Mostly Harmless

Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series and most recently the sixth book of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, is a relieved man. "I haven't been lynched."

Q Douglas Adams' widow Jane Belson and daughter Polly specially requested that you write this book. What were their first reactions?

A It was Polly who was really behind this whole thing. Once I finished writing, I wanted to send it to Jane. But I didn't for a while. Finally, I sent it to her agent, who sent it to Jane. I then had a very nervous week waiting for her response. It wasn't that she had the final say on the book, but I just didn't want to publish it unless she approved. Anyway, as you see, she did like it.

Q You think Douglas Adams would have given you a thump on your back?

A That's hard to say, but it's very important too. I would hate to think I'd ruined his book. Wherever he is now in the spirit world, I think he would hardly be in a state to be disgusted. Nevertheless his wife, his agent and close friends convinced me that he would have been very happy that I was bringing Hitchhiker's back in the public sphere. And that he would have enjoyed some of my jokes too. So, that's how I now choose to believe it.

Q Now that you've gone and done it, any apprehensions?

A Should have just let Hitchhikers Guide be? I'm a relieved man now. I haven't got lynched. Everybody seems happy. We had this big event in London with the Hitchhiker's fan club. And I tried to talk to as many of them as I could. And they just seemed happy that it had been revived again.

Q And now that you've gone and done it, will you write another Hitchhiker's book?

A No. I just wanted to do one. But what I'd really like is to see someone else do one in a few years' time.

Q Were you trying to think and write like you imagine Douglas Adams would have done? Or, was it Eoin Colfer writing?

A I just tried to write as myself. Douglas Adams had such a unique style. It would be difficult to imitate him. Though I feel some of the flavour of Douglas Adams did come through. I didn't really struggle. I wrote the book very quickly—in five months. And I did just one rewrite, and that was a very minor thing too.