Egmont - We bring stories to life

Every day Andy Stanton is asked questions. Someone might say "Hey Andy, what's it like being the writer of the best books ever written?"

If you have an equally brilliant question you'd like to ask Andy please type it in the box below and click "Submit your question!". By the power of technology your question will be directed to Andy, and by the power of his brain he will answer!

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October 2008

Click on the question below to discover the answers!

Do you like Doctor Who? I love it! My favourite book is Mr Gum and the Power Crystals. - Nina

Hi, Nina. I used to be a 'Doctor Who' fan when I was younger but I don't really keep up with it these days. I do like the Daleks, though. I once knew a Dalek, he liked crisps.

Hi! Your books are so brill I forgot what I was going to ask you!!! - Nina (again)

Don't worry, Nina. I think I know what you meant to ask me and the answer is, 'yes, but never on Tuesdays. And I always use the plastic ones, that way the cheese doesn't slip out the side.'

Why don't you make a Mr Gum game? - Luke M

What a brilliant idea! We should definitely do that. If any games company people are reading this, get in touch!!

I want to know what happens to some of your characters because in your last book half the characters weren't even in it like, Friday O'Leary and his wife or monsieur bellybutton, I didn't spell that right did I? No. - Ifrah Hussein

Actually you did spell Monsieur Bellybutton correctly (apart from missing out the capital letters). Well, let's see. It says at the end of Book 2 that Monsieur Bellybutton went back to France and became a nice man who knew stories about happy happy mice. As for Friday and Mrs Lovely, they weren't in the last adventure because they were at home watching a TV programme about sandwiches. TRUE.

What does Mr Gum's mother think of his horrible behaviour? - Alfie Nunney (from Cornwall)

I don't think she approves, Alfie. Perhaps she'll turn up in a future book and tell him off, we'll see.

Can we write a book together Andy? - Daniel

What a great question! Well, um... I'm pretty busy at the moment writing the 'Mr Gum' books. But if you've got an idea for a story you should write it and send it in to Egmont so they can pass it on to me to read. Then I can steal all your ideas and get rich, ha ha ha!

Will you be making another video like bag of sticks? What about box of lemon meringues? I've read Mr Gum and the Power Crystals so I just wanted to ask will there be any more of Barcelona Jim? - Cameron Davies, age 9

Hi, Cameron. I don't know if we'll be making any more videos but I like the 'box of lemon meringues' idea (or maybe I just like it 'cos I'm hungry right now). I think we might see Barcelona Jim again because he's really cool.

Will you write any other books after Mr Gum? - Stefan

Yes, I'm sure I will, Stefan. I don't know what they'll be about yet, I haven't had a chance to think about it.

How do I not end up as a loser like Mr Gum or Billy William the Third? - Cormac

Firstly, read lots of books, they're good for your brain. Secondly, pay attention at school (Mr Gum and Billy kept bunking off and look what happened to them). Thirdly, don't go poisoning massive whoppers of dogs (or any dogs for that matter). Fourthly, don't open a butcher's shop which sells rotten cuts of meat. And finally: SMILE AND BE NICE TO PEOPLE. If you can manage that you're a winner, Cormac!

I'm doing a report on you can you help me out? - Sam, age 9

OK, Sam. Here's five facts, especially for your report: 1. My favourite foods are curry and pizza - but not together. 2. If I could have been anything instead of an author, I'd like to have been a rock star. 3. My favourite adult authors include Charles Dickens, Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut and Joan Didion. 4. The first film I ever went to see at the cinema was 'Star Wars'. My dad took me when I was four. I loved it but my dad fell asleep. 5. One of my ambitions is to visit Mexico.

I am not your mother, I am a big brown cat that looks a little bit like a seal. I do not dribble, in fact I am the best. You better make it up to me. - Oscar the Cat

Oh dear, I think my mum's gone mad. Oh, well, it was bound to happen one day...

Hi Andy sorry for being pedantic and everything but in your new book Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear (which I have yet to read), wasn't a dancing bear a poor, godforsaken creature, bound in chains and made to dance for a crowd's entertainment? If you do reply, please don't patronise me! - Becky, age 11

Becky, you are correct. A dancing bear was indeed a poor, godforsaken creature who was bound in chains and made to dance for a crowd's entertainment. And if you read 'Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear' you will find that it does indeed involve a poor, godforsaken creature who was bound in chains and made to dance for a crowd's entertainment. I hope that wasn't too patronising. Thank you and goodnight!