Isn't it true that children's fantasy novels appeal to adult readers and, mostly, are just not understood by children who like things clear cut and comprehensible?
Joan Ferguson, Penge, Croydon

I think that good children's novels (whether fantasy or not) usually work on multiple levels so that they appeal to readers of all ages, offering each of those readers a different experience. Typically, there is a strong story that will appeal to the younger or less sophisticated reader who doesn't look beyond that, but there will also be additional layers of content and meaning for more experienced readers. This is why good books (of any kind) can be read more than once.

Do you read much children's literature yourself? Do you think it's a bit sad that so many adults limit their reading to Harry Potter and Philip Pullman?
Sarah Rider, Birmingham

I read all kinds of books from all categories and genres, including books published for children, young adults and adults. I think it's a shame when anyone limits their reading because of categorization of a book, that if it's for children it's not for them, or if it's shelved in a genre they think is worthless. Hopefully reading Rowling and Pullman works as an introduction to the great wealth of children's literature for some readers and they go on to experiment with some more.

Any plans for a Sabriel film? Who would you like to see in the lead roles?
Tom Muto, Los Angeles, California USA

There have been various approaches over the years from film-makers interested in Sabriel. However, I would rather have no film than a bad film, and so far the right combination of people have not come forward or, when people whose work I respect have been interested, they have not been able to put together the right package of talent and financing to convince me I should sell them the film rights. I remain hopeful and there are frequent approaches about all my books, so you never know.

It's an interesting situation, because earlier in my career I would have just sold the film rights to almost anyone because I was broke, but there were very few offers. Now I don't need their money, I get lots of approaches, but I have other criteria.

I suspect that the lead roles in a film of Sabriel could be best played by newcomers. One role I do have a preference for is to have Tim Curry be the voice of the cat Mogget, as he has proven he can do so well in his reading for the audio versions of the trilogy. I do get a lot of e-mails from readers suggesting actors. At the moment Keira Knightley is a favourite for Sabriel herself, and Viggo Mortensen for her father, the Abhorsen.

When Sabriel first came out in the US in 1996, I got numerous e-mails suggesting Winona Ryder for the Sabriel role, so it's certainly something readers think about a lot. I remember one dinner with a large group of booksellers and librarians in Boston back in 1997 or thereabouts where they cast the whole film, using both live and dead actors, chosen at various stages of their lives. I think a young Natalie Wood got picked for Sabriel that time. I should have kept the menu the cast list was written on!

How long did it take you to write your first book and how did you get a publisher to accept it?
Laura Bennet, Perth, Australia

I wrote a book for practice when I was 19 and that took about a year, but I never sent it anywhere (and it's never going to see the light of day). My first published novel, The Ragwitch, took about five years off and on. It was mostly written on Sunday afternoons and occasional evenings and I sometimes didn't work on it for a few months at a time. When it was as polished and ready as I could make it, I researched the publishers who published children's fantasy, how they liked to be approached, and sent submissions to four of them. Three rejected it and I was preparing a list of some more to submit to when the fourth one rang up and said they wanted to publish it.

Writing children's books seems deceptively easy. Do you write with children readers in mind or is that just the audience your books have found by chance?
Samuel Miles, Windsor, Berkshire

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