous pace (it's a brilliant song to run to, especially when it kicks up a notch halfway through). 

For The Ask and the Answer, it was "Intervention" by Arcade Fire.  Not the lyrics, which bear no resemblance to the book at all, but for the way it builds to a huge explosion.  Also a great running song.  And for Monsters of Men?  Well, it definitely has one, too, but it's a secret for now...

Just like I said before about Todd's accent, though, this is only the way I hear the book.  Whatever music you hear is absolutely cool with me.  Books are shared experiences, not just what the author says they are.