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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September 2008

Click on the question below to discover the answers!

How come you got a children's book award if you're an adult? - Scarlett Moyle

Because I'm a childish adult.

What is Mr Gum's first name? - Samuel

Not telling. Yet...

When you die can I take over the Mr Gum books for you? - Zahara

You can take 'em over right now if you like, Zahara. I'm completely out of ideas and my hand hurts.

Do you ever listen to music while writing books? - Dan

What a great question. I don't listen to music while I'm actually doing the writing. I know some authors do, but it takes away my concentration. But I do listen to music in between bursts of writing. For example, I might write for an hour or so and then blast out the stereo for ten minutes - and then it's back to the writing. I often listen to particular albums for particular books. 'Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear' was written whilst listening to an album by Ween - but it's not really suitable for kids, you must listen to songs about flowers and lucky rabbits instead.

Can you persuade Tesco to rename their gingerbread men and call them Alan Taylors? - Fiona (35 years and 8 months)

Fiona, would you like to be my publicity manager?

Are you a human? - King of Kings

Most of the time.

In the books it says that you were a comedian. Can you give me a few tips please? (my favorite comedians are Rowan Atkinson, Eddy Izzard, Ben Elton and Peter Kay. Oh... and you!) - Ethan Sarphie

Oh dear. I wasn't really a comedian. Basically I did about five stand-up gigs while I was at university, but that was YEARS ago. But these days I speak at schools and book festivals and that's quite a lot like being a stand-up. I haven't got the space to give you too many tips here but you're on the right track. Keep listening to your favourite comedians (it seems you have good taste), learn from them, practice your routine a lot and don't be afraid of failure. Half of being a successful comedian is about confidence, in my opinion. And if all else fails - run away.

Your books r so cool! I went on holiday to Spain and went to a hotel and I was reading Mr Gum and the Goblins. It was so funny! I was reading it in the night. The rest of my family was in the same room. I read bits out and my mum laughed at first then it annoyed her so I got told off! P.S: Have you ever been to Spain? - Rosyln

Thank you, Roslyn. I can't believe your mother told you off for reading out such an intelligent and profound work of literature as 'Mr Gum and the Goblins'. P.S: I have been to Spain, I like the crisps there.

What is Mr Gum's favourite food in Greasy Ian's House of Slops? - Sandy Avrutin

Greasy Ian's Midnight Mystery Special. This is only available on the stroke of midnight and it's the biggest, greasiest, meatiest old slopper de la flopper you could ever imagine. The Midnight Mystery Special changes every night, but it usually comes in whatever piece of pita bread Greasy Ian's been using for a handkerchief that evening. Once it came in a rubber glove. Some nights the Midnight Mystery Special is moving. Once it barked.

I am very upset about your reference to my dribble in your last q & a . Do you think you can make this up to me by including a big fat brown cat in your next book? MIAOWWWWWWWWWWWW - Oscar the Cat

Folks, the above email is apparently from my mother's cat, Oscar. However, I refuse to answer it as I suspect it is in actual fact from my mother.

Howdy Andy. My daughter loves your books and has read them all so far, She also loves listening to the You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! Audio book when she is in bed. My question is..... Are you going to do any other audio books? If so, when can we look forward to getting them? I think you should do, if only for my benefit of getting a quiet night !!! Cheers mate - Jody Dunne, father of Caitlin (Age 7)

Oh, golly, I'd love to do the other audio books. Petition Egmont, everyone, please!

Hello, Andy. I live in Scotland . My question is...can you remove the bit in the American index thingy , the bit where it says everyone in Scotland has a beard? I DO NOT HAVE A BEARD!!! - Lucy

Nonsense, Lucy, of course you do.