Ask Angie 4
Angie loves keeping in touch with her fans. So, if you have a question about the Septimus Heap series, here is the perfect place for an answer.
Post a comment with your question and soon it will be answered by Angie Sage.
RULES:
- Before asking questions, please read the Frequently Asked Questions here. Your answer might be there…
- Do not ask anything about the movie. The only thing we AND Angie know is that David Frankel is attached as director. And YES, the movie will be live-action and not animated. You can see here what Angie has to say about this. Also, do not ask about the auditions. Not yet…
- Do not ask for Angie’s personal email. The only way to get in touch with her is here.
- Do not ask the title for the seventh book – even Angie doesn’t know it.
- Do not use this section for chat. This is Angie’s section. For chat go here.
- Do not say every time “thank you for answering my question, Angie”. We need this section for questions only.
Shauki
Angie Sage
Dear Angie!
Congratiolations for the Ask Angie 4!
I was re-reading Magyk (again) and then I noticed that there were 3 other babies in the room with Septimus and Merrin (when they switched while they were babies) and remembered boy 409 (in browse inside of Darke there was the list of names of 4 boys in Young army: Septimus(Merrin),Mandy(409) and two other boys that had the same last name like 409 (Marwick)).So does 409 have two brothers?
P.S: I hope the question is writen enough clear(seriusly didn’t know how to write it).
).
P.P.S: I know that I shouldn’t read the browse inside but I just couldn’t resist it!
P.P.P.S.: I hope you will answer the question (and I’m shure you will
P.P.P.P.S: Congratiolations for Darke and thanks for the answer!
June 11, 2011 at 11:05 am
Hello Niah,
the other babies are all explained in Darke, so I won’t say anything else… But it is a good question! And yes, it was written fine and you are first on Ask Angie 4!
June 12, 2011 at 9:34 am
Dear Angie,
I was wondering if you could elaborate on what the Great
Catastrophe was that caused the creation of the ice tunnels?
Also is the catrock light and the technology under the isles of syren hinting at a lost advanced civilization like an atlantis?
October 13, 2011 at 2:08 am
Hi Angie,
Wow, four Ask Angie’s! Hehe Sep must be really famous!
Anyway, I caught something odd and I can’t make sense of it. Wolf Boy was supposedly in the room where Sep got taken to after the Mid-Wife snatched him. That means Wolf Boy must’ve been alive on the day Sep was born. But, I was looking at the trading cards that you can find using the dragon ring on the map. And, according to the cards Wolf Boy is younger than Sep. This doesn’t really make sense. Is Wolf Boy older than Sep?
Another quick question, one of my friends and I keep having arguments over hair color. She thinks Marcia’s hair is red, and I keep saying that it’s black. What color is her hair? Thanks!
June 11, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Hello Maddie,
You are right, there are some mistakes on the trading cards – they were done when I was totally snowed under with writing – I think it was Flyte – and I didn;t double check everything. He is a little older than Sep. Not much though.
Marciia has dark hair, definitely not red. Very dark brown, almost black.
June 12, 2011 at 9:37 am
marcia’s hair is dark brown and curly
March 27, 2012 at 12:43 am
Hi again!
I have a few questions
I have just finished re-reading Physik, and I wanted to know if we ever find out what the Great Alchemie Disaster is??????
Also I was wondering if sometime in the books Alchemie and Physik would make a comeback in the modern day Castle??? (for example there will be an an Alchemist and an Alchemie Apprentice again??)
Thank you
Priya
June 12, 2011 at 12:03 am
Hello Priya,
I’m thinking about that right now. I need to find out about it too…
And yes, things are changing in the Castle where Alchemie and Physik are concerned.
June 12, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Wow. That was quick. I never thought there would be a new one so soon.
Well I’ve got a question that I never got around to asking because I always forget it.
Did Marcia come from the Eastern Snow Plains? And is the Eastern Snow Princess in the House of Foryx the same with the Princess that Marcia’s father served for?
I think there’s something wrong with my grammar but I just can’t figure it out. I hope you don’t mind.
Jenna Haruka xxx
June 12, 2011 at 2:22 am
Hello again!
Yes, I think Marcia’s family came from there. And I’m pretty sure the Snow Princess is the one Marcia’s father worked for. All those things I want to really think about when I have finished book 7.
Your grammar is pretty much perfect but the thing you felt was wrong was this: it should have been: ‘And is the Eastern Snow Princess in the House of Foryx the same AS the Princess that Marcia’s father …’ and then you can either have ‘worked for’ or just served, but not ‘served for’. A very subtle difference and a question of fine tuning!. And goodness, i don’t mind at all, I am amazed how good your English is.
June 12, 2011 at 11:24 pm
hi angie
first things first I wanted to congrats you on the fourth ask angie and thanks for answering my questions hope your not tired just wanted to ask something:
is bettle older than septimus?and will he tell jenna how he feels about being second best to septimus?
thanks for your time.
love your books
Princess Jenna
June 12, 2011 at 9:31 am
Hello Princess jenna!
Yes, AA4 is good going. No, I don’t get tired as long as I keep up with the questions! And it is so nice to be in touch with everyone.
Yes Beetle is a couple of years older than Septimus. He doesn’t tell jenna about being second best because he stops feeling like that and so it is no longer important. Which is nice for Beetle.
June 12, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Hi!
Adam again! I had some more questions for you.
1. (Edited by Shauki: please, no spoiler-questions!)
2. Speaking of the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, I was wondering. Did Hotep-Ra bring the akhu amulet with him when he came? Or did he construct it as a symbol of power? And if Hotep-Ra could do magyk perfectly well without an amulet, why do ExtraOrdinary Wizards need it to be powerful?
3. Again about Hotep-Ra, where did he learn Magyk? He came to the Castle when no one there knew about it.
4. Also, who was DomDaniel apprenticed to? Who would want their apprentice to be so evil? And how did he succeed the previous ExtraOrdinary Wizard? Did he/she notice DomDaniel was evil, or did he/she not care?
5. What were the Days Of Beyond? Was it a time when there were gods, or a more advanced civilization? Is that why there is evidence of technology which looks like magic to today’s inhabitants?(eg. elevator in peepee, red tube(a.k.a. sumberine), etc)
If so, how did it all disapeer?
Thanks!
June 12, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Hi Adam,
2. Yes, Hotep-Ra brought the Akhu Amulet with him. It concentrates the EOW’s power and has an effect on the Wizard Tower too, by channeling all the pwoer of the other Wizards.
3. Hotep-Ra was a natural Wizard, but he learnt his trade in one of the Far Countries and brought the Magyk with him to the Castle.
4. DD was Apprenticed to a Wizard who was a bit like Jillie Djinn – he was no judge of people. But DD did not show his true colours until he became EOW.
5. They were days long long ago, so far away that they have become almost mythical. There will be more about this in book 7, so I won’t say anymore at the moment!
June 12, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Hello Angie
My questions are:
Well done on Darke! I live in the UK, but I’ve ordered it online from America, so it should be coming any day now
1. Which books was the hardest to write?
2. Is Septimus more interested in Alchemy or Magyk?
3. My Mum is triying to get her book published and she’s finding it tricky, so I wondered how long it took you to get Magyk published and whether it was difficult.
4. Also, do you know where in the UK signings are taking place because I would really love to go to one!
Thankyou very much
June 12, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Hello Chloe,
I’m glad you;ve manage to get hold of a copy of Darke. i suspect a lot of people will be doing that. Hope you like it!
1. I think each book gets a little harder to write as there is more to remember. It’s also harder right at the end of the series as there is so much I want to sort out!
2. Right now he has decided the magyk is his thing, but he is still fascinated by Physik.
Not so much with Alchemie though.
3. I was lucky with Magyk as I had been writing books for quite a long time so I already had an agent. The most difficult book to get published is your first one. The best thing to do is to really try hard to find an agent first. Publishers are much more likely to look at things sent in by agents they know send them good stuff. It is tough getting published and all I can say is to keep trying and get as much advice as you can. Maybe employ an editor to comment on the book. Good luck to your mum!
4. I’m planning on doing lots of signings here in the UK when DARKE comes out here in October. I will post them all on this site when I know when they are and Tweet them too.
See you sometime in October!
June 12, 2011 at 11:42 pm
dear angie, i was wondering, will beetle and jenna ever fall in love? it would be so cool! will syrah ever wake up? i love all your books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can’t wait for #7!!
March 31, 2012 at 12:01 am
Congratulations on Darke! I was so excited to get it 5 days earlier than Amazon’s preorder said it would come. I’ve finished and it was just as great as the first books. Since I don’t know how to ask my questions without giving away anything for those in the UK I’ll just ask when is the next book coming? I can’t wait to see where it goes!
June 12, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Thank you!
I’m still writing book 7 … it’s due at the publishers for next May tho I hope to get it to them earlier. But am only up to chapter 15 so far ….
June 18, 2011 at 8:56 am
Hello Angie,
I’ll read it again and again! Merrin was the best (I mean worst). 
Sep was very helpful and kind. I will write more after October…
I’ve read Darke and it was fantastic!
My questions (I try not to write spoilers):
1. Will Merrin be in the seventh book?
2. Can SpitFyre change into something like the Dragon boat?
3. Why do lots of spells or magical equipments disappear?
June 12, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Lovely – and thanks for not writing spoilers, I know it is really difficult!
1. He’s not in there so far, but I’d like to just catch a glimpse of him
2. No, Spit Fyre is solid, all the way through dragon. He doesn’t do boats!
3. Magyk is by its nature unstable. You can never be totally sure of it. Here one minute, gone the next.
June 18, 2011 at 9:00 am
Hi, Angie!
When is Darke out for Canada? (If you know, if not then that’s OK) I was wondering how Simon would react when he finds out that Merrin is the Possesor of the Two-Faced Ring… I think he would be mad and suprised. Also, when Lucy sends out the message to Simon,the ratlets are full-grown. How long has it been since Syren? Thanks and please answer soon!
June 12, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Hello Sherry, DARKE is out in Canada! http://www.amazon.ca/Septimus-Heap-Book-Six-Darke/dp/006124242X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307947181&sr=8-1
Since Angie’s publisher in Canada is HarperCollins (same as in the USA), DARKE was published there the same day.
June 13, 2011 at 6:40 am
Hello Sherry,
Darke begins on the eve of Jenna And Sep’s 14th birthdays. About 18 months after Syren…
June 18, 2011 at 9:04 am
Hi Angie!
I have a couple of questions.
1. In Magyk, Sally Mullin says “God bless the little one.” Just wondering, I saw in the other Ask Angies that you said there is some mythology in the Castle. Is that related to the question that Sally asks?
2. How is Jillie Djinn pronounced? On the Book-On-CDs it’s pronounced Di-jinn, but I’ve heard it’s pronounced just Jinn.
Thank you so much!
June 12, 2011 at 10:25 pm
1. Well, Sally prattles on a lot. Its just a turn of phrase she uses. She is referring to the baby princess. It’s not really related to anything else in the Castle.
2. I too would say Jinn, the D should be silent. That way you get the same J sound as with Jillie.
June 18, 2011 at 9:06 am
Okay, I have loads of questions. Sorry in advance, Angie!
I don’t want to spoil Darke for anyone so I won’t be really specific here but sometimes it seems like the other characters are too hard on Marcia. What I mean is, Marcia may be stern and impaitent at points but she really cares about the Castle and the people in it? It seems to me that people like Jenna and Sarah Heap forget that at times. Jenna seems to dislike Marcia and I wondered why-like she blames her for “wrecking” ********** (EDITED). It’s like Jenna forgets that Marcia has saved her countless times. Marcia obviously cares about Jenna so why doesn’t Jenna return that?
Next question. Who is Merrin’s father? Is he important?
Do you think you would ever consider writing more about Snorri and Nicko after the series concludes? What about Jenna and Beetle?
I started wondering if perhaps Marcellus Pye and Marcia are relatives because of their similarities. Is that totally crazy? I just thought that maybe because Broda could have had a child…..I just don’t know. That would explain the physical and occaional behavioral similarities (though they aren’t /always/ alike behaviorally in my opinion. Marcellus seems a bit haughtier than Marcia in certain siutaions.)
Will Jenna ever save the Draggen Boat? I miss it.
Does Marcellus Pye fancy anyone? Sometimes I get that “gay” vibe from him. I wondered if perhaps he was one of your gay characters. I know, I know, he’s been married but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s /not/ gay. I don’t know, for some reason he sends my “gaydar” off so I wondered. I guess because he’s so picky and obsessed with his physical appearance. If he is gay, I support the idea of Terry Tarsal and Marcellus getting together. They’d bond over shoes. haha. I’m kidding, Angie, but I did wonder if perhaps he was one of the gay characters because I get that kind of vibe from him.
I feel bad for Beetle because he does all of this stuff for Jenna and I get the feeling she wouldn’t do the same things for him if the need arose. Do you think Beetle will ever stop fancying her?
Will Milo Banda make a larger appearance in the next book? What on earth does Marcia see in him? I guess different strokes for different folks, right?
Still, it seems odd and somewhat amusing.
Would Marcia ever want children of her own? With the way she takes care of Septimus, I actually think she’d be a good mother.
Last question. What if the Queen doesn’t give birth to a child? For example, if Jenna grew up and never had children, who would inherit the throne? There isn’t anyone else alive who is of the royal blood line, is there? I know Jenna will probably have children but I wondered about this just the same.
Thank you so much for answering my questions! I love your books and I don’t know how but they keep getting better and better. I’m already ready to get my paws on number 7 though I know it will be a while. I’m going to miss these books so much when the series is over. Thanks for these literary masterpieces!
June 12, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Hello Addie,
yes, Marcia does get a lot of stick from people, but I don’t think its too serious. Its just what happens when people are in positions of power or authority. They are bound to annoy people sometimes. Jenna remembers the time that Marcia turned up on her 10th birthday and it is not a good memory. Yes, she knows that Marcia was doing it for good reasons, but it still makes her feel bad.
Beetle and jenna … I am writing that bit now!
Milo is a typical Bad Boy. He’s kind of dashing in a creepy way. Marcia has her weaknesses…. More of Milo in Book 7.
Yes, Marcia would be a good mother, but I can’t see her having children. I think she sees Septimus as her own in a way.
If the Queen does not have children the throne would go to her nearest female relative. Probably a niece. This has happened a few times. There never has been a time with no female relatives. Jenna is the first without any clear line of succession. She would have to go back in her family history and do a bit of research. Records are kept in the Palace and in the Wizard Tower.
Thank you for your lovely comments. I do feel I get better at writing each one, so I’m really pleased you think that. I’d like to carry on writing a little more about the Septimus world when the series is done. Maybe some stand-alone books about different characters. Certainly one about marcia’s childhood.
June 18, 2011 at 9:17 am
wow! ask angie 4! kewlio!
please post my question/comment anyway!
hi angie! I finished darke last saterday and it was fantastic! Soooo worth the wait! Now I’m starving for book 7! Anyway, my question; if beetle’s dad is dead, how come he isnt a ghost? Also, hows book 7? What chapter are you up to? I’m sorry if this is more of a comment then a question but I DO have 3 questions and I just wanted to get the comment off my chest! SORRY!
with MAGYK,
Katie
June 12, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Hello Katie,
Beetle’s dad is a ghost, but he’s got lost somewhere. Not all ghosts work out where to go, unfortunately.
Book 7 is slow at the moment. Sometimes life gets in the way of writing… Also I have had to reread all the other ones to jog my memory about some things. Which is weird, really. I found I could keep everything in my head up to Queste and then I needed to take notes. I shall be back writing next week. Chapter 15. I hope my pace picks up now!
June 18, 2011 at 9:21 am
oh I knew I was forgetting something!
About Syrah’s age before she was possesed by the syren, is she 17 or 19? In the book Syren when she is saying how she was syrah and her age and stuff in her journal while she was turning into syren it said she was 19, and on the card it says shes 17…sorry I forgot and then remembered 2 minutes later!
Thanks!
katie
P.S. congrats on darke!!!
June 12, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Thanks!
We’ll go with what Syrah says about her age. The trading cards are not all totally accurate, I’m afraid. I ought to get around the having a proper look at them.
June 18, 2011 at 9:22 am
Me again
Last night I was thinking about Sep’s Young Army Name, sorry, number- and I wanted to know why exactly you chose Boy 412 as his number. Then I realised “Hey! 4+1+2= 7!!!!!!! Was that a coincidence or on purpose??????
Thank you!!!!!!!
Priya
June 13, 2011 at 7:47 am
Hello Priya,
It was on purpose!!
June 18, 2011 at 9:23 am
Does that mean boy 409 (Wolfboy) is going to be the next alchemist, since socialized love the number 13 (4+0+9=13)??? Or is that a witch thing to? Or is it completely unrelated??
November 1, 2011 at 6:43 am
Hi Angie,
I just wanted to congratulate you on Darke!
Book 6 and the series is just as strong as the first.
I was just wondering if you had even a vague idea of when we Aussies could expect the 7th book?
Thanks a million,
Anna
June 14, 2011 at 10:50 am
Hello Anna,
Thank you! I’m still writing book 7. And am not that far on either. I hope to pick up speed now… My deadline for delivery in May next year but I’m aiming for earlier.
June 18, 2011 at 9:24 am
I just wanna say, I totally love your book! Not that I’m giving anythingg away, but, Marcia is ExtraOrdinary Wizard number 776? Really? When I read that, I was just, idk, annoyed a little, but I just thought, would that make him even MORE POWERFUL????? And what if he married a seventh daughter? How powerful would that make their seventh child? Just curious…
June 14, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Hello Diana,
Just messing around with 7s again…
Well, there are all kinds of possibilities with this.!
June 18, 2011 at 9:27 am
Hi Angie!
I’m writing a story and I think I should start over because the setting is Paris but I think I put to much French in it and the story is going to fast because I’m very impatient no matter what I do and I really need some advice!!!!! Please help!!!! Thank you!!! 
June 14, 2011 at 6:04 pm
I know I’m not Angie, but I like to write myself and have some tips of my own. For now, just let it go as fast as you want- when you don’t feel like continuing the plot line, but still want to work on it, it’s great to go back and flesh out the details with descriptions, dialogue, and minor details that might end up a plot point. (on the last one, ex: (with Angie, who else?) in Queste, Jenna leaves Beetle’s pen with Foxy. In Darke, that ends up a plot point. (agh, no spoiler, I hope) and in Magyk, the book keeps dropping little clues, and they help you to guess who Sep really is. (Himself!;) )Also, incorporating other languages is often a great idea, as it really gives you a feel for the setting and the characters, but it’s probably easiest if you write it all in English (or what ever your native language is) first, then go back and change it. Also, o keep it unconfusing, unless it’s only popular phrases tht most people know, like Bon Jour, merci, mon ami,(i probably spelled those wrong) among others, provide a translatiion in the following sentence. Ex: “Merci,” Belle thanked the butcher. And put a dictionary in the back hen your finished.
Anyways, thank for reading, and I hope that helped. (And I hope you’ve read Darke already, it’s a great book. And Shauki, if my hint about the pen is a spoiler, feel free to delete it and this Sentence.)
June 17, 2011 at 11:46 am
try reading it out loud to a good friend and see what they think. It’s always good to get a reader’s/listener’s opinion. Good luck.
June 18, 2011 at 9:28 am
Dear Angie,
I haven’t been on lately, and for that matter I have a lot of questions. Why is it that Jenna cannot be a wizard? Why aren’t white witches bad, but the witches at the port witch coven are? What happened with Wolf Boy and the grim tentacle? Didn’t he feed it to the banana guy (I don’t remember his name)? Did Aunt Zelda make him do it all over again? Did Wolf Boy even know that the quest he was on was about to make him keeper? Did he even want to be? I know there are a lot of questions, and it goes on…….What made you so interested in wizards? Some of the wizardly things you say in the books; did you make those up or did you research wizards and stuff and find out some actual wizard facts? From the books, you seem to know a lot about wizards. How much older is Merrin than Sep and Jenna? Beetle seems to have become a bigger character in the books as the series goes on; does he have a big role in the 6th book? What is Lucy Gringe? Is she a wizard, a witch, or anything? Does Wolf Boy maybe like Lucy a little? In the 5th book, I kind of sensed a little of that. Are Nicko and Snorri dating, or just in love? Nicko seems to like Snorri a lot, but Snorri seems a little shy and unsure around him. Does Snorri like him like he likes her, or does she see him as just a nice friend? I know there are a lot of questions, but please don’t skip over them!
June 15, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Hello Madison,
sooooooo many questions. Help!
Jenna just doesn’t have the Magykal thing. Like some people can sing and others can’t.
Witches: it’s up to the person how she uses her witchy power. Good or bad, the choice is hers.
Wolf Boy did feed the tentacle to Jim Knee. But he had enough gunk left to pass his test.
Yes, he worked out that he was on a test.
I make up all the Wizard stuff. I don’t know where it comes from, I think I just remember a lot of things I have read about and put it all together in a new way.
Merrin is 5 or 6 months older than jen and Sep.
Yes, Beetle has grown in the series and he does have an important role in Darke. I like Beetle.
Lucy is an artist and textile designer!
Wolf Boy likes Lucy, but only as a friend. he admires her dress sense, I think.
Nicko and Snorri were in love, but they have spent a long, long time together in the House of Foryx. It’s not been good for the relationship. There is a little more of them in Darke…
June 18, 2011 at 9:36 am
Hi Angie!
I know that Wizards’ eyes turn green as they are exposed to Magyk, but does the same happen to Witches, except blue?
Jeff
June 15, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Hello Jeff,
this can happen, but often they are blue already.
June 18, 2011 at 9:37 am
angie you said that you might come to the u.s. after darke was published and i was wondering if you are comeing in or near montnana my cousin and i would really apreacite it
June 15, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Hello Noah,
i’m not doing a tour for Darke after all but I hope I might do one for the last book. It is up to my publishers to decide and I think they’ll let me know about that next year sometime. I will post it here when I know. I hope I do get to come over again!
June 18, 2011 at 9:39 am
Angie , you are 100 percent amazing ! such a talented writer ! and sorry that this is more of a comment . .
June 16, 2011 at 4:29 am
Wow, Megan, I never mind comments like that! Thank you!
June 18, 2011 at 9:40 am
Most sincere apologies but i had forgotten to refer to the frequently asked questions area but i do have a question. I am aspiring to become a book critic and would love to obtain an idea or two on were i could start please help.
P.S. I love how you leave the edges for your pages uncut it gives the book a feeling of being an ancient text
June 16, 2011 at 5:50 am
Hello Cody,
I don’t know much about how to become a book critic. I’m guessing you could start doing some reviews and sending them off to magazines, papers etc and see if they liked them. And there are a lot on online book blogs now. That would be a good way to get going too. Good luck!
Yes, I love the untrimmed edges too.
June 18, 2011 at 9:42 am
Hi Angie! I just got Darke for my birthday (Tues) and read it straight into the middle of the night. I just couldn’t put it down, and I love what happened with Beetle. I knew it would happen eventually; it just fits. And Simon as well. Also, in the past couple books, I’ve sort of lost touch with Jenna- they didn’t give as much stuff fro her point of view, and it made me like her less- but in Darke, it’s like I just met an old friend. So anyway, thanks and congratulations.
Just a couple of questions- Is Jenna ever going reconcile with Milo?
Are the ice tunnels eventually going to be unsealed?
Will all the loose ends concerning the whole Alchemie thing plus dragon boat, plus syrah, plus other questions going to be resolved in the seventh book?
Was it hard to kill off the character in Darke, even though they were hardly major? Or did you feel they got their just desserts?
Will the palace regain its former glory in the duration of the books? (PLEASE say yes to that one)
How old is Beetle at the end of Darke?
Is 7 going to be another “castle” books?
Do you have the foggiest idea for the title yet?
Is the villain form 7 going to be someone we know?
Will thier even be a villain?
Anyways, happy summer and god luck on book 7!
June 16, 2011 at 10:43 am
Hello Rachel Emily,
I’m really glad you felt all these things, they are what had had hoped Darke would do, but you never know if it has worked until people read it. So thank you.
Pretty much all your comments I have in my head for book 7 but I won’t say more than that…
You know who – just desserts. But it wasn’t planned, just felt right.
Palace: YES!
& being a Castle book – yes, i think so, although I do get itchy feet and they have to go somewhere is only briefly. So I am planning at least one excursion..
The title. yes, I have known it for a while. There is a BIG clue in Darke, actually.
There isn’t one big villain behind everything. just echoes of bad stuff. There will be some kind of bad guy, naturally.
Thank you and you have a happy summer too.
June 18, 2011 at 9:48 am
Dear Angie,
Will Jim Knee awake in the last book? Or is he finished for the series?
June 16, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Hello Jeff,
Jim Knee will wake up in the summer. And I plan for some of book 7 to be in the summer…
June 18, 2011 at 9:48 am
Oooohhh, an Ask Angie 4! Wow, I think it’s really great that you take that much time to answer your fans’ questions!
And now I have another one –
If I remember correcty, Sep said in Queste that there have been 776 EOWs. So that would make him the 777th, right? And he just happens to be a seventh son of a seventh son
.
Oh, yes, and I’m most definitely NOT going to spoil anything because I remember how upset I was when I read the sneek peek Prologue without meaning to and found out about Alther. It wasn’t a spoiler, but still… I had to wait for a whole month or two before I got the book, and I hate suspense.
So, yeah, no spoilers here, but I absolutely LOVED Darke! I think one of your biggest strengths in writing is making really great villains (Etheldredda and the Aie-Aie were absolutely TERRIFYING. I loved them .
), so I was super-excited when I learned the name of book 6 was going to be Darke! And I wasn’t disappointed – It was fantastic!
Speaking of villains, I loved what the one bit of good left in DomDaniel was! Hilarious! What do you think Etheldredda’s would be?
Thanks!
-Myka
June 16, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Hello Myka,
Yes, you are right about all the 7s. IF Sep does be EOW of course…
Etheldredda’s bit of good … hard to know. It’s rumoured she had a pet spider and was quite nice to it. Fed it the best flies she could find.
June 18, 2011 at 9:52 am
Hello, Angie!
There was a question I asked quite a while ago, but I fear it still ceases to be answered! Unfortantately, it’s probably lost somewhere in Ask Angie 3. However, it won’t be too much trouble to rewrite it here! Do dogs turn into GHOSTS when they die? Thank you for your time, (I think this message was longer than nescasary!) your number 4 fan, Madison. Yes, I hate to say it, but I’ve seen a few people crazier for you than I am!
June 16, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Hello Madison, number 4 fan!
I’m not sure about dog ghosts. I suspect dogs do become ghosts if their owners miss them too much. I think they might be dependent on humans for ghosthood.
June 18, 2011 at 9:55 am
Dear Angie,
I am reading Darke. It has to be your best book yet. I live in America and heard that you were doing book signing down at the UK. By any chance are you coming to sign books in America???
June 16, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Hello Sofi,
I’m sorry to say that I’m not coming to the US this time for Darke, but I do hope to come over for the last book. I will keep you all posted on this website. Usually I do a lot more signings in the USA and not so many over here in the UK, it just happens to be the other way around this time.
June 18, 2011 at 9:58 am
Hi,Angie!
How come sometimes Marcellus is called an Alchemist while other times he’s called a Physician? What’s the difference? Thaks you and congrats on Darke!
June 16, 2011 at 11:50 pm
Hello Sherry,
Thanks!
Marcellus is both. The 2 skills are closely related and he has a big interest in Physik. Some Alchemists are not so bothered about Physik and prefer the weirder Alchemie stuff.
June 18, 2011 at 10:00 am
Hi,Angie!(again)
I have a question about Simon. When he became Darke, his eyes turned dark green, right? Can they turn back to their original colour? Also, another question about eyes, do other people tell what people are by the colour of their eyes? I mean ,like if someone walking by you has blue eyes,thet means they’re a witch? Is it possible for somone to have green eyes but not be a wizard? Thanks and enjoy your summer!
June 17, 2011 at 12:00 am
Hello Sherry again!
Yes, it is possible for Simon’s eyes to loses their dark tinge.
And just because a person has blue or green eyes doesn’t mean they have to be a witch or a wizard – it just means it is a possibility.
You have a great summer too!
June 18, 2011 at 10:01 am
hi angie if i was in your world if you didnt have a permant eye color what would the meen? like if there like a brown and hazel and green what does that meen?
June 18, 2011 at 3:16 am
Hello Noah,
it would mean you had great possibilities! You could try different things out and see what you were good at.
June 18, 2011 at 10:03 am
Hi, Angie!
If Bert had been there during the whole thing in Darke (don’t want to give anything away
), would the same thing that happened to Binkie and all the other cats have happened to Bert too? Even though he’s a duck, he’s still a cat at heart, and I wondered if that would mean it still would happen to him.
-Myka
June 18, 2011 at 3:59 am
Hello Myka,
Yes, I am sorry to say the same would have happened to Bert. I think Aunt Zelda would have been rather upset. But I reckon Bert would have been ok with it.
June 18, 2011 at 10:04 am
Hello Angie!
At First: Please, please excuse my mistakes because I´m german and just 13 years old but I´ll try to write my questions with my worse english.
) as much as you do.(And drawing 
) I got many questions und I hope it´s ok to you.
I love your books very much and to be honest: The Septimus Heap series is the reason why I love reading books. First I didn´t read much but when I read the 1st book form you I just wanted more. So thank you for this.And you are an inspiration to me beacue I love writing (in german
1st: I love the charaker of Marcia and I loved to hear that you´ll write a separate book of hear childhood. At which part of her live will it start/finish? What do you think? Will it also show the time after “Septimus Heap”? Oh I phrased it worse….
2.: When will DARKE come out in germany? And will “The magykal papers ” be transleted in german, too?
3.:Will you come to germany on a tour or something like that?
4.: What do you think about germany ?
5.: Does Broda Pye exist as a ghost? If it´s so, does Marcellus somethimes meet her?
6.: I think Alther is a bit like a father for Marcia and for Silas, is that the reason why they tease each other? (I hope I used the right verb, if I haven´t thanks to google) Do they have something like “sibling love” or am I just crazy and they dislike each other´?
and last but not least: Will Marcia and Marcellus meet again? I liked the scene in book 4! I hope that you´ll answer my questions and understand what I mean.Thank you and have a nice weekend!
Love Lisa
June 18, 2011 at 2:02 pm
DARKE will be out this year, in September. http://www.hanser-literaturverlage.de/buecher/buch.html?isbn=978-3-446-23793-3
June 20, 2011 at 7:21 am
Hello Lisa,
Your English is really good! I am so pleased that Septimus got you into reading.
So I will try to answer your questions…
1. I’d like to write about Marcia from very young, but in detail from about 10 onwards.
2. I am not sure when Darke will be out in Germany, but not too long, I hope. It will need to be translated, which does take a few months. I am not sure about the Magykal Papers either. I will ask!
3. I am coming to Hamburg to the Book Fair to read from Darke (and there will be a translator to read in german) September 15th, i think. I will post it here (and Tweet it) nearer the time.
4. I like Germany. I haven’t been there much, just to Berlin and once I drove to Bonn, many years ago.
5. Broda’s ghost got lost on the marshes. Marcellus has never met her ghost.
6. I ithnk you are right about Marcia and Silas, it is what we call sibling rivalry, both competing for Alther’s approval. And Alther is very careful to tell them that he loves them both just the same. Also on Marcia’s part, she does think Silas is a little lazy, which she does not understand as she has always had to work very hard for what she gets. Marcia is a typical only child in this way and Silas very much a youngest child.
And yes, marcia and marcellus both meet again in Darke.
i hope you have a nice weekend too!
June 21, 2011 at 12:00 am
hi angie altho its summer during school i made a art project based on the books it is a placue (i dont know how to spell that sorry) it says magyk in big letters it has the color andeach difrent little trinkets leaning or underneth them and there colored the color of the book cover and the wizards tower is there and the trinket on the sixth book and sorry if this is more of a comment oh ya and i made the akhu amulet and it has a leather shoe string
June 18, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Hello Noah,
I don;t mind comments at all! This sounds really great, I can just imagine how good it must look. I like the leather shoe lace too. Very Alther!
June 21, 2011 at 12:02 am
hey angie!!!!
my name is chandler and even though im only ten your my favorite athour ever!!!! i have read all the septimus heap books and ariminta spooky and i looove them! (i have a very high reading level) i just want to thank you for writing such great books. me and my mom are big fans and have bonded over them. ill be waiting for you when you do a signing close by me i hope!
your big fan,
chandler
June 18, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Hello Chandler,
that is really lovely, I’m so pleased you love Sep and Jenna so much, and Araminta Spookie too! I love writing the books, but what is even better is hearing from readers like you and your mom. I’ll always post signings on here, although this year they are mainly in the UK. But I hope the USA possibly next year.
June 21, 2011 at 12:07 am
Hi Angie i am reading Darke and think it is probobly the best book yet but do you think mabey you could post a map of the manuscriptorium?
June 19, 2011 at 1:17 am
Hi Angie
Some of my friends who also love your books think that Marcia has a crush on Marcellus. I really want to know.
June 19, 2011 at 1:23 am
Hello superscarabbeetle777 (great name!)
I’ll have to work out a map os the manuscriptorium sometime. It would be good for me too, to get it clear in my head.
I don’t really think Marcia does have a crush on Marcellus. It is more of a professional rivalry thing really, although they are united in their caring about Septimus.
June 21, 2011 at 12:10 am
Hi Angie
will what happened to the cats at the end of Darke ever go away or will they be like that forever?
June 19, 2011 at 1:28 am
I suspect they will end up with the Wendron Witches…
June 21, 2011 at 12:11 am
Hi Angie,
I was wondering something, I have just finnished reading Darke ( I’m in Australia) and I noticed that the names of Stanleys ratlets have changed from the original names in the Magykal Papers, why is that? I do like the name Josephine though, which is my actual name, I just get called Jo because its easier. I wont say any more incase I spoil something for the people that have read it yet,
Jo
June 19, 2011 at 2:32 am
Help, have they? Oh rats, as Beetle would say. You will have to put that down to Stanley forgetting what he had first called them. (rather like the author…)
June 21, 2011 at 12:13 am
Who is Merrin’s father? Is he important?
Do you think you would ever consider writing more about Snorri and Nicko after the series concludes? What about Jenna and Beetle?
I started wondering if perhaps Marcellus Pye and Marcia are relatives because of their similarities. Is that totally crazy? I just thought that maybe because Broda could have had a child…..I just don’t know. That would explain the physical and occaional behavioral similarities (though they aren’t /always/ alike behaviorally in my opinion. Marcellus seems a bit haughtier than Marcia in certain siutaions.)
Will Jenna ever save the Draggen Boat? I miss it.
Does Marcellus Pye fancy anyone? Sometimes I get that “gay” vibe from him. I wondered if perhaps he was one of your gay characters. I know, I know, he’s been married but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s /not/ gay. I don’t know, for some reason he sends my “gaydar” off so I wondered. I guess because he’s so picky and obsessed with his physical appearance. If he is gay, I support the idea of Terry Tarsal and Marcellus getting together. They’d bond over shoes. haha. I’m kidding, Angie, but I did wonder if perhaps he was one of the gay characters because I get that kind of vibe from him
Do you think Sarah is somewhat upset by the fact that she is Septimus’s mother abd yet she gets to spend less time with him than Marcia does? I would be upset about that if I were her. Does Sep feel closer to Marcia or to his mother?
Thank you for answering my questions last time. You’re the best
June 19, 2011 at 3:22 am
Hello Addie,
Merrin’s father is not known – at least Merrin’s mother refuses to speak about him.
Yes, I’d like to do a book about Nicko and Snorri as one of the follow-ons from the series. Not sure about Jenna and Beetle, i will see what happens to them.
I agree, Marcellus and Marcia are very similar. There are lots of things to think about here!
Jenna and the Dragon Boat will be in Book 7! I had meant for the Dragon boat to be in Queste, but the story had its own ideas…
Marcellus does seem a little ‘gay’, this is true. But I am not sure that he is. He, he, I like the idea of him and Terry Tarsal, but actually I think they would bicker a lot. They do not have the same taste in shoes.
Yes, Sarah is upset that Marcia has in a way taken her place. But Sarah knows that without Marcia she would never have got Septimus back, so she tries to make the best of it.
Thank you, Addie!
June 22, 2011 at 8:59 am
Do witches practice a different sort of magyk than wizards? Which is more powerful, a wizard or a witch? What does Marcia have against witches?
June 19, 2011 at 4:02 am
Hello Rachel,
I think the magyk is a little different. Witches are more subtle in their powers, less immediate. They are prepared to wait for results. In the long term they can have more effect. Short term the Wizards are more powerful.
Marcia like all Wizards, is suspicious of Witch magyk. She sees it as not very straightforward and based on un-scientific principles. She is also aware that she does not really understand it, which bothers her.
June 22, 2011 at 9:03 am
My guess is this is a major part of why she doesn’t like Alchemie and Physik either. Or at least isn’t comfortable with them. She doesn’t understand them, and it bothers her.
I suppose this will be one reason that Septimus, seventh son of a seventh son, will be so powerful. He is obviously good at Magyk, and we have seen in Physik that he is good at that also, and while not as attracted to Alchemie, he obviously has learned a lot about that, having been (and perhaps still being?) an Alchemie Apprentice. And loving his Aunt Zelda and being so close to Wolf Boy, he is much more comfortable with Witch Magyk than most Wizards. And Darke shows what he can do with “Darke”. So, he is very balanced and comfortable with all sorts of Magyk.
Jerri
June 23, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Hi Angie,
First, I know everyone says this but I LOVE septimus! (He’s my wallpaper on my computer and my ipod) Second, I was wondering if Septimus might have a crush on Syrah. I know she’s 19, i guess, but still.
June 19, 2011 at 4:12 am
Hello Taylor,
I’m glad you love Sep!
I think he did have a bit of a crush on Syrah on the isle of Syren. But it was kind of mixed up with feeling sorry for her too. Even though she was 19, she looked a lot younger.
June 22, 2011 at 9:05 am
Hello Angie! Well done on Darke, it was amazing and I think it was your best yet
I only have one question – I don’t think it’s a spoiler though:
I just wondered why the ratlets’ names changed – did Stanley just change his mind?
That’s it!
p.s I know you said that there is a clue to the next title in Darke, and I think i’ve found it, but I’m not going to say anything because i don’t want to give anything away. And it would be embarrasing if i got it wrong
Thankyou very much
June 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Thank you, Chloe!
So glad you liked Darke, I think it worked out well too. Everything felt right this time.
The ratlets names changed due to pure forgetfulness on the part of Stanley … and the author.
I expect you have found the clue! Thanks for not saying anything yet.
June 22, 2011 at 9:10 am
hey angie
if your eye color was like normal brown crying green in the rain blue what’s the meaning?
June 19, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Hello Princess jenna,
it means you are really confused!
June 22, 2011 at 9:11 am
Dear Angie,
I loved Darke. My hard copy was late in the mail, so I downloaded the audiobook version and listened to that first, then read the book. Both are great. (I have’t yet seen the audiobook for sale on CD, but one can download it from places like Audible.)
I have a guess for the title of book 7. I had made this guess before I read Darke, but must admit that nothing in Darke made me change my mind. If it doesn’t count as a spoiler, my guess is that book 7 will be titled “Alchemie”.
I was so delighted to read earlier in Ask Angie 4 that you have been re-reading the earlier books to keep things straight for book 7. We fans who have read the books multiple times (and in some cases like me, read and listened multiple times!) appreciate your efforts to keep discrepencies to a minimium. Authors are only human and there will always be a few, but your efforts to research your own work makes me feel good about my expectations for the 7th book.
Jerri
June 19, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Hello Jerri,
Well, that’s an interesting guess, but I am saying nothing yet….
I do have to admit to forgetting a few things over the books. Partly because I never have quite enough time to really check everything out. But this time I have longer to to write number seven, which is great. And of course things evolve and sometimes I make a deliberate decision to change something for the sake of the story.
I would very much like to do another corrected edition of the whole series when I have finished book 7 and produce the final edition with the benefit of author hindsight!
June 22, 2011 at 9:16 am
Dear Angie,
how does Jenna feel about Beetle? When Jenna got back from the House of Foryx did she get the key to the Queens Room back? By the way I REALLY loved Darke and I can’t wait for the seventh book!
-Em
June 19, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Hello Em,
Jenna liked the attention from Beetle but I don’t think she felt very romantically inclined towards him.
Jenna left the key to the Queen’s Room in the house of Foryx, but there is another. Either Milo of Marcia had it, I will have to check…
June 22, 2011 at 9:20 am
hey Angie,
i want to tell you that I’m addicted to your books! my questions are… is the movie going to be on only the first book and will Jenna become queen in the last book. (please say yes or something?) and where do you get your inspiration?
June 19, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Hello Julie,
The movie will be just about Magyk, book 1.
I;m not going to give away what happens to jenna in the last book as that would spoil things…
I don’t know where the ideas come from really… But they seem to take on a life of their own when I write. I think there is something about the world of Septimus and Jenna that works and allows it to grow naturally.
June 22, 2011 at 9:24 am
hey Angie, its me again
i have a couple questions…
1. what kind of shoes did Marcia wear when she was young?
2. If u were in Septimus’s world who would you want to be?
3. would you rather live here or in your books?
4. what is the relationship between Simon and Marcia now?
5. does Ethel grow back its feathers? why or why not?
June 28, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Dear Angie,
As dumb as it may sound i have a huge crush on beetle. there has been a question that has been bugging me for quite a wile now and i wanted to ask you will beetle ever tell jenna how he feels about her? i have already read darke and i was confused on wether beetle dosent like her anymore or if he dose.
your faithfull fan,
chandler
June 19, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Hello Chandler,
Beetle has accepted that jenna doesn’t really feel for him in the way that he did for her. And he has other stuff to do now. He realised the truth when she didn’t wait around for long when – well, you know the bit I am talking about! Sometimes that is how things go.
June 22, 2011 at 9:26 am
When you know who kicked the bucket in book 6, did you feel bad at all? Cause as much as I didn’t like the character, it was pretty sad I think what happened with them…
June 20, 2011 at 1:07 am
Hello Drew,
I did feel a bit sad in a way – but not much, I have to admit. And it wasn’t something I had actually planned to happen either…
June 22, 2011 at 9:28 am
Thank you for replying to my query about the rough edges on the US. I had to buy the audio download too as my daughter stole the book off me!! You mention doing some book signings – will you be coming to the Cheltenham Literature Festival in October?
Also I am the first to post a review on the UK amazon website – hopefully more will follow
June 20, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Hello debbie,
Thanks for posting the review!
I’m not going to the Cheltenham Literary Festival as far as I know – and I think they would have asked by now. But I will be at the lovely Bath Children’s Festival on September 25th.
June 22, 2011 at 9:30 am
As soonas Darke came out i bought it in the stores right away since I had been waiting so long to get the next book in this fantastic seires when i came across the character Bertie Bott. The name sounded very familiar and i recognized it from the Harry Potter seires from “Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans”. I was just wondering how you come up with / find your inspiration for this charater’s name?
June 20, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Hello Jaylan,
Well, yes I discovered this when a review commented on it. I just thought the name sounded good – and of course the Botts have been in Septimus as purveyors of pre-loved cloaks since MAGYK. Bertie just went well with the surname. Not knowingly referenced!
June 22, 2011 at 9:33 am
Does Marcia fancy Marcellus or Milo? I’ve heard both and I’m confused.
June 21, 2011 at 6:03 am
Hello rachel,
she definitely does not fancy Marcellus. Milo is a different matter, though.
June 22, 2011 at 9:34 am
Hi, Thanks for you letter about Darke, it was frustrating having people ask questions about it when I didn’t know what they were about because it’s not our here in the UK.
German :/
Thank you for replying for my tweets (I’m hannah_ania by the way)
Also I wanted to know how do you get a book published? I’ve always wanted to be an author, but I’ve always been scared that publishers would turn it down or say that the whole story is rubbish… which is why I’m also scared of sharing passages that I’ve written.
I’d really appreciate your help
Hannah x.
P.s I only have one GCSE exam left
June 21, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Hello Hannah!
Well, thank you for mentioning this, as I hadn’t thought of it and it’s not good to have all the surprises taken away before you read a book.
Getting a book published is a bit tough, but you mustn’t be scared by being turned down. All authors have been turned down by publishers at some time. The most important thing is to make sure your book is as good as you can make it before you send it off. And ideally you would want to find a literary agent first as publishers do prefer to read manuscripts from an agent. They know that it has been seen by someone who knows what works. I’d advise you to join a writing group where there are other people working on novels and discussing them. That way you find out what real readers think about what you have written.
Its a big hurdle sharing what you have written with others, but you have to jump it! After all, that’s what being published is all about – getting LOTS of people reading what you have written. A supportive writing group is a good place to start with that…
Good luck with your German GCSE!
June 22, 2011 at 9:43 am
Hi Angie, It’s me again!
Well this question has been bugging me for a very long time now since I first finished reading Magyk. Dunno why I never got around to asking it. I don’t know If anyone has asked this before but, what if the Princess gets exposed with Magyk too much? Will her eyes turn green? Or somehow the lining of her pupil will be green or something?
Also, I’m sure you’re well aware that many fans are in favor with the Jenna-Beetle pair-up. Don’t you think they’ll(me included) be disappointed if they *don’t* end up together? (Jen-Sep fans rejoicing by now -.-)
Love,
JennaHaruka xxx
June 22, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Hello again,
It’s only those susceptible to Magyk whose eyes can go green – that is what frustrated jenna so much when she was little and living with all the green-eyed Heaps.
Yes, well about Jenna and Beetle … Romance has its ups and downs and slow starts, like I always (boringly!) say, wait and see. But I did feel that the power balance between Jenna and Beetle was uneven – it was always Beetle who was keen. That has to change.
July 3, 2011 at 5:57 am
Hello Angie!
i wrote a comment before about Mrs beetle and i had another question for you. hope you don’t mind!:)
I was wondering about how you write your books-do you start at the very beginning or do you write some chapters before you write others? I wanted to know because i find it hard to write the beginnings of stories and have lots of ideas for chapters further on in the book.
GOOD LUCK on writing book 7!! i haven’t read Darke yet as i am in the UK but by the looks of the prologue it’s going to be brilliant!!!:)
your fan
Chelsea:)
June 22, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Hello Chelsea,
I do start at the beginning and keep going in sequence as I need to do that to get the ideas making sense. But you are lucky to have ideas for the later chapters as so many books start well and then peter out. Hove you considered forgetting about beginnings and just begin in the middle where your ideas are?
Thanks for your good luck wishes for book 7!
July 3, 2011 at 6:00 am
Angie , when did you start writing ? Does writing just come naturally to you or did you have to work for it ?? what are some other interests you have ? Thank you , Big fan !
~ Megan B.
June 23, 2011 at 6:01 am
Hello Megan,
I really, really have to work at writing! I think all writers do. What came first was reading – I just love reading, especially fiction (tho it has to be good). It took ages for me to even imagine that I might be able to write. I got into it very slowly as I was a book illustrator first and began to think I could do better that some of the stuff I was drawing pictures for.
Other interests … history – medieval and tudor english. And actually further back than that too – Roman, saxon etc. Also I love old houses and the stories they tell. I love the sea, boats. Good modern art. Rock music. Oh … so much interesting stuff around!
July 3, 2011 at 6:04 am
Dear Angie,
Very very important questions!
One, if Syrah is from the same time as Marcellus, Esmeralda and Etheldredda, how come she doesn’t talk like they do (Olde Speak)?
Two, when will Jenna use the Transubstantiate Triple and awaken the DragonBoat? It must’ve been 2 years now since she got that vial from Broda Pye (now that I’ve read Darke, which was great by the way!)
Three, in Darke, why did Jenna ———————————————————————
Four, this isn’t such an important question per se, but I was just curious: who’s your favorite character? Mine’s Beetle! ( Followed by SpitFyre)
June 23, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Hello Dana,
Syrah is from the same Time as Marcellus, and she is a little stilted in how she speaks. But she had talked to a few shipwrecked souls who came and went and her speech got so that it moulded itself to who she was with. If you heard her you would realise there was something odd about the way she spoke, but you wouldn’t be quite sure what it was.
Jenna and the Triple … I know, I know! There has been a bit of Aunt Zelda trouble going on, but I never got the chance to put it in Queste or Syren. When I get the chance to do the second edition (I SO hope I do!) then that will go in. But all is explained in book 7.
And why did she? I guess we are waiting until October for that answer!!
I don’t have favourites, I really don’t, but some are more fun to write. I like writing Marcia bickering with Marcellus/Aunt Zelda/Terry Tarsal (so many to choose from for Marcia to bicker with). I also like writing Beetle and Sep.
July 3, 2011 at 6:13 am
Dear Angie, I know I know I just posted, but I just remembered:
How do you pronounce Ullr?
Also, there is a Bertie Bott in Darke and, as a Harry Potter fan too I know there is a type of candy in there called Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans? Did you you choose this name coincidentally?
There was one more thing… Oh yeah, what happened to Catchpole? I think he’s been absent for the last two books now.
Thanks!!
June 23, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Hello again!
Ullr: Take the W away from wool and add ‘er’.
Bertie Bott was totally unintentional – it just sounded good and I wanted to continue the story of the Bott family (purveyors of pre-loved cloaks). It sounded good, but I guess I had heard it somewhere before. That’s why I don’t read other fantasy, stuff creeps in sometimes.
Catchpole is working in the WT kitchens. However, he reappears in book 7.
July 3, 2011 at 6:17 am
does the clue have to do with the code?
I’d say more, but I don’t want to spoil anything, even those who have read it
Oh, Darke was AMAZING!!!!!
June 23, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Hello Drew,
So glad you liked Darke! And yes, is the answer. So you’ve got it!
July 3, 2011 at 6:18 am
dear angie
i have lots of questions but i don’t remember them now so i only ask some of them:
1.what is beetle’s family name?
2.i looked for a clue of the name of book seven in darke but i couldnt find any please give us a hint.
3.jenna never can have magic because i read another story(artemis fowl)the normal boy found magic is it also possible for jenna?
June 24, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Hello shego,
it is Beetle! There is an explanation in the afterwords in one of the books (but I can’t remember which one right now…). Mrs Beetle got upset when she was naming Beetle – she had always called her husband by his last name (it suited him so well). Beetle’s full name is: O. Beetle Beetle.
The clue to the clue: Chapter 47 …
Jenna, like most in the Castle, can only do the basic stuff which anyone can learn. Magykal ability is a bit like being able to sing – most people can sing a little (some more than others!) but some have amazing voices. And there is nothing you can do about that. I know, ‘cos I can’t sing and would love to sing blues. But there you go…
July 3, 2011 at 6:42 am
Hi, Angie!
Why haven’t any of Silas’s siblings appeared in the series? What heppened to all of them – did they just all go live in different places or was there a quarrel between them or what?
Oh, and over the summer I brought home my Biology class’s chinchilla to take care of, and no one could really remember what his name was (he’s AGES old, so his naming was several years ago,) so my friends and I named him Septimus! He’s really sweet and he actually reminds me a bit of Sep! Sep (the chinchilla Sep) has that same sort of personality.
-Myka
June 24, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Hi Myka,
Well, the truth is there are so many characters in the books already to write about that I didn’t want to add to them. But I will mention them in other stories. and maybe in book 7 too. Silas does still speak to them, (but it is a bit strained between him and Ernold). Four have moved away and none are Wizards in the WT – at present.
The chinchilla sounds cute, I hope his eyes don’t start going green now …
July 3, 2011 at 6:48 am
Hi Angie,
I forgot to add these questions onto my other post,
1.What is your favorite color?
2.Do you have any dogs?
3.What is something you’ve always wanted to do but never have done?
4.What is your favorite movie?
5.If you had to choose, what is your favorite household item?
6.What is your favorite dog breed?
7.What is your favorite food?
Thanks!
June 26, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Hello Olivia,
These are nice short questions!
!. No favourite really – love lots of colours.
2. No dogs, just 2 tortoises.
3. Go back in time!
4. Withnail and I.
5. It’s probably the Rayburn as it keeps us warm and cooks and irons clothes. It hasn’t learnt to wash up yet but it’s working in it.
6. I don’t really know a lot about dogs, but I do like border terriers. And Irish Wolfhounds.
7. Lots of stuff! Really fresh fish is great. And cherries. And good chocolate. Hmm … must go and have breakfast!
July 3, 2011 at 6:54 am
I feel soooooo… stupid.
First off, I cannot focus on writing a book for the life of me. I mean, I’m working on two books right now, but whenever I try to get to pretty much the only thought out part in the story, I get a totally unrelated idea and I write down that instead. I think it’s good, but it doesn’t really help me if I’m trying to get my stories published. Okay, second, I read somewhere on this page that you put a HUGE hint as to the tittle for the seventh book, but I didn’t find it when I read it the first time through. And now I feel all silly and I still can’t find it. Pretty please tell me where to look!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
June 27, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Hello Diana,
We all have days when we feel like this, I know them well…
First, don’t worry about writing. Just live your life for a while and do the stuff you want to do. I know this is a boring thing to say, but writing comes easier and is better when you are older and have done more. But always keep reading! All you say about the difficulties of writing is true. But if you are desperate to carry on right now, I’d say do one book at a time, I don’t think it is possible to write 2 good things at once.
The hint is in chapter 47!
Good luck!
July 3, 2011 at 7:00 am
Hiya Angie. I know you’ve got loads of questions to answer so I’ll keep it brief! I don’t know how you answer all these questions – you’ve got one big fan base!
Reading AA4 through, I’ve realised that there’s loads more about Marcia than what I’ve read. I’ve read all 6 books – and love Darke the most! – but all these things about Marcia being from the Eastern Snow Plains and her father being mentioned, and something to do with that beautiful princess languishing in the House of Foryx… Where can I read more about Marcia?
Oh, and I really hope that you’re not going to discard Beetle during the 7th book. I know characters come and go in this series, and especially now a lot of his story has been wrapped up I doubt if he’s going to make much of a reappearance, but I really hope he does! All the characters are amazing and the whole series totally outdoes Harry Potter in my opinion. Thanks in advance!
June 27, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Hello Emma,
Yes, I do get amazed by all the questions! They are actually really helpful as I get a feeling about which parts of the story are important to people.
I think the Eastern Snow Plain comment (about Marcia’s father if I remember rightly, but I may be wrong there….) is from the Magykal Papers – there are some details in there that do not appear in the series. I am having to keep a track of things myself now – there was a time when I could keep it all in my head, but no longer! I do hope to do the whole Marcia story after the end of the series, though.
No, I can never discard Beetle. He is so lovely and there is still stuff for him to do. And thank you for all your lovely comments!
July 3, 2011 at 7:06 am
Hello Angie,
I’ve got a few questions on my mind right now…
1. I’m in the middle of Queste at the moment and I was just wondering, how did Hildegarde’s SafeCharm, that she gave to Sep, become the Questing Stone or did Hildegarde purposely give him the Questing Stone?
2. I live in South Africa and was wondering if you’ve ever been here before and if you plan to come for Book 7′s tour?
3. I’m a writer myself but what I’ve noticed is that there aren’t well know writers that are South African. Most well know writers are from England and America. Do you happen to know of any South African writers that are well known?
4. I’ve got two stories I’m currently working on and am planning to TRY to get published, but as a 13 year old girl I feel like I’m not going to be taken seriously, do you know an easier way for a girl my age to get published? Also, my mother and I aren’t in a good situation money-wise so that’s also something that worries me, I can’t risk wasting money when it could of put food on the table.
5. I know this question might sound a bit dumb but when you send a copy of your story to a publisher is it supposed to just be from the prologue/chapter 1 or must you include the cover, pictures, contents etc. ? I wouldn’t really mind either way since I’m an illustrative author.
6. Why is the seventh son of a seventh son so special? What makes him more special compared to a fifth daughter of a fifth daughter, and so on?
7. If Silas is a seventh son then where are all his siblings?
8. Will Jo-Jo, Edd, Erick and Sam ever leave the forest?
9. Do you know of any online writing jobs for teens, journalism, advertisement, anything? You know, to bring in some extra cash.
10. After Sep, Jen and Ullr go through the glass in Marcellus’ time to go back to their own time in Physik, the glass liquidises. Are there any Glasses of Time left?
Thank you for taking time to answer my questions! Congrats on publishing Darke, keep up the brilliant writing.
God bless,
~Shay
June 28, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Hello Shay,
1. you’ll find out towards the end that Hildegarde had been Inhabited by the Thing. It, not Hildegarde, gave him the Questing Stone. Sep took it as he thought it was Hildegarde.
2. I haven’t been to South Africa yet! There aren’t any plans fro me to come on tour there, but I would like to. I think the series needs to get a bit bigger first before I can do a world tour – so keep spreading the word!
3. You have lots of writers! JM Coetzee who won the Nobel Prize for Literature and of course, Nadine Gordimer.
4. its tough getting published, but it is not about what age you are, or what gender, it is just about what you write. But 13 is young to be published because you still have such a lot of developing to do as a writer. I would honestly forget about being published for now and just read a lot and write about things that interest you. It doesn’t cost money to be published – the idea is that publishers pay you because your books will make money for them! You could keep a diary about you life and work on that. Who knows, you may want to use it as a base for a novel in a few years time.
5. If you are sending stuff to a publisher as a writer, all they will want is the type-written text. They will fix all the design, illustrations etc at a later date.
6. It’s just a traditional thing that I used as a starting point for the series. I guess it is a bit sexist really, the son thing. But 7 has always been seen as a magical number.
7. Funny you should ask that, there was the same question earlier. They are around – some are in the Port, one is in the Far Countries. We might see more of them in book 7. Possibly…
8. Not permanently, although Sam might visit the Marram Marshes.
9. I am afraid I don’t. Writing is generally really badly paid, if paid at all. Are there any part time things you can do after school and then write about those?
10. There are some left. And maybe Marcellus is planning on making more…
Thanks, Shay, and good luck with trying to earn some money, too.
July 3, 2011 at 7:30 am
hello Angie!
i absolutely love your books! right now i am reading Syren. so far the book is great! i love how there is always a some sort of Queste going on. there was one in the fourth book! i wanted to know wat your address is so i can write to you. i know you probably have a lot of people ask this but i really want to talk to you and i cant ask anything but questions on this and i cant ask wat your email is. but i understand. im only one little girl, out of the thousands that talk to you, that seems just like a regular person to you and nothing more. i wouldnt get affended but i would be really happy if u did.
~your little writer~
P.S. this is my dads email acount but he doesnt mind
June 28, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Hello,
of course you can write to me, but I don’t give out my address on the internet, so the best thing for you to do is to write to my publishers and they will forward the letter.
if you live in the USA it is:
Author Mail
HarperCollins
10 E53rd Street
New York
NY 10019
for the UK:
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
38 Soho Square
London W1D 3HB
I will reply but remember, it is snail mail and it may take some time!
July 3, 2011 at 7:38 am
hi Angie!
thanks for ur address. i will write as soon as i can! anyways will there be a 7th book? will there be new characters? will people ever get to know what happens when Septimus finishes his apprentenceship? What about Marcellus Pye? and Jenna, Beetle, and Marcia? sorry so many questions.
~your little writer~
July 5, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Hi Angie,
In Syren when Lucy and Wolf Boy were in the bunk room in CattRokk light Wolf Boy did a Unseen Shield and Lucy was invisable too, so in Magyk in the Muriel why didn’t Marcia do that so the Hunter wouldn’t see them?
Thanks!
June 29, 2011 at 2:05 am
Hello Tiana,
Well, the Hunter knew they were there and Marcia knew that. She wanted to send him as far away as possible so she concentrated her energies on the Projection.
July 3, 2011 at 7:42 am
Hi Angie
First, i want to say that i think that your books are really great, i love them.
well, my questions are:
1- Does Spit-fyre belongs to a certain breed of dragons? you know like occidental or other breed.
2- Spit-fyre and Septimus can comunicate, like mentally or something by the style?
3- Do you have already a title for your next book??
P.S- Sorry for my bad english, i am italian.
June 29, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Hello Phira,
thank you!
1. Spit Fyre is a regular kind of dragon. There are other, rarer ones but in Spit Fyre’s time there are none around. But there are still a few eggs waiting to be hatched, though.
2. Yes, it is a kind of instinctive understanding mixed with a bit of telepathy.
3. Yes! And I am not telling … yet. There is a big clue in Darke.
Your English is good! I am trying to learn Italian and my Italian is NOT good.
Ciao!
July 3, 2011 at 7:47 am
Hi Angie! I was the second person to ask questions on Ask Angie 4, and I already have some more questions.
1. If Marcia and Milo do fall in love, how annoyed do you think Jenna would be? And I don’t think Sarah Heap would be very happy to share two of her children with Marcia, either.
2. At first it sounded like Jenna and Beetle were going to fall inlove and possibly Sep and Syrah. Possibly. But now it sounds like Jen and Sep are going to end up together and… either beetle and syrah will find similariities, or they’ll be alone. What are you planning on having happen?
3. A few people are saying that the ratlets have other names in the Magykal Papers, but I can’t find the names in it. Do you happen to remember where you would’ve put that in?
Thank you!
Maddie.
June 30, 2011 at 1:22 am
Hello again, Maddie,
1. Very annoyed, I should think. I see no end of trouble…
2. I am not planning anything, honestly. I do leave that to the characters and how they turn out in each book.
3. Oh the ratlets! Rats is all I can say. Well, when I was naming the ratlets in Darke I had a distinct feeling that I had already named them but I couldn’t remember what the names were. So I looked everywhere and found nothing. Often i write things that get edited out of the books so I thought that was what had happened to the names. So I began again. And now it seems they ARE somewhere, but to tell you the truth, I don’t think i want to look now… Bother. I shall have to put it down to Stanley changing his mind.
July 3, 2011 at 7:54 am
About half an hour ago, I finished Darke, and it was everything I hoped it would be. I loved how you dealt with Beetle, Jillie, and Simon, although I was wondering… the other HEap brothers? Jo Jo, Sam, Whatshisface and the other fella, who are still in the forest? Are they going to finally have their little family reunion with Sarah in book seven? Also, I can’t find any BIG clue in Darke, although the previous guess of ‘Alchemie’ seemed likely enough, I would also like to guess something about retrieving the old Magykal arts and charms and whatnot! I doubt either of my guesses are right.
I love the Sep books, and, as much as I would love to read book 7 now, I’ll be sad when they’re over.
I know this has been a long message, but I do have one more thing to ask about…
There was more Lucy Gringe than ever in this book, are we going to be gratified with a Heap wedding any time in book 7?
THanks for your time, Angie
~KATY
June 30, 2011 at 11:10 am
Hello Katy,
I’m so glad Darke had the things you wanted, I hope I can do the same in book 7 too. The Heap boys will be in there. I had planned for them to go in Darke, but events rather changed – as they so often do in Septimus.
The clue to the title is in chapter 47… but that is all I shall say.
And there will be more about Simon and Lucy in book 7 too. I shall say no more.
I’ll be sad when the books are over too. But I hope to do a few more stories about the Sep world still.
July 3, 2011 at 7:58 am
Dear Angie, Well I just finshed Darke and I just wanted to know if Syrah will wake up in book 7. Also me and my brother loved what happened to beetle at the end, and we laughed really hard at what foxy did. So I hope that book 7 is gonna be a blast. Thanks!
June 30, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Hello Grant,
really pleased you liked it!
Yes, Syrah will do something in book 7. But yet again, I don’t want to give too much away!
July 3, 2011 at 7:59 am
HI. Any chance your gong to be doing any book sighnings in the Washington DC area? For any book honestly.
July 1, 2011 at 4:33 am
Hello LeAnn,
not this year, I’m afraid. But i really hope for the last book I will be over in the USA.
July 3, 2011 at 8:00 am
Hi Angie,
let me start by saying how wonderful the Septimus Heap Books are. They inspire me everyday as a young aspiring author.
My question is whether you plan your stories out in advance or just write the overview and dive in and write the story as you go!
Thanks so much,
HD
July 1, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Hello HD,
Thank you!
I write an overview (not much at all) then dive in and let the characters lead the way. However, all this has to change for book 7 as I have things I want to do to end the series. So I am having to plan, which is scary….
July 3, 2011 at 8:02 am
Hi Angie I have a some what complex question
If someone in the house of foryx was to open the door and it opened into a time before the house of foryx was built (if that’s even possible) would the house of foryx be visible to someone if they were standing in front of it when the door opened?
July 1, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Hello superscarabbeetle,
Time questions … eeep.
The way i see the HofF is like being in the centre of a wheel, it stands still while time whirls around it. So if you Go Out into a Time before it was built, that’s it you are there and it is not. So anyone standing there would get a big shock as you landed in their foot, but they wouldn’t see the House of Foryx, even so.
Hope that makes sense.
July 3, 2011 at 8:06 am
Hi, Angie! I’d just like to start out by saying that I’ve read Darke a good three times already and love it! Really, really great book! I just have a couple questions-
1. How much does music influence your writing?
2. Marcia, as EOW, is required to wear the purple uniform. I’m sure she loves the shoes, but I couldn’t imagine wearing the same outfit all the time! Does she ever get sick of it? Come to think of it, I could ask that about Sep, the CHS, the Ordinary Wizards…
Thank you!
July 2, 2011 at 12:49 am
Hello Teri,
that is just brilliant – I do think Darke works well. I had lots of time to write it and think it through, which was great.
1. I do love music, but it doesn’t influence my writing, as far as I know. I don’t listen to music while I write, it feels like another part of my life, really.
2. Marcia does customise her EOW stuff. She has an indigo fur lining in the winter and messes about with trimming and suchlike. She does has quite a lot of leeway really. Luckily, purple suits her dark colouring. Sep is not a great fan of green, but he puts up with it. I think in the Castle generally, people are not so into changing fashions, they add details to their clothes to make them individual, but don’t change the big stuff.
July 3, 2011 at 8:11 am
Hi angie read all 6 books 7 times each as of today! For good luck! Anyway i reckon i shouldn’t ask but does syrah you know from the you know what? Also i’m sad to hear that beetle has lost interest and surprised when jen did what she did in darke and a little mad. Kinda sad but i kinda guessed Beetle would have to give up… bother… but i hope he doesn’t completely… milo irks me right now and was queen cerys affected by the you know what In darke? Do you think marcia beleives things happen for a reason? Also what was it about snorri that made nicko act so diff. In prev. books? Also how’s new boggart and the forest heaps? Finally when is sep gonna listen when jen tells him something? Thanks and congrats!!! O rats i almost forgot my best friend rachel was wondering if sending packages to harper collins fanmail address would then forward them to you? Thanks
-magykally curious
July 2, 2011 at 10:37 am
Hello MC,
wow … 7 times 6 is a LOT of reading!
I do think Syrah will, quite possibly.
Beetle and jenna is still an ongoing story. And I am not sure how it will turn out…
Cerys was fine. The Queens Room was unaffected as there is no way for most people.
It wasn’t so much Snorri having an effect on Nicko as the fact that they had spent so long together in the House of Foryx – and things had been so tough there. It had cast a pall over their relationship that they both needed to escape. I do want to write another story about them later.
Yes, marcia does believe that things happen for a reason, whether she is right or not, I don’t know.
A bit more about Boggart and Forest heaps in book 7!
Sep will listen to jenna now – he has learnt his lesson.
Yes, HarperCollins do forward everything – they are lovely!
Hope that answers everything…
July 3, 2011 at 8:19 am
Sorry i forgot to ask in my last post but what do you think of merrin and why he’s sooo cruel? Thanks
-magykally curious
July 2, 2011 at 10:47 am
Merrin is just damaged by what happened to him – and he didn’t start off that great either.
I do have some sympathy for him, but every time I try to give him a chance he just gets worse. Sigh. Some people you just can’t help.
July 3, 2011 at 8:21 am
Angie,
Darke was fantastic! The series and characters were so wonderful already, and Darke made me love them even more (Marcia, Sep, Beetle, and Spit Fyre in particular). I wasn’t able to put Darke down until I had read it twice.
One question that came to me a while ago: During the ten years that the custodians were in charge of the castle, why didn’t they try to do something to Marcia? (Thank goodness they didn’t.) They must have known that she was helping to keep the princess safe from them. Was it because they knew how much the castle needed an ExtraOrdinary wizard, and DomDaniel couldn’t have come back to take her place until Jenna was gone? Or did they just think they couldn’t have gotten away with it?
Thank you,
Sarah
July 2, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Hello Sarah,
really, really pleased that Darke did what ti was meant to do!
Magyk was not that well explained in places, I think. I have learnt such a lot about writing now and I’d love to go back and clarify some stuff.
Basically, DomDaniel and his Custodians were biding their time. DD wanted the Princess dead and Marcia gone, but he doubted they could get rid of Marcia while the Princess still lived. There is a Magykal, protective quality that the Queens have for the Castle which I will return to in book 7.
This was the reason why DD had Septimus kidnapped in order for him to be his Apprentice: he wanted Septimus’s extra Magykal power. DomDaniel was waiting until his Apprentice (who was of course, actually Merrin) was 14: old enough to add his Magykal powers to DD’s. DomDaniel then planned to move in on Marcia, whether he had found the Princess or not. However, finding Jenna moved things on a bit faster.
Hope that makes things a little bit clearer…
July 3, 2011 at 8:35 am
Hello Angie,
I’ve been thinking about it and noticed that Marcia has been described in the books but I would like to know a bit more…
1. You explained that Marcia is tall, but how tall is she? Round about.
2. How old is Maria?
3. I hope this doesn’t go against the rules, but, in your opinion, can a tall 13 year old pull off the role of Marcia? Just for interest sake….
I appologise if the last question goes against the rules.
Good luck with writing book 7, may it be as fantastic as all the others!
With best wishes from South Africa,
~Shay
July 3, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Hello Shay,
1. I reckon Marcia is about 5 feet nine. To me that is pretty tall!
2. She is in her mid to late thirties.
4. Hmm… I hate to say this but probably not. She needs to be older otherwise there would be no contrast between her, say, and Beetle.
Thank you! I am getting back to writing book 7 now after re-reading all the previous ones.
July 11, 2011 at 7:30 am
Sorry for asking so many questions!
2 things
First, at the beginning of Syren, Septimus becomes a Senior Apprentice, which is usually given in the last year of apprenticeship. I though that would mean he was only apprentice for one more year, until I realized that Darke took place over a year after. How does this work out?
The other question is how did old Marcellus get his youth potion thing back to his young self if the Alchemie doors collapsed?
July 3, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Hello Drew,
Sep got the SA ribbons early, but it doesn’t shorten his Apprenticeship. It was Marcia’s recognition of how amazingly well he had done in the Queste.
I realise that this is not explained at the end of Physik where it really should be. I do mention it later in Queste, I think but this is one of the things I’d like to clarify in the second edition! (which I hope to do…) Sep made the potion as he had agreed and dropped it into the Moat – as agreed. The old Marcellus did a Moat walk and picked it up. He put the Flyte Charm back in the box and Sep fished it out. That’s how he got the Flyte Charm back.
Hope that makes sense….
July 11, 2011 at 7:35 am
hi angie
I am new on this blog and I absolutely LOVE all six books so far, but I have some questions about the first and sixth:
1. [SPOILER]
2. I really like Magyk, but have you once imagined it with Jen being Septimus’s twin, not just adoptive sister, and a (average, however) Wizard, but still a Princess – maybe a distant relative – and everything else the same? I am asking it because it is really interesting
thank you for any answer
July 3, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Hello, welcome to the blog!!
It’s an interesting idea, but I never did think of it that way. I think it probably has enough connections and co-incidences as it is…
But it is true, there are lots of different ways Magyk could be written. Maybe there are lots of alternative universes out there with slightly different versions of Magyk!
July 11, 2011 at 7:38 am
Hello Angie
you said that the clue for the next book title was in chapter 47, and I’m pretty sure I found it so I wondered if I’m allowed to ask you on here if my guess is right?
thankyou for being my favourite author!
July 3, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Hello Chloe,
Thank you!
Well, I’m guessing you have found it. But you can’t say what it is and neither can I …
July 11, 2011 at 7:40 am
Angie, I know that the popular pair ups for Sep are either Jenna (ick) or Syrah, but I can’t help but wonder if it would be possible for him to end up with Rose, the girl from the infirmary. It would be kind of ironic if Sep fell in love with her during his daily visits to Syrah.
Ohmygosh- what if Rose became, like, Marcellus’s Physik apprentice? THAT would throw us all for a loop. This is probably just brainless pattering- the series will almost definitely end with her as a minor character- but I’m a hopeless ropmantic so please, please tell me what you think?
Also, do you ever feel a little… rueful… about giving us so many hints? Because 1) speculating about what will happen next is one of the best parts about reading an ongoing series, and 2) I know from experience with my little sister and discussions about good books that it is soooooo hard to avoid giving away secrets, because if you deny it it usually means they struck gold?
Anways, Beetle forever! (favorite character. sorrry sep.)
July 3, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Hi Rachel,
Well, Sep has a few admirers and I suspect Rose is one of them. I haven;t worked out Sep’s romantic life yet.
I do try not to give hints that … mainly because the way I write means that I genuinely don’t know a lot about what will happen, especially with relationships between characters which I like to develop naturally, as they would in real life. So all I am really saying is the way I am thinking at the time – which can easily change, depending on how the book works out. And sometimes little things I say get kind of blown up into something they are not – but then isn’t that just like real life too?!
July 11, 2011 at 7:45 am
dear angie
i had a few questions that i hope u would answer
1.if by any chance septimus and jenna fall in love what will be sara’s reaction?
2.u said u will write a book about marcia will u also write about other characters?
3.i saw a typing problem in book queste when in the hut jenna wants to read beetle and septimus niko and snorries letter and she says i will not read like snorries aunt(or something like that)it is written that niko and septimus beside of beetle and septimus.
4.in syren syrah says when she was 13 they took her to queste and she was there for 500 years so she is 513 but in the player card it is written 519 which one is correct?
5.the last question will there really going to be any kind of romance between jenna and beetle or septimus?
thanks for your time
July 4, 2011 at 11:49 am
Hello!
1. I reckon Sarah would have a fit.
2. Yes, I’d like to write about others too. Nicko and Snorri, Beetle …
3. Oh gosh, really? That is not good. We really do go over and over to get rid of mistakes, but in every book there are always one or two. It gets hard to see them after a while.
4. I’m going to have to look into Syrah’s age. She was 19 when she wrote her journal and was Possessed – I think this means she is 519. But i must check it out.
5. I don’t know – we will have to see!
July 11, 2011 at 7:51 am
dear angie,
i have a couple questions…
1. what kind of shoes did Marcia wear when she was young?
2. If u were in Septimus’s world who would you want to be?
3. would you rather live here or in your books?
4. what is the relationship between Simon and Marcia now?
5. does Ethel grow back its feathers? why or why not?
July 4, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Hello Princess J,
1. Marcia had a succession of sensible boots, which she hated. Her parents believed in shoes being feet-shaped.
2. I suspect I would l want to be Marcia!
3. Oh … I’d love to spend a bit of time at the Castle, just to actually be there. But I think I;d probably get homesick after a while.
4. Well, there’s more about them in Darke and in book 7.
5. No, Ethel’s feathers have gone – they were plucked out. (ouch) This is based on a true story about a duck in the Lake District.
July 11, 2011 at 7:56 am
Hi Angie!!!
Are you doing any book signings in houston TX soon? Because i would really like if it i got to see you in person. You’re my favorite Author in the world and it would mean alot to me if you were.
Chandler
July 4, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Chandler, that’s lovely! I have been to Houston and done a signing a few years ago but no plans at the moment. Maybe for the last book…
July 11, 2011 at 7:57 am
Hi Angie,
After reading Darke, I have a couple questions about one of the main items of the story, the two-faced ring, as well as a few other things. I hope these will not give away the story.
1. Could the ring be destroyed in BoneFyre, like Etherelda’s portrait?
2.Is the two-faced ring more powerful than the ExtraOrdinary Wizard? How?
3.Will the Eastern snow Princess that keeps popping up(Jim Knee, Marcia’s Dad, Snorri in the House of Foryx), have any role in book 7?
4.Would Jim Knee have been affected by the you-know-what in Darke if it had filled up Marcia’s Room?
5. Where are the Eastern Snow Planes?
6. It says somewhere that Hotep-Ra came to the castle after he fled his country on a terrible night. What exactly happened?
7. Whatever hapened to Una Bracket? You see her giving Captain Fry a package in Syren, and there’s that bit about her in Darke. What has she been up to?
Thanks a lot,
Adam
July 4, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Hello Adam
1. No, it’s got serious Darke stuff in it. Much worse than Etheldredda’s portrait.
2. It has the power of TWO darke Wizards in it. 2 against i ….
3. I’m not sure yet. Maybe she is just one of those elusive characters. Or maybe not…
4. Yes, very much so.
5. High up in the snowy wastes of the east. Kind of where Mongolia is.
6. He was very nearly killed when a whole lot of Magyk went wrong…
7. Una Brakket was one of those people who never made it big. She was hoping for a return to the Bad Old Days and was part of a small Castle underground movement who met under the cover of country dancing classes.
July 11, 2011 at 8:06 am
dear ms. sage
hi. i.m sydney and i was wondering what is your favorite septimius heap book? i like quest lots! bye ^_^
July 4, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Hello sydney,
I love them all – no favourites. They are all different and I’m fond of them for different reasons. But I do think Darke is the best one yet.
July 11, 2011 at 8:07 am
Hullo again!
I’ve some more questions for you:
My fan site for Septimus Heap (you know, Septimus-Heap-Lovers.Deviantart.com!) is having a contest (What is your favorite Magykal moment? Every one has to create any form of art (a poem, drawing, painting etc)
So we wanted to know what yours is. Mine is in Flyte when Septimus is fighting the shadow and its “Apprentice to Apprentice yellow to green.”
Also are there any other magykal beings in the Septimus Heap World? Like Faeries, Satyrs, Centaurs, Dryads, etc?
All I know are: Wizards, Witches, Warlocks, Talking rats, Spirit Seers, Ullr (Shapeshifter?), Shape shifters, The mairr cat-thingy, Syrens, Ghosts(of all kinds), The Marram Marsh animals, Dragons, and a few more. Are there more I haven’t mentioned.
July 5, 2011 at 1:35 am
Hello Amelia,
I tend to like the funny moments – so I like Merrin letting Jim Knee out of the bottle. And I do love the moment Spit Fyre hatches, which is not strictly speaking Magykal but it is almost….
There aren’t any traditional magical beings in Sep’s world apart from Dragons (which are real, of course). But lots of others. Some pretty nasty Forest creatures like tree leeches, Forest wraiths, Giant tree fiends
Gargle Toads (explosive and highly poisonous). And a lot more witchy stuff too. Banes, Bothers etc.
July 11, 2011 at 8:16 am
PS – you run a great web site!
July 11, 2011 at 8:17 am
Hi Angie!
First, didn’t you say that Darke would be released in europe in oktober? Cos I found a copy off Darke in a bookstore in Vienna. I don’t rememer it’s name. I bought it (Ofcourse). Still reading but love it!
Second, does jen or sep have any middle name?
Love maja!
July 5, 2011 at 8:53 am
Hi Maja,
I think you probably have the export edition (softback?). Bloomsbury have released this already as the US edition is out there. it is all very complicated…
July 11, 2011 at 8:18 am
Okay, I feel like asking the randomest questions, so here goes.
1. If a girl from, idk, someplace even farther than the far countries showed up in a low-cut, knee-length, strap-less dress, how would the Castle dwellers react? Because I would love to be that girl!!!!
2.Even though Sep is the seventh son of a seventh son, if he had seven daughters, would the Magyk continue to multiply?
3.If I squirted Marcia with cheese, would she try to wring my neck?
4.Does Septimus like waffles?
5. Do YOU like waffles?
6.If the Manuscriptorium caught on fire, who would be to blame?
7.If a pack of wolverines attacked a toddler on Wizard Way, would that make Sep have a relaspe of fear from his YA days, or would he beat the rabid animals up?
Don’t ask me to explain my motives for these questions, because I seriously have no idea. Just please answer them!
Sometimes I think I’m left at home too often…
July 5, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Hello!
1. I’m sure they would all be very polite and someone (probably Sally Mullin who would have watched you get off the port Barge) would offer you a cloak because clearly you had had an unfortunate accident and lost your clothes somewhere…
2. Yes, it would. definitely.
3. Marcia does not believe in violence. But she would not be pleased.
4. he’s never had waffles.
5. yes.
6. I’d say the strange girl who had lost her clothes in an accident and attacked Marcia with some runny cheese would be prime suspect.
7. Sep would of course go to the toddler’s rescue. And questions would be asked about why Gringe let them cross the drawbridge. (we all know why – he ran away).
It is quite possible that they do leave you at home for too long…
July 11, 2011 at 8:28 am
Hi Angie,
I am 10 years old and I love the Septimus series! I just bought Syren today, and the whole series is amazing. I live half of my life in the world of Septimus Heap now! You are a fantastic writer. I love all the characters you have created. You’re my favorite author, and you have inspired me to write my own novel and create my own world. Some day I hope I can be an author like you. Thank you so, so much, Kate:)
July 6, 2011 at 2:37 am
Hello Kate,
That is wonderful – please spread the word as we need lots more people like you!
And thank you so much for telling me, too – it makes it all worth while.
July 11, 2011 at 8:33 am
Is the title of the next book the object that marcellus might create to destroy the source of all the trouble? tried to word it so it wasn’t a spoiler, hope you can understand it!
July 6, 2011 at 4:28 pm
No! I mean no it’s not, not no I can’t understand it. If you see what I mean. Keep looking….
July 11, 2011 at 8:34 am
I remember somewhere in your books you wrote that Marcia had “chosen an element” or something. Do all wizards do that? If so, what is Silas’s? And, do witches do that, too? But most of all, would the hint you spoke of earlier have anything to do with Sep’s element? Because all my stories involve one thing, pyromancers. They are the center of my stories. Well, not the EXACT center, but they all involve fire in some way, whether it’s directly pyromancer or dragony, or even related to dragon-ish abilities, fire is always there. And I would LOVE Sep even more if his element was fire!!!!!!!
July 6, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Hello Diana,
It was something Marcia had done a while back when she was still an Apprentice. It’s not a big thing for them but more of an exploration of various aspects of Magyk.
Yes, fire would suit Sep, it is true.
Your stories sound really interesting!
July 11, 2011 at 8:37 am
Hi Angie
I just finished Darke I have to say it was perfect although Jenna is my favourite I don’t understand why she didn’t wait for Beetle and somehow I could feel that Beetle would be new… at the end (can’t tell spoiler)but still I have questions:
1:Will Jenna know how sad Beetle went when she left?
2:Will Wolf boy go to his family?(Delete if spoiler)
3:I think I found the name of the 7th book I’m dieing to say it when you will open the page for those who read the book?
4:What will be Marcia’s reaction when she finds out you-know-who have to be in her room for 1year and 1day?
5:I don’t know why but I always though that Jenna will end up with Septimus or Beetle will that happen?
Thanks hope your not to tired and I changed the name from Princess to Queen you know why
bye
July 6, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Hello Queen Jenna!
1. Yes, she will.
2. wait until book 7…
3. Shauki and I reckon maybe just before Christmas to give everyone time. Sorry about the wait!
4. Not good. She knew that straight away!!
5. I still don’t know! honestly…
Yes, I have noticed your upgrade. I hope you have read your little red book…
July 11, 2011 at 8:40 am
Hey Angie
Thanks for answering my questions but I have only 2 more questions:
1.Will you come to United Arab Emirates for book signing(I just live there it’s not my country.)
2.When the seventh book of Septimus Heap will come out?
July 14, 2011 at 2:31 pm
I have multiple questions about the series but, in order to avoid asking something that probably won’t get answered due to it being considered too much of a spoiler, I will ask four of them..
1. Does everyone in the castle refer to all of the other countries (the countries that the castle is not located in) as “the far countries” or only some of the countries?
2. How do the people in the castle refer to their own country?
3. Do any of the other countries have a wizard ranking system (ExtraOrdinary, Ordinary, Sub, etc.)?
4. How much time will have passed between the events in Darke and the events in the 7th book?
July 7, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Hello Gabriel,
1. Castle people don’t name things much, as you have noticed. They prefer to describe their attributes. All countries are lumped together as the Far Countries. Within that some are given descriptions as in: the Hot Dry Deserts of the South. The Lands of the Long Nights etc.
2. People in the Castle tend to think of themselves as just belonging to the Castle. But those who live in the Port and ventures out to sea call it the Small Wet Country Across the Sea.
3. The place that Hotep-Ra came from did, but there are no longer Wizards there, so the Castle is the only place.
4. About 6 months, I think. At the moment it runs straight on, but there will be a break soon…
July 11, 2011 at 8:46 am
Hey Angie, I was reading over comments other people have posted, and one of them mentioned that the two choices for Sep is either Jen or Syrah. I’m really sorry if this is what you had planned but I absolutely can’t stand the idea of Sep and Jen together as a couple. I know you wont tell me whether they’ll got together or not but please don’t.
P.S. if this doesn’t count as a question I’m sorry but I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
July 7, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Hello Taylor,
I do always really like to hear comments, so don’t feel you have to ask a question. And comment very much noted – thanks!
July 11, 2011 at 8:47 am
Hey Angie- I have a few questions, and I hope you can answer them all.
What gave you the idea to have Jenna escape Simon using the chocolate charm in flyte? (my sister’s question)
How old is Beetle at the end of Darke? 17?
Technically, isn’t Sep older than Jenna, since he spent 6 months of his life in Etheldredda’s time?
The books you intend to write after the seventh book- like Marcia’s story, could you write about Hugo, and how he became Marcellus’s Physik apprentice? I absolutely love him.
How many syllables does the title to the seventh book have? 2?
Have you noticed that all the title alternate two sylables, 1? (magyk-s, flyte-1, physik-2, queste-1 syren-2 darke-1?
Was it on purpose or by accident?
Will Jenna see her mum when she becomes Queen? Or some other Time Is Right?
What happened to all the courtiers? Do they have nobles, or just the equivelent with out the whole heirs thing?
Is there going to be another Alchemie Disaster?
Was Hotep-Ra really Darke, like Simon said (Flyte) , or was that a lie?
Will we know the evil dude in 7 from past books, or is he (or she) new?
Are we gonna hear more about Maurene and Kevin?
Will Lucy and Simon live at the castle now?
Will Sarah get to chat with Pike’s ghost?
How far are you on book 7?
Okay, so maybe that was a LOT of questions, but please answer all the same.
Good Luck!
July 8, 2011 at 1:27 am
Hello Rachel Emily,
I don’t know what gave me the idea for the Chocolate door – it just came to me when I was writing – the best ideas happen that way, when I don’t think too hard (or too consciously, I guess).
Yes, Beetle must be about 17.
I’d love to write about Hugo, that is a really good idea.
syllables – no I hadn’t noticed. ‘Twas an accident. Weird… but it’s not going to carry on that way, I’m afraid. And I am saying no more…
Jenna and her mother – more in book 7.
All the positions on the Palace are filled on merit – no aristocracy. Although some families try to hang onto them. Of course.
Apart from Maureen and Kevin, who are doing very nicely in the Port and are thinking of expanding into the Castle, I’m going to leave the rest of your rather good questions.
I am only on chapter 16 of book 7 and must pick up speed! Thanks for for good luck wishes.
July 11, 2011 at 8:58 am
hi Angie I am SOOOOO!!! curios about book seven so 1.what is the first letter of the title 2. what is the name of the chapter you are on 3. when do you think it is going to be published 4. Final Question who is your publisher because I might just someday publish a book
p.s. I am in the United States
July 12, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Dear Angie,
I have already posted a question about this lovely series, and I have some more that I forgot – hopefully spoiler-free, unlike the last-to post:
1. Why did I get an English copy of Darke in Switzerland via Orell-Füssli shortly after it came out but the UK has to wait until October?
2. Is there any particular reason why Marcia chose the Heaps as Jenna’s foster family-or indeed, why she gave Jenna in foster care at all? Because a Wizard family is a much too risky choice for any princess but a Wizard-princess – green vs violet eyes and the possibility of the princess getting unhappy about this-, and you’d think Marcia should simply install a regent, rather than running away with Jen.
3. Can someone with no Magykal powers be deliberately given them by someone/something else – permanently? Does this actually happen?
4. What is Queen Cerys’s and Milo’s general opinion of Jenna’s foster care?
5. Are there going to be, or have there ever been, handicapped people in the Castle, -say, an blind ExtraOrdinary Apprentice?
6. In Syren, we see some rather modern stuff, like a submarine. Was the world of the Days of Beyond rather like ours?
7. Have there ever been Wizard-Queens , or something similar?
8. What does distinguish a Wizard from a non-Wizard, apart from eye colour?
i hope you will – and will be able to – answer soon
July 8, 2011 at 6:27 am
hello …
1. Please write to Bloomsbury publishing and ask them! the whole thing is a total muddle… I am guessing you got the export edition which they published in June.
2. She wanted a family who already had a baby – jenna was a newborn who needed food and a mother. Hence the heaps who had just had a baby. Regents don’t cut it in the Castle. Its the Queen or nothing…
3. I think they either have them or not. Like being able to sing. Either you can or you can’t.
4. I think they are grateful she’s had a loving family. They know what the alternative was.
5. There have been some blind EOWs but as yet nothing in the books. I hadn’t really thought of that and now we are on the last book I guess I;ve run out of time. Maybe later.
6. It sounds like it was.
7. Not in the Castle. They really don’t go together. But in other places, who knows?
8. Nothing else obvious – until they try some magyk.
July 13, 2011 at 10:39 pm
I have two more questions I want to ask.
1. In the first book, Septimus and Jenna were able to hear the dragon boat so, why can’t Septimus hear it in Flyte as well as Magyk?
2. Will Septimus ever be able to communicate with Spyt Fyre in the same way that he/Jenna can communicate with the Dragon Boat?
July 8, 2011 at 1:48 pm
1. I shall have to look at that. It may be that he was busy just keeping her flying in difficult circumstances.
2. He does manage it. It’s called Synchronicity.
July 13, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Hi,Angie!
I’ve just finished Darke and I have a few questions. Does Simon ever see Thunder again? When do Simon and Lucy get married? Is he ever going to be a Wizard? Thanks and I hope that book 7 is going well!
July 8, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Hi sherry,
the answers to your questions are all ongoing as part of book 7 so we will have to wait and see! Book 7 is going well thanks – but still a lot more to do.
July 13, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Hi Angie!
I loved Darke! I have already read it three times in the month it has been out and I ususally only read a book once. So you did a wonderful job of writing it.
Anyway, I have a couple of questions about a few of my favorite characters. I hope I don’t ask too many.
1. Does Jenna have a crush on anyone? If so, is it someone we know?
2. Do chief hermetic scribes often get married? Was anyone ever in love with Jillie Djinn? (I can’t imagine!)
3. Will Rose become important in the next book? I rather hope so. I like her.
4. If Septimus Heap is set in a kind of fictional England (and given the characters mannerisms it seems to be), where does queste take place? Is it in eastern Europe like a fantasy version of Hungary or Slovakia?
5. Will Septimus’s brothers ever leave the Forest and come home? Does Jojo still like Marissa?
6. Will we ever find out which charactersV are gay? I really want to know. I think it’s cool.
7. Does Milo fancy Marcia or is he really a “ladies man” type that might use her for his own enjoyment and end up hurting her? I know she likes him and I would hate to see her hurt. Will we see much Milo/Marcia interaction in book 7?
8. Does Marcia have any habits she wishes she didn’t have? If so what are they?
9. How tall are Marcia’s python skin heels? What got her interested in pythons? Did Marcia ever feel awkward as an adolescent because she is tall? I know a lot of tall girls my age who are.
10. Do you think Nicko and Snorri are getting over each other or do you think they will take a break for a while and get back together eventually?
Thanks for replying to all of my questions!
July 8, 2011 at 6:41 pm
HI Rachel,
so glad you enjoyed Darke!
1. Not yet…
2. Yes, they do get married. And sadly, no.
3. I like Rose too. I shall have to see.
4. Yes, I did imagine the House of Foryx to be on a snowy eastern europe.
5. I suspect they really belong to the forest now, but they may come back occasionally.
6. It depends if it fits in with whats happening in the story. I;m not sure if they will get the chance or not.
7.Milo is a ‘ladies man’ but it doesn’t mean he can’t be serious too. he was about Cerys after all.
8. Marcia wouldn’t tell us even if she did. But she used to chew the ends of her hair when she was young.
9. Not too tall – two and a half inch heels. Fine for walking in. Marcia has a feud with pythons. its personal. Yes she did feel awkward, but who doesn’t?
10. I reckon they need some space. They spent too long together in the House of foryx. it all got too difficult. I think one day Nicko will take a trip to the lands of the Long Nights!
July 13, 2011 at 10:54 pm
hi, i’m joe I am reading physik right now and I like the septimus heap books so much that I started loooking around on the computer at all the stuff that they have about Septimus Heap then I saw a roumer that you were making a seventh book so here is my questions: are you really making a seventh book? If you are what is the title going to be?
July 8, 2011 at 6:45 pm
I’m not Angie, but if you look around the site you’ll find the answer is Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes. And Angie’s not telling what the title is, though she left a really big hint in Chapter 47 of Darke, the sixth book.
July 10, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Thanks Rachel Emily. You are right, of course! And glad you like the books, Joe.
July 13, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Why is Marcia so full of herself? I hate the way she is always bossing everyone else around like she knows what’s best for them better than they do. I totally understand why so many people in the series dislike her. she’s so officious and rude. And she seems to never admit she’s wrong about anything. It’s so annoying. I’m sure I’ve hurt Marcia’s feelings with this rant (perhaps you’d better not tell her about it. Haha) but leaders ought to be understanding and wise, not impatient and cruel. I’d kind of like to see Marcia put in her place. Does she get her comeuppance at all in book 7? I guess you might not know this because you’re not through writing yet but I thought I would ask anyway. On another subject, will we see Simon and Lucy get married in book 7? Thank you in advance for responding to these questions.
July 8, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Hello Abby,
I’m sorry Marcia bugs you! it’s just her manner; she has a lot of responsibility and whole load of nasty stuff does keep happening, you must admit! I don’t think she is cruel at all ( I can’t think when, anyway…), and I do think she is overall pretty wise. She is a little impatient at times, but she has a lot to deal with. I think basically she is a good person, just a little brusque at times.
Anyway … no more about book 7 as I don’t want to give too much away!
July 13, 2011 at 11:01 pm
dear angie, Look! I changed my screen name from joseph casey to septimus man, but heres my question what country (in the septimus heap world) is the castle?
July 8, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Hello septimus man,
it’s not in any country that we have today but when I write about the Castle I do imagine it being in England. But a different kind of England.
July 13, 2011 at 11:03 pm
dear Angie,Right now I am reading physik and I like the Septimus Heap books so much that I started looking around on the computer at all the stuff about it then I saw a roumer that you were making a seventh book so here are my questions: are you really making a seventh book? If you are then what is it going to be called?
July 8, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Yes, I am writing book 7 now. And you can find a clue to its title in book 6!
July 13, 2011 at 11:04 pm
dear Angie do you think of Harry Potter as Septimus’s rival?
July 8, 2011 at 8:43 pm
They are so different – I don’t think they are rivals at all.
July 13, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Hi Angie,
I have some questions for you:
1. Does Septimus know that Beetle has a crush on Jenna?
2. How old is Bettle in Darke?
3. What happend with Silas’ brothers?
Greetings from Romania!
Good luck on book 7!
Thanks for answering,
IOANA
July 9, 2011 at 7:13 am
Hello ioana,
Thank you – greeting from England!
1. yes, Sep does know.
2. He is, I think, 17.
3. They went off and lived their own lives. There are some in the Port and two went abroad. I must give them some thought …
July 13, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Hi Angie,
First, I am mad at myself!!! I read too fast for my own good… (I read Darke in less than a day
) I have a few questions, too!
1. Does Septimus have a crush on Syrah? He seems to!
2. How old will Jenna and Sep be in the 7th book? You don’t have to answer that one if you don’t want to.
3. Will Merrin ever realise that Nursie is his mother?
4. What other books do you recommend? I’m 12, though.
I love your series and I’m itching to read the 7th!
Magykally,
Sky
July 9, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Hello Sky,
Less than a day is faaaaast.
1. He did kind of, on the island. And he feels responsible for her too. She is alone in the world.
2. Not a lot older. I’m thinking maybe 6 months at the end of it. But I haven’t got there yet!
3. Yes, one day.
4. Other books – that’s tough as I don’t read other authors for this age group. So I can only talk about the kind of things I read at 12, which is a very long time ago now … Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. Moonfleet by JM Faulkner. Rosemary Sutcliffe’s The Eagle of the Ninth trilogy. Any Sci Fi by John Wyndham is great too. And Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast series. Let me know what you think if you read any!
July 14, 2011 at 7:56 am
Hey Angie my name is Callie and I’m a big fan of your books. I was wondering who your favourite charecter is. It could be the one you enjoy writing about most or the one you like most. My favourite is Marcia I don’t know why. I’m really happy that there is going to be a book seven I didn’t know if there was going to be but I kinda thought there would because seven is a magikal number and there are six books. I find it so amazing that authors can write books because sometimes I start to write one but it takes so long that I give up on the second page.
July 10, 2011 at 12:40 am
HI callie,
I don’t really have a favourite character, but I do like writing all the main ones. Marcia is always fun to write. She seems to hold everything together.
Yes, there has to be 7 books really, doesn’t there?
I used to think that about writing books too – it just seemed impossible. It took me years to work out how to do it – so you see, there is no rush!
July 14, 2011 at 8:01 am
Dear Angie,
I think you are a fantastic writer. You have always kept me on the edge of my seat while reading. If you dont mind me asking..
- What inspired you to start writing these books?
- Where did you think of the names for the characters?
and lastly..
- Why is 7 the magykal number?
thankyou for your time.
July 10, 2011 at 1:03 am
Hello Nikki,
Thank you! I had the idea for Septimus for years but not the time – or the confidence probably – to write it. But once I started writing the world seemed so real that even I was surprised. The names of the characters are just there, I really don;t have to think about them. They just appear. If they feel right, then i already know what the character is like. I still remember the morning I woke up with the name, Marcia Overstrand in my head. Where did THAT come from? I have no idea…
7 has always been considered a magykal number. For many hundreds of years people thought there were 7 planets. There are 7 days in the week … the 7 ages of man … it’s very common, so I just borrowed it and added a bit, like writers do.
July 14, 2011 at 8:07 am
Dear Angie,
DARKE IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just bought it when it arrived here in our country…and then it was so good I had to keep reading it again and again!!!!!
I have a question though…
Why isn’t the puffy edition (the one that has a feel to it when you touch the front cover) and the hardbound edition (except for “The Magykal Papers”) available here in the Philippines?
Thank you for being such a great writer!!!
Best Wishes, and God Bless!
-Lance
July 10, 2011 at 5:37 am
I think the ‘puffy’ edition is the US hardback? I reckon that you are getting the export edition which is softcover and therefore not so heavy and bulky to transport.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments.
July 14, 2011 at 8:12 am
Why does Jenna not have a secret older sister?
How old is Marcia ?
What year is this taking place?
Why do the other Heap boys stay in the woods?
July 10, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Hello Bianca,
That’s just how it is, Jenna was Cery’s and Milo’s first baby.
Marcia is in her mid to late thirties. She doesn’t tell anyone her age.
Not sure about the year…
The Heap boys like the forest, it suits them. And some of them like the Wendron Witches too.
July 14, 2011 at 8:15 am
hello ANgie,
I had forgotten yet another question: are there flying carpets in the world of Sep Heap?
Hope this third question will not disturb (rather than in two different sets)
July 10, 2011 at 3:27 pm
I haven;t come across any flying carpets yet!
July 14, 2011 at 8:16 am
I’m just throwing out a wild guess that came to me while rereading MAGYK for the ten millionth time… is Wolf Boy gay?
That idea struck me while reading the line “people standing around him meant more to him than anyone ever had except boy 409 of course”
July 10, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Hello heap fan,
but that was Sep thinking that…
But you might be right.
July 14, 2011 at 8:17 am
Hey its JayJo I was wondering
Why does Jenna not have a Secret older sister she never knew about?
How old is Marcia ?
Are Nicko and Snorri dating?
Is Beetle going to tell Jenna how he feels about her?
Is the whole heap family going to reunite again?
Will there be a preview of Jen & Sep in there 20s or 30s?
XD xxxxxI <3 NYCxxxxx
July 10, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Hello Jay-Jo,
No, she doesn’t…
In her mid to late thirties I reckon – but she doesn’t let anyone know her age.
I would like to write something about what happens maybe 10 years later, but that won’t be for a while.
And for the answers to the other questions you will have to read Darke and book 7!
July 14, 2011 at 8:24 am
Dear Angie, I was looking at the comments and I saw that you said there was a really big hint to what book seven was going to be called which book and chapter is the hint in? and I am a- what I like to call- junior auther and whenever I write I just might gie up or lose intrest etc. do you have any stratageys when you writ that you can tell me about?
July 10, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Hello again!
In chapter 47…
The boring thing is that it really does help to be older and to have done more things in order to write a book. But often just putting the writing to one side for a while will help. When you go back to it you see it with a fresh eye. But sometimes losing interest is telling you that it is not working. If a writer is bored with what they write, then a reader will be too.
The best advice is to love your characters and get to know them really well.
Hope that helps …
July 14, 2011 at 8:28 am
Hey Angie!
i’m really looking forward to your next book! I have one question thats growing like a DARKE DOMAINE through my brain filling it with curiosity instead or DARKENESSE. In the seventh book if Septimus becomes ExtraOrdinary Wizard will he pick Simon or someone else to be his apprentice?
-Josh -A- big fan!
P.S. Expect a letter in the mail from me!!!!!!!
July 10, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Hello Josh,
Well, that would be telling, wouldn’t it????
July 14, 2011 at 8:29 am
I just thought of another question today. How do you pronounce Marcia’s name?
July 11, 2011 at 1:17 am
Mar-see-a
July 11, 2011 at 5:18 am
Hello Angie,
I have yet another question. (I’ve had a large amount of these questions for a while, however I only recently started posting them). I was wondering, is a Possessive Spirit and a Possession Wraith the same thing?
July 11, 2011 at 1:41 am
The P. Wraith is the visual manifestation of the P. Spirit. It’s what you actually see.
July 19, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Hey its Roxann I was wondering
thanks
What country is snorri from?
What happen to Silas brothers?
Are Jen & Sep switched at birth or they replaced each other?
(my sisters JayJos question)who is Jennas childhood best friend before finding out she was princess?
XD
July 11, 2011 at 3:48 am
Sigh. Septimus was in the Young Army. He was meant to be DomDaniel’s Apprentice but due to the Nurse being late, Merrin Meredith was taken instead. Therefore, Septimus grew up in the Young Army as Boy 412. Jenna, on the other hand, was the baby Princess. Her mother was killed by the Assassin as Marcia and Alther were preparing a ceremony to celebrate the birth ( or something of the sort). After Cerys, Jenna’s mother, died, Marcia grabbed Jenna, and ran to the Wizard Tower, where she and the Wizards decided they would hide the baby among an innocent family, such as, say, the Heaps. Now, the Heaps thought that Septimus was dead, because that is how the Matron Midwife proclaimed him. So they took Jenna in as their own daughter. She was NOT a Septimus replacement, they were NOT switched at birth, and they are now happily reunited.
Silas’ brothers went on and lived their lives. They aren’t important.
Snorri is from the Far Countries, like all NOrthern Traders.
Jenna’s childhood best friend was Bo, the girl next door with whom she used to pretend that they were lost princesses, separated at birth.
Most of those answers are in the books if you just look carefully enough.
July 11, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Snorri is specifically from the Land of the Long Nights.
July 18, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Hello heap fan,
brilliant, thank you! Better than I could have put it…
July 19, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Hey Roxann!
Hope this helps!
I can answer your last question! Jenna’s friend before she became princess was Bo. I’m pretty sure she still is her friend according to one of the books saying at the end that Jenna showed Bo the palace, so I’m assuming they still would have contact.
July 16, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Hi Roxanne,
heap fan said it all!
July 19, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Angie,
First, I would like to say thank you because your first book was really what got me into reading years ago. I did not read before your book I just didn’t find it interesting but now I know that I love fantasy. It would be nice to have a book signed by you. Are you doing or planning any book signings?
Your Fan (and now avid reader),
Andrew
July 11, 2011 at 8:30 am
Hello Andrew,
that is really lovely, its the best thing to know that Magyk has made someone begin to love reading…
If you live in the UK I will be doing quite a few signings in early October when Darke is published here.
Sorry to say I won’t be coming to the USA this year, although I will be in Hamburg for a day in September.
I will tweet all dates and post them here. Hope to see you!
July 19, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Hi Angie!
I just wanted 2 know if u could tell me the name of ur editor
cuz im writing a book.really 4 books(its a saga).
also does bettle ever tell Jenna how he feels about her?and if so does she feel the same way?and do they start to go out?
Thx for awnsering ur my all time FAVORITE author.
(H) Ser7enity
July 11, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Hi Se7enitty,
Good luck with you saga! I can’t give out my editor’s name as its kind of private info, I hope you understand… You really need to find an agent first and let them do the sending-off-to-editors thing. Have you had a look at The Writers and Artists yearbook? It’s a good place to start for agents. (Its where I found my first one, so it does work…)
And Beetle and jenna ? it’s an ongoing saga.
July 19, 2011 at 5:39 pm
I hate to keep coming back but will Book 7 end when Sep is 17, the end of the Apprenticeship? Or will it end before that? Also, in the books you say only Wizards have green eyes, but above you say that other people have them too… which is correct?
July 11, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Hello Heap fan,
I haven’t finished book 7, so i don’t know the answer! At the moment I am thinking not, but that may change.
Ah, eyes … the other people who have them have Wizard abilities but maybe are not able to use them. Or don’t want to.
July 19, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Ah, Hello Angie
Well, days ago i knew it was your birthday, the same day i wanted to say you, Congratulations! but i didnt want to my comment to be removed…so first i want to say you Congratulations for your Birthday days ago!!!
And know a question:
How you make your books traduce to spanish?? Do You know the traductors???
Well, its all i want to say.
P.S. I am spanish, so my english is not really good
July 12, 2011 at 1:11 am
Well, thank you! I had a really nice day.
The Spanish publisher finds a translator – which is good as I wouldn’t know how to!
July 19, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Seeing the responses always makes me want to ask more questions, so sorry if I ask too many!
well, here it goes-
1. Will we see Septimus to the end of his apprenticeship? because I saw that you said that book 7 will take place about 6 months after, and he’s still just in his fourth year…
2. It seems like alot has to happen in Book 7; does that mean that it will be over 49 chapters or no? (btw I LOVE long books!)
3. I was just wondering this, will we see Theo Heap again? I know he came back briefly in Magyk, but I don’t think Aunt Zelda saw him, did she?
4. I have bought all of the books and I like them alot, but if you’re doing a second edition, I’d want to read those too. What do you recommend to your fans who have all of the copies but want to read the 2nd editions too?
5. When you write more spin off books, will those come out right after the series is done or after a little break?
6. Who’s your favorite minor character?
7. Will anyone important die in book 7?
8. When Syara wakes up, will she be depressed to find that she’s 500 years after her time?
9. How old was Syara in book 3?
10. Does Septimus learn how to use Magyk and Physik together like Syara does? I don’t know how Marcia would feel about working with Marcellus…
Good luck on book 7!
July 13, 2011 at 1:31 am
Please, in the future two or three questions only! Angie is really busy writing the last book right now.
July 25, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Hello,
here I am again. There was another question I forgot to post: It is said in Syren that Syren was once a single island that sank into the sea and was split into seven, and – i think – on Ask Angie 3 that the reason why nothing’s left over from the Days of Beyond is that because it was wiped out by a Flood. I have some questions about this:
1. Was this Flood – assuming that I read this right – caused by Syren sinking into the sea?
2. Was the former Syren larger than the archipelago? It’s a bit on the small side to be inhabitated and need roads…
3. Why did Syren sink into the sea? Was it a volcanic event – or some stuff going wrong?
4. I heard that Syren might be a giant turtle. If so, how do the Ice Tunnels join up there? And why don’t the Isles wander around, then?
Sorry for posting so many questions in different posts. I hope that you will be able to answer before the summer holidays in Switzerland begin – otherwise I will have to wait for months!
July 13, 2011 at 11:28 am
Hullo Angie! I think I found a mistake in Magyk:
It says in the beginning of Magyk that Sarah is from witch and warlock family but in Darke it says she is from a Witch and Wizard family which is right?
Will Rose have a large part in the last book? She seems to have been pushed into almost a main character in Darke. A bit like Romilly Badger.
Which wizard is Rose apprenticed to?
What are all the names of the wizards in the Wizard Tower
Will you do a full family tree of Jenna and Septimus, Like the one in “The Magkal Papers” but more detailed?
July 13, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Hello Amelia,
I think there are a few mistakes in Magyk – or rather a few things that have altered as I have written more books. It is like going to a strange country and at first misunderstanding things. Only later do you realise what everything means.
Sarah is from both kinds of family. Warlock is a male witch so she is from Witch and Wizard.
Rose just kind of arrived, like people do. She’ll be around in Book 7.
I think that is a really good idea. I am making all kinds of notes and want to do some kind of definitive index (NOT a darke one!) when I have finished.
July 19, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Hi Angie! i love the septimus heap series!!!! they’re amazing!!!! Congrats on darke! And i’m really looking forward to book 7…. So anyway i was re-reading Syren and it just occurred me. How old is Romiily Badger? Is tht how u spell it?
July 13, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Thanks!
I am squinting at the screen to see the spelling – Romilly has 2 Ls anyway…
She is in her mid teens. 15 or 16.
July 19, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Here I am again, with some more questions – this series always makes me wonder, want to ask:
1. In this Castle, everything seems to work by tradition. Is this true? (sometimes, breaking them would look safer than following them through, but..)
2. Who did build the Ice tunnels?
3. Why are the Ice tunnels iced up? Was it something like what a nuclear meltdown is in our world – the words “great alchemie disaster” suggest this – requiring a seal-up?
4. Are there mosquitoes in the Marram Marshes?
5. Why seems the Princess to lack any bodyguards? No wonder that she always gets into trouble.
6. How do the Queens pay for all the bureaucracy that we saw in Physik? How long did they exist? (it seems at least 5000 years given 776*7)
7. If Jenna got killed before having any children, who would succeed, and why did this one not succed when Cerys was killed? Could she adopt an heir on her own – just in case? Are there requirements – because not allowing it is just too risky to be the first choice – for such an adopted heir?
Also, I noticed I posted my reply to one of your answers twice- i wrote it wrong and dispatched it in mistake – the second one is the right one.
I hope that I am not asking/writing too much and that you will be able to answer soon.
July 14, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Hello,
I was wondering, if magyk is affected by the presence of the darke, why weren’t any of the sealed things in the palace attic unsealed when the Darke Domaine encompassed them.
July 14, 2011 at 4:19 pm
The Darke Domaine affects living things in its early stages. If it had hung around for longer and got even more powerful it would have UnSealed everything. But it needs time to do that, which luckily it did not get.
July 19, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Sorry, I just posted some questions, but this popped into my head. Silas is a 7th son, and Septimus is his 7th. So Septimus is a 14th son in a certain way. Nicko would be the thirteenth son. Does that make Nicko unlucky? And another Nicko question (I hope I’m spelling his name right). How do you pronounce it? Most people tell me its nE-cko, with an e sound. But I think that nI-cko with an I sounds a whole lot better. And I almost imagine him with black hair, result of reading about another Nikco but with black hair. Thanks!
July 14, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Hello Maddie,
I don;t thin kit works that way as it is sons and grandsons if you add them together, which is different.
Nicko is pronounced like Nick .. Oh. Not an e sound, but an i sound, as you say. I suppose it depends which language is your mother tongue, but in English that is how you would say it.
He’d look cute with black hair, but he is a Heap …
July 19, 2011 at 5:54 pm
I was just curious and, when are the Heap boy’s birthdays? I know that Septimus’s birthday is December 21, but what about Nicko, Simon, Jo-jo, ect. It would also be nice to know Sarah’s and Silas’s. Thanks!
July 14, 2011 at 9:08 pm
It’s something I have been meaning to do – working out their birthdays. Will post when I have done it!
July 19, 2011 at 5:55 pm
I meant to write these posts months ago; I wrote them down in a notebook, but never actually got around to typing them; however, the last post was written today.
1.After writing for a few hours, I sometimes go off to do something else, but later I’ll remember the story, and if I’m tired I’ll think it was some television show or a book I’m reading, but then I think, “Oh yeah, I wrote that!” Has that ever happened to you?
2.When I first saw the movie How to Train Your Dragon by Dreamworks, I thought the final battle was the best dragon fight ever . Then I read Darke, and now, the movie ranks second. Now, when I watch the movie, all I can think is, “Hiccup and Toothless would soooo lose against Sep and SpitFyre, but it would be a battle everone wants to see.” Please write more dragon things in book 7!
3. I recently bought some summer scarves, one blue, one pink. I also just thought of how impractical they are. Are there any fasionable yet impractical accesories in the Castle, other than Marcia’s shoes?
July 15, 2011 at 12:14 am
Hello Diana,
1. Yes, it does. And in reverse too. that’s why i try not to read anything too similiar to Septimus because you never know where ideas creep in from.
2. Great!
3. Marcia does sometimes go for a silver headband which slips down over her eyes if she runs. The Castle like any small community does have sudden fads. A few years back everyone tool to wearing tiny feathers pinned to their sleeves. It didn’t last, though.
July 22, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Hey Angie! Look, I’vegot yet another comment!!!!! Anywayzles, (my own special word BTW) I jus had the strangest thought… Occasionally, I get weird, like, hints, about the future, not exactly visions, more like feeings and thoughts. I just thought about how I always knew that the las Sep book would be called (insert spoiler here), so at that moment, I felt insane excitement and I sort of saw, in the back ut my mind, the words OMG!OMG!OMG! over and over again, in te font of your blog, and the king of paper that the US version is made with, and on that page, I simply saw the chapter number, 26. I have no idea if this means something with happen hat’s really exciting in chapter 26 of book seven, but I will pay very close attention there anyway. Woah, it’s 8:38 PM here, I shuld probably log off…
July 15, 2011 at 12:38 am
Hey Angie. I LOVE THE BOOKS. Marcia’s my fave but I have to ask a completely unrelated question;
In the Magykal Papers you include Sarahs Recipe for Sauteed Frogs
How do you prepare the frogs because I don’t think it says it in the books and they look very nice
July 15, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Hi Andy,
personally I would buy them pre-prepared. It’s a gruesome business otherwise and involves keeping them in a bucket of clean water for a few days and then … well, I won’t go on. I’m about to cook supper. No, it’s not frogs.
July 22, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Angie, I just want to say that you are the person I want to be like in life! Whenever I run into a problem with writing, I always imagine how hard it must be for you to write your novels, and suddenly, my modest little writing ventures seem so simple! Unfortuneatly, I have run into a little problem; a story I’ve been working on for ten months, but only got to chapter 9 (I know, sad, right?) has gone missing. Worst case scenario, the cleaning lady tossed it out. I seriously hope that didn’t happen, but if it is gone for good, at least I was getting bored with it anyway. I read it over shortly before it went missing, and it was so poorly written that I could hardly stand to read it! I suppose that must be fate telling me it’stime for a re-write!
July 15, 2011 at 11:18 pm
HI Diana, I’m a Sep fan like all the rest of us, and I like to write, so I have some advice.
Type it up. Notebooks are great, being that they are portable, but it is faster easier, and neater to use a computer. And safer. I don’t think the cleaning lady is going to toss a computer.
ANd to guard against computer crashes, it’s probably a good idea to make a back-up copy on a cd or something. Or attach the file to an email and send it to your self, and it will be stored on line as well. Plus, you are going to have to type it up eventually, if you ever want to publish it, so why not as you are writing it. It also makes it much easier to rewrite. And so, whenever I get bored of writing, I’ll usually go back and edit some of what I already wrote, adding details, taking away, and in general improving the the fluency as well as the plot as it is mapped in my head.
July 19, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Hello Diana,
thank you so much …
It does get tough writing, the worst loss has been a whole day’s writing when my computer decided to pack up. To lose a whole chapter would be awful. I do hope the cleaning lady has not thrown it out… On the positive side, sometimes, if you can bear to rewrite it it does turn out better the next time. And if you were getting bored with it, then maybe it felt upset and wandered off to sulk in a dark corner. Or threw itself into the waste bin. Yes, time for a re-write!!
July 22, 2011 at 6:35 pm
In a field guide for another fantasy series, I read that epic fantasy is like medieval romance. Do you think that’s true? Plus, am I the only one who would rather take a vacation to the Castle instead of the Bahamas?
July 15, 2011 at 11:39 pm
I’d go to the Castle any day.
There are lots of similarities between traditional medieval romance and fantasy – the idea of the quest, the hero, a sense of hidden destiny. And that odd feeling of timelessness too. But having re-read the Morte d’Arthure recently I’d say modern fantasy is generally much more interesting with a lot less blood.
July 22, 2011 at 6:38 pm
Hey it’s JayJo again
My sister roxann asks to many question but hey then again were twins she the loud I’m the quiet one.
1How old is rose?
2 Is there any other books you recommend for me and Rox to read ? were 12 though
Thanks:) -JayJo Good luck on book7
Greetings from New York
July 16, 2011 at 2:30 am
Hi, Jayjo,
Rose is about 14 I think. Other books … I only know old stuff now, but old stuff is still good. You could try to get hold of Rosemary Sutcliffe’s The Eagle of the Ninth trilogy. Moonfleet by JM Faulkener is good too. And The Sword in the Stone by TH White is great.
July 27, 2011 at 7:05 am
Hello!
When you see the map and press “The Badlands”, under the subtitle “Why you’d come here” instead of “for” it’s “ofr”.
I just want to say I’ve read all the books and I really liked them. Darke was really awesome! I don’t want to reveal anything to the people in the UK but believe me it’s REALLY good.
Sorry but I was browsing the site septimusheap.com and I noticed a spelling mistake.
I’d really appreciate if you could get someone to fix it!
Thank you for reading this.
First time poster/All time reader
July 16, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Hi there,
thanks, really pleased you like Darke!
I have to admit I’ve not looked at the Sepheap website for a while. So much else to do! But there are a few bits on there I need to look at. But I think a small typo will have to wait a while…
July 27, 2011 at 7:08 am
Hola it’s Luna
thanks
Why does every single queen have a girl , why not a boy for king ?
Does every wizard have to have green eyes?
Why does every princess have violet eyes ?
What is the kingdoms name?
In physik why did the chest say PRODUCIA DE PERU if America & South America wasn’t yet discover or it all ready was?
What if Sep wasn’t at post at the wizard tower that would they have still found him as seventh son of the seventh son?
Is the whole setimus heap series are going to be made into a movie series like Harry potter?
-Luna
July 16, 2011 at 8:24 pm
I’d like the series to become movies too! (Heard tis going to get ready for filming and such eventually)
The only problem is if you are a fan of the books you might not enjoy the movies as much. 
You see there is soooo much detail put into the books (THX Angie!) that the possibility to actually include EVERYTHING isn’t really likely. Writing the screenplay is a lot of work and the ppl who write them have the job to cut the book down to a formidible size for the movie. Sometimes it turns out ok but other times not.
My example —> If you have read the Harry Potter books then watched the movies, you would find some quite appalling. Like for example Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I quite hated it.
I know they tried…. but really? A major fight scene was cut short.
I’m going off topic (
) but my point is the movie can be good and bad depending on your point of view. Oh and to keep this on here and not be actually chat… let’s see—–> In Physik Marcellus listens to his mother and abducts Septimus when it’s pretty clear that he dun like her, so why would he do it? Etheldredda didn’t have the power she used to and she couldn’t really do much as a ghost… Was he afraid of the aie-aie biting him? Seems interesting. I would appreciate it this could be elaborated. Thx! 
July 18, 2011 at 12:55 am
Hi Luna – this is a reply to you but it won;t go below your post. Dunno why…
The Queen thing is just the way it is in the Castle. Like in England it used to be that only boys could rule, so I am redressing the balance a little. So it is not a Kingdom, but a Queendom! And the Castle is just the Castle, they are not bothered about names too much.
Who knows what might have happened if Marcia hadn’t found Septimus. Sometimes Sep gets weirded out just thinking about that. It scares him.
July 27, 2011 at 7:13 am
Hi Angie,
I have noted that I recently posted quite a lot of questions ( including erroneously posting a reply twice) and that I should restrain a bit, but I still have three last ones before I will pause for the holidays:
1. Are Sep and Jenna really unrelated to each other – even if it goes back a REALLY long time?
2. If they formed a couple, wouldn’t it be … politically charged? If Wizards and Queens do not get together…
3. Does anyone exercise the power of the Queen if she cannot do it herself/if there isn’t one?
July 16, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Hi,
1. Most people in the Castle are related way back, you just have to go back a very long way.
2. Yes, it would be. ‘Queens and Wizards do not agree’ and all that.
3. They just have to find a relation, like a niece, or a cousin. So far there has always been someone.
July 27, 2011 at 7:15 am
For a dragon to Imprint someone, do they ALWAYS have to bite them? If so, did the Darke dragon (hope that’s not a spoiler, but the drawing of it is posted on the front of the blog, I guess) Imprint Merrin?
I certainly hope not. I wouldn’t like to be bitten by any dragon, but that’s the worst.
July 17, 2011 at 3:21 pm
A dragon doesn’t have to bit someone, but it helps. Just being with someone will do it.
I won’t answer your second just in case it does spoil it ….
I totally agree about being bitten by a dragon tho.
July 27, 2011 at 7:17 am
In the first book, why does Sally call Marcia a floozie? She doesn’t strike me as a floozie at all. And I know people are always asking about Marcia’s crush but does anyone have a crush on her? Thanks for respOnding Angie! The fact that you actually answer questions is awesome. So many authors don’t.
July 17, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Hi Addie,
No indeed Marcia is not a floozie. But gossips like something to gossip about. And I love that word! -I had to get it into a book somehow!
I think quite a few people have a crush on Marcia, she is quite charismatic. But not many of them dare say anything.
It’s a pleasure answering the questions – and getting them!
July 27, 2011 at 7:20 am
Dear Ms.Sage
I am a HUGE fan! I absolutely adore the Septimus Heap series and I have turned my two best friends into Septimus fans also (trying to recruit my brother and some more friends but my brother is tough to crack…) Anyways, I was wondering why in Syren Merrin Meredith keeps calling himself Septimus and why he stays in the castle instead of going to his mom.
Sincerely,
JuliAnne
July 17, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Hiya JuliAnne I can actually answer both ur questions!
You see Merrin calls himself Septimus because for the first 10 years of his life that’s who he thought he was, of course we know he’s wrong but he’s in denial… He feels that Septimus stole his identity when he turned from Boy 412 to Septimus Heap and he then turned out to be be Merrin Meredith (btw he doesn’t like the name).
He stays in the castle because he doesn’t know who is mom really is. He found shelter for himself and he’s like independant. It’s also obvious when you read Darke (sixth book) that he doesn’t know who is mom is.
Hope this helped!! :p
July 26, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Hi,
Thanks for spreading the Septimus word!
Merrin was brought up with DomDaniel and called Septimus Heap for the first 10 years of his life, so he has every reason to still think of himself with that name. And he doesn’t know who his mother is. He’s had a tough time…
July 27, 2011 at 7:22 am
Hello Angie ;D
Just one tiny question, How old is Beatle compared with septimus.
Good luck with the new book, =D
Rose
July 17, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Hello Rose,
It’s in Flyte and I must check it out, but its either 2 or 3 years older. Ish.
Thanks!
July 27, 2011 at 7:23 am
Hi again Angie, I was on the swings one day, random, i know, and i thought of this question.
Lets say cars (automobiles) had been invented in Sep’s world, if I was driving down the street and never got out of the car on that street my whole life, and 10 years later, i died, would i be able to walk down that street, or would I have to be in the car? Hope that makes sense. Thanks.
July 17, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Hi Taylor,
After 10 years in a car I’m not surprised you died! I’m only surprised you lasted that long… But I do know what you mean. It’s the same as Alther in his boat. You’d have to be in the car. But by then the car would be a wreck so you;d have to be in the ghost of your car. Which is a whole new story.
July 27, 2011 at 7:26 am
The series often mentions charms and other things that have disappeared over time but, aren’t new charms also made as time goes on? On average, how many new charms are made per year and how many of those charms do something that no previous charm is capable of doing?
July 18, 2011 at 2:27 am
Hi Gabriel,
Yes, new Charms are made but it is human nature to always think things were better in the old days. And of course some things that are lost cannot always be replaced.
But there are some very new, powerful Charms being made at the manuscriptorium and at the Wizard Tower.
July 27, 2011 at 7:29 am
Hi Angie,
I was wondering where you get your names,
just if you had like someone you named after the characters, if you just liked the name.
Thanks,
Maris
July 18, 2011 at 3:41 am
Hi Maris,
the names just appear in my head. its about the one thing I don’t have to think hard about. Which is really nice. Bu they are not named after people I know at all. Apart from Petroc Trelawney( who I don’t actually know but who does exist.) But I just couldn’t resist that. Such a great name!
July 27, 2011 at 7:31 am
will syrah be in the next and final book? PLEASE!!!!!!! I am your biggest fan. PLEASE WRITE MORE SEPTIMUS HEAP SERIES BOOKS! SEVEN ISNT ENOUGH.
July 18, 2011 at 4:51 am
Hi Spitfyrerocks!
I know, but I think 7 is probably enough … but I do want to do others about the Castel and all kinds to do with the series. I haven’t finished yet! Yes, more of Syrah.
July 27, 2011 at 7:33 am
I don’t know if I want her to wake up or not… Well at least now I know. Her and Sep don’t kiss, do they? Cause if they do I’m going to have to lugg a plastic baggie around to the spot where I’ll read the next book.
August 22, 2011 at 10:08 pm
I know I already asked a question but i think my last one was bit silly. SORRY!
anyway I was wondering;
1. What is DomDaniels name. Is t still DomDaniel. Did he make it up or was his name Dominic Daniels.
2. Beetles Crush is a bit creepy. I mean in Flyte Sep and Jen are 11 and hes 3 years older like 14. And a 14 year old having a crush on an 11 year old. I mean it is fine the other way round its just a bit you know and I was wondering if you had noticed that when you were writing it.
July 18, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Hi Andy,
I didn’t notice it being silly….
1. DD took the name for himself. It means hell.
2. yes, well these things happen sometimes. That’s why Beetle never said anything. And why Jenna didn’t notice. I hadn’t thought of it a creepy though, probably because I often think of jenna as a little older than she is and Beetle as a little younger. But I do see what you mean.
July 27, 2011 at 7:37 am
Hi,Angie!
I have 2 questions: If Simon wants to be the EOW so bad, why doesn’t he (and Lucy) move to another place in need of an EOW (or Apprentice) or is there only 1 Castle? Also, what happened to the other horse (the 1 that he stole at the end of Flyte)? Thanks and good luck on finishing Book 7!
July 18, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Hi Sherry,
there is only one Castle for SImon. And only one Wizard Tower anywhere!
Not sure about the horse. Must ask.
July 27, 2011 at 7:41 am
Hi, Angie!
I was wondering what colour are Wizards’ eyes before they’re exposed to magyk? Are they gray like Sep’s at first? Thanks!
July 18, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Hi Sherry,
Any colour at all, it doesn’t matter…
July 27, 2011 at 7:42 am
Do Septimus and Jenna have a middle name?
If they do, what is it?
When is Septimus/Jenna’s birthday?
July 19, 2011 at 2:07 am
Sep’s & Jen’s birthday is December 21
– Luna
Hope this helps.
July 26, 2011 at 10:42 pm
No, neither of them do. Silas and Sarah hadn’t had time to think of one before Sep was snatched away. And Jenna was hard for them to name and they had a feeling she already had a name. So they stuck with one.
21st December!
July 27, 2011 at 7:44 am
Hello!
I have one question and it is about the illustrations. Which character that Mark Zug drew is the most like what you pictured in your mind? to me, nicko looks exactly as i pictured him. Thank you!
p.s. I love your books!
July 19, 2011 at 6:15 pm
I agree – Nicko for me too. and also the picture of Jenna in Flyte. And Sam in the MagykalPapers. He is weirdly similar…
July 27, 2011 at 7:45 am
What is the difference between a Possessive Spirit and a Possession Wraith?
July 19, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Hi Garret,
The P.Wraith is the manifestation of the P.Spirit. it is how how the P. Spirit wants to be seen.
July 27, 2011 at 7:47 am
What do people in the castle do with corpses?
July 20, 2011 at 1:11 am
They float them down the river on a Leaving Boat. Some people ask to be buried in the woods opposite the Castle.
July 27, 2011 at 7:48 am
hello angie!
i really love your books……but the closest place to get them are seven hours away
so next time i go there i’m buying every book i don’t have. i have one question right now = how olds do you think your youngest fan is?
thanks
July 20, 2011 at 3:29 am
Hello Sugar Rae,
7 hours is a long way away!! I don;t know for sure how old my youngest fan is, but I know my nephew began reading them age 8 and is a big fan. I guess much younger than 7 would be difficult though.
July 27, 2011 at 7:50 am
hi,
sorry for breaking my promise,
but there are two last questions – but take time:
1: Is there a difference between a Witch-Princess and a Wizard-Queen? Marcellus mentions the existence of the former, but here it is said there aren’t any of the latter – it strikes me as odd.
2: I know I asked something like this before, but most coincidences (and problems) with Magyk come from Jenna’s backstory. Would it have made more sense without the whole adoption business, which seems to be the source of some problems?
July 20, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Well, witches and Wizards are very different. Witch stuff mixes better with being a Queen than Wizard stuff.
I think Jenna’s backstory is fine – the only stuff that is not as clear as it could be, I think, is the DomDaniel backstory. Jenna’s adoption and early life is pivotal to the book, I am not sure how else she could have survived. And without her link to the Heap family, the whole series wouldn’t work half so well…
July 27, 2011 at 7:55 am
Hey Angie. I live in the UK and I would like to know whether you will be doing any book signings down in Cornwall. I would also like to know how long it takes you to write a book. The one I’ve written took me six months but it’s taken little under two years to finish editing it.
Awsome books! I haven’t read Darke yet as I’m in the UK but I’ve read the first three books twice and I’m reading Queste again at the moment.
Your humongous fan,
Kimberley x x x
July 20, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Hello Kimberly,
thank you!
I do hope I will be doing s signing in Falmouth Booksellers when Darke comes out, I must get in touch with them. But before then I’ll be in Taunton on September 21st at 4.00 pm at St George’s School and then at bath Children’s Lit fest on Sunday 25th! I’ll post more details nearer the time.
I’d like at least a year to write each book and I did have a year for DARKE, which was great. And editing does take a while, but I do have a really great editor, which helps. 6 months is pretty fast to write a book it seems to me, but I know lots of writers are faster than I am! I don’t think people realise how much headspace it takes up…. Good luck with your book!
July 27, 2011 at 8:02 am
Hi!
I’ve read Darke now and it was AMAZING but I have some questions about it and the other books…
1. Does Jenna or Septimus (or enyone else important) have a middle name?
2. How did Septimus know that SpitFyre was a male when he was born?
3. All this talk about Marcias crush…. What page and which book does it say??? I’ve been looking for it long now….
4. Ok last question, I noticed that someone had discovered that 4+1+2=7 (wich I thought were brilliant!), but then I thought 4+0+9=13!!!!! The Darke number!!! Please don’t tell me he’s gona turn Darke!!!???
Greetings from sweden!!!
July 20, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Hi there,
Thanks!
1. See above for jen and Sep. Some do have middle names. You can find them in the Magykal Papers.
2. Lucky guess!
3. It is not in any book, except maybe a small clue in Flyte. But it has grown out of all proportion here!
4. No … but he might have hidden talents, you never know.
July 27, 2011 at 8:04 am
hi Angie!
Darke is amazing, thanks for writing the septimus heap series! in syren, Jakey names his boat Lucy, and i was wondering if lucy ever sees Jakey around. i thought it’s really sweet of Jakey to be so nice to Lucy, and disobey skip. i forgot, or i just have bad memory, but does syrah have curly-ish red hair? i think she does because when i read the part about syrah, i thought of myself, always a little pre-occupied.
with magyk,
Cate
July 21, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Hello cate,
Jakey has gone travelling far away, but who knows what might happen one day? I ithnk Syrah has curly-ish brown hair, as far as I remember. It might have a reddish light to it in the sun…
July 27, 2011 at 9:10 am
Hi,Do You Know When The 7th Book Would Come Out? I Dont Want Septimus Heap To End Because I Love It SO Much.
July 21, 2011 at 9:40 pm
hi Laura,
I don’t know when the 7th book is scheduled for. I haven’t finished writing it yet! I do know that my deadline for delivery is next May but we are all hoping I am finished before then.
It won’t be the end of everything – just the main series. There are other Septimus books I would like to write too. Maybe about other characters, other times even.
July 27, 2011 at 9:13 am
Hi,Angie!
I have 2 questions: How many horses does Simon have? Because judging by the way he treats Thunder, which I think is his favourite, it seems very likely that he has more horses. (And also,at the end of Flyte,it said Simon stole a horse) My other question is if Septimus has 7 sons,what happens? Thanks and good luck finishing Book 7!
July 22, 2011 at 12:31 am
Hi Sherry,
Simon still has Thunder. He did steal a horse and I am not sure what happened to it. It may be that a farmer found it wandering in the Sheeplands. I think he does his best for Thunder and Thunder does like Simon.
As to Sep having seven sons – powerful Magyk, I guess. But I don’t know that he will.
July 27, 2011 at 9:15 am
Hey Angie!!!
thanks for awnsering!
I wanted 2 know if i could make a facebook
page for Septimus?and thx
for the info!
YOU ARE AWESOME!!!
Ser7enity
July 22, 2011 at 12:48 am
There is an official page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angie-Sage/124286904281818
July 25, 2011 at 7:09 pm
i think i found the clue. I’m guessing it was the line “——–” I blanked that out as to not spoil anything for others…. can you let me know if i have found it?
thanks so much for your time
July 22, 2011 at 11:45 am
Yes!
July 25, 2011 at 7:04 pm
I have multiple questions. However, I can only remember 2 of them that I would like to post right now.
1. Can a non-human animal be possessed and or inhabited?
2. What happens if a spirit tries to possess someone who is already possessed?
July 22, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Hello Gabriel,
1. Yes an animal can be. Usually it will be a cat.
2. Trouble! But they wouldn’t. It would be like moving into someone else’s house.
July 27, 2011 at 9:17 am
Dear Angie
In Physik there’s mentioned that the room where Jenna found Septimus again,was the second biggest room Jenna has ever seen….So what was the biggest room she ever saw?
Good luck with book 7!
July 22, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Hello Niah,
it’s the Throne Room.
Thank you!
July 27, 2011 at 9:18 am
Does Anyone Get Together??If So Betttle And Jenna Would Be A Couple.They Would Look So Cute
-Lauraxoxoxo
July 22, 2011 at 7:15 pm
You’ll have to read the last book in the series. What’s the point in knowing the answer before reading the book? There is a certain pleasure when you find out these things by reading the actual book…
July 25, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Yea Thanks Shauki Big Fan<3
-Laura
July 25, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Shauki is right! wait and read the book. It’s like opening your Christmas presents before Christmas – it may be fun for a few minutes, but it spoils everything if you know what’s in them.
July 27, 2011 at 9:20 am
Hi Angie!
MuzykMagyk here, new to this blog thingy. I am an avid fantasty reader and I simply love the series (it’s in my top favorites along with Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Fablehaven). I do have a couple of random questions, like everyone else here:
1. How did Beetle manage to use the you-know-what that kept him alive in you-know-where, because I thought Merrin threw it out?
2. Are EOWs (and Keepers and CHSs so forth) allowed to retire, or do they have to, persay, become ghosts first?
3. Septimus and Jenna regard each other like brother and sister, right?
4. It seems like everyone Sep is friends with has… been very lucky with carrer choices (by the end of Darke). Do you think it’s part of the 7th son of a 7th son magic rubbing off onto them?
5. Who is more of a best friend to Septimus now, Wolf Boy or Beetle?
6. If Syrah wakes up, do you think Sep will take her to Hotep so she could complete her Queste she embarked upon 500 years ago? That would be nice for Hotep too so that he would knoww another apprentice survived…
7. Last Question. Could there be two EOWs at the same time? Like say if a comatose apprentice from past times woke up and married the 7th son of a 7th son who was also going to become EOW #777… sorry. Me just really hoping for everything to work out, like I know it will one way or another.
Thanks for the time you put into answering everybody’s questions, and I look forwards to book 7!!!
July 23, 2011 at 5:49 am
Hi there,
Thanks! and welcome to the blog…
1. He didn’t. he had to rely on his own resources.
2. They can retire. Sarah Heap thought Alther had retired, not been killed. But most don’t. Both jobs are too good to give up easily.
3. Yes. Mainly.
4. Tis true. But they are also interesting people. And in the right place at the right time too.
5. I’d say it is Beetle. They do have more in common. But Sep is still very fond of Wolf Boy.
6. It would be nice. If she wakes up.
7. Can you imagine 2 marcias? but you mean a joint husband and wife team. I think they would have to take turns. It could lead to trouble though.
July 27, 2011 at 9:28 am
Hey Angie, congratulations on such a spectacular series, even I who has just turned thirteen, has been inspired to make my very own Septimus Heap costume, and I wear it all the time. If you ever come to Australia please please please ( I bet you will when you go on your book tour) please come to Taree the Manning Valley, I would love to meet you and get your awesomoust signature.
I enjoyed every word said in your books, and Move over Harry Potter here because comes Septimus Heap. Drum roll!! Do you like Harry Potter?
Well if you read this, which you proberly will considering you look like you are always on your blog I would love to hear from you.
Congratulations with such an exceptional series. You have done us fans great!! From an enthusiastic big, astronomical and any other word that describes big FAN!!
July 23, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Thank you Emma!
I did go to Oz – to Perth – about 18 months ago and I would LOVE to go to oz again. My brother lives there and is a real ozzie now. So pleased you love Septimus so much. I woudl love him to be as popular as Harry one day. I read the first 2 HPs and then stopped. I was already writing Septimus then and was afraid I;d pick up ideas by mistake. Yes, i did like them, very much.
Maybe I can come back to oz for book 7…. I hope so.
July 27, 2011 at 9:31 am
Hey Angie
Congratulations on the books, I absolutely loved them, my hands felt like they were super glued or something, I am ten and I absolutley love all the characters, your writting is so vivid you dont even need to make a movie!!!! so totally awesome, hey if you ever visit Australia…..
Thank you, and sorry I broke the rules
July 23, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Hello Sep911,
I don’t know what rules you broke? If its not asking a question that is totally fine. I never mind just comments rather than questions. It’s nice. Yes, Australia …. see my answer to the previous question … I would love to come back to oz one day.
July 27, 2011 at 9:34 am
why is everything released later in england than in america? also could you come and do a talk in my school if they pay u obviusly love the books and cant wait till more stuff wolf boy for the win
July 24, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Actually, it’s the opposite that is normally true. British authors normally have their books reale4ased in the UK first. The reason it’s different for Angie is because (I believe, correct me if I’m wrong) her initial contract publisher is American. And the reason Darke is published so much later is because bloomsbury, the UK publisher, wanted to take advantage of the Christmas market.
July 25, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Oh, I know… it was a decision my publisher here, Bloomsbury, made. They say that the book will sell more in October than in June.
I will be doing lots of signings here in October, and will post them here and tweet them too. So even though you have had to wait for Darke, you might get a signed copy!
July 27, 2011 at 9:37 am
hi Angie! i have a few questions about septimus heap, please awnser them!
1. will jakey see lucy again?
2.are spit fyre’s bites poisonus?
3. when an extraordinary wizard’s apprentice finishes their apprenticeship, so they immedeatly become the extra ordinary wizard?
4. has the queen ever had a male child? if so, does the boy become king?
July 24, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Hello cate,
1. I don’t know. Maybe. One day….
2. No, not at all. But they are not nice even so. And dragon dribble can be very corrosive for those who are using Darke stuff.
3. No they don’t. They may never become one as there are manywho do the Apprenticeship. But they do become eligible.
4. yes, lots of Queens have sons. But they cannot become King. There are only Queens in the Castle. (It may be tough, but I am just evening up the score. For hundreds of years women could not rule here in England. And no one even bothered about that.)
July 27, 2011 at 9:41 am
1. What happens if a Possessive Spirit tries to possess someone who is already possessed by another Possessive Spirit?
2. What determines where a Possessive Spirit can go? For instance, Syren could not leave its tower and the malevolent Possessive Spirit in the Possessed Cottage in Bleak Creek can not leave its Possessed Cottage?
3. What happens if someone is possessed by two different spirits at the same time?
4. When does the Septimus Heap series take place? What years does the series take place in?
Sorry for asking so many questions. I have a habit of forgetting them the second I am able to post them.
July 24, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Hello gabriel,
1. There’s an answer to this earlier. Trouble. And they wouldn’t.
2. That is true, they stay put usually. There are wandering ones and these are terrifying. And rare, thankfully.
3. That can’t happen. And if it was attempted, I think the person would die. Not nice.
July 27, 2011 at 9:46 am
hello,
kinda of weird question(s), but have you ever dreamed of Septimus Heap? Because I did, and it was not quite like the books…
Also, could you tell the books out of memory? This is what I am trying currently now
July 25, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Hello ecoli,
No, I have never dreamt of Septimus, which I am quite pleased about really.
I reckon I could tell them out of memory, although I suspect I might get some of the events in the wrong order. If I had about ten minutes to flick through first I’d be ok, I think. But that is only because I re-read them all very recently. And when I did there were things I was quite surprised to read- which is weird, considering I’d written them in the first place.
All I can say is – you must have a brilliant memory!
August 21, 2011 at 5:19 pm
hi angie!
If an extraordinary wizard takes on more than one apprentice, and choses the oldest one, what happens to the rest of the apprentices?
your 2nd biggest fan,
Cate
July 26, 2011 at 2:34 pm
HI Cate,
they wouldn’t necessarily choose the oldest one, just the one they thought was best. But an Apprenticeship with the EOW is a passport to many interesting things. And many do become Ordinary Wizards. Some go abroad to study and one or two have gone across to the Manuscriptorium.
August 21, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Hi, Angie!
What sorts of non-domestic animals can you find in the Castle? I don’t think many other than rats and the fish in the river have been mentioned, but even very large cities have animals in them, like pigeons, foxes, and squirrels.
Speaking of rats, exactly how big was the rat that Beetle found in the drain in Darke? For Beetle to have at first mistaken it as Jenna, it must have been huge, but how would a rat have gotten to be that big?
In one of the latest National Geographic magazines, there was an article about rescue chickens in Kent. There was a photo of a chicken who had been plucked and was wearing a knit sweater, and I immediately thought of Ethel
I’ve been wondering about this for quite a while – why did Jenna name the duckling Ethel? It sounds so much like Etheldredda, and I don’t think Jenna would want to be reminded of that every time she saw her pet duck. Not to mention that Ethel has some very bad memories about Etheldredda, too.
Thanks for answering my enormous amount of questions!
-Myka
July 26, 2011 at 8:07 pm
HI Myka,
there are lots of feral animals in the castle but I guess I don;t mention them much. Pigeons are a nuisance for the Ramblings roof gardens and foxes live in the Palace garden and can be found on the streets too.
The rat wasn’t huge, but it was in the middle of a bundle of old clothes, so when it moved the clothes did too and it looked bigger.
Oh, poor chickens – its nice someone is knitting them sweaters…
Jenna wanted to get the bad memories of Etheldredda out of her mind – she thought that might work, and it did. Now when someone says Ethel, she thinks of the duck – not the name of the queen.
August 21, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Hi!
I was just rereading Darke for about the billionth time
and noticed something new (Isn’t it interesting how that happens? Once someone asked me why I reread books, because she considered it redundant and a waste of time, and I just said that no matter how closely you look at something, you’ll always uncover something new if you look again.)
In the bit at the back of the book where it kind of does some more explaining, the Afterward, I saw that Marissa’s last name is Lane. Is she related in any way to Linda Lane?
Thanks again!
-Myka
July 26, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Hello Myka,
I like re-reading books too – mainly because I soon forget them, however good they are. Its true, you do see so much more the second – and third – time around.
Well spotted. Linda Lane was her aunt…
August 21, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Hi, Angie. I was just wondering if the seventh Sep book will be the last, or if you might write more books? Of course, I would love it if you wrote more, but do you think the seventh book will be the end of the series? Thanks, Kyra
July 27, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Hello Kyra,
Yes, the seventh is the last of the series, but after that i would like to do a few what they call spin-offs. Maybe Marcia’s childhood, 10 years on in the Caste .. that kind of thing.
August 21, 2011 at 5:31 pm
a few more questions and then I won’t bother you
1. Where does the Aie-aie come from and how did Etheldredda find it
2. When Beetles ill Sarah says his mother and father are coming to see him but in Queste you reveal his father is dead
3. Alther mentions dealing with aunt Zelda in the past such as looking through the store houses for things but in Magyk they had met for the first time.
July 27, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Hi Andy,
1. She was given it by a merchant. It was from the hot humid deserts of the south.
2. & 3. You’ spotted two things that characters have got wrong and I didn;t notice until too late. Sarah got confused about Beetle because he was delirious and talking about his father. Aunt Zelda forgot that she had ever seen Alther. She is getting very forgetful now and that was the beginning of it I am sorry to say. Also there was a certain amount of author forgetfulness too ….
August 21, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Also, how is the movie coming? And, if an ExtraOrdinary Wizard has multiple Aprentices who are eligible to be the next ExraOrdinary, how is the next ExtraOrdinary Wizard chosen? Sort of like the Chief Hermetic Scribe, or is it a completely different process? Sorry I didn’t mention it earlier, Kyra
July 27, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Hello Kyra,
the movie is coming along slowly. Warners have exercised their option to buy the books, which means it is looking much more likely we will get a movie. They are also doing some presentation material in order to get the go ahead ie, the finance. This include some backgrounds and, I think, some image capture stuff with Industrial Light and Magic, which are part of Lucas Films. So we have some big stuff going on, but nothing is certain yet…
August 21, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Hi,Angie!
I have only one question today. If Simon wants to be the EOW so bad why can’t he movr to another Castle in need of an EOW or EOW Apprentice? Thanks!
July 27, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Hello Sherry,
there isn’t another castle! This one is it….
August 21, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Hi Angie,
I can’t find the question i saw the other day about Syrah so I wanted to ask: Will she ever wake up? I think she’s just exhausted from being Possessed by the Syren but I thought three days (maybe more) was quite long for someone to sleep.
I also have some more questions, I don’t mind if you can’t answer them all.
1. What date will Darke be out in the UK?
2. What happens if a wizard has 14 sons?
3. Can there be a seventh daughter of a seventh daughter who is really Magykal like Sep?
4. Will there be a book about when Jen becomes Queen?
5. What happens if a Queen doesn’t have any daughters?
6. If my book gets published, will you read it?
7. Do you daydream?
8. Do all writers plan their books before writing them?
9. Is it true that characters sometimes start ‘wandering’ around by themselves?
10. What do you think about a series of books completely about sailing? (I would rather like this to be the next series i write)
Kimberley x x x
July 27, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Hello Kimberly,
The answer to your question about Syrah will be in book 7!
1. Not long now – in October. Ir if you can get to Taunton you can get it on 21st September. I will post details this week. Also on 25th September in Bath.
2. I should think he or she are totally exhausted.
3. Yes, but there don’t seem to be any at the moment.
4. I woudl like to do one about the Castle 10 years on – so yes, with any luck!
5.Her sister takes over. It goes down the family until they find a female relative.
6. I don’t know!
7. Yes, lots.
8. No, they don’t. I don’t plan much at all..
9. Yes – weird but totally true.
10. That’s a really nice idea – like SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS.
Good luck with your writing!
August 21, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Angie I love the septimus heap series I have read magyk 187 times and it still isn’t getting old. I even made a septimus heap wall with a lot of stuff from the books. No one at mt school has ever seen me without at least 2 of your books out on my desk. I get so into the books half the time I don’t hear anyone call me and I feel like I’m right there with the characters. I have read all the books so many times if someone asked me a question from the book I could tell them the answer, what book it can be found in, and even tell them what chapter and page it can be found on. I would even pull the book out of my backpack to show them. I even made a book of all the spells I could find and keep it in a licked cabnit in my room with all the books, and only I have the key.I have only one question do you think you would be able to read Magyk 187 times in 3 years?
July 28, 2011 at 12:33 am
Hello tori -
I am AMAZED!!!
wow, you must know Magyk almost off by heart. And no, I know I couldn’t read Magyk 187 times, I would go bonkers. Also I would begin to see things that i would want to change too.
Thank you so much for being an Official Septimus Ambassador !
August 21, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Hey Angie,
First off, I would like to say that your Septimus Heap books were amazing. I just have a couple of questions for you:
1. When will the 7th book be coming out? I really can not wait.
2. When will the movie start to be created?
3. What is another good series that is simaller to Septimus Heap besides Harry Potter? I really am missing the books, and I like the whole Magic idea and the different universes thing.
4. What day is the Longest Night?
Thanks so much!
July 28, 2011 at 12:57 am
Hello Sydney,
Thank you!
1. I am still writing book 7, officially I do not have to deliver it to my publisher until May but we are all hoping I finish it earlier. I am not sure what date they want to publish at the moment. ASAP I think…
2. When they get the financial go-ahead. Which has not yet happened but looks like it might soon.
3. I am out of touch with new stuff to read as I don’t read other series in case ideas creep into Septimus. So all I can tell you are the three series I read ages ago when i was young. Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring.
The Ghormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peak and the Once and Future King by TH White.
4. 21st december – the winter solstice.
August 21, 2011 at 5:52 pm
I just finished reading books 2-6 (my summer vacation since there’s no sun, only rain) and can’t wait to read more of the series. I hope there are other books to come? I just love them (and I’m an adult over 50) so keep up the great work! I hope the Princess will deal with her current “witch” status?
July 28, 2011 at 6:56 am
Hello Judy,
there is no sun here either… just rain. I expect you are over here in England too.
I am so pleased you like the series, I do write them for us grown-ups too and it’s very good when that works.
There is one more to go but I haven’t finished writing it yet – Out as soon as possible but probably not until the end of next year. Then I would like to do a few more out of the main series but still about the same world. Maybe the Castle in 10 years time and Marcia as a child.
At the moment the Princess has gone right off witches – but it’s not that easy to get out of a coven…
August 21, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Hi Angie,
I know I have already posted and astounding amount of posts but I seem to have one more (and I hope I won’t feel the need to post something else for a while because I have been posting so many questions lately). You mentioned that after the 7th Septimus Heap book you were considering writing stories about the other characters. Will you write one about Syren? I would really enjoy reading more about that particular character. I’m also curious about whether or not I am the only one who wants to read about Septimus being possessed.
Good luck on the 7th book. So far your ideas have made the series perfect and I bet that your ideas will also make the 7th book (which I think I figured out the name of) perfect.
July 29, 2011 at 3:59 am
Hello Gabriel,
Thanks for your suggestion, but you know, Syren gives me the creeps too much to write about her/it – and I don;t think I could do that to Sep. I know he’d be ok in the end, but even so…
I’m so glad you like the series so far, it’s been a real voyage of discovery for me and I am never really sure where I am going to end up. So far, so good, then!
August 22, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Hi Angie!
I know you mentioned above that many people have secret crushes on Marcia but could we maybe know who one of them is? What does Marcia like about Milo Banda? Do you think any relationship they might have could work in the long run or do you not know yet? Will we see more Milo/Marcia interaction in book 7?
July 29, 2011 at 4:32 am
Hello Rose,
I’m not giving any more away! i do think that any relationship with Marcia would have it’s tricky moments, but I also think that it would be worth it – if anyone was brave enough to try…
August 22, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Why does Marcia think she can control everyone? I don’t like girls/women like that. Sometimes it seems like Jenna doesn’t like Marcia. Is that right?
July 29, 2011 at 4:45 am
Hello Lily,
Marcia probably appears more controlling than she actually is. A lot of it is job-related and at least it is all up-front with her – she doesn’t play mind games.
There is a potential power struggle between Jenna and Marcia, as Jenna grows older and gets into her role in the Castle. And there is a tradition of rivalry between the EOW and the Queen. But Jenna doesn’t dislike Marcia – she is perhaps a little wary, though.
August 22, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Hi Angie,
I absolutely love the Septimus Heap series! I’m reading Syren at the moment. But there some things I was a bit curious about…
1) How old is Nicko in Magyk?
2) Does Marcellus Pye ever go back to his time, or does he now like living permenantly in Sep’s time?
3) Have you had any ideas of cast members for the movie?
4)I heard there are two characters who you’d always intended to be gay, will we ever find out who they are?
July 29, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Hello Awkward Lawn Lizard!
1. Nicko is 11 and a half in Magyk.
2. Marcellus is permanently in Sep’s time, because the Glass of Time has broken.
3. No ideas … I shall leave that to Warner brothers. My agent has a favourite for Marcia though. But we don’t get a say in the casting as it is quite an art, I think.
4. I’m not sure. at the moment it doesn’t look like we will as everyone is a little young, but if I do a 10 years on sequel then they’ll be there.
August 22, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Hi Mrs. Sage! Sorry I know I am asking questions at a bad time, but I was going through your site and couldn’t find any new updates on the movie for Magyk and was wondering how it was going? Also, are you going to right another series after you finish the Septimus Heap series that is also set in the Castle?
July 29, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Hello magykmaster,
there isn’t really any more news but i shall do an update this week and try and explain where Warners have got to at the moment. I don’t get to hear much about the movie myself either… i imagine it will all suddenly happen at once.
I don’t think I shall do another series immediately after Septimus, but I would like to write a few shorter prequels and sequels to the series.
August 22, 2011 at 10:19 pm
This is so silly but I’m going to ask it anyway. I have the biggest crush on Marcia. I just love all of the attributes of her character. I love how passionste she is about what she does snd how sge tries to come off tough but she’s rather soft and kind at heart. I even think her temper is charming. I can’t seem to find any women or girls like her in real life. What I want to know is, do you know women who are a lot like Marcia? Are there some in your country? Are they out there? She almost seems too good to be true. I hope I meet someone like her someday. One kore question, do you plan out all of your boops before you start writing or do you write as you go along? Thanks!
July 30, 2011 at 2:57 am
Well, I too think Marcia is great. You clearly have good taste!
Marcia is not based on any one person but I suppose she is a combination of all the characteristics that I like in people. But I am sure there must be women like her around – so maybe one day you will find one. I don’t know if she is particularly English though – I am sure there are Marcias all over the world. And you never know when you might bump into one…
I only very sketchily plan each book. Its more of a feeling about how it will be and a few events that i want to happen. after that I let the characters make the decisions and plans. So mainly I write as I go along. But I always used to think you had to plan a book and I think the idea of having to do that stopped me from writing for quite a few years.
August 22, 2011 at 10:26 pm
What would Marcia do if Septimus began swearing on a regular basis?
July 30, 2011 at 6:24 am
Hello Marcus,
She would tell him to STOP THAT RIGHT NOW, SEPTIMUS. And he would.
August 22, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Hello Angie!!! My bad!!! , Im just commenting to say that i’m a massive fan on the septimus heap novels, and have reread all many times. There deffiently my favorite books. A small question aswell, are you planning on realising more Septimus Heap books? , cheers.
July 30, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Hi,
Well, I am in the middle of writing the last book in the main series, but there are still other ones I would like to write. So who knows?
August 23, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Hi, Angie! Sorry about the Darke Dozen thing. I have no idea what happened to the eleventh question. But I have a few more questions.
1. How does witch power work as opposed to Wizard MAGYK?
2. Will Jenna’s eye color change at all, now she’s a witch?
3. Is it possible that Syrah was 13 when she went on the Queste and then tried to keep time after she was possessed, and mistakenly thought she was nineteen when she wrote those journal entries (thereby explaining away the information discrepancies)?
4. Will we get to hear more of Syrah’s backstory? I know you said we’d see more of Syrah, but I’m not sure if you meant we’d hear about her past too.
July 30, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Hello Ava,
1. Witch power is more in tune with nature – less based on academic stuff. You can dip in and out of it in a way you can’t so easily with Wizard stuff.
2. No, Jenna isn’t a proper witch. Lots of people do the initial coven stuff and then get scared and leave. It takes years of living with a coven to be a real, serious, scary fully paid-up witch.
3. That’s a nice solution, but it was a mistake – one day i will fix it. Sarah would be too young at 13 to have finished her Apprenticeship.
4. Probably not a lot more about her past, i shall have to see what happens!
August 23, 2011 at 9:29 pm
dear angie,
i know your busy writing the last book and all but i was just wondering when your doing book signings and if so where i can find a schedule.
chandler
July 31, 2011 at 12:22 am
Hello Chandler,
I am guessing from your name that you live in the USA? If so, I’m really sorry but i won’t be coming over to you for signings for Darke. But if you live in the UK I will be doing some. But I don;t know where yet. I am still waiting to hear what Bloomsbury (my publisher) have fixed up. As soon as I know I will post here. I have 2 dates in England at the moment… 2ist September in taunton, somerset and 25th september at the bath children’s festival. Here’s hoping you live in the UK and can get to one!
If you use twitter you can follow me at AngieSageAuthor and I always tweet stuff like that. See you somewhere, with any luck!
August 23, 2011 at 9:33 pm
okay one more
I noticed that in Magyk when you describe how Silas rescued Morwenna that for the Wolverines it would be, “the easiest diner meal since the last Young Army do or die exercise. But this was when Silas was apprentice long before the Custodians came into power. Well I always assumed that the young army was started by the Custodian Guards and DomDaniel when the Queen was killed because SHE would never have allowed such a thing I am sure.
So was this a mistake or was the Young Army instituted before the Queen died.
July 31, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Hi Andy,
well, its not really a mistake but you are right, the YA did not come into being until later. I guess I phrased it a bit awkwardly. It should really read ‘until’ rather than since.
August 23, 2011 at 9:35 pm
In Physik Marcellus listens to his mother and abducts Septimus when it’s pretty clear that he dun like her, so why would he do it? Etheldredda didn’t have the power she used to and she couldn’t really do much as a ghost… Was he afraid of the aie-aie biting him? Seems interesting. I would appreciate it this could be elaborated. Thx!
July 31, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Hi there,
mothers exert a strange power over their sons sometimes. just because marcellus did not like his mother, doesn’t mean he didn’t still want her approval. Or that he could stand up to her demands. It was an emotional hold she had over him – which is far more effective than anything else.
August 23, 2011 at 9:38 pm
~Angie,
Do you have any plans on making another series or even a novel?
I think it would be cool if you made a teen book.
August 1, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Hello Isabella,
I’ve got lots of plans! I do have a couple of novels I would like to write, but they are probably a little older than for teens. But I’d like to try a teen novel too. But first I have to finish Septimus….
August 23, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Did Miriam Bing ever pass her Speedwriting Examination and become a scribe?
When I was reading that part of the Magykal Papers, and I noticed the letters getting smaller, at first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me… but I guess not!
August 2, 2011 at 5:41 am
Hello Myka,
You are right, the writing did get smaller. Miriam began to run out of paper. She did pass her Speedwriting Exam but decided not to become a Scribe after all. She went to the Port and did an Apprenticeship at the Harbour Master’s Office.
August 23, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Um, I don’t know if this is even important, but if I were to set up a website, and put nothing but fanfictions on it, would I need the permission from ALL the authors and publishers? I’m thinking of making a website like that, where a whole bunch of stories are interconnected by a small group of storytellers, but I’m not really sure if that’s legally allowed. I wouldn’t really be asking you this question normally, but JK is impossible to contact and James Patterson won’t return my e-mails…
August 2, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Hi Diana,
The answer is, I don’t know. It’s a legal question and I guess you might be best asking a copyright lawyer. But there is fan fiction out there and I have never heard of any prosecutions. I’m guessing it’s a grey area and I think if you are concerned, you need to ask an expert.
August 23, 2011 at 9:45 pm
And one more question. How did Marcia survive in the first book when she had to eat at Aunt Zelda’s? I picture her being very picky about Aunt Zelda’s cooking.
And when is Marcia’s birthday? Thank you.
August 2, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Hello Marcus,
Marcia managed a few secret snacks – Wizards are pretty good with reconstituting food Magykally.
Marcia’s Birthday is something she does not mention, but I happen to know, from clues she has dropped, that it is some time in June.
August 24, 2011 at 8:54 am
Oh no! Angie I have a problem. None of the boys in my class are any fun to be around and I have a big crush on Beetle. I wish there were real boys like him. Do you think it’s unhealthy to have a crush on a fictional character if you’re kind of just waiting to meet somone like that character? Someone told me it was and I really hope it’s not. It’s sort of fun, liking Beetle. Did you ever have any crushes on fictional characters? Does anyone?
August 3, 2011 at 12:58 am
Hello Lucy,
I don’t think it is unhealthy at all. It’s a nice way to understand the things that you like in boys, so that you can recognise them when you find one for real. And there are boys around like Beetle, although sometimes they hide it from people their own age by being ‘cool’. (It’s when you are old enough to be their mum that you can see it!) Yes, lots of people have crushes on fictional characters, it’s totally normal. I used to really like Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice – and that was way before they did the film or the TV adaptation. So keep on liking Beetle…
August 24, 2011 at 9:01 am
Hey Angie,
My name’s Luke and I’m from Australia. I was just wondering when is the Septimus Heap movie & Book 7 coming out in Aussie? If you could answer that would be great as I’m nearly finished reading Darke and I don’t want to be without a book for ages.
Thanks again,
Luke.
August 4, 2011 at 3:36 am
Hello Luke,
I think both will be a while. mainly because I haven’t finished writing book 7 yet! And the movie is not yet in production. I am really sorry it’s not all happening sooner… it takes a while to get stuff together.
August 24, 2011 at 9:03 am
Hi Angie or Shukie (sp?)
I just wanted 2 know if you are going to be
doing any sighnings here in Canada?
btw……………………………………………..
YOU ARE EPICLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO ANGIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!good luck on book 7!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 4, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Hello Ser7enity,
Thank you!!!
No signings yet …. but I do hope that when book seven is published I will come over to the USA and to Canada. But that won’t be until next year.
August 24, 2011 at 9:05 am
Hey Angie
I asked these questions but you didn’t answer so I’m asking it again:
1.Will you come to United Arab Emirates for book signing(I just live there it’s not my country.)
2.When the seventh book of Septimus Heap will come out?
August 4, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Hello Queen Jenna,
That’s weird as I am sure I remember answering this …. but it must have got lost.
sadly the answer is that i don’t have any plans for book signing in the UAE. That is something the publisher over there would have to fix up. I just go where i get invited!
I am not sure when book 7 will come out. It may depend on when the movie comes out – it will certainly depend on how fast I can finish it! I am halfway through now and trying to speed up as I am a but behind schedule…
August 24, 2011 at 9:08 am
hi,
sorry for breaking my promise another time, but when rereading your answers, I noticed that some of my earlier questiions got lost…should they be reposted?
And is there going to be some really big bad one in the 7th book? Because the enemy seems to become bigger with each book?
How did that Princess in Darke become Witch Princess-she hadn’t Magyk before. Was it just a matter of clothing or that of this kiss from the witches?
August 5, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Hello ecoli,
Yes, do repost if they’ve got lost.
I’m not going to give any clues for book 7! I guess the enemy does get a little bigger, but I try to keep things varied.
Anyone can get taken into a coven, you don’t have to be Magyk. You can learn to be a witch, if you want. And it was only the first step on a long road. To be a full witch forever, you have to live in the coven and do all kinds of nasty stuff.
August 24, 2011 at 9:11 am
Darke was absolutely fantastic! I am very addicted to your series!
I loved how a lot of questions were answered in Darke. I also thought the family dynamic was so masterful.
I would love to see the dragon boat more (it would be interesting to see how Jenna’s witch status affects that relationship.) and to learn more about Her original master . . The first darke wizard
August 6, 2011 at 5:42 am
Hello Cara,
Thank you! I’m so glad you felt that. I did want to do a lot more with the Heap family – and the Gringes – in Darke. Glad it worked!
And the rest … well, there is still book 7….
August 24, 2011 at 9:13 am
Hello Angie,
) and I’ve got two questions
I’m fourteen and I really love your books ( it’s really amazing how similar I am Lucy Gringe
My first: Do you write the Septimus Heap story in past or in future?
( because of the elevator in syren, if it’s explained in darke I’m sorry
I haven’t read it so far ’cause I live in Germany and here Darke comes out in October I think.)
My second: Are you really sure there’ll be seven books and no more? I’m so sad about that but I can understand that seven books are really much…
Hoping for your answers! Love, Lucy
August 6, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Hello Lucy,
I’m so pleased you love the books!
Lots of things like your first question will be answered in book 7. It will be seven books in the main series as I think that is probably enough, but I would like to do a few, shorter books afterwards, still about the Septimus world. Maybe one about Marcia’s childhood. One ten years on … that kind of thing.
August 24, 2011 at 9:22 am
Once again, sorry for posting so many questions. However, I was wondering what Beetle’s timepiece looks like. The books never mention how it looks; they only mention that it exists, how he obtained it, and that it doesn’t make ticking sounds.
I promise that this will be the last post for a few months.
August 6, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Hello!
Beetle’s Timepiece is big and round – like at oversized fob watch. It is fairly battered and scratched. It still keeps good time.
Don’t worry about posting – its nice to hear from you!
August 24, 2011 at 9:24 am
Hello Angie,
This is more of a personality question to understand Septimus. Why does he always freak out about people doing small things. Like when Jenna said Spit Fyre was HER dragon just to save him. And when anybody tries to claim just a little credit. Or when he figured he would be a hero again for flying Spit Fyre, but then he found out he wouldn’t. I figure its just because he is a bit spoiled now. So why does he react like this, have this trait?
August 6, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Hi Chase,
well, we all have things about us that are not so good. Sep has these too. He did spent 10 years in the most awful conditions in the Young Army so it is not surprising that he likes to hang onto what is his, and be recognised for what he does. I don’t think he is spoiled, its just a throwback to earlier, more difficult times.
August 24, 2011 at 9:27 am
Will Septimus use Magyk to find Jenna’s teddy bear in the seventh book? Near the end of the Magykal Papers in the Message Rat excerpts, Aunt Zelda says that she is sorry Jenna lost Teddy and that Septimus could run a Find spell on him.
August 6, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Hello GreenWeasel.
Jenna had a very small bear that she kept in her pocket. She used to call it pocket bear. It was this that she lost. Unfortunately it seems that something ate it. Sep never did Find it….
August 29, 2011 at 7:35 am
Hey Angie, it’s me again. I know you’re busy so I only have one question:
** Why is it said in Magyk that a Crown fell down from Queen Cerys’s head when she died if she was described in Flyte as a “young woman wearing a heavy red silk tunic .. Her long dark hair was banded by a gold circlet ..” ?
Good Luck on Book 7 ! Can’t wait !
Love,
Jenna haruka xxx
August 7, 2011 at 6:49 am
Hello Jenna haruka,
Queen Cerys wore her gold circlet under her crown. The crown was padded to allow for this. So when she entered ghosthood, that is what she was wearing…
August 29, 2011 at 7:38 am
Dear Angie,
I have a couple of Questions for you, and I think the books are fantastic!
1. Will you be able to tie up all the loose ends in the last book? There’s quite a few…
2. Will Snorri ‘Return?’ (feel free to erase this question, it’s a bit of a spoiler.
3. Where is the Castle set? Did you compare it to our world and create the Small, Wet Country Across The Sea and The Land of Long Nights etc. In comparison? Also, what accent do the castle inhabitants have.
4. Will any main characters die in the Seventh book?
Thanks for reading!
August 7, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Hello Ethel>3,
Thank you!
1. I don’t know if I can do all the loose ends … some will probably have to wait for my ten years on idea. But I do see Septimus Heap as a little like life – you can never sort everything out and life goes on, a little muddled as ever. I have a list of things I intend to sort out, and in this respect this last book is a little different to write.
2. Snorri I am saving for a book all to herself later.
3. I do imagine a kind of template of UK and Northern Europe for the geography of the books. I imagine the Castle dwellers with a slight West Country English accent.
4. I don’t know!
August 29, 2011 at 7:44 am
Hallo!
I read earlier that you were planning to work on the Septimus Heap website, is that true? Because I was looking through it and it seems that it hasn’t been updated since before Syren was out.
Also what is beyond the border mountains? And past the forest?
Do castle people have an accent? Would it be similar to an English one or a Scottish accent? What do they call the language they speak? Castleish? That would be funny (;
What are the style in the castle, is there a certain one for clothing or hair styles?
August 8, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Hello Amelia,
I don’t do the Sep Heap website – it is purely a HarperCollins thing. I really must take another look at it ASAP because you are not the first person to have said this. But I just concentrate on writing. I restrict my web stuff to this website and Tweeting. Not enough hours in the day to keep an eye on all the Sep stuff! But I will email Harpers and see if they will update it.
Beyond the border mountains are some small towns and lots more forests. there is a lake community and various boggy areas. But the Castle is the most populated city.
how strange – two questions about accents at once. Like waiting for a bus! see last reply… Not sure what they would call their language. They do tend not to name things like that.
Clothes: its a mix. There aer the more old fashioned tunics that are worn for working in the official areas, like the Manuscriptorium, Wizard Tower etc. But everyday clothes vary. There are occasional outbreaks of clashing colours when a new stock of dye comes into the Port. Generally people wear a everyday kind of leggings with a long tunic and a belt. A wooly hat in the winter and a sheepskin jacket from the Sheeplands. It’s fairly basic.
August 29, 2011 at 7:54 am
Hi, In Septimus Heap Are There Any Mermaids??Just Wondering I Know Its Wired But It Just Went In My Mind:)
Thanks
~Laura(wants to be Princess Jenna)<3
Find Me On FaceBook
August 8, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Hello Laura,
No mermaids, at least no one has seen one yet. But there are mermaid legends. In fact, there are lots of sea monster legends…
August 29, 2011 at 7:56 am
Hello Angie!
I was just re-reading Syren and I realized just how much I wish I could be more like Lucy Gringe. She’s kind of annoying occasionally and she screams quite often, but she’s so kind to others when they’re hurt and afraid, like with Jakey Frye. Even the most confused characters (Merrin) find their hearts melting when Lucy smiles at them.
All your female characters have an independent confidence and an inner beauty that most authors don’t evoke well, but you do create them perfectly. All the characters are lovable and have charm. Even Merrin Meredith has a bit of a “awww” charm in Darke.
My real question is if you find it hard to write characters that are strong and confident or do your characters just develop as ink and paper goes on?
August 8, 2011 at 7:46 pm
I’m really glad you like Lucy. She kind of grew on me, I wasn’t expecting her to turn out to be such a constant and interesting character. She’s in the last book too.
I’m also really pleased you think this about the female characters. I do feel like I actually know all my main characters and the girls, to me, are no different from the boys. I think the thing is that the events in the books are driven by the people, I don’t use the characters to make a plot happen, which can sometimes make them seem a little like puppets. So the answer is, i don’t find it at all hard to write strong & confident characters, that is the easy bit! The tough part for me is making the plot work out.
August 29, 2011 at 8:08 am
Hi Angie! I think it’s sooo cool that you actually look at and reply to these posts. Most authors don’t do that. Anyway, the Septimus Heap books are easily my favorite series, which is saying something because I’m a voracious reader and have read many, many books/series. Here are two questions that have been bugging me.
1. At the end of Queste, it says that Beetle’s dad was bitten by a snake and died, but in the Magykal Papers, it says that he was bitten by a spider. Which was it?
2. Since the Queens have power, and if the queen gets married, her husband isn’t the king, what would his title be? Just the queen’s husband?
Thanks!
August 8, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Hello Eliza Ann,
well, I love hearing from everyone. I’m a little slow answering at the moment as I m writing a lot now, everyday.
1. This is a slip-up. It appears that Mrs Beetle was sent two different letters and she and Beetle have no idea which one was right. Whatever it was it was hanging out in a box of bananas. Not nice.
2. The husband of the Queen has no title, no position at all. Tough, but it means that there is no confusion in the castle about who is in charge. He is just the Queen’s husband and traditionally they have interests elsewhere. They are often farmers or, like Milo, merchants who travel.
August 29, 2011 at 8:12 am
Is it unhealthy to have a crush on a fictional character? I have one on one of yours and I hope to meet someone like her someday. Is that possible? There are real people with personalities like the characters in your books, right?
August 10, 2011 at 5:43 am
Hello Mack,
someone asked me this about Beetle earlier. I don’t think it is unhealthy at all. It’s the same as having a crush on anyone you are never going to meet – it’s a way of discovering the kinds of things you like in someone. And yes, there are real people just like the people in Septimus. I think it just takes time to really get to know people, which becomes easier as you get older.
August 29, 2011 at 8:16 am
Hey Ange
1. Are Jenna Crackle Silas’s mother and Betty Crackle related.
2. Why is Mad Jack Mad and why does he like rats
3. Whats DomDaniels real name
4. Why does Silas never see or mention his brothers
5. Are shield bug charms destroyed when use them or can they be reused
6. How would anyone make so many of the charms
7. If you imprint a charm but its destroyed can you still use the spell
8. Is the Chief Potato Peeler who ran away with the youngest maid the same one who used to be the night servant or did he became the chief potato peeler because he ran away
August 10, 2011 at 11:34 am
Hello Andy,
1. they are related. I can’t remember quite how without finding my family tree which is in a box somewhere but it may be that they were sisters. Or cousins. Quite close, anyway.
2. He’s a bit of a loner and that is what the Port people call him. He likes rats because he feels he gets along better with rats than people.
3. DomDaniel!
4. He does, but I’ve just not reported it as they haven’t been part of the story. You will see two of them in book 7.
5. Yes, they are destroyed. It’s a one-off use.
6. have you ever spent a Big Freeze on Marram Marsh? There’s not a lot to do on those long winter nights…
7. Yes, you can use the spell if you have it totally right. The trouble is that most people make a small error at some point and then it changes a bit and that’s it – its gone. And there is no Charm to get it right. Sep spent a lot of his first year memorising and repeating spells so that he made absolutely no mistakes.
8. Yes, he is Kevin who married Maureen (who worked for Nursie in Flyte). They now run the Harbour and Dock pie shop. I think Kevin was demoted to chief potato peeler, but he didn’t care. Anything was better than being night servant to the Supreme Custodian.
August 29, 2011 at 8:26 am
Are you a Doctor Who fan? If you are, did you ever have the desire to be one of the Doctor’s companions? I got my whole family hooked on DW and it’ll be coming back on (at least on BBC America) the 27th of this month and I cant wait.
August 10, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Now this really dates me but I was a massive DW fan when it began! I have a signed photo of the first DW, William Hartnell from when he came to open a fete near where I lived. You can imagine I was thrilled to discover he lived in our nearest town. I and my friend used to wander along the road where people said he lived, hoping to see him (we never did…).
Naturally i would have loved to have been one of his companions – even tho he was much less glam than the new Dr Whos. I also really, really wanted to try out being a dalek ….
August 29, 2011 at 8:31 am
hey angie,
you responded to my friend a little while ago, and YAY I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE WRITING MORE BOOKS ABOUT THE CASTLE! I never want this series to end…
August 10, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Great!
The books will be a little different from the main series, but I don’t think I am leaving it yet.
August 29, 2011 at 8:33 am
Dear Angie, aka: the best author EVER.
I am a HUGE Simon Heap fan. I love him with all my heart, and then some. Not sure exactly why, I guess I like the bad boy gone good aspect. But, I finished reading Darke a few days ago and it seemed like Septimus forgave his eldest brother. Jenna, on the other hand, still wants nothing to do with him. Why? I mean, people CAN change and Simon’s head was all screwy from the Darke when he kindnapped her. Is Jenna stubborn? Or is Simon really irredeemable? (Sob, cry, noises of displeasure) I also wondered about the ExtraOrdinary apprenticeship. Is it possible for SIMON to still become Marcia’s apprentice? When Nicko dissapeard into the House of Foryx, Jannit took on a new apprentice and then moved Nicko into the Senior Apprentice’s position when he came back.
Septimus is Marcia’s Senior Apprentice, so could Simon become the Junior Apprentice? I know a lot of people don’t like and trust Simon, but is. it. POSSIBLE?
Sincerly,
Jill.
August 11, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Hey … thank you!
Simon has turned out to be an unexpected heart throb. Jenna will mellow. I think she feels more betrayed by Simon that Sep does. He was he adored big brother and then suddenly he was terrifying. It’s a lot to get over. The problem lies with Jenna now rather than Simon and he is just going to have to use more of the patience he has so painfully acquired over the years.
At the moment the EO Apprenticeship is, I think, pretty Impossible. But there are other options. And who knows how things will turn out eventually? Not me, that’s for sure!!
Thank you for your really interesting comment…
August 30, 2011 at 9:47 am
Hi Angie, I’ve got some questions here. Lucky seven!!
1. In Physik, how did Olaf Snorrelson grab Etheldredda? Did Snorri’s calling of her father create some kind of power that enabled Snorri’s father to grab Etheldredda?
2. In various books, there are labels such as Product of Peru, or a Persian rug, or a Chinese rug. Since I’ve read that you imagined Septimus’ world being in England, is this why various objects have these names?
3. I probably misread something here, but why did the Glass of Time (when Septimus was leaving the Chamber of Physik) break?
4. In Magyk, Alther brings his fishing rod, in the Grateful Turbot Tavern, a tinkerwoman has pennies, and in the Hole in the Wall Tavern, ghosts have their tankards of beer. Do some ghosts remain with their items and/or clothes if they were holding them? Do ghosts, such as Alther, have certain items that appear when they arrive at certain places?
5. It says in the Magykal Papers, Beetle’s father, Brian Beetle, was bitten by a spider and then died. In other books, it says he was bitten by a snake. This seems like a good thing to edit in a second edition, but which did you initially intend it to be?
6. I’ve always wondered about the time period in which Septimus Heap takes place. It seems that they use wooden boats, as well as horses for transportation. They talk like we do nowadays, so I’ve always imagined it being like late-1800s. Was there a specific time period that you’ve imagined Septimus Heap to be in?
7. What is the difference between warlock, witch, and wizard? It looks to me that there are Darke witches and white witches. They are mainly female, but I read in a past Ask Angie that there can be male witches, and all witches are usually born with blue eyes. People with “magykal blood” seem to have their eyes turn green when they are exposed to magyk long enough. Can non-magical people’s eyes turn green as well if they practice long enough (such as Beetle)? Would Jenna’s eyes turn green or blue if she did witch or wizard magyk long enough? Will they change if exposed to a certain type long enough?
Sorry for so many questions, but I’ve really been looking around for the answers to these and couldn’t find them; my first list of questions had about 15, but I looked around and found the answers.
Thanks!!
August 13, 2011 at 3:31 pm
eek…
1. In extremes of emotion, ghosts can Cause things to happen, very briefly. Olaf was responding to his daughter’s emotion.
2. Well, there are echoes of this world. Just as we have echoes of all kinds of civilisations in our own world. Nothing is totally isolated.
3. The forces holding the Glass of Time together were huge. It was a constantly active thing. No Glass of Time lasts for very long and this one, like all of them, finally fell apart.
4. Exactly. Certain places produce particular objects. These disappear when the ghost goes somewhere else.
5. Now, I can’t even remember. I believe the confusion arose because Mrs Beetle had two conflicting letters of condolence from the Port authorities. If i do get a second edition, I think that is what will go in. I am rather fond of the confusion now. Its the kind of thing that happens in real life anyway.
6. Yes, there is. But I have used an amalgamation of all my favourite times in history.
7. Born witches do have blue eyes from birth but that doesn’t stop others joining a coven and learning how to be a witch. But it will never work quite as well for them. A warlock is traditionally a male witch. For some reason there aren’t many of those around. They tend to operate alone. Non-Magykal people’s eyes can’t turn green even if they are exposed to lots of Magyk.
Thanks for looking for the answers to the other questions…
August 30, 2011 at 10:01 am
Hi I’m, mad about Septimus Heap and there is something bugging me..
Where does Snorri go at the call out?
August 13, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Hey, I’m not Angie but I thought I could help. Snorri went to the Port with Alfrun . I think they found the Alfrun(the boat) there and did a test on her.
August 21, 2011 at 4:41 am
Haruka is right – she went with her mother to find the Alfrun.
August 30, 2011 at 10:02 am
Hi angie
?
In magyk marcia says that invisibility is s personal spell:you can only do it for yourself. But in syren wolfboy does an invisibility spell and it covers him and Lucy gringe, sorry to be picky but why is this
Thanks
Your biggest fan
Dominic
August 13, 2011 at 11:03 pm
Hello Dominic,
Wolf Boy used an UnSeen shield, not an Invisibility Spell. An UnSeen Shield is an illusion. It fooled Skipper Fry with an illusion of an empty locker.
August 30, 2011 at 10:08 am
dear Angie,
please tell me can SLUETHS be used for MAGYK and or DARKE,CAN SLUETHS be different colours,can SLUETHS be just pets, and how do get-create SLUETHS
August 15, 2011 at 1:55 pm
A Sleuth is a Darke Magyk creation, because it is used to follow clandestinely. Any old ball can become a Sleuth, the older and scruffier the better, in fact. They are not suitable as pets as they get bored and destructive. Handle with care, is my advice.
September 1, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Hi Angie! I really love your books and for every other book I read I re read one of the Sep ones! I have even read the first one upside down! I was just wondering abour the far countries becuse I thought the only way to get there was a boat, but in the Magykal papers it says Marcia came from the far countries when she was five and in book one it says Marcia had never been in a boat! Is there another way to get to the far countries, or does that just not count because she was only five?
August 15, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Hello callie,
I am amazed that you have read Magyk upside down. Were you upside down or was the book upside down, I wonder?
Marcia did come from the Far Countries but she came in a strangely magykal way. I hope to write about that more in a later book.
September 1, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Awesome that’s really interesting. I can’t wait to hear about it! And the book was upside down.
September 12, 2011 at 1:21 am
Hi I just read Darke!! SO good by the way and I really want to know if there will be another book!!!! Thats all…oh and sorry about not putting in my real name my mom doesnt like that!!
August 15, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Yes there will be another book, Angie says she plans to write seven books in the main series, plus a few add on adventures, like Marcia as a Child and , Nicko’s and Snorri’s voyage. Angie says that there is a clue in the last chapter of Darke of the title of the next book!
August 24, 2011 at 12:28 pm
That’s ok, Lolliepop, lots of people don;t use their real names. And Amelia has answered you question perfectly. Thank you, Amelia!
September 1, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Hi, Angie!
I was flipping through my copy of Magyk yesterday and something’s bothering me. In the last chapter, when Aunt Zelda asks Sister Moon to show everyone Septimus Heap, there’s this passage here-
“There was a gasp, even from Marcia, who had guessed who Boy 412 was a few minutes earlier. Only she had noticed that her image had disappeared from the reflection of Boy 412′s family.”
What had Marcia meant by that?
August 15, 2011 at 6:06 pm
When Aunt Zelda asked Sister Moon to show them his family, Marcia disappeared (because she’s not part of the family). So that is why she was the first to realize that Boy 412 was actually Septimus.
August 20, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Yep, Shauki’s right. Thank you Shauki!
September 1, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Hey its rox again I have one more question to ask
Why does every princess have violet purple eyes why not brown or blue or green
Thanks
August 16, 2011 at 2:08 am
i know im not angie but i think i can help! like her mother and her mother before her and so on and so forth right back untill the first ever queen arrived in the castle, all the princesses and queens have had violet eyes. just like all wizards have green eyes and witches blue
August 22, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Hello Roxann and Dominic,
Its true, most Queens have had violet eyes, it is a very strong genetic trait. But you do not have to have violet eyes to be a Queen. Some have had different colours – most often they will be a dark colour, like brown.
September 1, 2011 at 9:46 pm
hey angie! i am a HUGE fan and when i was reading and re-reading syren i wondered if syrah syara will ever wake …. p.s one more thing is there a thing going on between jenna and beetle?
August 16, 2011 at 9:29 am
Hello Ivy,
more of all of that in the last book….
September 1, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Hey Angie!
There was something I was going to ask… But I have forgotten…
Oh yes.
Is the 98th word on the 14th page of Darke deliberatley “LET”? If it is, that’s awesome. If it wasn’t deliberate, it’s amazing.
There was another question too, but that has vanished.
Also while I’m here… After reading Darke, I read Syren again, and I noticed. On the very last page of Syren, in the What Happened To bit, it tells you about Stanley and the ratlets. They have different names than they do in Darke! I don’t know if it’s the copy I have, or what, but it’s just so that if you ever do an edit, you can fix that.
Okay that sounded mean. It’s not a big flaw, or anything massive, it’s just something I noticed.
Thanks a lot! And Darke is great, by the way. Much better than I was expecting. I got the USA copy sent to Scotland, and it was worth it. Definiatley. Can’t wait for the 7th book!!!
Maura
August 16, 2011 at 10:32 am
I feel stupid but, why is the 98th word on the 14th page special? It’s probably something obvious, but I’m clueless.
August 23, 2011 at 9:22 pm
I still don’t get why “LET” is important, but maybe I’m just being blonde again…
September 2, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Angie’s mentioned that mistake before. (or had it mentioned to her?) She’s said she’s planning on doing later editions where she’ll fix all the little odds and ends that don’t match up. And how did you notice the LET thing? I’d say noticing is what’s amazing.
August 25, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Hello Maura,
Ok, I got my calculator out because I didn’t know what was so special about 98… my maths is not great, I have to admit. Aha, divide by 7, it is 14. Well, that is a little spooky but it is not deliberate.
Yes, the ratlets have all been renamed. I have become quite fond of the odd mistake now and am feeling rather attached to them.
September 1, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Hey Angie,
The 98th word on the 14th page is “Let”, and it is “Let” in the Great Undoing! The 98th word, and the 14th page. It’s even awesomer if it wasn’t deliberate.
Maura
September 14, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Do You know when the fifth and sixth books will be translated into Hebrew?
August 16, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Hello Miriam,
It is difficult for me to find out about translations as my US publisher generally can’t tell me as it is up to the publisher who buys the foreign rights when they decide to do it. I think the best thing for you to do is to write to the publisher who does the Hebrew edition and ask them. That way they will know that people are wanting the books, too!
September 1, 2011 at 9:55 pm
I promise you, I really am trying to stop asking questions for a while. However, I have another one. If a charm is only needed to do a spell for the first time, can’t someone learn to use flyte without the flyte charm or are there exceptions to this rule?
August 16, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Hello Scanth,
The Flyte Charm is not like other Charms, it is part of a small group of Ancient Art Charms and must be held for it to work. It does have some echoes though, it has helped Sep a couple of times even when he didn’t have it.
September 1, 2011 at 9:58 pm
sorry but another question of mine is the extract of dark we are alowed to read is amazing still but reading it it felt slightly different asif you had changed how you wrote it slightly? also when is darke to be on sale in england?
August 17, 2011 at 5:33 pm
October, it comes out in October, and, just in case you needed more reason to read it, IT’S GOT SPITFYRE IN IT!!!!!
What more is there to say?
August 23, 2011 at 9:18 pm
Hello james,
Well, that’s interesting about the writing style. I wasn’t aware that anything has changed, but I suppose that I may have developed in the way I write over the time. It wouldn’t be surprising as nothing stays the same and practice makes perfect! But I don’t think it is very different, really?
Thanks Diana! Yep, October and Spit Fyre is there big time.
September 1, 2011 at 10:01 pm
also do you think it would be a good idea for septimus to date shyra if she recovers? and i am sorry but while the frequently asked questions said about him gettting a girlfreind and you said you dont know it is only an idea im putting forward as im aspiring to become a writer (also a actor and musician but thats not important) thanks again for the amazing books and dedication to you fans
August 17, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Hello james,
I think Syrah is maybe a little old for Sep. We will have to see what happens.
I think on Syren Septimus was affected by the magic of the island as much as by Syrah. Like a holiday romance …
Good luck with writing and thanks for your lovely comments too.
September 1, 2011 at 10:04 pm
oh yeah and shauki
if you closed the magyk movie blog how will people know when the auditions are?
August 18, 2011 at 10:23 am
There’s going to be another movie page. But not now.
August 20, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Hello Ivy,
Hope you have seen the new movie blog. Not much has happened but I wanted to try to explain where we are right now. And it is by no means certain that Warner do auditions for their movies. I don’t know how they cast but I don’t think they necessarily do do open auditions.
September 1, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Hi Angie,
I just wanted to ask if there will be a book about Jen becoming Queen or Sep the EOW. Also, if Sep does becoming the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, will his Apprentice have to do the Queste?
Thanks
Kimberley x x x
August 20, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Hello Kimberley,
We will see what happens in book 7. But i would like to write about both events, whether it is in the main series or not.
There are no Questing stones left, Sep had the last one. So no more Questes.
September 1, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Hi! I was reading Magykal Papers and I noticed something I normally would overlook. On Sep’s map of the castle tunnels, just past Sarah and Silas’s biographies, I noticed, in small print, an arrow leading to something called The Great Pitte of Fyre. I don’t remember that in Physik, so what is it? And does it have any importance?
August 20, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Hello Diana,
We will find out….
September 1, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Is there a particular time period for these books?
August 20, 2011 at 7:18 pm
I know I’m not Angie, but this quesion gets asked so often I memorized her answer. The book is set in a fantasy time, kinda like the middle ages, only a lot less violence and Black Death…
August 23, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Thanks, Diana.
I took most of the elements from the pre-industrial revolution time, about the late 1600s in fact and then added modern attitudes. I am trying to get an interesting mix of various times that work together.
September 1, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Hi Angie
I am a really great fan of Fantasy books, but i really like more yours, they are really great.
Got a question:
Do you take some ideas sometimes from the people here?? like if they say something that the want (not as request, of course) you take that idea?
August 21, 2011 at 3:12 am
Hello Liverpoolbookworm,
So far I haven’t, but very often they are thinking along the same lines as I am and some ask very leading questions! What I really like is getting a feeling for the areas that people are interested in, so it may be that I do pay more attention to some things that I might not have done otherwise.
September 1, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Dear Angie,
I just finished reading Darke, which I really loved (no spoilers here), but I have a question… I hope this isn’t a spoiler, but at the end of chapter 46, Nicko is mentionted to stay with Sarah, and then, in chapter 47, he is suddenly in the wizard tower… A small error perhaps, or am I overlooking something?
August 21, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Hello Diederik,
Yes, it’s an editing mistake. I made a note to myself to delete it during the edit and clearly I forgot to do it. It is annoying but these things happen. There is such a huge amount to check at that stage – I end up with pages and pages of lists! We will get rid of it in the paperback. Nicko is, of course, in the Wizard Tower.
September 1, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Hey Angie, I heard on one of the other pages that there were two characters who you’d always intended to be gay; will we ever get to find out who they are, and will they ever get together?
August 21, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Hello Sam,
As you are called Sam, I guess I have to tell you that one is your namesake. At the moment it doesn’t look like they will be in the main series. But in my ten-years-on book we will have something.
September 2, 2011 at 7:32 am
Cool. Spin-offs are always interesting. i’m sorry – wrote a comment earlier under the name of awkward lawn lizard, but my comment just disappeared off the blog! so i thought i’d accidentally broken one of the rules and a moderator had removed the question. but then i just looked and realised you’d replied! i’ll just be sam from now on…
September 10, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Hi Angie!
I really love fantasy books, and your’s are the only series I still utterly love from when I was in elementary school. My obsessions usually last for only a year so six complete years of Sep really leaves its mark; I don’t think I can ever forget him! They are practically what got me hooked on reading (and ultimately what sparked my desire to become an author). And what with both my mother and my aunt loving them too, there’s no reason for me to stop, either, even if my friends love to tease me for always rereading a kids’ series when I’m fifteen…
Septimus and Marcia are tied for my favorite character, so I hope there are a lot of moments with them together in the seventh book; I absolutely adore their interactions!!! And I figured out the hint in chp 47; I’m so proud!!! (my mom would be so embarrassed if she heard that…)
But anyway, my question is, what exactly do Wizards do everyday? I hear about them going on fishing trips, shopping and whatnot, so I’m assuming its either not that important or they’re simply slacking and Marcia’s finally given up on scolding them about it…
Thank you in advance!! And I can’t wait to get my hands on book 7, though I’ll probably cry and laugh simultaneously when I do… Good luck!
August 22, 2011 at 3:36 am
Thank you, Amaranthe412, that is just so great to know.
Septimus has really got into my head too. I never expected to be writing a series of 7 books. I thought I would have trouble finding enough ideas for three. But there is something about the Septimus world that feels so oddly real to me.
Septimus has readers of all ages, so fifteen is definitely not too old. Lots of adults read them. And I do think the later books are what you would call crossover – ie, they can be read by any age.
Wizards in the WT are self-employed. The deal is that they are available for some duties (some prefer to do more than others) and that is agreed when they are taken on. Some, like Silas, just turn up for the ceremonial dinners. Others, like Dandra Draa, run whole departments. Marcia is cool with that as long as they stick to what they have agreed. If they don’t, she does get a bit edgy.
If you go to my website to the FAQs there is an Infrequently Asked Questions section there too. And one of the Qs is what is an OW’s day like. And yes, I must update my website, I know…
September 2, 2011 at 7:43 am
Hi Angie!
You made a comment on someone’s question that Sarah and Silas felt that Jenna already had a name. What was the name Cerys and Milo gave her?
August 22, 2011 at 10:35 pm
The Queens have a traditional, secret name that they are told at their coronation. So Jenna would not have that yet anyway. But it is true, Cerys and Milo would nto have called her Jenna. Cerys was thinking of using her greatgrandmother’s name, but she had no made a definite decision. Of course, no one got the chance to Name her.
September 2, 2011 at 7:47 am
Dear Angie,
Will Jenna ever find Petroc Trelawney?
August 23, 2011 at 9:27 am
Hello Dana,
Possibly… we will have to wait and see.
September 5, 2011 at 9:39 am
hi angie, i have a few questions for you: I
) has been really good and helped everone, especialy after her courage in darke i definatley think she should be promoted to an ordianry wizard!! what do you think?
, do you think you will write more about him, like maby when he’s older, i know its too early to say yet but its just a thought and i think i speak for ALL of us when i say we will all miss the books !
1.i dont want to give anything away but in dark merrin was never trouly apprenticed to domdaniel so how could alther undo the ….. ……. anyway?
2.is simon allowed back now after darke?
3.i think over the series hildergarde (i think thats how you spell it anyway
and finally after septimus heap has finished,
August 23, 2011 at 6:02 pm
Hello Dominic,
1. That’s what Aunt Zelda reckoned, but no one quite believed that. The fact is, no one can be sure if baby Merrin was given anything to eat or not. Anyway, as it turned out, it wouldn’t have worked anyway as Alther was a ghost.
2. You will have to wait and see.
3. Yes, she does deserve it, I agree.
I want to do a ten-years-on book, which will be separate from the series as it will be written for an older age group – for people who have grown up with Septimus. And thank you for your lovely thoughts, I will miss the books too, but i still hope to dip in and out of Sep’s world in different ways.
September 5, 2011 at 9:38 am
Hello,
I just came back from the holidays and have 7 questions still to ask-hope it will be a lucky number and not overtax the time:
1. Who did construct the Ice Tunnels, and why had they to be Sealed? Was it to prevent a Contamination?(After all, Alchemie stuff is all about changing elements – a process that usually creates a Contamination in the form of radioactivity). And where does the outgoing tunnel below Syren end up-possibly in the tunnel in your house you mentioned somewhere?
2. Where do the Queens take the money from for all the nobles? Running a government like that isn’t cheap. And how many thousand years ago did they come?; 776*7 would be a minimum.
3. I read that Syren was once an island that sunk into the sea, and that the Days of Beyond were ended by a big Flood. What caused the sinking, and did it cause the Flood-assuming that I read right? And was Syren larger than the current Isles-it is a bit small for roads and inhabitants?
4. Are Queens/Princesses with Magykal abilities common i.e those with green or witch-blue eyes?(But not professional Wizards, more like Nicko…)
5. Did you originally intend Jenna and 409 to be witch and warlock, respectively, or Wizards? I noticed that MAGYK and QUESTE seem to be written rather for this scenario than for what the books say(the adoption and the Intended Keeper stuff), and I don’t see a obvious way to explain this.
6. Do you have a map of the Palace? And if the Ramblings keep growing, do you suppose that sooner or later the Pal will be incorporated into them(obviously not the WT)? It’s an interesting perspective.
7. Who did build the Darke Halls, and what is the Great Pitte of Fyre(PHYSIK)? Are the DHs related to Syren and the Ice Tunnels?
An apology for the lenght of the questions, but I hope that it will not be too much-and good luck for the book 7 too!
August 23, 2011 at 9:27 pm
hope you had a lovely holiday.
Lots of your questions will be answered in the last book so I won’t say anything about them here… but here are a few answers.
There are no nobles in the Castle and the Queens don’t really run a government of any kind. People in the Castle sort themselves out. it is an odd mixture of anarchy with a Queen, which arose because the Queen arrived one day and they rather liked the look of her. That was way back of course. The Queens do not have a lot of money, but they get by. They have a lot of gold left over from the Alchemie days.
I based SYREN on the Scilly Isles here in the UK where this did actually happen. But there is a reason for it.
I didn’t plan anything for Jenna and 409. Certainly not for 409 to be a warlock. I do let my characters pretty much run their own lives and the witch thing just happened. And of course 409 isn’t a warlock, but he will be Keeper, which does verge on the witchy.
There are no Palace maps at present, but possibly in the future. I don’t think the Ramblings will ever be incorporated into the Palace, I can’t see the Queens putting up with that.
The Darke Halls are not related to the Ice Tunnels, they are much more ancient. The Ice Tunnels are part of the Castle whereas the Darke Halls are part of the old Bleak Creek settlement.
Thanks for your good wishes for book 7!
September 5, 2011 at 7:53 am
Hello Angie and greetings from Finland! (It seems we have to wait Septimus-books to be in Finnish over a year! That is so unfair.)
I was wondering how long did it take to write Magyk? Did the whole story just burst out as a sudden or did you planned the septimus-story really long and then writed that Magyk?
I meen, first when you wrote the Magyk and when it’s out then you cant change some things in it anymore so you HAVE TO go with the story as it is. Did you ever “regret” any parts of the story afterwards?
Thank you and hope to meet you in Finland sometime!
August 24, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Hello Juril,
I’m sorry you have to wait – but you know, one years is quite fast really. The translating takes quite a while to do…
Magyk took me about 18 months to write as I was finding my way quite slowly. I knew about the people and the world they lived in but not so much about the plot. That grew along with the book. I was really pleased to discover how much there was to write about in the whole Septimus world, I have not expected to find so many wonderful characters.
Aha … that is a very good question. I don’t regret any of the overall story as that seems right somehow. But there are little details that niggle. And things that I would like to go back and add. Ideally I would write the whole series before it is published and get everything working together! But that would be weird…
I came to Helsinki last year when SYREN came out and I loved Finland. I do hope I can come back again!
September 5, 2011 at 9:46 am
Hello, here I am again! There are some questions/comments I forgot to post:
1: Your descriptions of Jenna’s relationship with Magyk is a real quadrature of the circle; she isn’t Magykal, but she can become a Witch, yet she wasn’t one in the first book(If I were Silas or Sarah, I would see if I can make her a witch at least; if she gets unhappy at being the only one in a family of Wizards this may turn her into a bad Queen) and you said that it was a gene back in Ask Angie III. Does this mean that Wizards/Witches/Charms can turn someone who isn’t Magykal into someone who is? (If they can Shape-Shift into trees I think they should also be able to tamper with genes. But it may be dangerous). And can someone who has such an ability choose between being a witch and a Wizard(professional or not)?
Also, does Magykal abilities in general work by genes, or is it a kind of infection? If it is the former, I have already guessed which one(s) it could be-AKT/mTOR…
And if she did have Magyk in her would it have impacted the story? I don’t think so.
Sorry for insisting on that point; I think it would be better if Jenna was Magykal-it could explain some of the events – especially the politics in MAGYK – better. But of course I am not the author.
2: Queen Cerys kinda bothers me. The Young Army did exist a few hours after her death- doesit mean not only that she allowed the Supreme Custodian to get his post, but also did nothing to prevent him for setting the YA up or – in the name of all Queens, NOOO – it was HER idea? Even if he hid it from her, that strikes me as rather incompetent Queenshipdom.
3: Are there rules about the use of Magyk by children and teens? I would be extremely worried; teenage years are not careful years. And do children with Magyk often use it- say for toys – or is it more of an “i-have-it -but I-don’t use it” thing?
4: If Jenna ended up having all Wizard children-by whatever means-how would she deal with the Succession? Wizards and Queens do not get on well but tampering the Succession would be even more dangerous-politics are better not tampered with.
5: Is the 7th book getting on well?
6: What powers does the Queen of the Castle have-apart from these that we saw in the “wretched book”?
7: What do the Castle people do with those people whose negligence allows a major disaster to happen? Jen&Sep will have to explain this. Oh, and what would happened if the thing-that-shall-not-be-named would have crossed the river and the Moat-say, by a bridge? Would it have spread out like a plague across the whole country?
Again, it’s a lot of questions, but I hope this will not bother too much.
August 24, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Hello again,
These are very complex questions… I think a book gets to the point where some questions are for readers to answer for themselves, rather than for the writer to answer. And I reckon we have got to that point here. Just see it as though I have opened a door onto Septimus’s world but like you, I do not know all the answers.
but a few points …
I think Jenna is fine being unMagykal, and she is certainly not going to be a bad queen because she grew up not being able to have that skill. Pure witch-ness is a bit like a gene, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to do it, although you will never have quite the extra edge that someone from a witch family has.
Cerys had just had a baby – she wasn’t exactly looking out for stuff at the time. That’s why they all piled in then. The SC and his cronies were hiding out in the Badlands, waiting.
Kids are pretty careful with Magyk because they don’t know the complicated stuff. It is carefully taught and respected.
There’s a lot of what-ifs here and they are not for me to answer – just interesting stuff for us all to ponder… Like is life, there are no definite answers to what-ifs.
And book 7 is going fine, thanks!
September 7, 2011 at 10:52 pm
i noticed in the second book it says the ghost who’s guarding the castle sleeps until Jenna’s own daughter crash into it with her scooter does this means you are going to write at the end of book seven like 10 or 20 or something like that later cause i really want to know who will they marry
August 25, 2011 at 12:02 am
Hello fan,
I had never planned to do this as part of the series, as that takes us on too far. But I would love to write a book about 10 years on, but out of the series. mainly because it would be for older readers and I want the main series to be ok for younger ones all the way through, from MAGYK to …. (Nearly got me there!)
September 7, 2011 at 10:54 pm
What do You think about Marcia and how old is she?
What is Your favorite colour?
How the Magyk (like magic) was created?
August 25, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Hello Nico,
I really like marcia! She is in her late thirties.
I love all colours. No favourites really.
Magyk came about as a result of something we get to hear about in book 7…
September 7, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Hi Angie, I am in new Zealand and we really love you over here, please do visit us sometime, new Zealand is very beautiful. I love your books, never have read anything so beautifully written. I have just one question, will septimus In the last book ever end up having romantic feelings for anyone, will he stay single and keep his readers mesmerized by him or will he now be taken.
August 26, 2011 at 9:23 am
Hello Kavita,
I really, really want to go to New Zealand – I even have relatives there, who I have never met. Thank you for your comments about the writing, it is so nice to hear that and I am really pleased you like Sep so much.
I don’t think Sep will have made his mind up about anyone in book 7 as he is still quite young (although I know people do at that age). But we may get a few clues. However ten years on he will have done. I hope he will still keep the readers mesmerized.
September 7, 2011 at 11:01 pm
What color were Marcia’s eyes before they turned green? What did her parents say when they started turning green? I know they didn’t want her to be a wizard.
August 26, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Marcia had dark green eyes from the day she was born, so her family guessed that she would be a Wizard and were resigned to it. Her father did not want her to be a Wizard because being a Wizard had caused him a lot of problems. Marcia’s eyes got much brighter green when she became Alther’s Apprentice.
September 7, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Hi Angie!
I love your books and I was just wondering if you know if / when Darke will come out in Sweden? Or if I should order it?
August 26, 2011 at 9:25 pm
HI Fanny,
I am not sure when Darke will be out in Sweden. It depends of the Swedish publisher. The best thing would be for you to get in touch with the publisher, I am sure they would be very happy to give you the date.
September 10, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Hi!
I was on a trip to St. Louis, Missouri, last week, and I was at a little rock and bead shop (Being a jewelry maker, I did my research and made sure to know where every bead shop in the city was and make a stop there
), and I found a lapis lazuli rock (Which I of course am making into a Sep themed necklace 
)
I also was at a bookstore, and they have weekly specials on certain authors or series. I got both the Magykal Papers and Physik, in hardcover, for only 5 dollars each, which was a really great find
So how these two things are related to my question is: While I was reading the Magykal Papers, I noticed in the advertisement for Sirius Weazal’s Tour that it said you could find out the weight of all the lapis in the Wizard Tower. Now, I spent soooo much money on those super expensive books (just kidding
, five dollars is definitely the opposite of expensive when it comes to hardcover books) and I don’t think Gringe would let me through the gate without toll, so I am unfortunately unable to attend the tour. Would you happen to know the amount of lapis?
I’m also wondering why Queen Datchet III moved the tower. Was it for a good reason, and to protect some secret a rumor was started about how the Queen was just mad? I like to do improv storytelling, so my mind just kind of forms a story around any little unanswered question in any book.
I’ve tried to write real books, with lots of chapters and all, and am having trouble.
Thanks!
-Myka
August 27, 2011 at 2:01 am
Hello Myka,
I too have been unable to attend Sirius Weazal’s tour, mainly because they are either cancelled or have already begun and he won’t take latecomers. It is very annoying. And so I regret to say i do not know the weight of all the lapis in the Wizard Tower. I have to say, I suspect that Mr Weazal probably doesn’t either. But you could make an awful lot of necklaces with it.
Queen Datchet’s favourite Tower, the East Gate lookout Tower, had a subsidence problem because there was a certain tunnel beneath it. She was convinced that a tunnel there but because it was secret (Alchemie business) and because the Queens were going through one of their unpopular times at the Castle, people told her she was imagining it. It sent her crazy. She got the Tower moved because she couldn’t stand the cracks. Its a sad story.
I think the ability to write longer books does grow. It took me a long time to get to the stage where I could confidently do it. Building on improvising short stories is a really good way to go. Follow you characters through after the end of your stories and see what happens then. You may find that you have your book… Good luck!
September 10, 2011 at 11:29 pm
hi angie! i really want ot meet you, and you’re going to the UK for alot of book signings and i wish i could go. i live in ontario, though. could you go to chapters and talk about Darke? thank you!
August 28, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Dear Cate,
I’m sorry you can’t magykally fly over here for one of my book signings. It would be lovely if we could have a blog event!
The reason I am doing lots of signings in the UK is because this is where I live – so i don’t have to go very far! But I hope maybe when the last book is done I will be able to come to Canada, if I do a tour for that one.
September 10, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Hi, Angie.
My friend got a copy of Magyk from a used book store, and when she looked in it, it had what might have been your writing, written in pen. I have no idea if it really was you, and I figured this was the best place to find out. It says
For Bethany
with best wishes
Angie Sage
Was this maybe from a book signing?
Thanks for your help
-Myka
August 28, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Hello Myka,
A quick reply to this one as it is easy – If its big, round writing it’s me. Black pen. I have signed lots of books for people and they usually ask to have their name in.
September 7, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Dear Angie Sage,
I remember when I first got Magyk. My mum gave it to me for a birthday and I was slightly apprehensive about reading it because it was different to the other books I had read (I was obbsessed with Harry Potter at the time) and when I read the first chapter when at the end it said that Septimus was dead, I was like “But this book is supposed to be about Septimus… but he’s dead.” so that kept me reading, the clues about Boy 412 were there because when they are at Aunt Zelda’s cottage, when Jenna wakes up the first morning she wonders why it was only ‘Nicko and Jo-Jo’ with her, but it was really Nicko and Boy 412 (who is actually Septimus). After I read Magyk, I asked my mum to order me the next two, and I remember picking up the parcel. From then I really loved the books. I’m writing to tell you how such a big fan I am.
Also, I was just wondering how you came up with the idea of Magyk, because I have always wanted to be an author, and yet, I never seem to come up with good ideas.
Thanks
Hannah.
August 28, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Hello Hannah,
it’s lovely to hear how you got into Magyk. I’m glad all those little things worked and made you like the book.
Ideas are tough to come up with. Septimus really did just grow from an idea I had had for a very long time. Once I began to write, the whole world of Septimus felt real and a lot of the characters seemed to have a life of their own. I find I can’t think of many ideas at all, unless I am actually writing. Sometimes its best just to jump into a story and see what happens. Good Luck!
September 10, 2011 at 11:38 pm
How many books are you planning to write in the series?
August 28, 2011 at 9:42 pm
7 in the main series. And some prequels and spin-offs about other characters. You can find more here: http://septimusheapblog.com/frequently-asked-questions/
August 29, 2011 at 7:44 am
Yep, Shauki’s right!
September 10, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Dear Angie
what was your inspration for 7th son of a 7th son. because I have noticed a few books have used 7th son idea. did you reshurch it? I allways asumed it was becuase the commmenest lucky number is 7. is that why?
From Sleenki
P.S i hope yyour having a wonderfull summmer hoilday!
August 29, 2011 at 8:24 am
There is a myth that a 7th son of a 7th son or a 7th daughter of a 7th daughter has a 6th sense.
September 6, 2011 at 3:17 am
Hello Sleenki,
The 7th of the 7th is a very old idea. I think I just grew up with it – its certainly in lots of legends and fairy stories. It seemed a nice idea to use in a book. It may well have something to do with 7 being considered a lucky number. It was also thought to be the number of the planets for a long time, also 7 days in the week, 7 ages of man etc etc. Lots of stuff around to do with 7!
September 10, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Heey
I got a qustion:
when will the magykal papers be translated in german? I didn´t find a answer so I´m aksing you
Thanks!!
August 29, 2011 at 12:19 pm
I don’t know if they will be… But I am meeting some of my German publishers next week when I come to the hamburg waterfront book fair and I will ask them!
September 10, 2011 at 11:42 pm
Dear Angie,
We’ve just read one of your latest entries about the possibly upcoming Septimus movie. You said that it would use animation like in Avatar.
We were wondering if that meant that there would be no live acting in the film.
Thank-you very much and good luck with the movie and the 7th book in the series,
From,
James and Matthew.
P.S: We were also wondering if you will be doing any book signings in Yorkshire (Bath is a little bit to far for us!)
Thanks.
August 29, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Hello James and Matthew,
That technique does use actors, but then it digitally changes them… somehow. So it is still kind of live action. But as yet we don’t know for sure.
I have asked Bloomsbury if we can got to Yorkshire! I will post here when I have something definite…
September 10, 2011 at 11:45 pm
STOP PRESS!!
I hope you get to see this … I will be in Leeds on Monday 24th October 2pm @ Garforth Library, Lidgett Lane, Garforth Leeds LS25 1EH. Tel: 0113 224 3291
also NEWCASTLE Saturday 29th October 3pm @ Seven Stories Seven Stories, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ Tel: 0845 271 0777
So I hope you can make it to one of those!
October 6, 2011 at 7:20 am
In Darke, it says the thing Beetle was looking for was in the rubbish can in the yard. If so, how did he manage to cast the suspension? Did he do it from memory?
August 29, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Hello Rachel Emily,
he didn’t cast a Suspension at all. He was very lucky to have survived. He tried to conserve the air by not panicking.
September 19, 2011 at 9:20 pm
couldnt you do 7 normal books and 7 ten years later books as a sort of 7th of 7th thing? as then we could see what happens with sep a xtra ordinary wizard (if he becomes one…) please thanks
August 29, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Hello James,
Well, seven more after the seventh is a lot to get my head around! I do definitely want to do one for ten years on. I think all I can say is that I will have to see – and see what my publisher wants too… But is is so lovely that you want more!
September 19, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Hey Angie! It’s great that you answer questions on here, as it gives us viewers a lot more insight on the books.
I was wondering, have you ever considered writing some of the more important questions that are up on this site into a book? Because some stuff is answered here that people who never see the site will know…
Anyways, my other question, which I asked earlier and was joined with many other questions that were too many to answer, will Aunt Zelda ever actually see Theo Heap? I know he saw her in Magyk, but I don’t know if Aunt Zelda noticed him.
Good luck on book 7!
August 30, 2011 at 1:31 am
Hi Drew,
I like getting the questions too, it makes a real difference. I am keeping notes of my answers to some of the more complex questions and I would like to spend some time getting an Index together for the whole series when I have finished and got some time to sort it all out.
You are right, she didn’t see Theo that time. This has been something in my wishlist for the last three books and it has never fitted in. I will see if it gets into book 7 or not. Of course, we first need a storm for Theo to be blown ashore.
September 19, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Do we ever get to see Hugo Tenderfoot again?
He was one of my favorite characters and I half-hoped that he’d come back to the current time with Sep and the gang…
…I was so sad when he didn’t…
August 30, 2011 at 3:33 am
Hugo missed his dog and his family too much to leave – and he was only seven. Again, he has been on my wishlist of people I want to see again but has never quite made it in. We will have to see for future books.
September 19, 2011 at 9:29 pm
What is the correct pronunciation of Nicko? ‘Nico’ or ‘Nick-oh’?
August 30, 2011 at 3:34 am
Nick-oh!
September 7, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Hi, Angie.
I´m just wondering when the book is out here in Sweden. I´ll buy it straight away when it is.
I haven´t read a Septimus Heap book for a while now and I just want to ask you if Marcellus Pye will survive now as he´s 500 years after his time..? And if he is, how´s that?
Thank you for answering the questions which are posted here, It must take some of your time. Do you have all the answers written down on paper or do you make some answers up while reading our questions ?
PS. Sorry for my bad english..
Emma Ejermo
Your greatest fan in Sweden.
August 30, 2011 at 10:49 am
Hello Emma,
I don’t know when Darke will be out in Sweden, but I hope not too long. Of course it has to be translated first which probably means it won’t be out quite yet.
Marcellus now has an everlasting youth potion that Sep made up for him and left for him in the Moat. So he will be around for quite a while.
I just answer the questions as I type. Sometimes I do have to look things up but mostly I remember enough!
I think your English is really good!
September 19, 2011 at 9:32 pm
how do you pronunce Ephanian I just finished book five and I still don’t know!
August 30, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Hi Kara,
it’s Eff-an-eye-ah
well, that’s how I say it anyway…
September 7, 2011 at 11:09 pm
How long has Marcia liked Milo Banda? Was she ever jealous of Cerys?
August 30, 2011 at 9:19 pm
I really don’t see why so many people think Marica and Milo might ever fall in love with each other. I suppose where this theory started was when Marcia hugged Milo in Flyte, but that was more of a greeting after not seeing him for over a decade and assuming he was dead than anything having to do with her liking him.
And since then in the series they’ve only seen each other once or twice, and they’ve only very briefly spoken to one another.
From the way Milo reacted in Syren whenever he thought of Cerys, I think he still loves her, a lot, and is still somewhat in a state of grief over her death. And even if Marcia liked him, she’s far too busy with her job to be in any sort of relationship, and she wouldn’t even see him much because of his travels.
Besides that, how do you think Jenna would feel if Milo and Marica got married? I don’t think she’d like it…
September 3, 2011 at 1:54 am
hello Myka and Trixie,
well, I guess this is all my fault a little for saying that Marcia did rather like someone. All your points about both Marcia and Milo are absolutely right, but then situations change and who knows?
Incidentally, I agree, Jenna would not be too thrilled to have Marcia as her stepmother.
September 19, 2011 at 9:35 pm
hi angie, I luuvv the Magyk books I’m on physik right now and i luv it
margaret
August 30, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Brill! I really liked writing Physik.
September 7, 2011 at 11:10 pm
I’m a really big fan of Marcia; the more I see of her, the happier I am! That being said, I noticed that she never once calls Septimus “Boy 412″ in any of the books. I was just wondering if that was just coincidental or if you did it on purpose…
August 31, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Well, Marcia thinks that giving people numbers for names is disgusting. She would never use a number in that way. So it was deliberate. I felt that it was important for her to make a stand…
September 7, 2011 at 11:12 pm
Hi,Angie!
I was wondering what would happen if the Queen had only sons. Would the son become King and marry a queen who would take over or will the current Queen adopt a girl? Thanks and good luck with Magyk the movie!
September 1, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Hello Sherry,
There are no Kings in the Castle – the position does not exist! The sons would do whatever Castle children do: have an Apprenticeship, go to work in the Port, that kind of thing. The Queenship would pass along to the nearest female relative.
September 7, 2011 at 11:14 pm
Angie – I love the Septimus Heap books! My 10 year old son has read the first five, and I’m on book 3. Great fun, and I look forward to reading the rest. Thanks for your creativity and sense of fun!
September 1, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Hello Elaine,
thank you! I am so pleased you are reading them too. I write for everyone – particularly middle aged mums (like me…)
September 7, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Hey Angie!
the only thing that constantly bugs me is how sep and beetle seem to care a lot for Jenna but she doesn’t seem to care. I mean I guesse for sep she does but I wish she cared for beetle more!!
I just finished reading darke… And I LOVED it
The other thing is when do u think your seventh book will come out?
Love ur books
Katey
September 2, 2011 at 12:08 am
Hello Katey,
it’s young love. Or not. It is how it goes sometimes. And sometimes you have to lose it to realise what you took for granted….
Book 7 will be sometime next year. My deadline for delivery is May 2012 but I am working on getting it finished shortly after Christmas, with any luck. Then it is up to my publisher to see when they would like it to come out. But they are waiting until they have the finished manuscript for that.
September 8, 2011 at 7:49 am
hi angie, i was wondering what is the difference between a white witch and a wizerd besides the eye color? and how can you be a witch or a wizerd do you choose or r u just born with it
margaret
September 2, 2011 at 1:05 am
Hi Margaret,
You are born with the ability to be either Witch or Wizard, but you can also learn. However, it is a little like being able to sing. Some people can and some can’t. And some can learn, but only up to a point. That is just how it goes. Witchy stuff is much more in tune with the surroundings and is more about harnessing nature. Wizard stuff is more structured. You won’t find many books on Witch magyk, because it is a closely guarded, small community. But there are thousands on Wizard Magyk.
September 8, 2011 at 7:56 am
Dear angie,
What are the rest of the Ancient Art Charms?
Jeffrey
September 2, 2011 at 2:29 am
HI Jeffrey,
Some Charms are Hidden. Most are lost. The ones I know about are:
The Ancient Art of Invisibility
The Ancient Art of Seeing (Accurately foreseeing the future up to 7 minutes ahead)
The Ancient Art of DoubleDoing (Being in two places at once)
The Ancient Art of Returning (Being able to drop back 7 minutes in time and therefore right any mistakes or disasters) This is at present lost, but is highly valued.
September 8, 2011 at 8:03 am
Hey Angie
I’ve read ur books and I’m a big fan!
I got Dark for my birthday and just couldn’t put it down. I loved the adventure!
I want to be a writer… I love to write, my head is always brimming with ideas I just have trouble expanding on them. But it could be because I’m only 14.
My moms a writer… Well not yet she hasn’t been published but she’s been working on something for a few years now.
Okay just A phew questions:
1) Do have any advice for my mom?
2) how old is Marcia Overstrand?
3) When Hotep-Ra took the queen and her daughter to the dragon boat and then they frequently came to visit summers after that it says “the queen loved the boat and she liked Hotep-Ra too.” Did the queen more then just like Hotep-Ra, did she possibly have some kind of romantic relationship with him or was he too old for her?
Well good luck with book 7!
Hannah
September 2, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Hello Hannah,
I’m glad you loved Darke!
Yes, it is because you are 14 that the writing thing is still spinning around in your head. Just let it spin and enjoy it. Read lots and do the things you want to do – the writing will work out later. But it is lovely having that feeling inside your head that there are all kinds of worlds happening in there…
Advice for your mom … if she is well on with her book I suggest she begins to show it to other people. Maybe even send it off to an agency that does read new work (although they do charge for this) but it is well worth getting some feedback. And once she is sure about what she has written then she will, ideally, need to find an agent. And this is where it gets tough. But you just have to keep in going. And keep asking. And if people are turning down the book, ask them (nicely!) why. It is always good to hear what others think about your writing. Because as the writer it is very difficult to judge for yourself. And, in the end, you are writing for others to read. And enjoy. Good luck to you mom!
Marcia is in her late thirties. She won’t say how late. I do not advise asking her.
No romantic relationship between the Queen and Hotep-Ra, just a feeling of kinship. They both came from a similar place…
September 21, 2011 at 6:43 am
Hi Angie! Up–well WAY up– there, you said that #7 would come out in may. Maybe in the middle of may…? Like the Seventeenth! In the US that is… Well I REALLY LOVE your writing and I hope you can get moving along with 7!
~Breanna May
September 3, 2011 at 6:00 am
Hi welovepupps!
Oops, no, I have to deliver it to my publisher by next May! So on the 17th at least you will know it exists…
But I am hoping to get it finished well before then and am writing as fast as I can! We don’t have a definite release date yet.
SO glad you love the books, though.
September 8, 2011 at 7:45 am
Would you call yourself a natrual storyteller, because I feel that I have this passion for writing and reading and stories in general. It’s weird, because I always thought I didn’t discover this until I was 12, but I looked at a plaque from when I was 8, and one of my classmates wrote that I was a good storyteller. Odd, because, I don’t remember writing anything back then. Well, anything that wasn’t awful…
September 3, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Hello Diana,
I wouldn’t have called myself that until recently, but I think that might be true. Looking back I think I have always made up stories to myself and I assumed that everyone else did that too. But I guess not everybody does. But I never actually wrote anything when I was younger, just daydreamed stuff. I think it is incredibly hard to write things down in a way that makes sense when you are young. It’s a skill that takes a long time to learn. I also think that a passion for reading stories is all part of the storyteller package…
September 20, 2011 at 9:00 am
I noticed how the books suggested multiple times that Marcellus had some secrets in his past so, I was wondering, since you are planning on writing some Septimus Heap books about the other characters, will you write one about Marcellus’s past?
September 4, 2011 at 3:28 am
Hello Scanth,
Marcellus is on my wishlist of characters to write about. But that is in the future for now…. or is it in the past…???
September 20, 2011 at 9:01 am
Hey Angie,
I have a couple questions:
1. Since Jenna is a Witch, does that mean that she has witch powers?
2. I didn’t really understand the Stunflash Boards, mind explaining?
3. How many years does a person have to be an apprentice before they become an Ordinary Wizardf?
4. Has Simon truly changed?
September 4, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Hello Riley,
1. Jenna is not a proper witch. Marissa just did enough to get her through the window. But the cloak is pretty useful.
2. OK – take one board of some description, an old floorboard will do or if you are feeling mean, the top of your sister’s dressing table, and attach to the end of it a slow-release StunFlash. Ignite StunFlash and off you go. Like a jet-propelled surfboard. (Not recommended for indoor use).
3. 7 years and 7 days.
4. You will have to form your own opinion on that…
September 20, 2011 at 9:05 am
If an ordinairy wizard practiced Darke magic in secret and were caught what would happen to them + also what would happen if they weren’t and influenced the ‘aura’ (or magyk) of the wizard tower?
Your #1 fan,
Jess
September 4, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Hello Jess,
This has happened at times, and generally they are found out. As Alther did with DomDaniel. Two EOWs have been exiled for this, both way back in the past in the early days of the Wizard Tower when the Magyk was less strong.
September 20, 2011 at 9:07 am
Hello..
OK, so the bulk of my questions has been posted, but there are still some that I did not remember:
1: Why do Wizards always behave as if they don’t know anything about hygiene and orderliness? Marcia addresses Septimus in such a way in SYREN as if he always spills his food over his tunic, the Heaps seem to live in a rubbish dump and Beetle is not surprised at seeing Marcia’s rooms devastated in FLYTE.
2: We see the relation between Septimus and Simon in DARKE, but what about Jenna? Her last (and only) comment was at the time where Sep and Simon were still displeased at each other. Did she make peace with Simon too?
3: This is a bit ugly, but what was the nature of the loo problem mentioned in DARKE?
4: Why does THE QUEEN RULES just enact a Right of Information? Normally(in real governments), the WT would have a Duty of Information to the Queen about potentially dangerous matters-much safer in any case. (Marcia said that Septimus’s Darke Week could lead to an outbreak of Darke, yet Jenna was informed only when she invoked the THE QUEEN RULES. Mighty careless this is to me)
5. How do foreigners call the Castle? And are there potent states and Empires abroad?
6. How does the Darke work with a palindrome-a word that means the same spoken bachwards-like JONOJ?
7: Could Jenna get into the same trouble as Simon did in the start of DARKE, what with her witch cloak? And why has everyone – Zelda and Septimus in particular, they seem pretty unreasonable – except Marcellus to complain about it?
I realize that most of my preceding posts are hard to answer, but I hope they will be answered anyway-including this one. Have a nice week!
September 4, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Hello ecoli,
1. It’s just the way they are: messy. Different times, different standards… Surely, as ecoli, you would encourage this?
2. Jenna is harder to win over than Septimus as she feels she was more deeply betrayed. She did grow up with SImon, while Sep did not.
3. Blockages. And occasionally falling off the wall and tumbling down into the River. This was a known problem with the arrangements in the Ramblings. It never happened to the Heaps, luckily. Well, not when anyone was in there.
4. As I said, different times. and this is not a highly organised society. It has grown organically.
5. They call it many things, depending on their culture, but it is generally known as the Castle. There are states abroad, but the population is low generally and widely scattered. Also the Castle is not on the main trade routes so does not get visited a huge amount.
6. The Darke likes palindromes very much. They are a Darke delight.
7. Most people do not trust witches and feel a superstition about getting close to them. So they would not be happy with Jenna being on the fringes of witchery. Marcellus is wise enough to know that the Queens deal with witchcraft very well. He is, after all, the son of a Queen.
September 20, 2011 at 9:19 am
Hiya Angie!!
I just wanted to let u know I’m a HUGE fan of septimus. I’ve been reading them for a while now and only just found this lovely blog. I hope you’re having fun because that’s the most important thing!! And I especially hope ur having fun with book 7. I know I will be when it’s released!!!!
Anyway, I just wanted to ask for more detail about Sep and Marcia. I know you already mentioned that she sees him as her own(kinda), but would you mind telling a little more? Like what exactly Marcia thinks of him and how he in turn thinks of her. I love hearing about characters in books, how they feel, how they think, and why they do the things they do.
So I’m asking about Sep since he’s eternally my fav and also about Marcia since I really like her too (and she’s my cat’s favorite character. Whenever I’m reading aloud, my kitty just purrs louder when I say Marcia; I guess she likes how the name sounds. It’s so cute~ but maybe I’m just deluding myself and going crazy for noticing this…)
But anyway could you tell me more about our favorite characters? I love character emotions and development so a little insight from a real author would be really great!!! Thank you!!!
September 5, 2011 at 6:52 am
Hello Elizabeth,
Welcome to the blog – I do love this blog very much. And yes, generally I am having fun. Sometimes when I’m thinking about a thousand things at once perhaps a little less fun… but I am so enjoying being part of the Septimus world.
Marcia was not at ease around children at all before she took Sep on as her Apprentice. She was an only child and a solitary one and never really ‘got’ kids, even when she was one herself. But she learnt a lot when she was stuck in the Marram Marshes in a little cottage with 3 kids and a witch. And she decided that kids were not half as scary as she had thought. She does indeed love Septimus as her own and Sep is, in truth, closer to Marcia than he is to Sarah Heap. Now he is getting older he and Marcia often spend quiet evenings by the fire discussing the more arcane points of Magyk. And Marcia is dreading the day when Sep’s Apprenticeship is over – though she would never tell him that.
I hope your cat approves….
September 21, 2011 at 6:52 am
Dear Angie,
I have liked the series very very much.And im in page 523 in Syren.Did you ever have a tour in Lebanon or will you when 7 is released?????
And i think that septimus Heap is the best series i have ever read.
September 5, 2011 at 9:56 am
Hello Shadi,
Thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying Sep Heap so much. I’m afraid I don’t know if I will be coming to the Lebanon – it does depend on the publisher there. They are the ones who do all the fixing-up of visits and signings. But if they ask me I will go!
September 21, 2011 at 6:54 am
Dear angie,
When you told me that Petroc Trawlawney would be tripped over, who would be the one to trip over him?
Ethan
September 5, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Hello Ethan,
well, we will have to see. And so will I, because it hasn’t happened yet…
September 21, 2011 at 6:55 am
Hi angie,
I am a huge fan of the septimus heap series. i finished all your books in about 5 weeks including the magykal papers and darke, i just couldn’t put the books down. I was wondering if you are going to make another book after darke or magykal papers or are you just going to end it there? I hope you make another one. Thanks!
September 5, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Hello Bethany,
I am writing the last book in the main series at the moment – so there will be 7 books in all. But I do still want to do more Septimus. Possibly some written maybe 10 years on. And maybe one about Marcia when she was a child. So it’s not over yet!
September 21, 2011 at 6:57 am
Hello Angie,
I know that there are wizards, sailors and people who own shops, but I wondered what other jobs are in the castle. Because the castle is quite different from our world, I wondered what sort of different jobs are available – I find little details like that very interesting.
Thankyou again for writing the series – they are AMAZING! Among my favourite characters is Sir Hereward. I mention him because I think people forget about him sometimes. He’s so sweet and loyal!
September 5, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Hello Chloe,
This is a lovely question to answer…
There are many small workshops especially on the lower floors of the Ramblings. These make most of the things necessary for the daily life in the Castle: carts, boots and shoes (Terry Tarsal considers he is very superior to these workshops), fishing nets, spinning & weaving cloth, making toys, horse tack, pots & pans etc etc. Many people will visit the Port and bring things back to trade. There is a troupe of actors in the Little Theatre and a surprising amount of market gardeners on the Rambings rooftops. Some people also own plots of land in the nearby Farmlands and will go out every day to tend those. It is a fairly self-sufficient economy and that is the way Castle people want to keep it.
I’m so glad you like Sir Hereward. He is a poppet. I took his name from Hereward the Wake; a popular local hero in the 11th century. I later discovered that H-t-W was known as a protector of women. Which is strange, as that, of course, is what our own Sir H does. Sometimes writing Septimus is like that…
September 21, 2011 at 7:07 am
Hi Angie
I only have 1 question in the 8th chapter of Darke(it’s on browse inside so it’s not spoiler) paper back page 98 Beetle gives Jenna her birthday present just wanted to ask what was the gift?
September 6, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Hello Laya,
It was a tiny, beautifully bound notebook and a little pencil with “Jenna” inscribed on it.
September 21, 2011 at 7:10 am
Hey Angie
I want to ask you about a thing in Syren you said that Syrah is only Possesed in the Peepe, but when she fell facedown next to Sep.The Syren left her so she wasnt Possesed anymore or what happened with her?
Good luck in writing Book 7. And thank you for your answer!!
Your #1 fan and Septimus’s
Shadi
September 6, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Syrah was able to be free of the Syren outside the Peepe, but she was still Possessed, ie under the control of the Syren. It’s just that the Syren could only inhabit Syrah’s body when she was in the Peepe. When someone has been Possessed for nearly 500years, being DisPossessed is a terrible shock. It can cause a lot of damage. So this is what happened to Syrah.
Thank you for you good wishes – I am on chapter 31 now of book 7….
September 24, 2011 at 7:50 am
Hi, Angie! I was just wondering if you’ll be coming to Germany anytime soon. I’m (sadly) not German but live in Germany for a few years. I can’t wait till the seventh book comes out! I’ve got Marcia on the brain–I even dreamt about her the other night. . . . Maybe I should read slightly less… How is the seventh book and movie? Thanks, Kyra
September 6, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Hello Kyra,
Oh…. I came to Hamburg last week! I hope you saw the post about it on the letters section? But I didn’t see you so maybe you couldn’t get here anyway.
My German publisher is lovely and I do hope to come back to Germany.
Oh dear, dreaming about Marcia sounds like a restless night to me.
No new movie news at the moment, we await the next stage which is, I think, the movie being given the definite go-ahead. And book 7 … tootling along fine at the moment, thanks but still a lot of things to fit into it!
September 24, 2011 at 7:54 am
Hey Angie, Me again
I just have one more question:
What kind of pistol does Jenna have? Is it modern, or is it a revolver?
September 6, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Hello Riley,
It’s a single shot musket, like the ones they had in Tudor times. Although (and I must check this) I don’t think she has it anymore.
I think it is always surprising to find out how old guns are. Did you know that Henry viii went hunting with a gun? And that someone tried to assassinate his son, Edward vi, by shooting him? (they didn’t succeed. They shot his dog who slept outside his door and woke everyone up.)
There you are – the kind of useless information that writers keep in their head…
September 24, 2011 at 7:59 am
hey angie, or anyone on this blog, THERE ARE TRADING CARDS?! WHERE CAN I FIND THEM?!!!!!! thx
September 7, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Hello spitfyrerocks,
try septimusheap.com, the harpercollins website….
September 24, 2011 at 8:02 am
hi angie i just have one question, if septius has a son would a seventh son of a seventh son of a seventh son be even more powerful?
September 8, 2011 at 11:40 pm
Yes, I think he would. But the chances of that occurring are quite slim, I think.
September 24, 2011 at 8:06 am
Hi Angie,
We have a model building and construction class at my school, and I am attending it. I decided to make a small model of the Wizard Tower, modeled after Mark Zug’s awesome drawing in The Magykal Papers.
I have a few questions about the design itself and/or how you imagined it to look. I want to get my model “exactly” right!
1. Is the Wizard Tower white or silver? The drawing is portrayed as white, but you say that the “underlying” color is silver.
2. The Great Arch is approximately how far from the Wizard Tower?
3. How tall did you imagine the Wizard Tower to be? And how tall are the door to the Wizard Tower in comparison to a regular person?
4. Does the wall connecting to the Great Arch lead all around the Tower, and is it in a circle, square or what shape?
5. Where is the dragon launchpad (on what floor, which side of the Tower), and the dragon house is not there anymore (since it was moved), correct?
Any other interesting details would be greatly appreciated. I hope that my model of the Wizard Tower turns out as great as the drawings and your visions!
September 9, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Hello,
I skipped a few questions as you need this for your project…
1. The underlying colour is silver, but the magykal overlays are always visible and give it s blue/purple sheen.
2. The Great Arch is about 200 yards from the Tower.
3. Tall. 21 floors, each about 20 feet high, plus the pyramid on top
4. The wall around the courtyard in which the WT sits is roughly circular, but the WT is towards the back of it and faces the Great Arch.
5. The dragon window is at the back of the WT overlooking the Farmlands. As is Marcia’s study. Sep’s bedroom is at the front, looking down Wiz Way.
Yes, the dragon house has gone, much to everyone’s relief.
There is a well in the courtyard (see Flyte). A hidden window in the WT that changes position at times. The glass in the windows is also covered with a Magykal sheen which makes them reflect like a mirrored purple.
What a lovely project!
September 21, 2011 at 7:19 am
What do you think Marcia would be like if she didn’t always get respect and she didn’t always win? Would she be different?
September 10, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Hello Mack,
I think Marcia would always be Marcia, whatever her position in life. She would probably be a little more irritable if she wasn’t being treated right, but that’s no different from the rest of us. And Marcia doesn’t always win, especially not on the little things.
September 24, 2011 at 8:08 am
Hi Angie,
I have a few questions for you.
1.Does Wolf Boy find out he has two brothers?
2.Do Jenna and Beetle become a couple?
Thanks!
Hanna
September 10, 2011 at 9:14 pm
P.P.S. Does Jenna ever find her Pet-rock?
September 10, 2011 at 10:57 pm
she hasn’t found him yet. But there is still half a book to go…
October 3, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Hello Hannah,
these are leading questions… all to be discovered in book 7!
September 24, 2011 at 8:09 am
Hi Angie good job on Darke! I was just wondering where you got the names of the characters from.
September 11, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Hello Nevada,
thank you!
The names just jump into my head, I don’t need to think about them at all. It is weird and just about the easiest part of writing…
September 24, 2011 at 8:10 am
hi anige!!
I just wundering if you can do a book sining in canada or even the U.S.A.?
I LOVE Septimus oh and will there be move in canada?
from: lina
September 12, 2011 at 2:34 am
Hello Lina,
I’m not doing an author tour in the US or Canada for Darke, but maybe for book 7, I don’t know yet as this is up to my publisher. But up until now I have always done a USA tour and I would very much like to do one for the last book. And when the movie does at last come out, yes it will be out in Canada too. But it’s not at that stage yet….
September 24, 2011 at 8:12 am
Angie Sage,
I have a question regarding the “In the end” sections in the end of the books. Ok, so it says that Septimus was wanted as a baby as apprentice to DomDaniel. However, Marcia was the one that came to tell Silas to take care of Jenna and it said that she was the ExtraOrdinary wizard (she was two generations after DomDaniel). Is that how it is supposed to be? Can you please clarify? Sorry, if I’m sort of annoying. I tend to over think some books and concepts.
September 12, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Hello Sarah,
not annoying at all!
Marcia was there with Alther when the Queen was shot. She rescued jenna and made sure Silas Heap found her and took her home. Everyone in the Castle (and outside the Castle) knew that the heaps were about to have a seventh child. The Matron Midwife was instructed by DomDaniel to steal the child if it was a boy. Which is what she did. She took the child to the nursery but DomDaniel’s nurse took the wrong baby – the midwife’s own baby in fact. This was Merrin Meredith.
Alther took over from DomDaniel as EOW after they had a fight on top of the Wizard Tower and DD ‘fell’ off.
Marcia became EOW after Alther and the Queen were killed. This was the same day that Silas found jenna. It was a busy day for all…
Hope that makes some sense…
September 24, 2011 at 8:19 am
By the way, I absolutely ADORE the Septimus Heap series. I recommended it to ALL my friends (they all love it too!)
September 12, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Lovely! thank you and keep on recommending – I want everyone to read Septimus!
September 24, 2011 at 8:19 am
Oh…….One more thing (K, this is the last thing for a bit I hope). You know how In Darke Beetle was Sealed inside the Hermetic Chamber? If Merrin Merideth dumped all the emergency supplies and stuff into the dump and filled the drawers with licorice bootlaces, how did Beetle manage the Suspension if he didn’t have the charm? He couldn’t do a Suspension without one, right?
September 12, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Hello again,
well, this bit of clarification got edited out – by me. By mistake. Marcia comments admiringly that Beetle has survived by sheer willpower. Beetle corrects her and says he used some ancient breath control techniques that he had read about. I will try and put this in book 7 somewhere.
September 24, 2011 at 8:22 am
Hi Angie! I had a thought the other day…. would you ever consider writing another book like The Magykal Papers? A Hundred Strange for Bored Boys(and girls?) has always interested me.
September 12, 2011 at 10:42 pm
I’ve always liked the idea of that title. And yes, it must be for girls too. A hundred tales is a lot but I wouldn’t mind having a go…
September 24, 2011 at 8:23 am
Hello Angie,
When I went on holiday to California this summer I was in a book shop and was lucky enough to find Darke I was so excited I bought it immediately and read all of it in one day, it is by far the best one out of all six. You obviously won’t remember but in 2008 I met you at a book signing in Bath and I was so excited. I remember when I first read Magyk, when it came out, and I always thought that if the book got made into a film then I would be the perfect choice to play Jenna, I’m far too old to play her now! I know that Beetle likes Jenna because its obvious, but does she like him back?
Elizabeth
September 14, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Hello Elizabeth,
Well, I do remember meeting someone who looked a lot like Jenna at Bath – and I’m guessing it must be you?
I too think Darke is the best. Everything worked out for Darke and I guess I have got better at planning too…
Jenna still has a little bit of thinking to do about Beetle. She will be doing that in book 7.
If you happen to be in Bath tomorrow I am there at 6 o’clock!
September 24, 2011 at 9:52 am
Ok, I just want to say, AWSOME SERIES! I just finished Flyte and I loved it! Magyk was awsome too, but I knid of expected Boy 412 to be Sep, it was really tricky when the Aprentice was introduced a the 7th son of a 7th son, but Boy 412 was a good heart and I knew he had to be Sep.
Anyways, I didnt really bother to read ALL of these comments so I was wondering, when is the seventh book coming out? And, do you know of anywhere someone could download a word copy of your books that doesnt require anything to help them run on the computer?
September 15, 2011 at 9:03 pm
hello Quinn,
Thank you! Hope you like the others just as much as Magyk and Flyte.
I don’t know for sure when the 7th book will be out as I am still writing it… but it will be sometime next year.
The downloads for the books are, as far as I know, only available for the usual ebook stuff, like Kindle. Otherwise, if they were available in word it would be too easy to pirate them. Actually, even I don’t have a Word document of the final published version. So sorry about that, I know it does mean you have to buy yet another thing in order to read the e version.
October 3, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Ok when’s the seventh book coming out? And do you know where I can download word documents with your books in them, none of the books I found can be run without an attachment to my computer.
Love the series by the way!
September 15, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Hi Angie, sorry about my other post, some other things I posted didn’t get up.
Does Wolfboy find out he has two brothers?
Do Jenna and Beetle become a couple?
Thanks,
Hanna.
September 15, 2011 at 11:57 pm
Hello Hanna,
Well, you will have to wait and see… I shall say no more!
October 3, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Hi Angie!
I was wondering what would the name of the 7th book be? When do you plan on publishing it? and are you making more Septimus Heap books after the 7th book?
September 16, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Hello Ashish,
There is a clue to the name of the 7th book in chapter 47 of Darke. And if you were at the Bath event you would know by now as I said it by mistake!
Book 7 is the end of the main series, but there may be some other shorted books, possibly one set 10 years on…
October 3, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Hi Angie! First i would like to say (again) that you are the best author i know of! I can’t wait until the 7th book is out and the movie! Anyway, I finished Darke during the summer and am wondering does Wolf Boy, or Mandy, ever find out that he has 2 brothers? And it’s kinda sad how Jenna lives alone in the Palace now. In the seventh book is anyone else going to move into the Palace? And are the Forest Heaps going to be more in the 7th book? That would be pretty cool. Thanks for answering my past questions!
September 17, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Hello Astrid,
Thank you!
I’m not going to give anything away about the 7th book but lots of things you mentioned are probably there. Yes, it is a bit sad that Jenna is alone in the Palace, but I don’t think it will stay like that for long.
October 3, 2011 at 9:57 pm
And one more thing, will you ever come to Vancouver or Victoria B.C. in canada for a signing or reading? That would be so awsome! I hope you do, and i hope you answer!
September 17, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Hello Astrid,
I’d like to come to Vancouver too – I’ve been there once a long time ago, before I started writing Septimus and I would love to go back. I hope to do lots of signings & readings when book 7 comes out, but I shall have to wait and see nearer the time. First I have to finish writing it!
October 3, 2011 at 9:59 pm
One question, do the rest of the Heap brothers ever get married?
September 18, 2011 at 1:10 am
Hello Vedika,
Well, some will, but it is hard to say more than that at the moment as I haven’t got there yet (and neither have they…). I think they will have to wait until the 10 years on book.
October 3, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Hi, Angie Darke rocks! I was wondering can a ExtraOrdinary Wizard can get married and have children, while having a appertice. And if you know what the title of your 7th book is I’ve heard it will be Fyre
Thanks,
Isabelle
September 18, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Hello Isabelle,
Yay, thank you!
Yes, the EOW can get married (or be married already) and have children too. But because it is such an all-involving job, many do not. And that would not stop them having an Apprentice although those with young children may well go for older Apprentices. Septimus is in fact an unusually young Apprentice.
I won’t say the name of the book 7 yet as it’s fun for the UK readers to have a chance to work it out from Darke. But I did mention the title by mistake in Bath on Sunday last…
October 3, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Hi…
OK, so most of my questions have been answered now, and the other will have to wait for Book 7, but there are still a few things that I have to ask:
1: So Jen isn’t a Wiz because her parents didn’t want her to become one, what with Queens=/=Wizards-and they had already guessed she was one- and because she never tried too hard, rather than due to a lack of innate talent? I first thought that it was the latter(lack of innate talent), but your referrals about witches-especially those in DARKE-and your comparison with singing-as far as I know, singing has got to do with family environment and learning and not with anything innate, and it needs a lot of hard research to tell these two apart-suggest the former. In layman’s terms, could Jenna become a Wizard/Witch at any time?
2: I understand that Marcia had a way to deal with Zelda’s foods in MAGYK, but how did the others? Especially Nicko, who discretely disposed of his own food during their first evening but likely would not be able to do it in Marcia’s way?
3: Not to be seen as an insult, but why has Septimus’s judgement so deeteriorated during SYREN and DARKE? His medicine-and Syrah’s too-in SYREN struck me as fairly fishy, his argument with Jenna was equally fishy-never before he had done so, and it was probably moot here and not before-, not to mention his suggestion to go to Milo, still in SYREN-the last time she ran away in a fury-and his information policies in DARKE, they were just foolish and courting disaster.
I realize I have finished all the nagging questions-with exception of the first one here- so I am reducing the amount a bit. Still, I wish you can answer and another good wish for Book 7!
September 18, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Hello ecoli,
1. The reason Jenna isn’t a witch is nothing to do with what her parents want, although I don’t suppose they would want that at all. It was just something that happened. She is not a proper witch, just got to the first step. As for singing … well I use that because some can and some can’t. I know that because I can’t and my brother can, so it’s nothing to do with family environment really.
So Jenna could not become a Wizard because she really does not have the talent for it. She could become a Witch of sorts if she really put her mind to it, but it’s not the kind of thing she would bother with. She has, after all, other stuff to do. Like become Queen.
2. Well, everyone else just had to put up with it. They ate a lot of toast, which Aunt Zelda did quite well.
3. Sep can be annoying at times. Who can’t? It’s just the way he gets when he gets stressed. He’s making a lot of decisions and is still pretty young to do that. He;s not going to get it right every time. His argument with jenna was quite in character I think. They both step on each other’s toes sometime and he really just wanted some space to think about what he had to do.
October 3, 2011 at 10:15 pm
I was reading Queste, because of what you posted on your update, but I couldn’t find the password. Was it even the correct password? Oh well, I gave up searching anyway. ….. I forgot why I messaged you now… These kind of things always happen to me… I had a question, looked at a poster of a kitten playing with yarn, then I forgot it. ………Oh yeah! Now I remember! Did Tetris Fume really write The Darke Index (creepy background music)? Why would he do that? Was he always such a jerk?
September 18, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Hello Diana,
It is in the chapter called the Vaults. Chapter 8, I think. (tho it might be 7, don’t have a copy with me…)
My brain is also a bit like a kitten and yarn. I know the feeling. Yes, Tertius Fume has always been a jerk. One day i will write about just how foul he was. And yes, he did write The Darke Index.
September 24, 2011 at 9:54 am
I have been wondering this for a while. If the Syren was released, would its dwelling change depending on where it is released, would it become a wandering possessive spirit, would it be returned to its original dwelling, or would something else happen?
September 19, 2011 at 3:54 am
It’s a horrible thought, it being released… it would take up residence wherever it was released.
October 3, 2011 at 10:17 pm
I’ve been wondering for a while now what would have happened if Septimus’s kidnapping had gone all as planned on the first day of his life. What if he had actually become DomDaniel’s Apprentice?
Would he still have turned out all right, or would he have been kind of evil, and maybe almost have done something really bad, but seen sense? Or would he be kind of like Merrin and have actually helped DomDaniel take power?
That one second where Agnes Meredith picked Merrin up and left Septimus in his place affected so much, didn’t it?
September 20, 2011 at 2:46 am
Hello Myka,
Who knows how Sep would have been, my feelings are he would have been ok eventually, tho pretty messed up for a long time.
It’s true, the future can sometimes hinge on all kinds of random, split second happenings. It’s scary when you think about it…
October 3, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Hi angie I have question
Will Jenna ever find out that Beetle likes her?If yes her reaction will be good?
and one more
At the end of Darke when Beetle was you know what… there were only Septimus’s thoughts and nothing from Jenna’s though is that something we’ll find out in book 7?
P.S.I love your books
September 20, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Hello QueenJenna,
I’m writing more about this in book 7, so won’t say much here. But I haven’t forgotten Jenna and Beetle.
I’m so glad you like the books!
October 3, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Hi Angie! Wow, 4 Ask Angie’s… Woah.
I am a relatively new Septimus Heap fan, and I have to say that it didn’t take me long to fall in love with your series!
I could (and would) go on and on complimenting the books, but I would take up most of this page… For now, let’s just say that everything is great to me!
Quick question.
I was just curious as to how old the characters will be in the seventh book. Unlike most series, the time span between books varies. Or am I not allowed to know that? Hmm…
Good luck with your writing (we all know it’ll be great)!
~Fireman Sam
September 20, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Hello Sam,
Thanks so much…
I like to keep the characters fairly young so that nothing changes too much and the younger readers can read the series through from start to finish. Jen and Sep will be a little older, but not much. Well, that’s the way it seems to be going at the moment, anyway.
October 3, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Hi, Ms. Sage,
I just started reading your books last week and they are on my top 3 series (along with Redwall by Brian Jacques and the Tortall series by Tamora Pierce.) My question is this: How long did it take you (roughly) to write each book? And also, when you were a kid, did you want to be a writer? Thank you for doing this series!
September 21, 2011 at 3:41 am
Hello Kaytlyn,
Thank you! the other two series sound really interesting.
It takes me about a seven months to a year. I really do need a year, but sometimes I have to be a little faster. Darke was a year in the writing & editing and number 7 will be the same -possibly a bit more.
If you had asked me if I wanted to be a writer when I was a kid I would have said yes – but I never believed it was possible. It took a very long time for me to work out that it was.
October 3, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Will any of the ancient lost arts will be found in book 7?
Thank You
Shadi
September 22, 2011 at 8:50 am
Hello Shadi,
I’m not sure yet!
October 3, 2011 at 10:34 pm
When is Beetle’s birthday
September 22, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Hello,
hmm, Beetle is just so opaque about family stuff. I shall have to work this one out.
October 3, 2011 at 10:35 pm
I just have a quicke questione- Does Wolfe Boy ever become Aunt Zelda’s heir?!? (Because he sucessfully completed the Task in Syren)
September 24, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Hello eptimusisthebestbooksofar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I lost count of the exclamation marks…)
Quick answer: yes!
October 3, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Why did Simon go to dance class? I know, random question, but Lucy said she first met Simon at a Castle dance class, but why was Simon there? He doesn’t seem like a classical kind of guy.
September 25, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Hi Diana,
Silas signed Simon up for what he thought were trance classes. Simon very nearly went straight back home when he saw all the other kids lined up practising dance steps. But then Lucy Gringe made a wide-mouth-frog face at him and he decided to stay.
October 3, 2011 at 10:40 pm
In the darke index, it says that Tertius Fume tested a spell that required the use of the 2 faced ring but, since the ring can only come off if the finger that the wearer wears the ring on comes off, why does Tertius Fume have all ten of his fingers? If he lost the ring after he died, wouldn’t the ring still be visible on his ghost?
September 25, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Hello scanth,
Tertius Fume did all the spells in the Darke Index when he wrote it. And yes he did wear the 2 faced ring. But, unlike Merrin, who was a bit of a prat, I am sorry to say, TF was a very Darke Wizard and clever with it. He ReMoved his thumb using Darke Magyk, put the ring on from the Other way and RePlaced his thumb. Not nice. That way he could easily get the ring off if he ever wanted to. He lost the ring before he died. Hotep Ra got it back.
October 6, 2011 at 8:20 am
hi angie, another question,
I remember that when Jenna goes back in time and meets princess Esmaralda and Broda, she takes the Transubstantiate Tripple (Tx3 REVIVE) but it didn’t say that she used it on the dragon boat. Did she actually use it or did you have to use it when you did the spell?
Thanks!
September 25, 2011 at 7:22 pm
Hello Bethany,
No she didn’t use it on the Dragon Boat because Aunt Zelda kept making excuses about the dragon boat needing to recover in her own way (you will find out why AZ said this in book 7).
However, it is not wasted, as you will see.
October 6, 2011 at 8:22 am
Hi Angie,
Anyway, I was just wondering how you pronounce Syrah Syara. Thanks so much!!
I love your books!! Sempitmus Heap is one of my favorite series
September 25, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Hello Cece,
Thank you!
Syrah is pronounce like: Sire-ah
Syara like: Si-are-ah
Hope that makes sense!
October 6, 2011 at 8:24 am
HI Ms Sage,
I’m relatively new here and I just want to say, first of all, that I love your books sooo much!
I’ve got a few questions, as I have just started re-reading the series and am currently close to finishing Magyk. So here goes;
At the end of chapter 4, when Marcia notices the names on the doorsin the Ramblings have changed to numbers, she says that she knows which one she prefers (the numbers or the names), but I can’t figure out which one she does prefer because that could go both ways.
When Marcia was in Dungeon Number One, was it the Shades and Shadows that were keeping her from unlocking the door because she had a Universal Castle Key in her belt didn’t she?
Why didn’t Stanley tell Marcia about the Supreme Custodian’s plan, or at least warn her without breaking the office confidentiality rule?
How old are Sam, Erik, Edd and Jojo in Magyk?
Why does Marcia care so much about her shoes? Does she enjoy ordering the shoes becuse Terry Tarsal hates snakes?
Does Marcia give the mirror dificult percentages on purpose?
Sorry if this is too long, and thank you in advance.
Madelynne
September 26, 2011 at 9:53 am
Hello Madelynne,
Nice to have you on the website!
Marcia prefers the names, for sure.
Yes, Marcia did have the universal Castle Key but she could not use it as she was right at the bottom of the Dungeon where there is no ladder. But even if there had been a ladder she would not have been able to get the strength to use it as the Shades and Shadows took all her energy from her.
Stanley is a stickler for rules and under the Message Rat Rules he is not allowed to divulge such things. I think he would now, but then he also did not entirely trust Wizards. He was a product of the times then.
I have lost my early list of the boys’ birthdays, and I will have to work it out again. Roughly, when Sep was born, Simon was 7, Sam 6, Edd & Erik 4, JoJo 3 and Nicko 18 months. But I must check about SImon. He might have been 8…
Marcia just loves shoes. As she wears a uniform all the time it is her one way of expressing her personality in what she wears. She does like annoying terry tarsal, this is true. But she also likes python skin too. And yes, she did give the mirror difficult percentages on purpose. She did not want the mirror to get lazy. Marcia believes in not letting household objects get the upper hand.
October 6, 2011 at 8:38 am
You said you might write about Marcia as a child and I think that would be very interesting because I see Marcia being a very serious, solitary, and serious child. I could be wrong but I don’t see Marcia having a big sense of humor and trying to have fun with other kids like a lot of teenagers do. In fact, I rather think, if someone tried to poke a little good natured fun at Marcia, she might become offended and take it too seriously XD. Was Marcia like this or am I totally off? are you going to write about her from the time she was ten all the way to the point where the books begin? that would be really neat. You mentioned something about Marcia having a boyfriend when she was young too. Will we learn about him? what sorts of people does Marcia crush on? it’s so hard to picture her having a crush at all…….sometimes I feel bad for Marcia. Did she spend a lot of time alone before Sep became her apprentice. I picture her waking up on midwinter feat day all along and it makes me sad. Sure, Marcia’s grumpy but most of us fans love her to death anyway. I cannot wait until you write more about her! It’s a great idea!
September 26, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Hello Nancy,
You are pretty accurate about Marcia as a child. I can’t say for sure of course because until I actually write about her then I don’t know. I don’t discover things about the characters except by writing them.
I want to write about her from the day she was born so that we know about her family too and where they came from.
She is a solitary figure and I agree, one can feel a little sad for her. For some reason Marcia does not let people get close to her. I don’t know why but I am sure i will find out when I write her story…
Thank you so much for your thoughts and comments, I am keeping them to look at when I do actually get started writing about Marcia.
October 6, 2011 at 8:45 am
hello angie,
I love your books so much! I have read through a lot of this blog in hope that I don’t repeat to many questions. Thanks so much for taking time to read this.
1. Since Jenna is a You-know-what, will her eyes change at all? Will she get powers?
2. Why does Jenna run off after beetle was stuck there? Thats not a nice thing for anybody to do, aside from beetles feelings for Jenna.
3. Will Nicko and Snorri ever get back together or is it a permanent break. If so that would be very sad after all they have been through.
4. Why can Stanley talk but no Effiana (i forgot how to spell it) . I remember that Dawnie talks in Flight so it can’t be a message rat thing.
5. I heard you wanted to do a book about their lives ten years on. Would you consider making it 7 years on?
6. Was Marcia ever jelous of Cyres over Milo?
7. Will Jenna find out that Beetle liked her in book 7?
8. Also, over thousands of years can a ghost fade completely? What is the fear of dying if anyone can become a ghost
I know this is not a question, but i have always thought of Jen and Sep as siblings. the idea of a romance is kind of gross.
Thank you so much for reading this, and thanks so much for writing amazing books.
September 27, 2011 at 12:24 am
Hello Lily,
It’s lovely you like the books so much.
1. No, Jenna will never be a real you-know-what. She doesn’t want to be and I don’t think she would be a very good one even if she did.
2. Jenna was a bit weirded out by everything. And she really was worried about the Palace and her mum. Beetle was not top of her list right then – and of course he knew it.
3. It is sad, but they were together for what could have been 500 years in the House of Foryx (although no one really knows how long it was). This is another book I would like to do – when Nicko goes off on a voyage to see Snorri in the Land of the Long Nights.
4. Dawnie just talks to Stanley, i think? So it is rat squeak talk. Ephaniah is actually quite content not to talk. It enables him to think more clearly.
5. yes – I would! It’s a very nice idea.
6. No, she wasn’t. Cerys had got there first and that was that for Marcia. She is very good at not thinking about things like that.
7. Jenna knows that Beetle likes her, she just doesn’t feel the same in Darke. But more about them in book 7.
8. You are right, the prospect of ghosthood does take away the fear of dying, but not completely, because being a ghost is not quite the same and not everyone wants to be. Yes, ghosts do just fade away after a few thousand years. Most of them get bored and just stop bothering after a while. It can be quite tedious watching the Living making the same mistakes over and over again.
Thank you!
October 6, 2011 at 8:56 am
Hey Angie
I read up above that u were planning on writing prequels and spinoffs about the characters. So I was just wondering if u were going to write one about wolfboy and his newly found brothers? I became really interested about their hole back ground story after reading Darke.
Well keep up the good work!
Hannah
September 28, 2011 at 2:39 am
hello hannahbananacakes (great name!)
I do agree, Wolf Boy and his brothers are really interesting, but I haven’t made exact plans yet about who I will write about. I think it depends on what happens in the last book and also on what my publisher would like to see too. But there are loads of back stories I am longing to write !
October 6, 2011 at 8:15 am
Hi Angie!! I haven’t been on in a while and I really needed to ask you a question(or four) ! Currently, in the series, how old is everyone? (not literally everyone, just all the Heap boys, Jenna, Beatle, ya know what I mean.) Particularly Jenna. Oh, and, did Sep get his hair cut after he got back from Marcelus’s time? ( I am almost 100% sure I just spelled that name wrong) Would you say Marcia is girly or tomboy? Because, I kinda get that girly vibe from her because she cares so much about her appearence, but she’s also really tough and scary sometimes. And whatever happened to the Grim tentacle in Syren? Didn’t they feed to the big stupid banana guy (when he was in bird form)? Last question: Am I making any sense? I haven’t read one of the books in a while… all the info in these questions is from memory!
September 28, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Hello again, Madison, welcome back,
Currently Jenna and Sep are 14 and four months. That’s where i am right now.
Yes, Sep did get his hair cut. He got fed up with Marcia’s tetchy comments.
Marcia was a tomboy when she was young, she still is at heart but you are right, she does care about her appearance – so she is a nice mix of both, i think.
Yes, Jim Knee ate the tentacle. But there was enough of it stuck to the inside of its bag for Wolf Boy to bring it back and pass his test.
October 6, 2011 at 8:11 am
Hi Angie! You’re books are the first numbers on my list and i loved every bit of them!
I was wondering what kind of witch Marissa was. Is she a Wendron witch or a a Port witch? The other thing I wanted to ask was, is there anything romantic between Sep and Syrah? Or am I not allowed to know? O.o
OH! One more thing. When will the seventh book come out? Is it the final one? I hope not! This series could go on forever and be amazing! I created a page on my website dedicated to Sep Heap, and the scroll button on the side is four millimeters wide! Keep writing!
September 28, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Hello T-A-I-M
Brill, thanks…
Marissa is playing a dangerous game, but the Port Witch Coven is more powerful than the Wendrons as they use a lot of Darke stuff.
I think Sep did feel a little romantic about Syrah when he was on Syren, but it may not be the same once he is home. We will have to see….
I am not sure exactly when book 7 will come out. My deadline for finishing is in May next year but I am hoping to finish much sooner. But it takes at least 6 months from finishing a manuscript to getting the book published (and 6 months is actually really fast!). I am sorry to day that Book 7 will be the last one in the main series but I am hoping to write some out of the series. Maybe one about 10 years on (or 7 years on as someone suggested), then possibly one about Marcia when she was younger. So it is not the end of Septimus yet!
October 6, 2011 at 8:06 am
Hello Angie (:
I just wanted to tell you that darke was FANTASTIC! I loved it! So the last book better be a cracker (but I’m sure it will be!)
September 29, 2011 at 8:49 am
Hello ally,
Thank you! I hope the last book will be too…
October 6, 2011 at 7:59 am
Hi, Angie.
I was just wondering if you have any kids?
Please reply soon!
Hanna
P.S. I love your books!
September 30, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Hello Hanna,
I’m just replying quickly to the easy questions as it’s late tonight…
yes, 2 daughters, but they are not really kids anymore. They are all grown-up now.
October 3, 2011 at 10:45 pm
1. What were those Dragonny things
2. Will more ever be made (I missed the event)
3. In Magykal Papers what is emabarassing about Maricias tooth brush that Zelda talked about
October 2, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Hello Andy,
1. Aha…
2. I am really sorry you missed the event. I have lots more in a big bag so there are loads of other chances to get them. Was it Bath that you missed? I will be in Bristol on the 22nd October in the Galleries Waterstones. 12 til 2. With dragonny things.
3. It was very decrepit. Marcia really should have bought a new one a long time ago. AZ was getting a dig in at Marcia too.
October 6, 2011 at 7:58 am
How do Things reproduce and what is the average life span of a Thing?
October 3, 2011 at 1:27 am
Hello scanth,
They don’t reproduce because they are not living creatures. They are Engendered by Darke Magyk. They can live for ever if nothing Befalls them, but generally some Wizard manages to get rid of them somehow.
October 6, 2011 at 7:54 am
I have onlt read up to chapter 48 (On Tentacles) Book 5 (Syren), and I was wondering, since the tentacles on the Grim have the brain in each one, do they grow back? And is the Darke Toad Wolf Boy touches alive and have some Darke chemical on it?
Reply back As Soon As Possiable! THANK YOU!!
Have a Magyk-cal day!
October 3, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Hello Gabi,
no, the tentacles on the Grim do not grow back, which is why it gets stupider with every visit by a potential Keeper.
The Darke Toad works by Darke Magyk. It is dormant until someone touches it – someone who it expects. The Darke Toad is not fully understood even by the Coven, but ever since they once ignored it and the kitchen caught fire they have not dared ignore the call of the Darke Toad since.
And to answer your next question: brown eyes are just brown. No meaning, just a really nice colour…
October 6, 2011 at 7:52 am
Hi Angie,
Here’s one more question, In Syren it says Beetle has Brown eyes.
If Brilliant Green eyes mean Magyk, Violet mean Princess/Queen, what does Brown eyes mean? Dying to know the answer!!! Thanks
October 3, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Hello Ms Sage!
I just reread Physik (one of my favorites btw) and I have a couple questions about bits I was a little unclear about. First, what did Marcia find in Septimus’s Prediction Practical papers that made her look at the I Marcellus and is that eventually what led her to lock herself away in the Hermetic Chamber with all those calculation charts?
Secondly, could you explain to me how Septimus ended up spending 6 months in Marcellus’s time while only three days passed? I know you explained it in the book, but the whole idea kind of boggles my mind and leaves me all confused… I know it has something to do with the two glasses made 169 days apart, but I still can’t fit it all together. (and wouldn’t that make Sep six months older than Jenna? Ooh, trippy…)
And finally (and this isn’t a serious question…), back when Sep was working on the Antidote he handles some blue powder which makes Marcia’s eyes burn. Is this just because she hasn’t had much exposure to anything Physik-y or is she actually tearing up from sadness since Sep had just mentioned how he had desperately tried every way he could to send messages back home for help? Silly question, I know, but I’m kinda curious. It’s rare to see really strong emotions displayed so openly from Marcia…
And I hope book 7 is going well!! If you don’t mind me asking, what chapter are you up to? It seems to me that you write uncommonly fast, Ms. Sage. (hehehe Pride and Prejudice quote!!! I can never stand the pernicious, flirtatious Miss Bingley, but I put up with her just so I can see more of Mr. Darcy, of course.)
October 4, 2011 at 1:54 am
Hello!
Yes, Physik has an atmosphere all of its own, I think. I did like writing about the Castle in the past.
Marcia found a glitch in the figures that suggested to her that Septimus would no longer be in that world at that time. As I am rubbish at maths I would not understand, so I just trusted that Marcia knew what was what. Naturally Marcia was thrown into a total panic by this.
Yes, it boggles my mind too, but you are right, it is the 169 (13×13) days apart that does it. And yes, Septimus is indeed 6 months older than Jenna.
And yes again, Marcia is getting all teary-eyed. She fought very hard not to break down at that point. But it is just not done for an EOW to collapse sobbing in front of her Apprentice, as I am sure you understand.
I am up to chapter 32. I feel as though I write uncommonly slow at the moment… (Perhaps if I had Mr Darcy to write to I might write faster…)
October 6, 2011 at 7:45 am
Hi Angie,
Just wondering why, when you’re a british writer, your books are released first in the US?
October 4, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Hello Nik,
It is because my main contract is actually with HarperCollins in the USA. It is an unusual way of doing things but that is how it worked out with Septimus. And it is great because otherwise I would not have had my wonderful editor over there, Katherine Tegen. Usually Bloomsbury in the UK do release the books at the same time, but with Darke being published in June they thought that, as the market in the UK is different, they would sell better in October than June…
October 6, 2011 at 7:31 am
Hello
will you be coming to Cambridge
P.S. please please please
October 4, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Hello Robin,
I would have loved to have come to Cambridge and my publisher did try really hard to fix it up but the bookshop eventually said no. So… the nearest I will be to Cambridge is in London on Thursday 13th October 4pm to 6pm @ Goldsboro Books, 23 – 25 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ Tel 020 7497 9230.
I know that is a long journey though…
October 6, 2011 at 7:27 am
Dear Angie!
Hey I was just iterested in Septimus’s world (It seems that they are in some other world not in ours in the past) and then I thought about a name of that world. Were you ever thinking to name that world? Cuz It’s kinda long to say Septimus’s world. Or if I’m talking to my friends and say: “In Septimus’s world…” They ask: “Who is Septimus?” And its kinda annoying to repeat explaining who is Septimus and other stuff…Hpe you enderstand.
Thank you!
October 4, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Hello Niah,
yes, I do understand and I hope that by the end of the last book you will have something to say to your friends that is less long-winded!
October 6, 2011 at 7:24 am
Hi again,
OK, so I’ve read the entire AA4 to get rid of any repeats but only managed to wipe out 3, but I learned heaps; it was soo worth it. So, now onto Flyte;
1. Why would the spider in Flyte want to be in the Pyramid Library. If Sep had got rid of it that many times, couldn’t it just find a new home?
2. Why, when Marcia shot the Thunderflash at the Assasin, was she still alive? Especially since when DD shot a Thunderflash at the palace guards, they died instantly?
3. Why does Sep not get the effects of the Darke spider bite, even though Marcia thinks he does? Did he, and I just didn’t notice?
4. When Sep put the Fast Freeze Charm in his bag, why didn’t he think to put in in his belt where he could get it?
5. When Alther was trying to make Marcia more patient, He said that it took him two years to sort out a Spectre, was this the same one that he talked about in Magyk? If so, he said that it would have come back the next day, how did he keep it waiting?
6. Veronica from the Port Witch Coven; her father is Mad Jack. Who is her mother? Does she know her? What happened to her?
7. This probably sounds a bit silly but…In Magyk, when Jen and Sep (or 412) were running away from the Hunter it seems that Sep is running faster than Jen, but in Flyte he cannot outrun her… have I missed something?
Sorry if some of those were a little trivial and memory-testing… I have some strange questions… I did notice when reading AA4, that lots of people were asking questions about book 7. I know how annoying that was for me and I can’t imagine how irritating that must get, as you can’t answer any without spoiling anything. Maybe post something at the top, like you did for Darke? Sorry this is so long again…
October 5, 2011 at 8:22 am
Hello Madelynne,
eek.
1. It was a Darke Spider. They are attracted to places with a Magykal feel. And very contrary. If you take a Darke Spider out of your bath it will be right back in there next time, just to annoy you.
2. Marcia can’t bring herself to kill anyone. Technically in its effect, it was a StunFlash although it was an actual ThunderFlash that Marcia had ensured was not lethal.
3. He got the initial effects with his thumb swelling and the shooting pains up his arm, but Marcia’s AntiVenom worked 100%. Its just that when Sep began behaving (as she thought) oddly, she assumed it hadn’t been totally effective.
4. He had lots of Charms and his belt was already full. He also wasn’t thinking straight as he was so worried about Jenna.
5. It is the same one. He had the help of Weasal’s father, if I remember rightly. He kept it waiting by promising to do something… eventually. I need to have another look at Spectres though.
6. Veronica’s mother was Crazy Mazie. Crazy Maizie lives in a hut by Quarantine dock and talks to the seagulls. It is not approved of visiting mothers in the PWC but Veronica sneaks out and visits her mother sometimes and they share a roasted seagull together. They do not ask Mad Jack.
7. It’s the way kids grow up. In Magyk Sep was a fit Young Army lad and could outrun pretty much anyone. In Flyte he had been leading a sedentary life in the Wizard Tower for over a year and was not nearly as fit as he had been. By Flyte Jenna was taller than Sep, as girls often grow fast at that age and boys catch up later. So she could run faster at that point.
Really interesting questions, thanks. I must get a definitive Septimus dictionary/index together. The only thing in your questions I do need to check out for myself is the Spectre… Yes, I think we do need to say not to ask about book 7 – very good point!
Thank you, Madelynne!
October 14, 2011 at 8:30 am
Hi,
now, I see that you are kinda busy now, and I had decided to cut back a bit on questions, but I just couldn’t withstand the temptation, so I have a few(well…) more questions to ask:
1. This has bothered me since I read DARKE: People cannot become Wizards just by wanting it, for example Jen in MAGYK had violet and not green eyes despite living in a Wizard family and wanting to have the latter ones, but in DARKE, people apparently can become Witches (and presumably, get blue eyes) if they want it and by A LOT of training. Why this difference between Wizardry and Witchery (or green and blue)? Is this some nasty Witch stuff(it was the Port Coven after all), or am I missing something?
2. Does “Wizards” in “Queens and Wizards don’t get together” refer just to professional Wizards (like Marcia) or to all green-eyed people (like the Heap children)? (Same question, just replace “Wizards” with “Wizard-Princess/-Queen)
3. Jenna is the only living member of the dynasty, right? The bickering between her and Sep makes sense only so.
4. If you never plan much at all for the books, how can you prevent the books from becoming – well, self -contradicting? I really wondered, especially after the realization of Jenna’s backstory (I really can’t see how this could happen)
5. Was the Witch cloak also undone by TGUD in DARKE? And if such cloaks cannot be worn by everyone (As per Septimus’s referrals), why did it accept Sep and Nicko?
6. If a Queen has only sons, but one of them has a daughter, can she become Queen?
7. What do the Queens do when they have Princesses with Magykal powers? Keep it hidden(after all, eyes become green upon exposure, they are not like this by default), or is there something else to do (it is not a voluntary choice between having Magyk and not, right?)
8. If Jen has no Magykal powers, how did she get the Safe Spell in FLYTE – in the Observatory-? It is simple stuff probably, but wouldn’t she need Magyk anyway? (I thought that it may have to do with your erm “brain” and not with MPs per se if you can be Wizard or not)
This is actually a lot of questions, but I hope it is not too much.
October 6, 2011 at 10:44 am
Hello again, ecoli,
1. Well, Wizards and Witches are different. that’s just the way it is…
2. I don’t think it says that exactly does it? What it means is they don’t get along too well. There is an element of not understanding each other.
3. I don’t think jenna and Sep bicker particularly much. In fact they are a lot more ok with each other than many brothers and sisters. She is the only living member, yes.
4. I do plan the important things, but I let the characters tell me how they happen. And I allow the whole feel of the Sep world to kind of work things out. Hard to explain really….But I am not quite sure what you mean by the rest of this question?
5. No, the Great UnDoing was aimed at the Darke Domaine. Normal witch cloaks were not part of that. So it escaped, as did the Port Witch Coven. Witch cloaks can be used at the discretion of their wearer. If she wants to use them to shelter someone, then that is ok.
6. I suspect that would happen, if the granddaughter was alive when the Queen died.
7. True, Magykal power is not a voluntary choice, but it is hereditary and the line of the Queens do not have any of that in them. This is not a world where all eventualities are set in stone. I imagine a Queen would use the magykal power quite well, but whether it has happened in the past, I do not know.
8. Anyone can learn simple spells, especially if they hold the Charm for the spell at the same time. But the really tricky stuff is beyond most people.
October 16, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Hi Angie! One quick question
Is there a special meaning behind the hieroglyphs on top of the Wizard Tower pyramid? If so, will we find out about them in book 7?
October 6, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Hello drew,
this and many other things have gone into the book 7 pot. But there is a lot in thee and we will have to see what comes out…
October 16, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Hi again,
I have 3 more questions, I guess I’m really curious!
1. Does Beetle have any Magical powers?
2. Can anyone do a Unseen Spell?
3. One day can you do a book signing in America, especially Virginia! That would be AWSOME because I really want to meet you!
Thank You,
By the way Magyk is my favorite book, it is the first book I do my book reports on! I hope you have a lot of success on the movie!! Can’t wait to see it!! Congrats!
-Gabi
P.S. Thanks for replying to my other questions!
P.P.S. Finished reading Syren yesterday! Going to get Darke tomorrow! Can’t wait!
October 6, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Hello gabi,
1. No Beetle does not have any magykal powers. He is just a normal guy who reads a lot and is interested in stuff.
2. Anyone can do a very simple UnSeen as long as they are taught right and have the right Charm. But the UnSeen may not last for very long or be 100% effective.
3. I hope so! I have done lots of signings in the US – an author tour for each book apart from Darke. And I hope I will be doing one for the last book – but that is up to my publisher to decide.
Thanks for all your good wishes – hope you are enjoying Darke.
October 16, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Hi Angie!
Okay, is it possible for Jenna to use her Chocolate Charm on people? Does it work that way?
…If someone (or something) died, I think it would be very efficient to dispose of the corpse by turning it into chocolate. Then you’d be able to eat the chocolate if you’re hungry and you wouldn’t have to go through all that hassle of disposing the body.
Does this happen?
…If so, is that why we never hear of Jenna’s old friend Bo after the second book?
Thanks!
October 7, 2011 at 2:56 am
Hello Megara,
Bo is not dead – or a chocolate bar … she and Jenna see each other occasionally but since Jenna moved to the Palace their friendship has waned rather.
Incidentally, you really can’t use the chocolate charm on people. I think that would be cannibalism….
October 16, 2011 at 10:54 pm
Dear Angie,
If ghost fade away after thousands of years, why has Tertius Fume not disappeared, or even faded? He’s older than Godric and Gudrun, as he was around when Hotep-Ra was! Did he find some Darke spell to make ghosts last longer?
Thanks,
Jeff
October 7, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Hello Jeff,
Tertius Fume was determined not to fade. He had all kinds of Darke stuff at his disposal. He’s not doing so well now…
October 16, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Hi again!
I was wondering if you had any intentions of using a different picture of Wolf Boy for the 7th book?
Or are you not in control of the plans with the pictures?
Don’t get me wrong- the current picture of Wolf Boy is ssooo adorable, but that would be so cool if we had a newer picture of him that’s up to date with his age.
Thanks!
October 8, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Hi Megara,
I can suggest pictures if i would really like them but generally it is my editor who does and also i think Mark Zug does too. I think the pic of Wolf Boy is still ok – for the last book it will depend how much he features and what other new things there are to illustrate. It is always nice to have pictures of new characters and creatures and only so many new illustrations we can do for each book – so, we will see…
October 16, 2011 at 11:00 pm
…Do you know yet if Wolf Boy will be featured a lot in the 7th book?
Thanks for answering all my questions.
October 17, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Hi Ange
I was just wandering if you are expecting anymore of those signings with the dragonny things cause most of them I will wither be at school or on holiday
October 8, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Hi Andy,
I hope one might be ok for you? I will be in Southhampton on the 20th, Bristol galleries Waterstones on Saturday 22nd, Leeds on 24th and Newcastle at Seven Stories bookshop on the 29th. I will post the new details on the letters from Angie tomorrow. I do hope one of these might be ok for you…
October 16, 2011 at 11:03 pm
Hello Angie!
I recently finished Darke, and I have an important question that I need to know for certain reasons!
Are Septiumus and Syrah going to be, you know, together? I sort of got that idea in the beginning of the 6th book, and I just wanted to know if it was true! As I said, I have my reasons! 
Hope to hear from you soon, and thank you for the countless hours of reading you have given me through Septimus Heap!
Love,
Rose Berry
October 9, 2011 at 12:26 am
Hello Rose,
Well, I don’t think they are sure, really. Sometimes what works on a beautiful island does not work so well a home. Like holiday romances…
Thank you for your lovely comments.
October 18, 2011 at 10:04 am
Hi Angie,
I just wanted to say that I think it would be brilliant if you wrote a spin-off novel about Marcia. I would love to read more about her. Although your entire character cast is rich and lifelike, Marcia has always been my favorite. She’s very endearing (even when she is losing her temper with someone), especially because she cares so much about the Castle and all the people in it. The strength with which her character is written is one of the many appealing factors about the series. I particularly like how you describe her relationship with Sep – as an almost parental role model who cares very deeply for him. In many ways, Sep appears to be closer to her than anyone, even Sarah Heap or Jenna at times. Her character traits always make me curious to know more about her. Was there something sad in her past that causes her to try to avoid getting too close to people?
Best wishes for book 7!
October 9, 2011 at 1:38 am
Hi Sarah,
Yes, Marcia has a lot to her and I am very glad you feel that way about her. I so think Sep is closer to her than anyone. She was, after all, the first person who showed that she really cared about him.
Marcia’s past is very opaque still, which is why I really want to write about her. It is only by doing that I can get to know what made her as she is. It is a book I am really looking forward to writing!
October 18, 2011 at 10:07 am
Ms. Sage,
After Jenna found the antidote for the dragon boat in Physik the books never mentioned if the dragon boat was cured. I think it was in Syren that Jenna thought back to the dragon boat, still unconcious. If it is not too late, maybe you could add what happens in the seventh book. Maybe Septimus and his friends will be in need of the dragon boat (knowledge of the ancient past?) and Jenna will remember the antidote and the dragon boat will wake up with Septimus’s help.
October 9, 2011 at 2:12 am
Hello Amelia,
Yes, the antidote has not been used yet, partly because so much else has got in the way, and partly because Aunt Zelda has lost something. There is more to come…
October 18, 2011 at 10:09 am
i was just wondering- a certain Eastern Snow princess is mentioned in 2 + pasts of the characters, so therefore i had to ask this prying question- Is the Eastern Snow Princess more important in book 7?!?(because she disappered and all that)
October 9, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Hello,
The Eastern Snow Princess is one of the characters who drift in and out of the books, just like life really. So far she doesn’t have a reason for being there, as far as I know. But I do think she is connected somewhere. Possibly with Marcia. We may have to wait for the book about Marcia to find out.
October 18, 2011 at 10:11 am
Hi angie,
Another question,
How old will Septimus and Jenna be in the next book?
Thanks
October 10, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Hi Bethany,
They begin at 14, I am not sure yet how old they will be at the end. But I don’t want them to get too much older as the idea is that those who are only just old enough to read MAGYK can read the whole series all the way through when it is done. I hope to do a seven-years-on book after the end of the series and then they will be 21.
October 18, 2011 at 10:14 am
hey Angie,
I wanted to ask on which chapter are you on book 7.
October 10, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Hello Shadi,
chapter 34, but I have a lot of revising to do!
October 16, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Is there really such thing as cheese and onion chips? I haven’t heard of them, but they sound good.
October 11, 2011 at 12:04 pm
There is in England – cheese and onion crisps. And they are very good!
October 16, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Are you going to REALLY age jen and Sep?? Because 14 and 4 months is young for becoming Queen…..and maybe Extaordinairy Wizard….. Thank-you! P.s It is so nice that you have a forum of sorts where people can actully ask their fave author cool questions. i have to tell my nice cousin… he’s 18 and loves your books:))))
October 11, 2011 at 10:10 pm
I don’t think I will age them a lot. People mature faster in the Castle. For the big jump in age I hope to write a book out of the main series.
I think this forum is really great, I love reading all the comments, especially when i am getting bogged down in everyday stuff – it’s lovely to know that so many people are out there reading Septimus! Say hello to your cousin from me.
October 18, 2011 at 10:18 am
What did everyone wear while staying on Marram Marsh in Magyk? they didn’t have time to pack pajamas, did they? did zelda give them something?
Is there any Milo/Marcia interaction in book seven?
October 12, 2011 at 4:45 am
Hello mack,
Aunt Zelda has a large stock of patchwork PJs which eventually everyone wore, even though they felt a little silly in them. Everyone apart from Marcia, of course.
Milo and Marcia are around in book seven, we shall have to see…
October 18, 2011 at 10:21 am
is the book-signing in London Ticketed?
October 12, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Hello Robin,
It was really great to see you there – thank you for coming all the way from Cambridge! I hope you and your grandfather got back ok with that great big rucksack of books.
October 16, 2011 at 11:08 pm
‘Ello
First off I’ve got to say I’m sorry for what I’m about to do, because practically every comment on here starts with exactly the same thing. Unfortunatly I feel like I’d be being rather negligent, leaving a question without saying it: I loved Darke! Oh how I adore this series! I’ve been in love with it ever since the first book was published and my parents decided to get it for me for my 11th birthday. Soon they realised the mistake that they’d made… for the first year or so almost every conversation, every sentence and every exchange I shared with people would start: “Septimus this…” or “Septimus that…” or I would endeavour to steer in the general direction of the series. I think that my parents perhaps hoped that after close to six years and thousands of other novels read that my devotion to these books would finally come to an end. Thankfully five other Septimus Heap novels were also published in this time, which allowed me to stay adsorbed in this wonderful fantasy world. From the moment I finished the first chapter of Magyk I have been unequivocally and unashamedly in love with this series. My friends find my taste in literature slightly paradoxical, I’ll happily talk for hours about my favourite novels by Steinbeck, Twain and Hardy and yet equally can babble on for hours about fantasy novels by Trudi Canavan, Richard Adams and of course yourself
People say that you enver forget your first love, and I think the same sentiment should be applied to books. I’ve always loved reading, but I’d never really ‘obsessed’ (I use that word quite loosely) over a series until I first read about the adventures of Septimus Heap. That 11th birthday changed my life quite literally. Also this is a slight abstract point but your books also helped me discover something rather important about myself. It wasn’t until I fell completely in love with Marcia Overstrand that my little 11 year old self realised that her sexuality wasn’t as ‘straight’foreward as she had assumed it would be. Marcia was the first in a long line of unattainable (and by that I mean straight as apposed to fictional… which I suppose also adds to her unattainability) women who I’ve irrevocably fallen for over the years. No doubt I would have discovered this about myself at some point, but thanks to your books I realised it sooner rather than later. Psh, this has turned into quite the essay… I really didn’t intend it to, but I suppose I’ve got six years of repressed thoughts and feelings about this and that now I have the opportunity to write some of it down it’s just all coming out at once.
Okay… onto the questions I have. After that mini essay at the top I’m afraid the questions I’ve got to ask are going to seem a little anti climactic.
1) Perchance those two Darke Wizards that caused the whirlpool at Bleak Creak, be the same Wizards who created the Two Faced ring?
AND
2) What’s your opinion on fanfiction? Does it seem strange that someone else has just ‘borrowed’ your characters and is sticking them in situations that they’ve imagined purely for their own entertainment (and of course the people who read the fanfics)? And related to this, what’s your opinion on some of the… ahem… racier stories? There are some ‘interesting’ pairings out there like Septimus/Marcia which I’ve seen rather a lot of. So the real question is are you prudish or more in the frame of mind of ‘Ah well…’?
I nearly finished this off with…’And that’s all I have to say’… but then realised that I’ve written rather a lot. Anyway…
Much love,
Elly
October 12, 2011 at 7:13 pm
You can find her view on fanfiction on the frequently asked questions
October 17, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Hello Elly,
This is such a lovely letter, thank you. I am really touched that Marcia has been so pivotal for you. I hope she continues to be a good thing and that not everyone in the future is quite so unattainable as Marcia is. Oh, and to answer your questions … well number one is possibly being written about and possibly not.
And fan fiction? I have decided not to read any. I think I need to keep ‘my’ Septimus Heap clear and separate in my head from other people’s Septimus Heap. But I’m not at all disapproving of it, indeed I feel that it is rather amazing that people want to make the world their own and create their own stuff about it…
thanks again for your post and lots of good wishes.
October 26, 2011 at 10:12 am
Hi I am sure I read about some secrets sevens somewhere but I can not find it. Which book were they in
October 13, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Hello Andy,
I wonder if you are thinking of Enid Blyton’s series about The Secret Seven? There are lots of books in that series. A bit old-fashioned now but good adventure stories all the same.
October 26, 2011 at 10:46 am
Is there some kind of power struggle between Marcia and Jenna because of their positions in the Castle? are they wary of each other?
October 14, 2011 at 4:36 am
Hello Nancy,
It’s not really personal, just that generally Queens and EOWs do jostle for power a little. They seem to tread on each others’ toes. The Castle is a small pond in which to have two such big fish.
November 8, 2011 at 11:10 pm
I didn’t ask this question before because I thought some of the events in Queste suggested the answer to it but, was Hotep-Ra the first darke wizard or, for that matter, a darke wizard at all or did he just balance darke and non-darke well?
October 15, 2011 at 1:13 am
Hello scanth,
Hotep-Ra was the first Wizard in the Castle and built to Wizard Tower. He wasn’t a darke wizard, although like all powerful Wizards he did a little bit of balancing between the two sometimes.
Simon did refer to him as a Darke Wizard but he was not correct. Tertius Fume alos put out a lot of propaganda about H-R being darke.
So you are right about the balancing. He did it well.
November 8, 2011 at 11:14 pm
Hi Ms. Sage!
I know that people have already asked you this, but have you thought of a title for book seven yet?
October 15, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Hello jennafan,
Yes, I have. In fact it was always going to be the title of the last book, even when Sep Heap was just going to be a trilogy. There is a big clue in chapter 47 of Darke. And we (Shauki and I) are going to announce the title on this blogsite, one letter a day, in the middle of december. Yaay!
November 8, 2011 at 11:17 pm
Hi Angie!
When are you coming back to plymouth, waterstones?
I got really annoyed when I found out I had missed it!
P.S I love your books!
October 15, 2011 at 4:04 pm
I’m sorry you missed it! I’m not sure when I will be coming back, but I would like to do some more events around the West Country. I was hoping for something in Exeter, but nothing seems to have happened. Anyway, I will keep you posted here. And if you follow me on Twitter you will here it there too. @AngieSageAuthor will find me. So will @StanleyMsgRat …
November 8, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Hi,
, have you had trouble writing for 7 (sizeable) books? I’ve been trying my hand at short stories and I’m having trouble keeping the narrative alive for a few thousand words, let alone 700,000+.
Just come home, read Darke, loved Darke (the book, that is). I’m also your biggest fan, despite the presence of a thousand-odd other biggest fans on this site.
I was wondering if you ever have had writers block, or really just had trouble writing one day? If so, what did you do?
I’ve also noticed that your books also always seem to finish off very neatly, with only a few plot threads left loose and absolutely no cliffhangers. Do you like to wrap everything up when you finish writing, or is that just how you write?
Last question
Once again, love the series, thanks for answering my questions and good luck with book 7!!!
October 16, 2011 at 7:48 am
Hello Chris,
Really pleased you loved Darke!
If writer’s block is running out of ideas, then yes, i get that lots of times! Its tough to keep the ideas going and I do that through my characters. I can;t write a decent synopsis to save my life – the story has to develop along with the people in it. And to do that I have to actually write it.
I’m really glad you think I tie all the loose ends up. I do try to, as I want each book to be complete within itself, even though it belongs to a series. I do like squaring the circle for characters, I guess. Its fun to find co-incidences and make things match up by the end.
Yes, indeed, I have had no end of trouble writing 7 books. Its not easy and there have been one or two that have felt like climbing a mountain. Again, I use the characters to keep the story going. And also I do talk about it with my family when I get really stuck. Sometimes I just can’t see what is obvious to someone else. Actually, I think short stories are a very difficult to write. Everything has to be pretty perfect, there is no room for error or diversions that maybe don’t go quite where you plan. You might actually find a longer book easier…
Good luck!
November 8, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Sorry!! Extra question,
I just seen on Wikipedia’s Magyk article that you’re “serving as Executive Producer” for the movie. Firstly, is this correct? If so, what is an executive producer? Finally, will this impact your writing book 7? Every second is precious!!!
(My God, I’ve turned into a desperate fanboy.)
October 16, 2011 at 8:12 am
I haven’t dared look at Wikipedia’s article as they get so much stuff wrong. I corrected it once and it got changed back the next day. Grr.
But they are right, I am Executive Producer – or I guess I will be when something happens. At the moment it involves nothing at all. It is actually up to Warner Brothers whether I do do anything or not…
So, what is an executive producer? I don’t know. It’s hard to find anything out at the moment.
So no writing time has been taken away and book 7 is getting there slowly!
November 8, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Hi I was just wondering about the Dragon Boat. t has’t really been mentioned much since book 3. Did Jenna use the potion and wake it up?
October 16, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Hello Andy,
I did mean to write about the Dragon Boat in Queste and then they all went off to the House of Foryx and that was it for the book. But she is in Book 7, fear not.
November 8, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Your books have started to take over my neighbourhood. A year ago, sadly, very few people in my town had even heard of Septimus Heap or Araminta Spookie, but then I started reading them. I introduced the Septimus Heap series to my friends (In other words, I shoved a copy of Magyk into their hands and forced them to read it
), and my little brother and my friend’s brother brought Sep to the elementary school (where it’s now one of the most popular games at recess 
). My brother’s also dressing up as Nicko for Halloween 
My littlest brother just started reading the Araminta Spookie series, which I brought home from the library for him, and my mum’s really excited he’s found books he actually likes to read. Today he completed his homework of thirty minutes of reading without having to be told to, and he actually ended up reading over an hour and a half!
Thanks so much for writing these wonderful books!
October 16, 2011 at 8:01 pm
Hello Myka,
Hooray! A joint Araminta / Septimus take-over is a wonderful thing. Thank you for starting it! Keep on forcing them to read magyk…
I love the idea of you playing Sep Heap in recess.
Thank you so much for telling me all these lovely things, and please say hello to your little brother from me – and all the Sep Heap fans at your school!
November 8, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Does Marcia’s age bother her? She seems sensitive about it.
October 17, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Hello trixie,
I don’t think it does bother her, but she doesn’t like being asked personal questions. I think she would feel the same way if you asked her shoe size. Basically, she doesn’t see what her age – or her shoe size – has to do with her job as EOW.
Yes, I know she is picky but that is Marcia for you.
November 8, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Hello Angie
I have three really important qustions on my mind. Would you bother to awnser them, please?
Q1) When is the seventh Septimus Heap book out?
Q2) What are you titling it?
Q3) When will you post the sneak peak of it?
Yoours Truly in Fans, Allie
October 18, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Hello Allie,
I wonder if you are alison (see below) as well?
I don’t know for sure when book 7 will be out. I shall finish writing it by the end of january, I hope. It will definitely be out next year, but what month I can’t say yet. Most likely not before June, I should think.
There is a clue to the title in Chapter 47 in Darke. And we will release the title on this blog site in mid-december. One letter a day!!
The sneak peek will have to wait until it is edited and all done, so that won’t be until next spring, I think. Sorry you have to wait so long…
November 8, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Hi Angie,
I’m writing a book and I’ve kind of finished the prologue and chapter one. However the first chapter seems to be too short and have too much going on. For instance she finds a letter, goes to see the King, there is a celebration because she returned home and then something strange is going on. There are only five- six A4 pages.
I’ve found it quite hard to describe castles. I keep on sending passages to my cousin because he reads a lot, but he keeps on saying I’ve done things wrong, which really annoys me because it’s my world and he seems to think he’s better than me at writing fantasy things. He’s two years younger than me but he won’t help me make it better and he always seems to be offending me. On the other hand, I gave what I’d written so far to my literature teacher, he didn’t get to read all of it, but he said what I’d written was good and he especially liked the prologue but he told me I needed to work on my descriptoons of places and he said, I quote ‘you can go to town on the castle’. He said I had a lot of detail on people though.
How do you make detail descriptions of castles? Like the Palace in Magyk?
I’d really appreciate your help, thanks
Hannah.
October 18, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Hello Angie
I love your books, but I have a couple questions.
Q1) Do you know when your next Septimus Heap book will be released?
Q2) Do you know when and where the sneak peak for the 7th book will be?
I’m sorry if I broke a couple of rules, but please don’t delete. I really want to know.
P.S. Any other information about the sventh that you can relase, please post. I don’t think I’m the only one dying for it!
October 18, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Hello Allison,
is it you above??
Anyway, all your answers are there…
I’m not going to give anything else away about the book as I think it would spoil it! Like knowing what your Christmas present is before you unwrap it.
November 8, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Also, I have a suggestion when the seventh book comes out. Maybe you could make a special edition in which the book covers are not a picture of the leather and metal binding, but they are real leather and metal. This may or may not be a good idea because of cost, but I just wanted to suggest this.
October 18, 2011 at 7:17 pm
I love that idea but it is just SO expensive. Maybe one day it could be done for a limited edition. I think all the books would look wonderful.
November 13, 2011 at 11:34 pm
If we cant came to any of the events and we know the password, could we still get a dragonny thing? I’m in the USA so its not like I could come, and I know its late, forgot to get on here but I still want to know
October 19, 2011 at 12:25 am
Hell LeAnn,
If you write to HarperCollins they will forward your letter to me.
Angie Sage, author mail
10 E53rd Street
New York
NY 10019
Or you can Tweet me and tell me your address. I will send you one!
November 13, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Ms. Sage:
At 40-something, I am probably one of your older readers. It was recommended to me by a fellow rat-owner, and I fell in love with Stanley as soon as he started talking about the problem with young rats these days !
My question is about the ratlets . In “Syren” , there are Sydney, Lydia, Faith, and Edward, while in “Darke” there are Florence, Morris, Robert and Josephine. Is this a case of renaming, or did Stanley rescue two different litters ?
October 20, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Hello Donna,
Older, but not oldest by any means! I really do write for everyone and I love it when us grown-ups get to be part of the Septimus world too.
I really got to appreciate rats when my daughter had the most delightful creature called Ink. He was just so bright and funny. Not as grumpy as Stanley though…
Stanley changed his mind about the names. Particularly when someone referred to Lydia as Lydia Dustbin. It was not the style he was aiming for. (Also the author forgot that she had named them. Duh.)
November 13, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Hi Angie
I know people say it wasn’t good of Jenna to go when after Beetle’s suspension in the hermetic chamber and I partly agree but as you said she knows that Beetle likes her and she doesn’t feel the same so it is a perfect way to show him that she doesn’t have feelings about him rather than telling him herself. What do you think
October 21, 2011 at 6:40 am
Hi Angie
I know people say it wasn’t good of Jenna to go when after Beetle’s suspension in the hermetic chamber and I partly agree but as you said she knows that Beetle likes her and she doesn’t feel the same so it is a perfect way to show him that she doesn’t have feelings about him rather than telling him herself. What do you think?
October 21, 2011 at 6:41 am
Hi,
Jenna didn’t mean it to be hurtful, but she felt wrong just hanging around after she knew that Beetle was ok. Also she was longing to get back to the Palace and check everything out. And she did wait to see if Beetle was ok –
Later she felt a bit bad about rushing off, but it was too late to say anything without it sounding too serious. So she didn’t…
November 13, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Hi Angie
How old will Sep be in the final book?
October 21, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Not a lot older. I don’t want him to get too old for the younger readers. But I do want to write a book about him when he is older, but that will not be part of the series.
November 13, 2011 at 11:46 pm
Hi Angie
I was wondering about the last book. because this is going to be the last book in the series (
) are you going to be something on the Dragon Boat, because she still not fixed and she is still sealed in the Dragon House ( I think that what it was called). I was hoping that there would be some more of the Dragon Boat in Darke, but apart from that Darke was absolutely AMAZING! well done!
Jo
October 23, 2011 at 5:55 am
Hello Jo,
yes, the dragon boat is on my mind. She had to stay hidden away in darke but we will need her in book 7. Possibly….
November 13, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Hi Angie sorry for asking too many things all time but I have an school assignment about “Interview your favorite author.” and if you would answer these questions I would be honored and will also get an A+, here goes:
1. How did the thought of writing Septimus Heap series came to your mind?
2.Where is your favorite place of the castle?
3.Do you really have a boat called Muriel?is it like the Muriel in the Series?
4.Which book of series is your favorite?Which one was you at your best?
5.Who is your favorite character?
6.Are there going to be a development of relationships in the 7th book between Septimus and Syrah or Jenna and Beetle?
7.Now that Merrin and Simon are good again who can be the villain for the 7th book?
8.Can Merrin become friends with Septimus,Jenna and Beetle?
9.Can you give us a hint about what might happen in the next book in the Septimus Heap ?
10.Will the characters of the book be older than 20 years old in your last book?
11.You said that you will write about some of characters childhood, who are those characters?
12.If you could choose between Septimus Heap world and this world which one would you choose?
13.What do you think of illustrations of the characters?
14.When the last book of the series will come out?and how do you feel about leaving Septimus Heap world?
15.And last question,do you believe in magyk?
October 23, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Hello Queen Jenna,
quick reply to you in time for your assignmentI hope!
1. It grew over the years. I had wanted to write about this world for ages, I feel like I have always known about it. But it took a long time to work out how to do it.
2. So many … I do like Wizard Way with all the different printing shops. I’d like to live there or overlooking the Moat, that would be interesting. But I would love to visit the Wizard Tower and have a proper look around. And go to the markets in the Ramblings… so many places.
3. Yes I do! Well, I did when I wrote about her. Muriel now belongs to my daughter and she (Muriel) lives on Bryher in the Isles of Scilly. Bennetts Boatyard look after her and they hire her out in the summer. So you can go sailing on Muriel.
4. I love each book for different reasons. I reckon that Darke worked the best structurally – the plot just seemed to flow in that one. But I love Physik for its time-travelling. And Queste for the scary weirdness.
5. Again I have so many favourites. Naturally I love Marcia and every time I write about her I smile. I love writing about her and Sep. I also love Beetle and Jenna. Marcellus too. Oh gosh and SImon & Lucy. I can’t choose.
6. Relationships will develop in book seven but at their own pace.
7. Aha…
8. I don’t think they would get on. And Merrin still has ‘issues’ about Septimus.
9. I think there are enough hints already … if I say too much it will give away all the surprises.
10. No. I am saving that for the later book. If they are too old they won’t fit into the main series, which needs to be able to be read all the way through by nine year olds upwards. A later book may not be so suitable for that age group.
11. Marcia is the one I want to write about!
12. Ooh, interesting question… Well I do love my life here now so I woudln’t change it. But there have been times in my life when things were rubbish I would have happily lived in Sep’s world.
13. I love them! Mark Zug is amazing.
14. I don’t have a date yet, mainly because I haven’t finished it. I think I will have finished it by the end of January, with any luck. It will be next year, for sure! And I’m not leaving the Sep Heap world just yet. What I am leaving is the more rigid format of the series. I am now free to explore all kinds of things to do with the world, which is exciting.
15. Magyk, yes! Magic, no….
Good luck and here’s hoping for an A+
November 4, 2011 at 10:26 am
Hey angie!
I’m not sure if you’re still doing the Darke tour but, if you are, you should come to Canterbury. There are two large Waterstones and it would be awesome, I know me and my friends would definitely love it. Don’t worry if you can’t, it was just a suggestion
October 24, 2011 at 9:09 am
Hello,
I would love to come to Canterbury one day, but I don’t think it will be yet. I am back to writing now, getting book 7 finished. I hope I can visit lots more places when book 7 comes out.
November 13, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Dear Angie,
First, we would just like to thank you for being so nice at the book signing in Leeds, and for signing all of our books. That was really kind. Anyway, we each have a question (well, not all questions. Tom would just like to thank you for all your advice on story-telling). Here are the questions:
Matthew: Why did Mrs Beetle leave Beetle to go to the Port? I think that’s kind of mean. And is he still living with Foxy, or has he gone to live in the Manuscriptorium? Thanks.
James: Will Ethel ever get over the Darke Domain thing, and if so, will she ever meet Bert, the cat/duck? Thanks.
From,
James, Matthew and Tom.
(P.S – Thanks for the ‘Dragonney’ surprise!)
October 24, 2011 at 3:12 pm
What are these Dragonney things? ( I have my suspicions). Is there any way for us in the USA to get one?
November 4, 2011 at 3:53 am
It was really great to see you all! Thanks for coming all that way…
Mrs Beetle … Beetle suggested it. He was worried that she was lonely and missing her family in the Port. And beetle felt guilty about not spending as much time with her as she would have liked. I think they both thought it would be a good thing. Mrs Beetle comes back to visit–and is a very proud mother now. Beetle doesn;t live with Foxy anymore as he has the CHS rooms at the top of the manuscriptorium.
I am sorry to say that Ethel won’t entirely get over the Darke Domaine. She will always be a very nervy duck and will occasionally try Silas’s patience to the limit. I think it’s best if she doesn’t meet Bert. Bert is a tough cookie and Ethel would be terrified.
November 13, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Hello Ms. Sage! I was just wanting to know- how long is book 7 going to be AND when will it be released? Also thank you for mentioning a book about Marcia. Interesting tidbit.
October 24, 2011 at 10:54 pm
Book 7 will, I hope, be about the same length as all the other books in the series. I want them to look nice on the bookshelf!
Yes, Marcia continues to be interesting…
November 16, 2011 at 9:37 am
Dear Angie,
I was wondering if you could elaborate on what the Great
Catastrophe was that caused the creation of the ice tunnels?
Also is the catrock light and the technology under the isles of syren hinting at a lost advanced civilization like an atlantis?
Why is alchemie hated so much?
Is septimus and co. on earth in the far far future?
Sorry for all the questions!!:D
Oh and I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!! i reread them all in 6 days!
October 25, 2011 at 1:20 am
Hello Austin,
lots of questions …. and lots of answers in book 7!
November 16, 2011 at 9:38 am
Hey Angie! You are one of my favorite authors, so I was wondering if you had written any novels besides Sep Heap and Araminta Spook(ie). I recently got a new Kindle (yay!) and I’m trying to fill it up with books, maybe not well-known, that are penned by well-known authors. Can you help?
October 25, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Hello Diana,
I’ve written a few chapter books for young readers but they aren’t in print anymore – for good reasons. They just didn’t work very well. Septimus was when my writing began to make sense. But I am already planning new ideas, so I hope there will be more after Septimus.
November 16, 2011 at 9:41 am
Hello Nancy,
Traditionally there is a bit of a power struggle between the EOWs and the Queens. Depending on their personalities, some get along ok and others have a real rivalry. I think the Jenna/Marcia thing might have a few difficult times ahead…
October 26, 2011 at 10:49 am
No I meant in your books. I heard that you put in a lot of secret sevens like Boy 412. 4 + 1 + 2
I thought it might have been in the extras section of one of your books
October 27, 2011 at 4:54 pm
I know I am not Angie, so I hope this is ok. But if Sep became the EOW he would be #777. There are 7 lost Ancient Arts, and there used to be seven syrens if I am not mistaken. Also, alchemists love 13 because 13×13=169 and if you add 1+6+9 you get 16 and 1+6=7. There are tons more hidden around but that is all I can remember right now
November 2, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Yes, there are lots of sevens, though they are not really secret. Generally if there is a number, then seven will have something to do with it. Try dividing any of the numbers and see what you come up with. Sometimes I mess around with 13 too…
November 16, 2011 at 9:43 am
how long is book 7 going 2 be…. sorry if its already asked
October 28, 2011 at 8:24 pm
The same length as the other books … so they all look good together!
November 16, 2011 at 9:43 am
Hi angie. Will Mark ever do an illustration of a Magog for the books?
Also does the World of Septimus have a timeline. Like do they keep track of years or will we always have to say “in septimus’s time”
October 29, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Hello Andy,
I don’t think Mark will do a drawing of a Magog as their time seems to have passed now. They were really creatures of DomDaniel. But there are always new things for Mark to draw…
I’m working on the timeline right now! Looking up mooncycles on the NASA website.
November 16, 2011 at 9:46 am
hi Angie i just finished Physic does septimus ever make the potion for marcellus
November 24, 2011 at 1:31 am
Dear Angie
I simply adore your Septimus Heap books. I’m even doing a book report on Magyk! Could you tell me when you think the Seventh book will come out? I am so pumped for it! Anyways does any of the books clues to what happens in the seventh book? Truthfully I have spectulated that there would be a wizard war, Darke against Magyk. Does this have anything to do with it? Well anyways, I better get back to my book report.
Dying for your Seventh book,
Alie
October 30, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Sometime next year for book 7! But no more clues…
Good luck with your book report!
December 23, 2011 at 6:43 pm
First of all, I would just like to say that I have read my way through several libraries and the Septimus series is the best I’ve ever read. Everything about it is brilliant, from the whimsical storytelling to the lovely characters and, of course, the beautiful world they live in. I know that there will only be 7 main books, but I sincerely hope that there will be a LOT of spin-offs. I can’t imagine the Sep books ending and I love the idea of a book about Marcia’s childhood or a 10 years in the future book. I also saw someone ask about a Sep manga and I think that’d be fantastic.
However, I was wondering if you ever planned to make a book expanding on Marcellus Pye’s life. He is such an interesting (and humorously vain) character and it’d be cool to see what his childhood/life/relationship with Etheldredda,Esmeralda,Broda,and later Septimus was like. I think being an alchemist(and a five-hundred year year old one at that) would have given him some interesting experiences! Thank you and keep writing Sep because you’re fantastic.
October 30, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Thank you Rachel, that is wonderful!
I do hope to do some spin offs, but have not definitely decided what yet. I agree, Marcellus is an interesting character and there is a lot there that could go in a book.
Thank you so much for your lovely and insightful comments.
December 23, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Also, in Syren, and.. ahem.. well, I feel like an idiot for asking, BUT… what exactly made some of the WaterGnomes “rude”? Sorry, I am quite clueless sometimes.
October 30, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Well… they are having a wee. It is quite rude, really.
December 23, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Hi Ms. Sage, I have a couple of questions so I hope you don’t mind!
1) Where do magogs come from? Are they a Darke spawn or natural?
2) In Syren, Sep and the Possesses Syrah talk about the before time and they seem to be in an elevator. Does this mean that they are in a world of technology mixed with magyk???
3) When does Darke come out in the US or is it already out?
4) Why did Queen Cerys allow the custodian guard and the young army to be established? Seems like she would have picked up on their Darke intentions.
5) Where did Silas meet Maxie???
6) Lastly, in Phisyk, Broda Pye says that there are more Tx3 potions in the Queens cupboard, yet when the Dragon Boat is harmed, there are none in the Last Resort box. Did Broda not refill it, or was the Dragon Boat harmed before Jenna’s Time??
The number 1 fan of Septimus Heap, Jenna, Maxie, Magyk, and all the rest!!!!!
November 1, 2011 at 6:28 am
Hello Bowen,
1. They are just one of those nasty Darke creatures that hang around.
2. Aha …
3. Darke is already out in the USA.
4. It was an invasion from the badlands. She didn’t know it was happening.
5. He got him as a puppy from a farm near the Castle.
6. Betty Crackle lost them all. She was a nightmare.
December 23, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Hi
I was wondering about Marrissa. Wasn’t she one of the Wendron Witches, because she was Jo-Jo’s ‘girlfriend’, and if so, why was she with the Port witches, did she transfer over to the Port’s coven, because she wanted hto play with the darke? And another qestion ( I’m full of them), wasnt she going to be the new witch mother of the Wendron Witches? Why did she go the the port witch? the question is driving me nuts? Cant wait for book 7 (I think I figured out the name, but I wont say anything
)
Jo
November 1, 2011 at 7:37 am
Marissa was trying for a bit more excitement. You can belong to more than one coven if you are very careful.
Marissa fell out of favour with Morwenna, which is one of the reasons she joined the Port Witch Coven.
December 23, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Hi Angie,
Did Beetle ever tell you when his birthday is yet? I hope he did…
Me and my friends (well, one, mainly 
) are planning on celebrating all the Septimus Heap characters birthdays’ this year and, well, I rreeaalllyyy wish I knew Beetle’s. 
We’re even going to celebrate MidWinter Feast Day, National Septimus Day (April 12th), National Wolf Boy Day (April 9th), and National Matthew and Marcus Day (April 10th and 11th, respectively).
I’m so excited.
November 1, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Beetle has not spoken to me for a while. I am waiting until I have finished FYRE before I pester him again.
I love the national days!! Fantastic.
Happy up and coming MidWInter Feast Day.
December 23, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Alright I’ve got a quick question Angie…
Is Jo-Jo a witch?
November 1, 2011 at 9:24 pm
No, he just likes witches. A lot.
December 23, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Hey again Angie! I just finished re reading Darke (I have read many novels in the past few weks and it’s still my favourite) and I was thinkinh about the part when Marcellus says Jenna is not the first Witch princess. If there has been a witch princess before, has there ever been a wizzard princess? Thanks,
Callie
November 2, 2011 at 1:33 am
Hello callie,
never a Wizard Princess. They do not go together at all.
December 23, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Is there some kind of whatevermancy intrinsic to being a Princess that clashes with Wizardry? Is it just that the jobs are way too different, require different sets of mind?
December 23, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Dear Angie,
I was wondering if you could tell us what the Great
Catastrophe was that arose the need for the ice tunnels?
Also is the catrock light and the technology under the isles of syren hinting at a lost advanced civilization like an atlantis or something?
Why is alchemie hated so much?
Is septimus and co. on earth in the far far far far future?
Sorry for all the questions!!:D
Oh and I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!! i reread them all in 6 days!
November 2, 2011 at 2:50 am
Hello Austin,
Aha aha aha… you will have to wait until FYRE!
December 23, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Why is Marcia so touchy about her age? how old is she exactly? Marcia seems touchy about a lot of things. I think it’s really sweet that she loves Septimus so much. I don’t think she’d ever tell him that she loves him because it’s not her way but you just know how much she loves him. You can feel it. How close is Septimus to Marcia? I know her was in awe of her as a little boy but now that he’s older, how does he feel about her? It doesn’t seems like Jenna likes Marcia very much though. Wouldn’t she be upset if Marcia and Milo got together and Jenna ended up having her as a stepmother?
November 3, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Hello nancy,
Marcia does love Sep a lot.
He loves he too, I think he is much more protective of her now.
No, Jenna is not so keen. Its the old rivalry between Queen and EOW beginning to surface, almost instinctive. And yet in the distant past, the Queen and Hotep Ra were so close. but things change over the years.
December 23, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Hi,
I have a few questions for you about the books. My first question is if you are writing anouther book because if you are that would be awesome. My second question is what ever happend to the drangon boat. Please respond. I love the books. Thank you.
November 3, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Hello,
Yes I am writing book seven now! And you will find the Dragon boat in there…
December 23, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Hi,Angie!
I hope the movie is going well. Just out of curiousity,when will book 7 be cming out for Canada? Thanks and I hope you had a happy Halloween!
November 3, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Hello Sherry,
Sorry this reply is way past Halloween. The movie is not going so great at the moment, things are very slow and we are trying to find out what is happening. But we hope it will happen one day…
Happy Christmas!!
December 23, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Hi Angie:)
I LOVE the Septimus Heap series! I am only on book 2, but I am getting there! Eventually I will read ALL of them. Well, My question is how long do you plan on making the series? I hope you make like a TON of books! After Septimus Heap will you make another series?? I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!
Love,
Maddie:)
November 5, 2011 at 12:34 am
Hello Maddie,
You’ve still got lots to go! I am writing the last book in the main series now, book 7. But I may do some other septimus books too. I will have to see…
So glad you like Septimus!
December 23, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Hello! I saw in one of your answers that a Septimus Heap book about the characters in the future would not be age appropriate for 9 year olds. What age group would this be for?
November 5, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Hell Drew,
this is a conundrum at the moment as my publisher would like me to stick to the same age group. So I shall see what can be done.
December 23, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Hey Angie, congrats on the movie! That’s so cool that my FAVORITE books will become a movie! I cant wait for more info about casting! Also, do you ever come to Arizona (preferably Phoenix,) in the USA?Its so cool that you have a site that you can “talk” with your fans. Thank you SO MUCH for writing the Septemius Heap series! I never want it to end!
your biggest fan,
Cara
November 6, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Hello Cara,
Thanks! Its a bit slow movie-wise at the moment but I will let the blogsite know anything I hear.
I hope I may come to the USA when book 7 is published but I shall have to see what my publisher would like to fix. I would love to come to Phoenix!
December 23, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Helloo
I just wanted to second Bryony’s earlier comment – It would be soo lovely if you could come to Canterbury!
Don’t worry it’s fine if you can’t though
November 6, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Thank you, Chloe!
I won’t be just yet but who knows later? Interestingly, I was going to come and read in a candlight event in the Cathedral but it was cancelled by the cathedral people because Septimus had Magyk in it. I think some people really don’t get what Septimus is truly about. Anyway, Canterbury is on my wishlist!
December 23, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Dear Ms. Sage,
What chapter are you on in book 7? Will you make any other books than sep heap and Araminta Spookie?
Thanks!
Ethan
November 7, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Hell ethan,
I am up to chaptter 37 but revising a lot at the moment. Rewriting chapter one and the Prologue….
I do have lots of ideas for other books – just need the time to write them!
Happy Christmas!
December 23, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Hi,
Hows book seven going?
I was wondering…
Where does the Magyk come from. Does it come from people, inside of them, and amount of that is what determines their skill level, or ability so summon the Magyk within themselves?
Or does it come from their surroundings, the Magykal power of nature, and Magykal skill is determained by how well one can sommon this power? Does that make sense?
Thank you for everything, mostly being so amazing,
Madelynne
November 8, 2011 at 7:17 am
Magyk is a force that appeared at some point in time and is something that has to be understood and learnt about. Some people have the ability to do that and some don’t. The skill shows in the eyes, as you know.
Happy Christmas!
December 23, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Hello again!
Angie, I live in the States, and was wondering if you would ever do a book tour over here? Possibly on the west coast? Stopping in RENO, NEVADA……Just a suggestion! Thanks again and also, where is the best place to stay in Cornwall? Thanks!
November 8, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Hello Rose,
I have been to the US for book tours for all the books except for Darke. I do hope to do a tour for FYRE, but I shall have to see what my publisher decides. I would love to go to Reno…
Cornwall has lots of great places. St Ives is a classic. And Port Loe, and St Mawes. Go to St Mawes and get the ferry to Falmouth. My boat Annie is up the river from there in Penryn. Fowey is really lovely too! So many fantastic fishing villages.
December 23, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Hey Angie,
So I have a question actually a couple.
1.I’m sorry, but I was Kind of dissappointed with Darke. I thought a Darke Domaine would be like a alternate “Clone” of the Castle, and everyone inside would be like evil or something. Well I guess I can’t have everything to my liking…… anyway keep up the great work!!!
2. Are Things just the Skeletal humanoids or can they come in different forms?
3 Well well whatever are you going to do with Merrin?
November 9, 2011 at 2:04 am
Hello Riley,
I’m sorry you were disappointed with Darke. I actually really like your idea!
Things are just as they are in Darke. Skeletal and nasty.
Merrin … a little more in book 7!
December 23, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Hello Angie! You are the est author EVER! I know you are busy working on the seventh book but I have two questions,
1.How do people become EOW’s?
2.I noticed that a lot of people re-read the books? a lot of peopple seem to do that.
thankyou SO MUCH for writing the Sep heap series.
(would fulfill my LIFE if got to be Jenna,)Your biggest fan,
Cara
November 9, 2011 at 2:32 am
Hello Cara,
sorry these replies are a little (a lot!) late…
1. Ideally, people do an Apprenticeship to the EOW, but this is not always the case as some EOWs do not have Apprentices or leave before their Apprentice is finished.
2. its great that people re-read the books – I am so pleased that they do. It means there is more to find out than at first glance – and also that people don;t get bored with them!
January 26, 2012 at 10:44 am
Sorry about my second question i seemed to have forgot something. I meant to say should i re-read the books?
Also, are you doing any book signings in Phoenix, Arizona in the USA?
(would fufill my life if got to be Jenna) Your biggest fan,
Cara
November 9, 2011 at 2:36 am
Hello again,
I think you should only re-read the books if you want to! And no signings at the moment as I am not doing an author tour for Darke. But maybe for when Fyre comes out? I shall have to wait and see as it is up to my publisher!
January 26, 2012 at 10:48 am
I know i just posted but i forgot something. This will sound kind of weird but I am quite fond of Simon. He has grown on me. I love the way that he does not want to be darke anymore and pretty much completely flipped. I am wishing he will get to be an ordinary wizard some day and live in the castle and be forgiven. Although I was completely appalled (but am SO GLAD that you did it) at him when he kidnapped Jenna and i loved the part where he said he did not want to do that to Jenna. I was literately screaming “YOU DONT HAVE TO DO THIS SIMON!!! YOU CAN TURN AWAY AND NOT BE DARKE! YOU DONT HAVE TO THIS!!!!!!!!!” I truly LOVE the way your books take me in and “leave me on the edge of my seat” every time i read them. I just finished Queste and i had so many emotions during me reading it. ok i just realized i typed A LOT so im going to stop now but the bottom line is i am quite fond of Simon and i hope you make him turn good. and i LOVE THIS SERIES IT IS MY FAVORITE SERIES THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
(would fulfill my LIFE if got to be Jenna,) Your biggest fan,
Cara
November 9, 2011 at 2:54 am
Hello again Cara!
I am really pleased that Simon has got to you! When I first began to write about him I really did not expect all this to happen with Simon, but the more it happened, the more it seemed right. After all, Simon was the oldest in the family and had always wanted to be EOW. And then along comes this upstart kid brother…
I am fond of Simon too and you will see by Darke that all is changing for him, in a good way. And he is there in Fyre too.
So thank you for all your thoughts! And as for Jenna … well, its not for me to do the casting, as you know. And I have heard nothing more about it at the moment. So who knows…
January 26, 2012 at 11:15 am
Hello,
after a brief stop I have some more questions to ask – including one that really disturbs me, the first one:
1: Excuse me if I am asking this again, but why was Jenna given to the Heaps in foster care again? Marcia and you said that they had a newborn, but it sounds rather…sloppy from Marcia to me (AFAIK, an adoption is something for the longer term, nothing you should decide solely because of a newborn. And IMHO there is no reason for such an hurry, let alone one for such mistakes).
I saw that if Jen was a Wizard it would make sense at the end, but she is not, and it makes no sense then (you don’t want the adoptee risking to be frustrated without a good reason. And certainly not so easily recognizable). Was this author error (Jen isn’t a Wizard even if the adoption makes no sense then, and the adoption, unlike the M, is necessary for the story) or am I missing something?
2: You say that Magyk is like singing, but unlike singing, green/not-green eyes are much black-and-white to me. Where’s the dividing line? In other words, how much Magykal have you to be for your eyes to be green?
3: What is a Witch novice? Jenna referred to herself as one when questioned by Septimus (I suppose he meant “…a Darke Witch?”)
4: Why can non-Magykal eyes not become green even if exposed to much of Magyk? Because Magyk can only stay where it has been all along, or can it only stay where there are suitable genes? Or is there another reason?
5: In MAGYK, Jen could not feel the Darke on the Vengeance (412 did, however), but in DARKE, she does feel Magyk at some point ( in the Manuscriptorium, for instance). Why this difference?
6: You said that you would like to make an edited version of the series, one where to fix all mistakes with author hindsight. What would be fixed there – something like in my first question, perhaps?
7: Can a Queen adopt children? And if so, can they become Queen as well, if no one else is there?
Oh, and again good luck for Book 7!
November 10, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Hello again, ecoli,
sorry about the long wait for answers. I’m really busy writing Fyre and then my internet went peculiar for ages…
1. Marcia gave Jenna to the Heaps because they too were having a baby. So they could pass Jenna and Sep off as twins. No suspicion would fall on them. True, she did not think ahead, but time was short and it was a difficult situation. That’s how life goes. And no, not author error at all. That is how I wanted it to be. Like life!
2. Like singing there is a very fuzzy dividing line. Some people do it well, others think they do it well but don’t. It’s an inherited talent with giveaway markers in the eye colour.
3. A novice witch is like a novice nun. Not really one, but having just embarked upon the possibity of becoming one. i.e. You can leave if you want to.
4. Non-magykal eyes can’t become green. Only those with the potential for magyk can get that colour change. That’s why jenna didn’t.
5. Jenna is learning. She is getting more sensitised to magyk. It is not something that makes her comfortable. And she is still nto that sensitive (and never will be) compared with Sep.
6. No, your first question is not a mistake! it is one of the whole points of the book, in fact… There is very little I want to fix – a few things missed at edit, like Beetle’s parents, stuff like that. Mainly there are things I want to add in. All is as I intended it, but sometimes slips are made and in 7 books that is bound to happen. I would just like to give it all a final polish, I guess.
7. Yes, a Queen can adopt children but no queen has, as far as I know.
Thanks for the good luck wishes!
January 26, 2012 at 11:27 am
Hi Angie,
I love the Septimus Heap series, and i just finished Queste. I just have one question though. Where does the series take place? I was slightly confused. (Although I may not have read the book well enough!)
Thanks so much!
Jenna
November 12, 2011 at 12:48 pm
The series does not take place anywhere that we recognise – that is why it is labelled fantasy. A place that does not exist except in the books…
January 26, 2012 at 11:30 am
Is Jenna And Septimus Ten Years Old In Magyk Is Not How Old Are They??
~ Laura Cooper(Jenna Heap To Be)
November 12, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Hello Laura,
Yes, they are ten years old in Magyk!
January 26, 2012 at 11:31 am
Angie, I was wondering where they are making the movie (if you know) (and sorry, just had to ask)
November 13, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Hello Sarah,
well, they haven’t started making it yet. But when they do I think it will be in LA mainly as it will be image capture, so a lot of work in the studio.
January 26, 2012 at 11:32 am
I have a few questions about Marcia’s past. Did Marcia ever have a special boyfriend? Has she ever been in love? Was Marcia considered pretty as a teenager or was she sort of awkward? how long did she know Endor? will these kinds of questions be touched on in your book about her?
November 14, 2011 at 4:26 am
Hi Poppy,
Marcia did have a boyfriend once but it all went wrong. I suppose she was in love for a while, but she soon learnt to try not to be.
She was a serious teenager, but she was really pretty, even though she didn’t think so herself.
Marcia knew Endor for a long time, since they were both hoping to get an Apprenticeship. Yes, all these questions I want to answer!
January 26, 2012 at 11:35 am
Dear Angie,
I have been looking all over for a way to contact you, and I’m so glad I found this site. I have grown up with the Septimus Heap series since 5th grade and just recently finished reading Darke. There is something that has been bugging me though. Whatever happened to the dragon boat? I know that Jenna got the potion to heal her, but nothing about her health has been mentioned pertaining to her in the books following Physik. I was just curious of how she is doing. Hopefully you will mention it in the 7th? (sorry if someone else already asked this I read all the F&Qs but not all the questions asked on this page.)
On another note, I adore your series so much! The intricate detail is amazing. That’s why the thing with the dragon boat confused me so much. There are so many characters that I have come to love in your books that I can’t choose a favorite. You bring the characters to life, and you take small characters barley mentioned in a book and give them roles in the books following. I always love to try to guess who is going to have a role in the next book due to the hints you leave. (I am proud to say I have been right twice ^_^) I have read Magyk who knows how many times. I just recently reread the whole series due to Darke coming out, and they never get old. Even though I am about to go off to college next year, I am going to continue to keep up with the series. It is most defiantly one of my all time favorite series. Keep up the AMAZING work!
~Leah
November 15, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Hello Leah,
I am so pleased that Septimus has kept with you all the way! I think he has grown up too and lots of readers are older now, which is lovely.
Ah, the dragon boat… she is in the last book lots, but she just did not find a way into the others. I really should have put something about her in the end bits though, so that people weren’t wondering. In my mind, I think she was just sleeping quietly, and waiting… but not any more!
January 26, 2012 at 1:57 pm
hello Angie Sage my name is one of your charcters can you guess who it is here’s a hint it starts with J anyway i love the books on Magky i love theme so much you have inspired me to write Queste Magyk (one of my own books i type them because of my hand writing it is super messy) i am one of your biggest fans
November 16, 2011 at 10:19 am
Well, you could be Jo-Jo but I am going for Jenna!
It is wonderful that Sep has inspired you to write too. I hope it goes really well!
January 26, 2012 at 1:59 pm
how does jenna feel about beetle? if she doesnt have any feeling is there anyone she loves?
November 16, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Jenna is now beginning to appreciate Beetle. She has got a teensy bit jealous…
January 26, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Hi,
Well done on Darke it was amazing!!!!! 
Keep writing about the world of Sep Heap even when book 7 is done, thankyou 
I have a bunch of questions on Sep Heap and stuff! But before I ask I must say they are the best books ever, i read and reread them as even though im from the UK I got Darke in July because you could buy it on Amazon for Kindle’s and I read and Reread the books and my friends say im mad for reading them so much, they havent read them before, obviously
Now my questions…
1) I have had a hunch on two names for the last books for ages! It was either Lyfe or another, the other I am certain of as it has something to do with the code and someone asked if it was the code and you said yes, so was it the word the code ended in SPOILER???
2) I am so excited for the Sep Heap films, since Magyk will be coming out next year, do you think that Flyte (If they make a Flyte film, which they should!) will come out 2013? cause Im not asking to be in the film or owt like that but im dieing to audition for Beetle (My fave character who my friend who reads Sep Heap says is my identical twin) as I am 12 now and scared I’ll be too old to have a chance of being him in the films :’(
3)I’m reading Magyk….again…..and I realized the Heaps house numbers and as I read somewhere else that his young army numbers 412 adding up to seven was purposeful. I wondered is corridor 2(+)2(+)3(=7) and Room 1(+)6 (=7) purposeful aswell!
4)Will there be more of Beetle and Jen, as they SHOULD be together but not for wrong reasons, will Jen EVER love Beetle?
5)Is the ghost of … You know who … ( who passed on in Darke) ‘s ghost be in book 7?
6)Will Simon ever be tempted by the Darke again or has that chapter of his life closed?
7) Will there be a big disaster in book 7 like a … Fire or something….??
Would ask more but have to stick with the hole ’7′ thing
November 16, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Hi Joey,
so pleased you loved Darke!
1 – Well, you know the name now, but the clues was ‘it begins with Magyk and ends with Fyre’.
2 – I don’t know when Magyk will be coming out. I am afraid that things are going very, very slowly and we no longer have a date for the movie. We just have to hope things get going again soon …
3 – Yes – it is on purpose. I try and get the numbers to add up to sevens if I can!
4 – more in Fyre!
5 – Yes, she will be there. Driving Marcia nuts of course.
6 – I think the Darke terrifies Simon now. He is so scared of losing everything again.
7 – you will have to see!!
Thank you, I will keep writing about Sep. I hope we will have a few more books out of the series, maybe taking place a little further on, when Sep & co are about 21.
January 26, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Hello, I’ve just finished Darke and I really loved it. I think the first book and Darke are my favorites, because I like the way the characters evolve (especially Simon). I love especially Septimus and Beetle (and Nicko). Jenna irritates me a bit but I like her nonetheless. Sep and her make a great pair. The only one that drove me nuts was Sarah. I’ve always liked her (especially in the first book), but in this one she was just putting everyone in danger all the time, not listening to anyone. There are many stubborn women in the series, aren’t there? Marcia is the best. But the ways the characters react sometimes in your books make them sound so much realistic, because they are just human, with all their defects and errors, but also nice aspects.
But there is one thing I didn’t quite understand, why did Jillie Djinn you know what in the wizard tower? What did Merrin do to her to make her so Darke that she had to?
Another thing, why do the Heap brothers in the forest never go out? It’s like they don’t ever think about their family. Couldn’t they just visit the castle once in a while? Sam is the only one who seems to care about his sister.
I’m really impatient to read the last one ^^, I hope we’ll get to see some pairings (Sep and Jenna would work I think. And Beetle should end with someone, I so love the character, he deserves the best girl ever), most of the characters seem a bit lonely, I think. I know you won’t say anything about the love plots, because I don’t know if you (or the characters) have decided yet, and it would be a major spoiler, but I just wanted to share my enthusiasm. I was sad about Nicko and Snorri, I hope you’ll write that 10 year after book, it would be fascinating. But I think you were right that it was necessary for them to get some fresh air.
Anyway, thank you so much for you incredible imagination, the way you describe the characters is really great. I love the feeling that the characters are the ones that weave the story, that their future is not predestined, that history is made of the tiny decisions that people make all the time. Can’t wait for the next one, thank you Angie Sage!
A twenty year old fan. (sorry for the spelling, I’m French)
November 18, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Hello Nani,
Thank you, how lovely. It’s true there are a lot of stubborn women in the series, now I think about it. But I do know quite a few!
I am really pleased that you feel the characters are real, and behave as people do in real life. That is something I do try to make happen, often by allowing them to react to things, even if it is not quite what I had planned.
Jillie Djinn had just had enough – her time with Merrin – and particularly the Maund – had taken a big toll on her and … well, that was it.
The Forest Heaps have become part of the Forest, this is one of the things that living in a Forest can do, you lose touch with the rest of the world. However, they do come out of the Forest in Fyre.
I guess some of the characters are quite solitary, I am not sure if they are really lonely. I think that in your early teens you can feel quite alone at times. I am heading towards a couple of relationships working out, but I won’t say who!
And you are so right, history IS made of tiny decisions that people make – sometimes for very odd reasons, sometimes for no particular reason at all.
Thank you for such a thoughtful note – and your spelling and English is perfect, by the way.
January 26, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Hello, Angie!
I would like to ask some questions.
So here they are:
Did Merrin get cold because of the Darke magyk? (or Was it just a plain illness?)
Did he really want to go down with Beetle or just play?
Werent the Things angry because of he locked them in Queste?
Merrin didn’t seem to be evil or bad he just wanted attention.
Septimus was very kind because he saved his life. Isn’t Merrin grateful?
( I think it would be great if he could help Sep in the seventh book…)
Why did it seem that Marcellus and Marcia didnt mind to cut off his thumb?
I’m very happy because Merrin found his mommy.
Will he help her with the houseworks ( Simon wasnt very pleased with his work)?
How can a dragon be as big as the Darke dragon?
You said that you will write after books sooo I would like to ask that will you write a book about Merrin?
November 18, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Hello Lau,
Merrin just had a bad cold. He doesn’t look after himself well and he eats rubbish. So he is often ill. Well, he was at that time.
Merrin really did wish Beetle harm, I am sorry to say.
The Things were not allowed to be angry – Merrin had Engendered them and they had to do what he wanted. But they were in a constant state of exasperation, I think.
You are right, Merrin does above all things crave attention. But he uses such bad ways to get it. He is not at all grateful to Septimus as Merrin still sees Septimus as having caused all his problems in the first place. Merrin is a little paranoid at times. He also has no empathy to speak of. Merrin has yet to learn how to put himself in other people’s shoes.
Marcellus and Marcia knew that cutting off Merrin’s thumb to get the ring back was the only way to stop the Darke. It had to be done. And Marcellus was a physician/surgeon so he did know how to do it properly.
Merrin does indeed need his Mum, and I hope that slowly he will get himself sorted out a little. I think it will take a while, though. He will help her with the housework … eventually.
No dragon can be as big as the Darke Dragon. It was not a real dragon – it was Engendered from the Darke Domaine and could only survive within it. Darke Dragons that size do not last long. But I guess Merrin did get his dragon for a while. He doesn’t ever want another one, though.
I will think about writing about merrin. Maybe just something short …
I am glad Merrin has a fan, I don’t think he has many and it is really noce you care about him.
January 26, 2012 at 6:38 pm
When will book seven be released??
))
November 18, 2011 at 8:30 pm
2013
November 19, 2011 at 9:33 pm
hi Angie! i was going to post this on the movie blog, but since its now closed, i would like to bring something to your attention here. My cousin Casey Schatz did the special effects for avatar, which you mentioned it might be like, and since he’s big in hollywood maybe you’ve heard of him! But anyway, i would just like to recommend him
P.S. I LOVE YOU AND YOUR BOOKS!
November 19, 2011 at 12:31 am
Hello spitfyrerocks,
thank you!
Your cousin has done some brilliant work. Wow. Thanks for the info, but I don’t get to have anything to do with decisions like that, it is very much up to Warner Brothers and those working on the movie. The author is considered to have already done her job by writing the book!
I loved Avatar, by the way.
January 23, 2012 at 3:57 pm
oh, and by the way you influenced me to have this new saying:
LIFE IS MAGYKAL
November 19, 2011 at 12:35 am
Yep, it is!!
January 23, 2012 at 3:54 pm
never mind, its here VERY sorry for that
November 19, 2011 at 2:54 am
Dear Ms. Sage,
When is the seventh book coming out?
Thanks,
Ethan
November 19, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Hi Ethan,
2013
November 19, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Mr. Shauki and Mrs. Sage
Are you sure that the seventh book will come out 2013? ’cause we were told that it will be next year which is 2012
November 20, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Hi there,
well, i asked my agent a few days ago, who said 2012, but now it does seem to be possibly later. we are waiting to hear from my editor. I’m sorry about this – I had assumed it was 2012.
January 23, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Dear Angie,
I have a question that’s been bothering me:
You explained in Flyte the process of a dragon hatching, and it was indeed very complicated. Yet in Darke, the Merrin’s gargantuan dragon suddenly appears, and a dragon like that could not possibly hatch develop in the time the Darke Domaine had enveloped the castle. Do Darke dragons grow much quicker than normal dragons, or did the Darke Domaine quicken its development, or is there another explanation?
Good luck with book number seven!
Sincerely,
Jeffrey
November 20, 2011 at 4:31 am
Hi Jeffrey,
Yes, the bit where I explained this got cut out (by me because it gave away too much at the time) and then I forgot to put the explanation in at the end.
The Darke Dragon was Engendered from the Darke Domaine. That’s what is so terrifying about something like that – you can make all kinds of stuff from it.
This is why it did not survive for long outside the Darke Domaine. It was only able to exist within it.
January 23, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Hello, Angie !
I hope you’re fine. It’s not good to work too hard. Obviously, I don’t know your rate of work, but I can’t help but tell that to all writters I speak with
I was wondering if you know the date for comming out of Darke in France. I don’t enough understand english to read it in it. I can’t even say if what I write is readable, so sorry for mistakes :/
Wink to Shauki who is certainly fed up to answer “2013″ to every question x)
Thanks for your future answer
Drimali
November 20, 2011 at 9:15 am
Hello Drimali,
I am fine, thank you. I little busy with trying to finish FYRE, but that’s ok. Not far to go now…
Darke will be out in France quite soon, I think. If I remember rightly it was six months after it was published in the UK. It had to be translated, of course, which takes a while. You can always check with Albin Michel, the publishers.
Your English is very readable – very good indeed!
January 23, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Hi Angie,
just one question from me.
wats so special about the number 7 to you ???
is it becuz its some magical number or special to u in a way
alia
November 23, 2011 at 1:30 am
Number 7 has always been a Magykal number. So I just took that and used it for Septimus too. It is not special to me personally, but I do like the number, it has a nice feel to it. I do remember when I was seven years old it felt kind of special too. And when I was 17.
January 23, 2012 at 3:42 pm
um, angie?
1. why is magyk purple?
2. are the EOW robes purple because magyk is purple?
3. when you use a charm, after you have used it a couple times can you use it without saying the incantation??
thanks- o. beetle beetle
November 23, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Dear O. Beetle Beetle,
I should have thought you would have known these answers. In fact I was hoping you might answer them for me…
1. I don’t know why Magyk is purple, but it is!
2. Yes, they are and also because purple is an important kind of colour.
3. No, you do always need to say the incantation, tho’ you can say it really fast. And some people use a shorthand too.
December 23, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Hey angie!
will you ever come to Melbourne (Australia) because i really want to meet you! I have loved your books soooo much! how many books are you actually thinking of making
November 24, 2011 at 4:02 am
Fyre is the last in the main series, but I may do some slightly different ones. I am not sure yet as all my headspace is going into book 7!
I would really love to come to Melbourne. When FYRE is out I will ask my Aussie publishers about a tour. I love Australia!
December 23, 2011 at 6:31 pm
will you write abook of when sep’s eow and has an aprentice?
November 26, 2011 at 5:02 am
I’d like to. I will see how things go when I have finished!
December 23, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Why is the book coming out in 2013?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
(((((((((((((((((((((((( Ms. Sage sounds like she’s close to completing the book! 
It’s okay though.
November 29, 2011 at 1:43 am
She has a deadline of this spring to get it to the publishers. And she wnats to get it out by THIS NEXT summer. so chill
December 17, 2011 at 6:18 pm
I think it is 2012. But I am not finished yet. And it has to be edited. So I’ve not talked dates with HarperCollins. They are being very nice and leaving me space to write.
December 23, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Hi Angie,
I was wondering if in the 7th book Beetle and Jenna would sort of, you know, pair up, because there have been several hints that Beetle fancies Jenna.
November 29, 2011 at 10:17 pm
They’ve been a bit on and off as Jenna is still quite young and not sure of things, more in FYRE.
December 23, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Hi again,
I was wondering if Sam, Edd, Erik, and Jojo will be key characters in book 7. Or maybe even just background characters. I was wondering because they have hardly been mentioned in the last couple of books.I hope you make another series as amazingly amazing as this one. Good luck!
Your 7th biggest fan (I’m only 7th because, well, you know 7 is awesome)
Sumitpes Peah (Which is Septimus Heap backwards)
November 30, 2011 at 12:13 am
They will be there. How key, I am not sure yet.
7 is indeed awesome.
Ah it’s backwards. I am answering the questions backwards today…
Thank you for your lovely comments.
December 23, 2011 at 6:24 pm
Dear Angie
I was also wondering if Marcia has a thing for Milo Banda because she had hugged him in Jaanet’s boatyard. I also managed to fix my name.
Sumitpes Paeh
November 30, 2011 at 12:17 am
Great name! I am not good at anagrams but I think I can guess…
Marcia does think he is cute.
December 23, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Dear Angie.
I really love your books, they are so wonderful!!! I very respect you and your enthusiasms for writing, it’s amazing how you can invent all of these stories.
So… I have a problem. I have started to write in my own fantasy stories, but I’m afraid that some things seem to be imitated, even thought I don’t mean to. (Not much, but it still tease me, do you understand?) I don’t either know, does somebody else noticed it…. Can you help me? And when I get to finish it, how can I let someone read it, I mean it’s so so so embrassed?
How you do it? And how can I do it???
P.s Trese is (I guess so) lots of word errors, I’m not very good at english… I hope that you can understand.
December 2, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Hello Jelly,
I’m sorry this reply has taken so long…
It is tough to get original ideas, even when you really try. I don;t read other fantasy for that very reason. They do say that there are only 7 basic stories in the whole world, so in a way one just has to make the way you see the world your own – tell the same story in your own way.
And showing your story to others … well, you don’t have to! But I am guessing the embarrassment is that people won’t like it. No one minds showing stuff if people love to read it. So I would say choose someone you really trust and who would like to read the kind of thing you write. Maybe someone older too as it is often embarrassing showing things to your friends.
It doesn’t bother me showing my stuff to people as that is my job. It’s not personal in the same way. Though I do still sometimes find it hard to read reviews. Deep down, I think it is always a little strange having others read what you write. I guess you just have to decide how important it is for you to get some feedback… And then go for it.
Good Luck!!
January 23, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Hi Mrs. Sage!!!
OK, I haven’t asked some questions in a while, but…well, I’ll try to keep it short
I’m currently re-reading all the books, they’re a relaxing way of escaping from school pressure! 
1) What does a Maund look like? What did it do to Jillie Djinn, and did it affect her after the you know what?
)?
2) If Hotep-Ra only built a temple for the Dragon Boat, why did he need to build all those tunnels and everything? And how did the Dragon Ring end up there? Did he drop it?
3) When you throw something at the Dangerous Bin from the Manuscriptorium, is it gone forever or is it Magykally distorted?
4) There was a mention in Syren (I think) about something under the Ice Tunnels. Why is it there? And do the tunnels go all the way to he House of Foryx?
5) Is it possible to exit the House of Foryx into a Time where the planet didn’t exist yet?
6) Is the abyyss around the HofF really bottomless?
7) Does Marcellus or Septimus still remember the way through the Labyrinth?
8) When will the “Time of Great Peril” mentioned about the plaque at the WT ever come?
9) Where did Marissa kiss (I’m not sure if this is a spoiler but you know who it is, right?
10) How old is the Grim?
OK, I feel as if I might have asked too much… but thanks!!!!
More awesomeness to you, Mrs. Angie Sage!!!
December 3, 2011 at 7:33 am
Hi Josiah,
1. Maunds are small fat and lumpy. dark grey with teeth.
2. More about that in FYRE
3 IIt becomes inert. You still have to get rid of the shell.
4. see answer 2.
5. yes. it is terrifying.
6. No, it is very, very deep though.
7. Yes. A labyrinth only goes one way, so it is not difficult.
8. Possibly soon.
9. on her lips.
10. Ancient. It doesn’t know because it is too stupid to count.
Thank you. I could do with some awsomeness!!
December 23, 2011 at 6:21 pm
Hey Angie, congrats on ask angie 4
by the way, I was wondering, is Syrah going to wake up someday?
and if she will, is she going to be like old, or something, or just the same appearance as 19 year sold (if I’m not mistaken) ?
and if she wont, will she die?
Thank you -Yasmine-
December 6, 2011 at 9:35 am
Syrah will wake up and she will still be 19 .. ish. But she will never be strong.
December 23, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Hi angie
One more book to go wow!
So anyway in darke beetle feels that he’s always the replacement of
Septimus but they r best friends how does that work?
And will Jenna stay a witch forever?
Hope ur ok
Maddy
December 6, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Hi Maddy,
even with best friends you can get those feelings of rivalry. And he knows its not Sep’s fault.
Jenna only has the beginnings of being a witch. Enough to fool a window, that is all. But yes, she will keep that.
All fine thanks, just working hard on FYRE!
December 23, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Hi Angie, Just finished Darke and it was nice.
1. Jenna gets the Revive potion in Book 3 – Physik. Why has she not used it on the Dragon Boat, and why is there no mention of it in any of the subsequent books?
2. Maybe this is a typo error, but does not look good. Nicko goes along with the others on SpitFyre to the Wizard Tower, and is dropped off there, and then Sep goes to fight Merrin on his dragon. But then, once Simon leaves his mother (with Sally) to go and help in the Wizard Tower, it says, “Nicko, Lucy, Rupert and Maggie sat with Sarah but she did not talk to them all night long” or something to that effect
3. When Beetle is found, how has he managed to stay alive? Did he do a Suspension, and if so, with what? And when Jenna dashes off, and Beetle tells himself to get real, does it mean there is nothing romantic anymore between them? Thanks in advance, have read all 6 books only in last 6 months, and the richest for me were Magyk, Physik and Queste! Little disappointed with Darke, but still it was great!
Ramya
December 9, 2011 at 8:10 am
Hi,
!. Because it never quite fitted into the plot in the other books. But you will find the reason in FYRE.
2. It is an editing mistake. Yes, it is not good. It should have been fixed in the final edit but somehow my comment got left off. It is being fixed in the paperback edition. It’s the kind of thing you look at and go AAARGH!!
3. Beetle was lucky. They got to him just in time. And yes, when he says he should get real, that is what he means. He realises that jenna does not care for him in the way he would like her to.
December 23, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Dear Ms. Sage
How exactly did Septimus and the crew get out of the House of foryx in “Queste”? It really did not say.
Your biggest fan
Carson
December 11, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Tye opened the door and walked out. The door was never locked, but the thing was you could only go out into the time of the person who came in. Which was Marcia, so they were ok. Otherwise you could end up in any time at all. Possibly even one where the House of Foryx did not even exist.
December 23, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Who”s Tye? Did you mean Nicko?
December 24, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Typo – I meant They!
February 3, 2012 at 9:44 am
Who is your fav person in the book. My one is Beetle.
Whayt’s your fav book. I loke #4 and #5 the best but there all good. i lllooovvvve your book’s.
December 13, 2011 at 12:29 am
Thank you!!
I love them all for different reasons. Darke went well, Flyte was exciting to write. Physik was interesting … each one has something I really likeabout it.
same with the characters. Beetle is great, Marcia, Sep, jenna, Marcellus. Again there are different aspects to them all that I love.
December 23, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Hi Angie, Congratulations on book 6 it was great!! But i thought sep was a bit mean at the start. Anyway i was wondering about who would be queen if Jenna only had a boy? Would the queen be his wife or does it have to stay directly in the family. Also where are you up to in book 7 now? Thanks Angie for all your wonderful books i can’t wait for the next one to come out!! i think there really good for everyone around the world (i’m from australia). Thanks Angie. Good Luck
December 14, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Hello Emma, thank you!
Sep was a little mean, but he was stressed out by the Darke Week and by wanting to get Alther back. We all get a little crabby at times like these.
The Succession would be difficult without a girl. There may be a special dispensation for the boy’s wife to take over until a daughter is born, but this has only happened a couple of times and led to trouble. usually cousins are brought in, but jenna does not have any. So yes, it would be difficult.
Thanks for your good wishes for FYRE. I am doing a big revise right now which is why I have not been online for a while. I am up to chapter 38. Not as far as I had hoped to be but its not toooooo bad.
December 23, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Hi, again!
What would happen if a jinnee’s owner died? Would the jinnee be sucked into the nearest small container, or would it just be free to run rampant (or, if it’s one of the nicer jinn, follow its dream of becoming the owner of a personalized stationary shop)?
December 16, 2011 at 3:50 am
It is tough being a jinnee. Its overriding jinnee enchantment kicks into action and it is indeed sucked into the nearest small container. It is the quid pro quo for eternal existence.
December 23, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Hey, Angie! My computer class had to make a blog, so I made mine in an alter ego type-way. It’s not as good as your site (of course) but I think it’s okay. If you find sometime to check it out, it’s http://realmtravelers.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html
Just copy and paste the page. Oh, and since it is an alter ego, if you leave a comment, it has to be adressed to either Agent TrailBlaiser or A-I-T Sapphire. By the way, Agent TrailBlaiser is a huge fan of your books. We both are. I suggest you start at the November post, and go up from there. It won’t make any sense other wise. I mean, one doesn’t read a book by starting in the middle, right? I hope you can check it out sometime. And, as TrailBlaiser would say, dream on!
December 16, 2011 at 11:12 pm
Hell Diana,
I will check it out!
And promise to begin at the beginning…
December 23, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Hey Angie,
It’s quite a nice book, I like it, it gets a bit strange in part one, but other than that, it’s a good book. I also had to read the Great Gatsby, which wasn’t nearly as interesting :/
In language A level at the minute, we are doing creative writing and it can be on pratically anything. I decided to do the opening chapter of a fantasy story that I had already drafted the plot out to, so I had to work backwards in a sense because I already knew what I was doing. I handed in my first draft and it came back with only one correction on it and that was to make two sentences out of one long one, at the end my teacher commented ‘Great I love it!’
We also had to have a style model to base our work on, and I used the opening chapter of Magyk, we had to annotate our style models with what techniques and linguistic features the author had uesd. I’m hoping for a good mark as my teacher said I would, but she said I wouldn’t get into the top band as it didn’t seem to be challenging enough for me… which was quite frustrating. So I had to have another style model, which was very challenging, but I still kept Magyk as well, so I had two style models which worked well in my commentary we later had to do.
I want to thank you for Magyk, as without it, I couldn’t have used it as a style model and it wouldn’t have been the first book out of a box after I moved.
I finished reading Birdsong for literature, as you told me too on twitter when you sided with my mum
My teacher gave my class an essay for each day of the Christmas holidays as I have an exam in January, but she said we could have Christmas day off… how thoughtful of her.
Many times I am asked ‘why did you take BOTH language and literature? It’s cause I like them, and they will help me with different techniques authors used to help me become an author. I also took History and Psychology.
What I really want to know is, how long did it take you to write Magyk? Also, how did you come up with all the ideas?
Sorry it’s long
Thank you
Hannah
December 17, 2011 at 11:42 am
Hello hannah,
sorry about the long time I have taken to answer (see my reply to Madison below). Wow, I am seriously impressed with your lang and lit courses. They sound like a really good grounding for writing. And they do go together too.
Because MAGYK was my first novel it took me a while to write. And an awful lot of editing too. So I suppose about 18 months, from start to finish. But I had (still do have too) a wonderful editor who really helped with all the structural stuff. I did quite a few big re-writes for MAGYK, especially in the middle. Now I would probably write it a little differently, but you learn as you go along. Each Septimus book takes almost a year. FYRE has taken a little longer as there is so much to think about.
I am so glad that MAGYK has been an inspiration. Its a complex thing, a novel. So hard to dissect and know what it is that makes one book special. Personally, I reckon it is how much the reader cares about the characters…
January 23, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Hi Angie
Whats your favourite loctcation from Septimus Heap?
December 17, 2011 at 2:36 pm
For holidays the Isle of Syren (without the Syren though.) To live: the Castle. A little house overlooking the Moat would do me nicely.
December 23, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Is Marcia really the most powerful Wizard in the Castle or is her power mostly political? In darke, it says she might be an unbalanced Wizard and it seems like Sep has sort of caught up with her. If she isn’t really the best, does that bother her?
December 17, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Marci is very self-critical. She is extremely powerful, though probably more instinctive than she would like. She admires those who are more intellectual about their Magyk and thinks that those who balance Darke have an advantage. But I think she is too analytical.
Not being the best always bothers Marcia, but she is right up there at the top and the best there is at the present time.
December 23, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Hello, Angie! I have a quick question about the Law of Conversation of Magic (or something like that). It says that matter can never be created or destroyed through magic. How do the Water Gnomes work? Where do they get all of their water?
December 17, 2011 at 4:43 pm
They make it out of two parts hydrogen to one part of oxygen. From the air surrounding them.
They are practical creatures…
December 23, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Hello Angie’s
I am a huge fan, but who isn’t. I think it cooliyo how your going to relase the title one letter at a time for the last book in the main series. I have a question though. Did you purposely choose cold colours for the wizard robes. Purple for EOW’s, Blue for OW’s, and Green for Apprentinces. Do they mean anything, or was it the first thing that poped into your head? I was reading through other posts, and was wondering if you ever had thought to make Sep eat waffles? I’d enjoy that moment, if you perhaps did. And have you thought about putting Rose in the seventh book? I truly liked her character. And if she is in book 7, does her gift to see THINGS come in handy?
Happy Holidays, Windy o(‘.’o) (o’.'o) (o’.')o-happy dance
P.S, Best of Luck finishing book 7
December 17, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Hello Windy,
Not purposely. They just felt right. Purple because it is a kind of expensive, important colour. Green because it is the colour of untried things. Blue because it a working colour. I hadn;t thought to make Sep eat waffles. They seem kind of a very 21st century thing. But I am sure he woudl like them.
Yes, Rose is in Fyre. Not sure about the Things, we will have to see.
Thank you!
December 23, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Hi Angie,
Will Marcia and Marcellus ever end up together? Does Marcia ever develop a romantic relationship? ’cause it would be nice to see that different side of her… I absolutely luv your books!
. Will there be any spin off novels about Marcia? (I’m absolutely obsessed with her!)
December 18, 2011 at 3:50 am
I am thinking hard about spin offs. Maybe one of Marcia as a child. And yes, a little romance in FYRE. Possibly. I hope so, but Marcia does make things difficult…
December 23, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Um what is underneath the ice tunnels? Is it some kind of monster or something?
December 18, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Aha…
December 23, 2011 at 5:41 pm
One question: Do you enjoy answering our questions, or do you get on this website and think, “Man, I haven’t been on in a while, so it looks likes I’m gonna have to spend a few hours of my day answering kids’ questions.”?
December 19, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Hi Madison,
I do really like answering the questions as it makes me think about parts of the Sep Heap world and sometimes they rea really helpful. It can be a bit daunting to see a list of 12 or so really complicated questions (hello ecoli!) especially ones that I am really not sure of the answers…
I much prefer being able to come on line more often and answer a few at a time, but since before Christmas my internet connection has been rubbish. But today, one hour earlier, it got fixed (hooray!!) so I can get back to dropping in more often, which is much better for you guys too – no one likes to wait for ages for an answer.
So yes – I do genuinely enjoy answering!
January 23, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Hi Ange
I havea few random questions
What is Jenna’s favourite food?
What is Marcia’s favourite food?
What is Septimus’ fav colour?
December 20, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Hi!
Well, I don’t really know. They haven’t told me…
I did hear jenna’s favourite food was strawberries and cream. Marcia is not fussy about food at all, but she does like the hotpots she and Endor used to cook.
Sep … he’s not saying but I reckon he quite likes purple.
January 23, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Hi Angie!
I am 14 years old and I LOVE the septimus heap series. You are one of my favorite writers and I was wondering if you could answer some of my questions.
1- Does Sarah have any siblings
2- Why does Marcia love her python shoes
3- How does Sarah feel about Septimus being like Marcia’s son…..I hope I said that correctly
4- Does Marcia ever give back the FLYTE charm to Septimus
And last one I promise
5- Do you think that you could come to Iowa to sign books? It would be totally awesome to see you in person!
Anyway….Thanks!
-Haley-
December 20, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Hi Haley,
I’m so pleased you love Septimus Heap so much!
1.Sarah Heap had a younger sister who died when Sarah was a teenager.
2. Marcia just loves them. It’s one of those things. I suppose its because she designed them herself. And its the only thing she wears that isn’t a uniform.
3. well, Sarah has to accept it. She is mainly just so pleased to know that Septimus is alive. But there are tensions occasionally and if she is upset about not seeing enough of Sep, Sarah will go and tell marcia what’s what.
4. She will do, yes.
5. I would love to come to Iowa, but I shall have to see what my publisher decides about an author tour for FYRE.
January 23, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Hey! I saw the newest post! I totally knew it! Fyre! Of course, there’s probably a hundred other readers who figured it out before I did, but I’m still excited! I totally love your books and I hope your seventh one is as great as the other six, or seven, if you count Magykal Papers. I’ve got one question though, in Magykal Papers, there’s a letter written by a schoolteacher, I think, that looks like it was written by a computer or typewriter. Honestly, I don’t think anyone’s hand-writing is that uniform, so is there some kind of ENCHANTED pen or something that was used? Because, earlier, you said the time frame of these books was Pre-Industrial Revolution, so I don’t think typewriters were that abundant back then. Just curious.
December 22, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Hi Diana,
what I meant was that the level of technology (apart from magyk) was similar to that just pre-industrial revolution. But there are always exceptions to the rule and were rudimentary typewriters around (very big and very clunky) and the schoolteacher was a bit of a geek when it came to stuff like that. You will see that the rats in the Rat Office also possessed and elementary printing machine.
January 23, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Hi again Ange
What is Septimus’ favourite charm?
and
What would your be if you could do magyk?
From Daniel
December 23, 2011 at 10:12 am
Hi Daniel,
Sep’s favourite is, of course, the Flyte Charm. And it would be mine too, of only…
January 23, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Were the precursor to the Ice Tunnels around since Hotep-Ra? Did he have anything to do with making them?
December 23, 2011 at 10:10 pm
He didn’t have anything to do with them, but they have been around for a very long time.
January 23, 2012 at 2:58 pm
What ever happened to the lowly Pack Guard who was sent to check through the Rubbish Chutes in Magyk?
December 24, 2011 at 1:20 am
I am sorry to say, but I think he died…
January 30, 2012 at 11:44 am
Hiya,
Awesome name by the way!! 
I was just wondering… How does Sep know about Beetle in Darke when he is on the boat. He hadn’t seen Marcia and only Marcellus was there. Did Marcellus tell him? Anyways.. Good luck with finishing Fyre
Maddie
December 24, 2011 at 5:32 am
Marcellus told him. They had plenty of time to talk when they were stuck in the Ramblings. I don’t always report every conversation as it gets in the way of the run of the story, but they would have discussed lots of stuff then.
January 30, 2012 at 11:47 am
What was the ‘Great Alchemie Disaster’?
December 24, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Hello Anna,
aha …. wait for FYRE.
January 30, 2012 at 11:48 am
I know this is extremely stupid, but can a guy be a witch? I got the idea in my head when I saw one of the previous questions. (“Is Jojo a witch?”)
Thank You for Your Books!
December 25, 2011 at 1:18 am
Hello Sakura,
they don’t tend to be witches and the ones that are get called Warlocks. But there are very few of them, somehow it just doesn’t work so well for guys.
January 30, 2012 at 11:50 am
Hello Ms. Sage
1. Will there be any romance between Marcia and Marcellus in the near future?
2. Will Septimus reinstate alchemy?
December 25, 2011 at 1:22 am
Hello Megan,
1. Well, I don’t want to give too much away, but I think not.
2. It’s not up to Septimus to re-instate Alchemie in the Castle – it is for marcia to allow it to get going again. And you will have to wait and see!
January 30, 2012 at 11:52 am
Hello Angie!
Do you still remember me? I haven’t asked for so long because I thought I might be pestering you.. Anyway, may I ask a few questions? If you don’t mind..
1. How many pairs of purple python shoes does Marcia have?
2. How are Marissa and Linda related? They both have Lane for their surnames..
3. Did Una Brakket have a husband? Marcia called her “Mrs. Brakket”.
4. What happens to babies that die in childbirth? Will their ghost grow up to an appropriate age like 7?
Hope you had a wonderful MidWinter Feast and a Merry Christmas!
Good Luck on Fyre!
Love,
JennaHaruka xxx
December 26, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Hello jennaHaruka,
its nice to hear from you and you are not pestering!
1. Marcia went overboard when she wrecked her purple pythons in Magyk and had about 100 made. But then she realised too many shoes all the same were boring and turned them into MidWinter feast presents of variosu descriptions for the WIzards in the tower. Now she just has three pairs – the everday one and a spare. Plus a fancy pair for going out.
2. Yes, they are related. Linda Lane was Marissa’s aunt.
3. Una did have a husband, but he died not long after they were married. They didn’t get on and she was suspected of poisoning him, though nothing was proved.
4. Baby ghosts are sad… They don’t get to be ghosts as they have not been around long enough. I hope they get another chance somehow.
January 30, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Ok I’m back. Another question.
tnx
Whatever happened to Queen Cerys parents and Milo’s parents?
Oh and I finally finished Darke . I absoutly loved it and cant wait to read the seventh.:)
December 26, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Queen Cery’s mother, Matthilda, died but her ghost keeps a watch over Jenna. Her father was a farmer, I think, but I shall have to check that out.
Milo’s parents live on an island in the Far Countries. They live a simple life.
So glad you liked Darke!
February 3, 2012 at 9:44 am
Hi Angie!
Ok, well i’ve asked plenty of questions, but not very recently. Anyway, I want to be a writer, fiction/ fantasy fiction, and have since I was in grade 1! Right now i’m in the beggining of writing a novel, about the 1920′s (plus it has a little twist!), and i was wondering when you started writing for fun? Like, when did you want to be a writer, or like writing? And i know it sounds like any other kids dream, but i really want to be a published writer before i graduate. I have since i was in 4th grade. I’ve won a couple of writing contests before, too. Oh, and i’m from Canada, British Columbia and it would be amazing if you came to here for a book sighning! That would be so awsome!
Your Fan
-Astrid
December 27, 2011 at 3:02 am
Hello Astrid,
I don’t think I wrote for fun when I was younger – I would read for fun. I did find writing stories very difficult. So big congratulations to you for being able to do it!
I did always want to create things and used to think about stories a lot – I don’t think there was the encouragement for kids so much when I was little. It seems to be much better now – so many more possibilities. So good luck, it sounds to me like you are well on the way to your dream. And interesting that you have picked the 1920s for your time to write about.
I’d love to come to Canada to sign! Maybe when Fyre is published…
February 3, 2012 at 9:50 am
Hi Angie Sage
Currently the are 7 books (7th one still being written). My question is how many books do you intend on writing?
December 28, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Hello Ashish,
The main Septimus series is seven books, so Fyre is the last one. But I would like to do a few more (shorter this time!) seven years on. But first I shall finish Fyre before I even think about that!
February 3, 2012 at 9:58 am
Hi (:
I am so obsessed with the Septimus Heap books! I read them all the time. I am SO excited for the FYRE! So, I was wondering what time the book takes place in? Like a while ago.. or present time in a far away land. Oh My GOSH! I just can’t believe how EXCITED I am for the next book!!! I looooove Jenna Heap and Sep !!
Emma <3
December 29, 2011 at 12:17 am
Hello Emma,
Thank you … it makes me feel much better when I am getting towards the end of a long time writing – to know it is worthwhile!
Your questions will be answered in Fyre. I shall say no more…
February 3, 2012 at 10:01 am
Hey again Angie!
First of all, good luck with editing Fyre! I can’t wait!!!!
Also, I was kinda wondering…. well it a kinda studpid question but….I just kinda was thinking about it and I was curious and….
Well, I know there are alot of differences between witches and wizards, but what is the real difference?
Also, did you base any of your charecters on people in real life or charecters in other books?
Bye and Thanks!
December 30, 2011 at 1:28 am
Hello Callie,
The real difference? You would know at once if you met one. The same kind of difference between a scientist and an artist. Between those who can do maths and those who can’t. (I can’t). Of course some people can do both, but most are one kind or another.
I haven’t based my characters on anyone I know or (perish the thort, as Nigel Molesworth would say) on characters from other books. No, they just turn up in my head. It is the one part of writing that I find easy.
I guess i should explain Nigel Molesworth. When I was a kid they were really funny books (I expect they still are, even though times have changed a little) they had brilliant illustrations by Ronald Searle and superb spelling mistakes. ‘Down with Skool’ and ‘How to be Topp’ I think they were called.
February 3, 2012 at 10:10 am
Dear Ms Sage,
Loved Darke!
Looking forward to Fyre!
I was wondering about romance.
Would a Sep and Jenna couple be too weird?
Is Jenna totally uninterested in Beetle in a romantic sense?
Is Syrah too much older than Sep to be a possible match?
Although I do understand your need to leave the characters to act their age- they’re only 14 after all.
(Still…romance is fun!)
Your fan from Australia,
Anna
December 30, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Hello Anna,
Sep & Jen … yes now I think it might be too weird. They are in the same family.
Jenna is changing her mind about Beetle…
Syrah is not too old for Sep but I don’t think she would be good for him.
And I do agree with you (and have taken note) Romance is fun!
Thank you!
February 7, 2012 at 5:33 pm
hello angie sage
i love your series so much! i can’t get it out of my mind! i fall asleep thinking about the book (mostly about 409 mandy/wolf boy) he is my favorite character! i was wondering did he become the new keeper? it didnt say in darke and i thought he would since he was aunt zeldas reccomendation, but did he? 
p.s. my nickname is angie XD
January 1, 2012 at 12:24 am
Hello Angie!
Thank you for your lovely comments.
You’ll find out about WOlf Boy in Fyre – I won’t give too much away as it would spoil it. He isn’t Keeper in Darke yet, still Apprentice keeper. There has to be a handover from Aunt Zelda who needs to give him the Keeping Chain.
February 7, 2012 at 5:35 pm
And another question XD Do you think you could create a girlfriend for wolfboy? my idea was a girl thats #408 from the kid cadet army( sep and wolfboys army) that was told to be cursed by a fortune teller resulting in her getting abandoned by her parents. she ends up in the army and becomes friends with 409 and 412. on the day 409 fell into the river she ran off to save him(with septimus’s help resulting in him getting knocked unconscious) and was kidnapped by the witch coven that lived by the heaps camp. she was made an apprentice and learned everything that the other witches knew, (and more) and is named sin. later she escapes,changed her name to venus and meets mandy and septimus again. ( i rlly like the name venus XD ) hope u like the idea ^^
January 1, 2012 at 12:30 am
hello again,
it is a lovely idea, but I guess I would have to do a bit of re-writing now to make that work. I think I shall leave Wolf Boy as he is. He’s not much interested in girls at the moment.
February 7, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Hi Angie,
I was wondering, did you like to write when you were a kid?
Darke was great!
Margaret
January 1, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Hi Margaret,
Really glad you enjoyed Darke!
I didn’t like to write as a kid, it seemed really difficult (impossible!) to get any story to work out. I loved reading though and I used to draw stories.
February 7, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Will there be a magical papers book two since you couldnt put in everything you wanted?
January 1, 2012 at 9:32 pm
I don;t think there will be a Magykal Papers 2, but I am hoping to do a complete index to Septimus Heap when I have finished the main series. SO that will have a lot of new things in it.
February 7, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Hello, I was wondering if Jenna’s eyes will change colors because of what she did in Darke? Also if you know is there defiantly going to be a movie?
January 2, 2012 at 3:12 am
Hi Paige,
No, Jenna’s eyes will stay the same, violet. She was really just messing around on the edge of witch stuff, it was not serious.
I don’t know if there will definitely be a movie. That is up to the movie studio, Warner Brothers. They are still working on getting everything ready to shoot a movie, but we are not there yet. So until they actually start shooting, we just don’t know for sure.
February 7, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Why does it have to be seven books?? If it has to be a magykal number, can’t it be fourteen or twenty-one??
SEPTIMUS HEAP is one of the best series ever!
January 2, 2012 at 11:43 am
How about seven and then three (smaller ones)? I am thinking of still writing about the Sep Heap world but in a different way.
And thank you!!!
February 7, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Is Fyre going to be relased in the US first? Please tell me it isn’t
thanks
January 3, 2012 at 10:46 am
No, Fyre will be released here at the same time. We are all agreed on that!
February 7, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Dear Angie, thank you SO much for writing the Septimus Heap series! I get all of my insparation from your books! I have been so motivated that, I am writing a book rather like yours,(magyk and mystery) and I was wondering, do you have any tips about writing magical/fantasy books? I am hopeing to publish my book too. Thank you again, your 1# fan!
January 6, 2012 at 7:36 am
Thank you, Freya!
No particular tips… but like any writing, really get to know your characters and where they are. As you write, keep your reader beside you, make sure they see and hear all that you and your characters do.
Good luck!
February 8, 2012 at 11:35 am
HI!!!OMG i can’t believe this website exsits!!I’ve been looking for something like this for AGES!!!I have a question….
What about a 7th DAUGHTER instead of a 7th SON,if there is ever something like this will the daughter be just as powerful as the son?
Galen…what happened to her?
And Jenna and Beetle…..I have always wanted to know.
And Jenna’s pet rock will she find it again?
Wolf Boy….Will he be the keeper of Draggon Island?
January 7, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Hello Eva,
yes, this is a great place for all Sep Heapers, thanks to Shauki setting it up.
A 7th daughter would be as powerful, definitely!
Galen lives a quiet life in the Forest. Sarah Heap goes to see her sometimes, but Galen prefers to stay up in her trees most of the time.
And the rest of the questions are answered in Fyre!
February 8, 2012 at 11:37 am
HI there Angie! It’s Freya again,I have a few more questions and comments! I find your books absolutley wonderful! It’s hard to find your books new though, since I live in Alaska! Well, here it goes;
1. Will Syrah and Septimus EVER get together?
2.Will Bettle and Jenna ever end up together?
3. Will the people in the house of Fyrefox ever get saved?
4.How old were you when you wrote your VERY first book?
That’s all I can think of right now, thank you SO much for taking the time to write back! I am happily waiting your reply, Freya.
P.S I hope none of these questions are spoilers! And sorry for bad spelling!
January 8, 2012 at 5:51 am
Hello freya again,
Living in Alaska sounds so romantic and wildernessy…
Lots of your questions are answered in Fyre (I hope) but I’ll answer the others…
I was about 35 when I wrote my first toddler book. I kept trying to write but nothing really worked until then. Even then it wasn’t that great! Some people are just late starters.
People come and go in the House of Foryx and until they do, they just wait patiently. But not all have happy endings, I suspect.
February 8, 2012 at 11:42 am
Hi Ms. Sage,
I love your septimus heap books.
I was wondering why does Marcia where purple PYTHON shoes instead of the regular kind.
Thank You,
Lane
January 8, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Hello Lane,
because she can! So much more stylish than boring old brown python.
February 8, 2012 at 11:43 am
Hi Angie !
I’m sorry if you have already answer to this question, or if you don’t know the answer, but do you know the date when Darke will be out in France ? I wait it since the last year, so I sometimes read again all the serie, to not forget anything important… And, it seems like everybody read this book, but not me ! Life is unfair…
I wish you good luck for Fyre.
Drimali
January 10, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Hello Drimali,
I am sorry you have to wait! But it takes a while to be translated. It won’t be long now, although I don’t know the exact date. The publisher is Albin Michel, so you could always get in touch and ask them.
I hope it comes out soon!
February 8, 2012 at 11:45 am
Hi. I was just wondering about how the EOW is chosen in normal circumstances. Is it always the EOapprentice or is it sometimes someone else? What’s the point of an EOapprentice anyway? If they end their seven years and a day under normal circumstances would they become an OW at least until the EOW spot is open? It’s also a little weird because I assumed that at the end of the series Jenna would become queen and Sep would complete his apprenticeship and possibly become EOW. Although Sep is the obvious successor as EOW, since he’s only 14 in Darke it seems like he’ll still be an apprentice in Fyre. This seems kind of weird and incomplete. Also, Marcia (LOVE her) is young still so unless you kill her off it seems like Sep can’t come into his own as EOW in Fyre. I can’t wait to read Fyre!
January 11, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Hello Kiana,
You are right, at 14 Sep will not have finished his apprenticehsip. I want to keep the series at the same age range so that kids who start reading Magyk can go all the way through with it. So after Fyre I am going to do a trilogy (of shorter books!) taking us 7 years on. That way we get to see them all age 21.
Incidentally, EOWs are allowed to retire, as long as they leave the Castle and don’t interfere.
An EO Apprenticeship has a few extras – like the Darke week. Not all choose to use it. And you don;t have to be an OW either. You could always travel and see if there are other options out there.
February 8, 2012 at 11:51 am
Hi I’ve just read the first to books of the series and I am completely wrapped up in the world you’ve created I don’t get the first title of number two bcz it’s says “the year before the apprentices supper when you talk about the vengeance being sunk ? Love the book thou
January 13, 2012 at 1:23 am
Hello Thomas,
welcome to Septimus Heap world!
Flyte takes place just over a year after the Apprentice Supper for Sep (in Magyk). This is the prologue, showing what happened on the night following the supper when SImon stalked out in a temper. The Vengeance sank after the storm and the Brownies pulled it down into the Ooze. It sets the scene for what then happens in Flyte. Hope that makes sense.
February 8, 2012 at 6:44 pm
What happened to the Pack Guard who was sent up the rubbish chutes in Magyk? Did he survive? If he did what is he doing now?
January 13, 2012 at 3:15 am
He didn’t survive, I am sorry to say. It was a tough time for some of the people then.
February 8, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Hello Ms. Sage
1. Will there be any romance between Marcia and Marcellus in the near future?
2. Will Septimus reinstate alchemy?
January 13, 2012 at 3:16 am
Hello Megan,
I wouldn’t bet on Maria and Marcellus… And as for Alchemie, well there is a lot more about that in Fyre.
February 8, 2012 at 6:50 pm
What happened to the Pack Guard who was sent up the rubbish chutes in Magyk? Did he survive? If he did what is he doing now?
January 13, 2012 at 3:19 am
Hello Sam,
Leo asked me exactly the same question one back – or maybe you and Leo are twins… or the same people … or just telepathic? Spooooooky. So see reply for Leo!!
February 8, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Hello Ms. Sage
1. Will there be any romance between Marcia and Marcellus in any of the future books?
2. Will Septimus reinstate alchemy?
January 13, 2012 at 3:20 am
Hello Ariadne,
well, there is something funny going on here as Megan asked this one question back! So see my reply to her and to Sam!!
February 8, 2012 at 6:53 pm
hello Angie, so I’m writing a book and I have really high hopes for it it’s not like all the other ones I’ve given up on but anyway when you write a book how exactly is the procedure, is it like you brainstorm then stay on the computer all day and just keep on typing and what programs do you use?
Thanks , Goodbye.
January 13, 2012 at 3:47 am
Hello Hannah,
Its great you feel this one is working – you have to start a lot of books to get one that works.
When I write I think about the place, the atmosphere and the characters. Then I work out a rough framework for the plot, but not too detailed as I let the characters decide what happens. I find that I need to write very first thing in the morning before life gets in the way of everything and I write for about 4 or 5 hours – try to do 1000 words though it doesn’t always work that way. After that amount of time/words I get really tired and nothing good gets written. But I often come back to it later in the afternoon and read through and make changes. I use Word for Mac as I write on an Apple laptop. I do edit a lot as i go along – lots of cut and paste, changes, general fiddling about.
And you know, right now I would rather be doing something quite mindless!!
Good luck and hang on in there.
February 8, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Hi angie
How’s Fyre? Hope it’s progressing well
1.Why People dislike alchemists so much?
2.Is Fyre going to be about destroying the two faced ring?(Because in Darke Marcellus suggested that he would start up Fyre in his alchemist chamber)
3.How is Syrah pronounced?
4.I think you know that I love your books so much but to be honest with you I didn’t like the way that Marissa made Jenna witch if Darke movie came out can you please cut that?It’s disgusting
5.I’ve been thinking about the book 7′s clue was it in page 581 of Darke(Paperback) when Marcia Said “…Begin with Magyk, end with Fyre.” Because since I read that I though the name would be Fyre since the first book is Magyk
With Love, Q.J xxxx
January 14, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Hello Queen Jenna,
sorry this is such a late reply…
lots of your questions will be answered in Fyre…
Syrah is pronounce Sire … ah
I don’t think jenna much liked the way Marissa made her a witch either. And a Drake movie is a long, long way away.
And by now you know that you were right about the clue!
April 17, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Hi angie I have a question that might kill me if I cant solve it….
I flyte Nicko asked septimus why he couldnt do the freeze spell without the charm, so that means its possible to use spells without the charm right? So will septimus be able to do flyte without his charm I mean thinking about it got rid of his fear of heights so will it actually help him fly?
January 16, 2012 at 3:42 pm
The Flyte Charm is one of those that you will ALWAYS need to have with you for it to work, although you can have a small effect from having used it – there have been a couple of times when Septimus has manged to defy gravity at really important moments just by thinking about it.
April 17, 2012 at 1:56 pm
HI Angie!
thanks for the help in advance
Im almost done with the book Syren and this question might have already been answered but it’s nagging me all the same, i read the last section of the book the Histories and happenings it said that Syrah entered her endless sleep because she fell asleep out side the peepep will she ever wake up?????
Ashley
January 18, 2012 at 11:37 pm
More about Syrah in Fyre (not a lot, but there is some….)
April 17, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Hi, Angie.
Do all rats talk, or just Stanley? Also, if they do, do they all talk as much as he does?
January 20, 2012 at 9:00 pm
No one talks as much as Stanley. All rats in the Message Rat Service will talk if commanded Speeke Rattus Rattus. Stanley just has his command stuck on permanently.
April 17, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Hi Angie (again),
I have another question I just thought of and forgot to put it on the other question, sorry! But anyways, were Wolf Boy’s brothers ever in the young army too? And will they fnd out their brothers in Fyre?
January 22, 2012 at 3:33 pm
They were in the Young Army, they were Boys 410 and 411. You will find out a little more i Fyre…
April 17, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Hello Ms. Sage
I was wondering, because in the magical papers it said that marcias parents lived in the house two doors down from Weasel Van Klampf and Later Mrasceluss Pye do her parents still live there? Did she ever get back into touch with them after the argument, and is marcia in her late thirties?(i did a bit of math and guessed that if she was 17 at the time of the fight with her parents and waited as a hopeful for three years she would be thirty-seven)
-Vicky
PS: Marcia is my favorite character
January 22, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Marcia’s parents have moved away and I am not sure if they are both still alive. I need to find out more about them. I love Marcia too and am hoping to give her a book of her own!
April 17, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Hey
when is book 7 released sorry if this was asked before,,,
January 23, 2012 at 3:32 pm
It looks like it will be feb 2013 …
April 17, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Dear Angie,
Hello, it’s me again, the crazy fan who asked about the Darke Dragon. I’m so very, very, sorry about my upcoming questions. I know you’re probably completely stressed out and all, tying up all the odds and ends in Fyre, and probably don’t want a big list of complicated questions to answer, but these question are just burning me up, so I gotta ask ‘em. But I do say that there is NO PRESSURE whatsoever to answer them quickly. You can answer them whenever it’s convenient for you:
1. In Flyte, there is a black snake in a Magykally locked cabinet. In Physik, there is a black snake coiled up in the cupboard in the Great Chamber of Alchemie and Physik. In Syren, there is a dead black snake wedged between the Grim’s trapdoor and the floor of the Port Witch Coven’s house. What is so special about black snakes? Do they have incredible Darke Magykal powers (because they seem to turn up in places where Darke Magyk is practiced)? Or is it just a coincidence?
2. Why, exactly, did Simon Heap want the Darke Eyeglass that Merrin had found?
3. When Merrin reads the “Darkening the Destiny of AnOther” section of the Darke Index in Queste, it says at the beginning that it was a method “tried and tested to great success by the author,” which we now know to be Tertius Fume. I believe it says in The Magykal Papers that Tertius Fume was invoved with Hotep-Ra’s flee from his home country. Is this related? Did Fume Darken Hotep-Ra’s destiny?
4. Where in Septimus’s world do the other Forest Ways lead?
5. Why didn’t Jo-Jo recognise Beetle in the Forest in Queste? They are childhood friends, after all.
6. How does one get an appointment at the House of Foryx?
7. What does the glyph on the cork of the tincture in Physik mean?
8. How do Jim Knee and the Syren know each other? And will he ever be reunited with the Princess of the Eastern SnowPlains? I think that would be really great.
9. Where was the Jinn Army when Tertius Fume located it, and Milo retrieved it?
10. FINALLY, what are Fragile-Fairies, and the Maghul Maghi?
I know it’s kind of overwhelming, but like I said, no pressure on time.
Thank you so much,
Jeffrey.
January 23, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Hello Jeffrey,
well, you were right about the stressed out about Fyre thing, but all is getting back to normal now and I am revising the last few chapters.
so I will have a go at your questions…
1. Black snakes, especially thin ones, are part of the Darke armoury of stuff. They can be used in all kinds of ways.
2. SImon wanted the eyeglass because he recognised it was a really piece of Darke craftsmanship. He just kept it and kind of gloated over it. Like you do when you are in that state of mind.
3.Yes, TF did try to Darken HR’s destiny. He was aided by a couple of other nasty characters too. They go back a long way.
4. They used to go to other forests – i think it says more about that in queste. But now at least one of the forests is a desert.
5. They aren’t really childhood friends, even though the Heaps lived about Mrs beetle, they never really saw each other. The Ramblings is very oddly designed in that respect.
6. You don’t. it was just the doorkeeper being nasty. You just have to stand there and demand to be let in. But are you sure you really want to go inside???
7. It means eternal life.
8. Jim Knee goes back so long that he knows pretty much every entity there is to know. It would be nice if he meets the eastern Snow Princess, but i think that will be in another life.
9. Out in the badlands near one of the frozen rivers in the land of the House of Foryx. An old lady had it in her hut and had no idea what it was.
10. Fragile Fairies are a myth. But some people think they live in pots. They don’t. Marcia’s Aunt gave her the pots and as she loves her aunt, she keeps them. The MM wolfhounds go back a long way. They are hunting dogs from the east.
April 17, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Hi Angie,
you mentioned it in one of the books , but you never actually answered the question, What is it that wizards do all day?
Good luck with Fyre.
P.S someone asked earlier if you could make Septimus eat waffels in one of the books and it would be super awesome if you did. Bye!
January 24, 2012 at 2:20 am
Hello,
You can find out on my website, angiesage.com in Infrequently asked questions!
Thanks for the good wishes. Not sure about the waffles tho… they are a bit 20th century.
February 9, 2012 at 8:49 am
Hello Angie! This is India! I have read in the frequently asked questions that you will be stoping the Septimus Heap series after book seven! Why? I love this series of books! I don’t want it to end! What in Fyre makes the book series end? I at least hoped there would be a book ten! You know seven is and odd number. Odd numbers are not lucky. :/ Oh well. Anyway I love the way you write and I can’t wait for Frye to come out! Or then again I don’t want Fyre to come out because this would mean that it is the last book!
Furthermore I wanted to ask, I just finished reading Syren, and I wanted to know where you have in happenings and beginnings, about Syhra sleeping on and on and on, does she die? And in continuation of that, does Septimus like Syhra? I think so! Sorry but I also have one more question! In the 7th book Fyre, just curious, since this has Spit FYRE’S last part of his name in the title, will this mean something bad is going to happen to Spit Fyre? Please say no! He is one of my favorite characters! The way you make Spit Fyre sounds so interesting and real, makes me actually want a dragon! I know I could never own one, but if you could I would want one! Thanks and enjoy writing Fyre!
India Signing out!
January 24, 2012 at 2:30 am
Hello India,
I am so pleased that you love the series so much!
But it can’t go on for ever. Seven is considered a lucky number here in England. And also a magical number. So it seems a good time to end the main series. I do realise that lots of people (me included) don’t want to leave the Sep heap world so I am hoping to write 3 more, but not in the series. This way I don’t have to stick to 49 chapters and I can jump ahead in time a little and see what they are all doing maybe 7 years on. So it isn’t over yet.
There is a little more about Syrah in Fyre. Septimus does like her, but he has other people he likes too.
And Spit Fyre will be ok!
February 9, 2012 at 8:56 am
Hey Ms.Sage!
I am a huge fan, i did post yesterday but i dont know if it came through! I see myself kindof like marcia, so i always analyze her character verry thouroughly, I love all of the books, and I was wondering in Physik towards the end septimus was saying something along the lines of “even when im really old, like thirty” well my math has shown me that marcia is about 37 is she offended by this sort of thing?
When in Darke marissa turns Jenna into a Partial Which do her violet eyes turn dark with flashes of blue like you described Linda’s to be?
Are there rules to time travel and the stuff that they do in Physik and Queste?it confuses me!
I dont think it is fair that some people judge Marcia by her personality, she has been through alot i also think we see a softer side to her though in Syren and Queste and darke, how do you feel on the issue?
January 25, 2012 at 2:12 am
Well I forgot something!
How does beetle manage a suspension in Darke if the charm was in the trash
February 1, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Hello!
I’m glad you really get marcia, she is a complex and interesting character, and surprises me at times. No, she wasn’t offended by Septimus’s comment, more amused really. When you get to 37 you know kids think you are really ancient!
Jenna’s eyes remained the same, she is only on the very fringes of Witchdom and is not even in a coven. There are quite a few people in the Castle like that – who just dabble.
There are lots of rules to Time Travel, especially through the Glass. They confuse everyone.
I Think some people do find Marcia irritating and maybe they equate her with a particularly annoying authority figure who they know. But Marcia is very caring. She keeps herself safely away from getting too close to people but having Sep as her apprentice has opened up quite a few chinks in her armour. In Fyre you will find her with a few more friendships.
Oh – Beetle did not do the Suspension. He remembered a breathing technique he had read about. It worked – but only just…
February 9, 2012 at 9:05 am
hi,
I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find the font you use in your books? I am making a website with a bookshelf, and I would like to be able to type the title on the spine in the correct font.
Thanks in advance,
Dallin
January 25, 2012 at 4:19 am
Here it is: http://www.fonts.com/findfonts/detail.htm?productid=893497
January 27, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Hello Angie my friend, Tom, would like to know how sure you are about writing a spin-off novel about Marcia?
and i would like to know:
When is Septimus Heap going to be advertised on Binweevils?
January 25, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Hi!
I am very sure about the marcia novel, although I do not know what order I will write things in. First I have to finish Fyre and sort out the contract with my publisher. But Marcia is a must.
Bloomsbury are going to have a Septimus room on Binweevils. I will ask them when!
BinWeevils in July!
February 9, 2012 at 9:07 am
Hi Angie,
(Matthew) Hi Angie, I’d just like to know: When is Beetle’s Birthday?
(James) And also, have you thought of going around schools in the country when Fyre is finished? I think it would get a big load of people interested in Sep.
Thanks,
Matthew and James
January 26, 2012 at 8:08 am
Hello!
Beetle’s birthday is sometime early July, but I shall have to find out when exactly.
I’m hoping to go around schools when Fyre is published – it would be really great to get more people to know about Septimus and I know you both do a great job! But maybe I should think about doing more schools anyway.
Hope all is good for you guys!
February 17, 2012 at 6:41 am
Hi Angie,
I liked “Darke” and I can’t wait for “Fyre” to be published.
I tried to write you a month ago, but, since I don’t see the message here, I guess something went wrong with my computer, so I’ll try again and I hope you will answer
First of all, I hope you had a merry Christmas!
I have two questions for you:
1. Will you ever be here in Italy during an hypothetical tour? It would be fantastic AND you could improve your Italian (though I don’t remember if you study it)
2. When “Magyk” was published for the first time, was the name of Merrin “Rodney”? Or Maybe it could have been changed during the traslation English-Italian, because in my Italian book, “Magya”, he is called Rodney (I bought it in 2005, I think). So, had he another name in the first release?
As usual, thank you for your answers and thanks to Shauki, who always makes a good job here
I’m sorry if I made some mistakes with the language.
Happy new year!!
Alessandra Laura
January 26, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Hello Laurahurricane,
I had a lovely Christmas, thank you, but it seems so long ago now…
I don’t know if I will be asked to come to Italy! It is up to the Italian publisher of Septimus. I would love to come, though. I do love Italy and did start to learn Italian this year too, but I had to stop because writing Fyre took over!
The ‘Rodney’ edition of Magyk happened in Spanish butI didn’t realise it happened in Italian too. As Magyk was my first novel, I did a lot of edits before it was right and Rodney was changed to Merrin in the very last one. But HarperCollins sent the wrong edit to the Translators! I will get in touch with them and see if reprints can be corrected.
Yes, Shauki does a great job!
Thank you and Happy New Year to you too – your English is perfect, by the way.
February 17, 2012 at 6:50 am
Hi Angie,
I have a few questions and was hoping you could possibly answer them.
1~Did Marcia ever have a boyfriend?
2~ Has Marcia ever thought about getting married?
3~ How much does Septimus ike Syrah?
4~Does Marcia ever say to Septimus how much she cares about him?
Thanks….A lot1
~Haley~
January 26, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Hello Haley,
Yes, Marcia has had the occasional boyfriend and she did once even daydream of getting married. But she knew it was not possible – he was already with someone.
Septimus was a bit overwhelmed by Syrah on the island – almost like a holiday romance (a very weird one). But now she is back at the Castle i am not so sure.
Marcia says she cares about Sep in a lot of ways, but probably not directly like that. But Sep knows that she does. And she knows he knows…
February 17, 2012 at 6:55 am
hi angie i have a idea for the 7 book, i like simon & i thought maybe he could be marcellus apprentice because he understands simon and simon knows darke ,not sure is if sep would like this
also, in 7 book will sarah wake up?
January 27, 2012 at 12:39 am
Hello petroc,
Nice ideas!
We will have to see …
February 17, 2012 at 6:56 am
Another couple of questions now!
1. This one’s a publishing question. Was it because of the dreaded word limits that the Dragon Boat didn’t get an appearance in the middle books?
2. So it’s because I’ve been reading T. Pratchett’s Discworld: City Watch books that I’m asking this one. What kind of police force does the Castle have? During the Bad Old Days the Custodians obviously did police work, if that’s what you call policing, but what kind of law enforcement was there before? After?
January 27, 2012 at 1:30 am
Hello Ava,
1. It was more because the Dragon Boat just didn’t fit into the narration. I try to write fairly to the point, as there is always so much going on in the books. And as the dragon boat wasn’t part of the story, she didn’t get mentioned. But I should have said that she was still recovering, so that people were not worried about her….
2. The Castle doesn’t have a police force – people sort stuff out for themselves. I suppose the nearest thing would be the Wizards themselves, who would step in if there was big trouble. The Ramblings has a system of a Warden on each area and he or she sorts out any trouble.minor disturbances. Basically, the Castle is an anarchy…
February 17, 2012 at 7:05 am
Dear Angie Sage, Will you be featuring 409/Wolfboy/Mandy Marwick and his family in Fyre? hope you reply
~Venus
January 27, 2012 at 3:12 am
Hello Venus,
Mandy Marwick will indeed be in Fyre!
February 17, 2012 at 7:06 am
hey angie i have another comment/idea .
you are probably done fyre but maybe simon could find petroc & then jenna would forgive him.thank you!
January 28, 2012 at 2:37 am
I have done Fyre and I agree that both things need sorting… but you will have to wait and see…
April 17, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Hi Angie Sage!
I realy like your books(sorry,I´m not so god at English because I´m a stupid swedish person)!My favourite character is Marcia,I like her cause she is strong and she is not dependent of any other.Here comes my questions:
1:someone says that Sep and Jenna have a crush,but i think thats not right,cause they look at eachother likes siblings.
2:Does Snorri and Ullr coming from a place like is simular to Iceland?
3:Why do Marcia dont like galoshes?
Grateful for respons!
PS. I love Darke (in swedish it´s Mörkret)!
Have a Magyk life! 14!
Your very annoying and stupid swedish fan!
January 28, 2012 at 6:53 pm
Hello Ella.
Your English is good! and you are most definitely NOT stupid. Or annoying. I’m glad you like Marcia – I do too!
so to answer your questions…
1. Sometimes it does seem that jen and sep have a crush but its not so. They are very cloes though. And although they are not actually related, they do live as siblings.
2. I ithnk Snorri and Ullr come from a place more like Norway. But as I have not been to Norway yet, I wouldn’t know for sure.
3. Marcia does not like galoshes because she considers that they are ugly. She is, as you know, very particular about her shoes.
I do like the Swedish word for Darke!
February 19, 2012 at 11:01 pm
i was woundering what happened to the dragon boat cos in physik jenna gets the last part of the transubstantiate triple but you do not find out if they managed to save the dragon boat you don’t hear about it at all from physik onward.
January 29, 2012 at 3:56 am
she was recovering… but she is back in Fyre.
February 19, 2012 at 11:02 pm
hi ms. sage,
first of all i want to say how awesome it think your series is. i love all the people in the books; i cant pick a favorite.
just wondering…. in a different ask angie someone asked how old Syrah is and you said that she is about 17. but in the book when you wrote her journal she wrote that she was 19 over and over. also, is there just gonna be 7 books? i hope you write more! thanks
January 29, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Hello mg,
thank you!
Well, I ithnk Syrah knows her age better than I do, so I got my figures wrong there.
There are going to be 7 books in the main series, but I woudl like to come back to the whole world of Sep with some more in a different format. So that i am not having to alwasy write 49 chapters! and maybe have them a little shorter too. I have lots of ideas but i am waiting until I have finished Fyre before I really think about them seriously.
February 19, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Hey Ms. Sage
I have a question about something i did not understand in DARKE,
How did Beetle manage a Suspension if he has no Magyk andthe charm was in the Backyard garbage can?
-Victoria
January 30, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Hello Victoria,
Beetle did it by a breath control technique – i am sorry I did not explain this – or rather, I cut the explanation from the edit by mistake. I will make sure it goes into Fyre somewhere though.
February 19, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Hey Angie!
I’m new here, but I wanted to ask something: how was the Akhu Amulet created? And are we ever going to be able to get details on Hotep-Ra’s life?
January 30, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Hello Jariel,
welcome to the Sep Heap blog! The akhu amulet was created so long ago that no one knows how. But hotep-ra brought it to the Castle with him.
There is more about hotep-ra in fyre.
February 19, 2012 at 11:09 pm
hi i was woundering about the magyk symbol that is mentioned a lot in darke with the paired codes and the great undoing and then i went back to read magyk and i noticed a symbol on the map and on the pictures at the begining of chapters and i think it might be the magyk symbol is it
Jess
February 2, 2012 at 9:06 am
It is not deliberately so… but I shall have to check. Sometimes these things happen kind of by Magyk…
February 19, 2012 at 10:54 pm
hi i have another question i don’t no if theses are all in the same spot but anyway i was woundering how DD survived the fall from the top of the WT and what happened to him what is the abyss and what did Alther see from his position on the roof
February 3, 2012 at 10:09 am
Hi Jess, there’s an answer to this further up! Its funny how suddenly the same questions get thought about.
February 11, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Dear Angie,
Whatever happened to the dragon boat? Did you just forget or was it a planned? Just saying, i read the summary for Syren and was totally misled when it talked of a boat trip. I was thinking the dragon finally woke up. but i read it and still thought it turned out great. this has been bugging me since i read Queste last year.
February 3, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Hello Jacob,
I didn’t forget the Dragon Boat but she was not yet ready for the journey she will take. What I did forget was to mention her in the ending bits, though.
February 8, 2012 at 6:36 pm
hello angie i have 2 questions
1 did the darke dragon in Darke hatch from a Darke dragon mother or did it become more darke as time went on?
2 where and how did Snorri get Ullr?
February 4, 2012 at 1:26 am
Hello petroc,
The darke dragon was engendered from the darke domaine. That is why it could only survive within it.
Ullr got Snorri! Ullr chose Snorri one day when Snorri was walking in the forest near her house.
February 8, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Hi Angie!
First off, I would just like to say that I am a huge fan of Septimus, and I’ve read each one about 10 times. My favourite character in the whole book seies is Beetle, and so I have a question about him:
Why does Beetle have a fear of Snakes? Did he have a bad past experience, or does he just find them creepy (I know I do!)
Thanks so much,
Your fan,
Matthew
February 4, 2012 at 9:05 am
Hello Matthew,
Wow – that’s a lot of times to read the books. And its lovely to know that you can and you don’t get fed up with them!
Beetle’s fear of snakes is based on the fact that he thinks his father died of a snake bite, although it was probably a spider bite. But his mother received two contradictory letters from the port authorities, and beetle grew up hating snakes. But snakes are creepy for lots of people. He might have been scared of them anyway…
February 8, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Dear Angie,
I really love books. I can’t live without them
And I really want to become a writer when I’m older but I think one can’t always make money with it. Moreover, there’s no other job I can imagine for me, I want to do something with stories. So what did you do?
And I have got a question to the books. In the first book Alther and Zelda met for the first time. But in the first book you write, that Alther helped Zelda to find the mirrors of Marcellus when he was young. How does it figure?
I’m sorry if my english isn’t always correct, because I come from Germany
Luzie
February 5, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Hello Luzie,
Your English is really good!
The aunt Zelda/Alther thing does not figure. You are right! Aunt Zelda’s memory was going quite early on.
You are right about it being difficult to earn a living writing, especially at first. Most people have to do another job and write in the evenings and at weekends and hope that they get published and can eventually give up the day job and just write. My job was illustrating books and I got into writing that way. Very slowly! My ambition was to be able to write for half the week, if possible and illustrate for the other half. But Septimus changed all that and I am lucky enough now to write for a living.
So, just keep writing when you can, that is all you can do. If you do get a success then you will be able to write as your job. Here’s wishing you all the very best.
February 8, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Hi Angie
another question
is spit fire the dragon boats son because Jenna found the egg in the tunnel didn’t she???
Thanks your books are fantastic i would read them again but mum and dad say i should read something different. Anyway Bye
Emma
February 7, 2012 at 8:30 am
Hi Emma,
She did find the egg in the tunnel. And Spit Fyre does look a little like her (apart from the boat bit, of course). It is still a mystery…
You mum and dad are right about reading other books too! There is some great stuff out there to read. And you can always come back to Septimus again.
February 8, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Hello Mrs Angie
I am wondering about when should Fyre comes out Septimus Heap is my favorite book series. I hope it comes out soon.
Janet age 11
February 7, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Hello janet,
I’m really glad you love Septimus Heap! I am afraid that Fyre will not be out until 2013. I’m sorry it is such a long wait…
February 8, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Dear Angie!
I have to say that I love your books. I’ve read them many times and I know book 1,2 and 3 by heart. By my opinion Marcia might be the best character of all times.
I have a question I would like to ask:
What kind of cake is the one Sally Mullin makes?(I have no idé what the name of it is in english because I’ve only read the books in swedish). In my mind it is quit flat and hard, but still a bit chewy. Is it like that or is it a soft cake, a bi like a sponge cake?
Grateful for respons.
- Fanny
February 10, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Hello Fanny,
thank you! Yes, I think I am with you there about marcia.
Sally’s Barley Cake is something I made up. I think you are right, though. It is a little bit like a flapjack. definitely not soft or spongy. Chewy and heavy descibes it best. It is also very sweet and you would not want to eat much of it at once.
February 19, 2012 at 11:12 pm
I’m back!!!!!:)
So if Marcellus is son of Queen Etheldredda doesn’t that make him Jenna’s something great grandfather?
And if you do do the movie I think actress Rhiannon Leigh Wryn should play Jenna Heap
’cause they kinda look alike and the same age 10/11 years old
February 11, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Hello Roxann,
it makes Jenna his great (and then some) great niece as jenna is descended from Esmeralda, his sister.
I wonder who will play Jenna? But it is not me doing the movie, but Warner Brothers, so I will not have any say in it…
February 19, 2012 at 11:15 pm
Hi Angie!
First off, congratulations for having Septimus Heap become so popular!
I have a few questions:
1) Does any chemistry end up between Beetle and Jenna? Will we find out in Fyre?
2) What is your favourite part of writing the Septimus Heap series?
3) Who is your favourite SH character?
4) In Syren, Milo gives Jenna non-official possesion of Cerys. Does she ever end up getting it? And if so, might she give it to Nicko?
5)Last but not least, which is your favourite SH book?
I love your works!
Thanks for taking the time!
SuperSepFan
February 11, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Hello SuperSepFan!
Thank you – it is all down to people like you who spread the Sep Heap word.
1. Aha, wait and see…
2. Well, I love it when something works out between characters that I had notecpected. Little snippets of conversation that suddenly feel right. And I have to confess, i love it when I have finished the book and see the illustrations. and when I see the cover for the first time too.
3. Oh, so many. I do love lots of them. I love Marcia, Sep, Beetle, jenna, Stanley. I coudl go on. There is no number one favourite.
February 19, 2012 at 11:19 pm
I was wondering since Beetle became Chief Hermetic Scribe in Darke ..
will Marcia retire and will Septimus become Extraordinary Wizard ???
Laya xx
PS will there be another Magykal Papers???
February 12, 2012 at 5:05 am
Hello Laya,
Well, I think Sep will not have finished his apprenticeship by then. But all will be revealed in Fyre.
I don’t think there will be another Magykal papers, but I still have plans for other books to do with Sep heap, so it is not all over yet.
February 19, 2012 at 11:21 pm
how many chapters do you have left in Fyre?? big fan can’t wait till it come out=)
February 12, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Hello Lauren,
I have the last chapter to write! But I have already written 52 chapters so I have some serious pruning to do. Perhaps I shall put the outtakes on this site when Fyre is published…
February 19, 2012 at 11:23 pm
PLEASE do put your outtakes (from Fyre and /or earlier books in the series) up on this site when Fyre is published. I can hardly wait! I need to decide if it is time for a re-read or a re-listen (yes, I own all 6 books in both paper and audio formats). I want to do one finishing just before Fyre, but it looks like there will be time for more than one.
Jerri
March 20, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Hi Angie,
I hope the movie is getting better. I’m just wondering… will Fyre be out first or the movie? I heard that both are going to be released pretty late from now. Good luck on both of them.
Another question is how much money does it take to make the Septimus Heap books into a movie? I’m asking this because I heard from Carole Wilkinson,the author of the Dragon Keeper series, that making one book into a movie would take 20 million dollars. How much money did it cost to make Magyk a movie? Or the whole series?
Thank you!
February 13, 2012 at 12:29 am
Hello Sherry,
No new news on the movie, I am sorry to say. I would guess that Fyre is likely to be released before the movie.
I suspect Carole Wilkinson is right. It takes an awful lot of money to make a movie, which is why it takes so very long to get everything in place. The studio have to make sure that it is going to work brilliantly before they commit all those dollars.
They haven’t started making Magyk the movie yet so at the moment it has cost a small proprtion of that.
February 19, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Hello Angie
First of all your books are like my drugs ! I love reading so much and I love writing and I hope one day I can be an author just like , I’ve read all the Harry Potter books I’m a huge Harry Potter fan and I’ve always wondered if there is another magical books out there , then I saw your amazing books – and I say this from the bottom of my heart – I loved it from it first two chapters , you’re amazing , talented , wonderful , magical , awesome , genius and such a lovely woman .
I know I spoke a lot and I’m so sorry but I’m your biggest fan ever , so here’s my questions ..
1- I’m 16 years old and I want to be an author when I grow up and I didn’t start writing my story yet because of my school though I know what I gonna write about , do you think I should write it now or wait until I grow up and get better and better in writing ?
2- how did you come up with the idea of Septimus heap ? it’s so magical and I can’t wait to get the other books
3- who is your favorite character in the books and why ?
February 13, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Hello Alice,
thank you for your lovely comments – I am really sorry I have taken so long to reply, I had to just blank everything else out and concentrate on getting the end of Fyre right.
!. I do think writing gets better as you become older, there is no rush to write! You need to experience life first, I think. But that said, if you have something you really want to write, then I would do it and see how it turns out. You can always come back to it later if it doesn’t go well the first time. So if you feel you really want to write – then go ahead! Just don’t feel that you absolutely have to.
2. The idea for Septimus just evolved. It was a slow process, but I found myself thinking about this place and wondering about the people there. I realise that is how I write – thinking about a place first.
3. I don;t really have a favourite character! Some I like writing about more than others. I love writing about Marcia and Sep together, also Beetle and Sep too. Marcellus and Marcia are great to write. It’s the dialogue between the characters that I enjoy most.
Good luck with your writing!
April 11, 2012 at 11:26 am
hello angie I have a few questions
1 did hotep ra come from egypt(or place like egypt)? sorry if you already said that
2 does spit fyre have a big part in fyre?
February 14, 2012 at 1:43 am
Hello Petroc,
1. Yes, hotep-Ra has come from Egypt – or, as you say, a place like it.
2. And Spit Fyre is there is Fyre – of course – but he doesn’t have a huge part. His moment of glory was in Darke.
April 11, 2012 at 11:28 am
Dear Angie,
OMG!!!!!!! I’ve read a few of the comments posted on here and I think that Fyre is going to be AMAZING!!!! Eeeeep! Okay, now that I’ve gotten THAT out of my system, I do have a question. Well, a comment then a question. I am writing, or trying to write, a short story about the Castle under the rule of the Supreme Custodian. It involves a young woman, an elite spy working undercover to take down the Young Army, and a Cadet Officer in the Young Army, who is sympathetic towards the boys but isn’t quite willing to take on the system. She works undercover with her aunt, who has been working as a Young Army Nurse for six months, to contact the Cadet Officer, convince him to help her, and get an entire battalion of boys out of the clutches of the YA.
Now, I realize that what I just gave you was a heck of a lot of info, but I do have a question: Is any of this plausible? Could it happen? Were there YA Nurses? Or a Resitance? Please answer soon!
February 14, 2012 at 2:56 am
Hello Diana,
Well, I do hope Fyre will be!
Nice idea for a story…
Yes I reckon it is entirely plausible, there must have been decent people like her who were horrified at what went on.
And I am really sorry for such a delayed reply. I just had sooooo much to think about with Fyre that it was all I caould do for a while.
April 11, 2012 at 11:31 am
Hello, Angie.
I’ve been wondering this- is the woman who let Aunt Ells sit in the dragon chair in the House of Foryx the Eastern Snow Princess?
February 16, 2012 at 12:02 am
Hello Gwen,
Nice easy question … yes she is!
April 11, 2012 at 11:31 am
Dear Angie
please disregard my last question . i just wanted to say I am addicted to Sep heap , and i loved Darke and Magykal Papers , will there be another magykal papers ???
February 16, 2012 at 11:23 am
Hello Laya,
I don’t think there will be another Magykal Papers – well, not at the moment anyway. But I shall be putting together an index of all things Septimus over the next year so that will be available – maybe online. Maybe published – not sure yet…
April 11, 2012 at 11:33 am
Is there any range of when the seventh book will come out?Because I seriously can’t wait!
February 18, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Hello Lizzy,
I think it is set for Feb 2013… sorry tis so long away!
April 11, 2012 at 11:36 am
Dear Angie sage,
I was wondering- is septimus six months older than Jenna, since he spent six months in the past, but came back two days later in his own time? I’v always wondered this, since I am really in to time travel.
– Christyna
February 19, 2012 at 1:18 am
Hi Christyna,
yes – you got it! He is six months older than jenna. But of course that is only in biological age. In Castle age everyone still sees him as the same age as jenna.
April 11, 2012 at 11:37 am
Hi, this is a random question,
but what would happen if Milo and Marcia ended up together?
What would Jenna’s reaction be?
(not that I want it to happen – it would just be really funny)
February 19, 2012 at 10:06 am
hi pilio,
well, i reckon jenna would be a little spooked…
April 11, 2012 at 11:55 am
Hey, Angie
From Joee
I know many think the same of themselves but I have to be one of your biggest fans.
Anyway here are my questions.
1. (Darke)I remember reading that you planned someone to die, but was it Jillie that you planned to die or did it start off with, i dunno, Beetle because he was trapped in the manuscriptorium or was it always Jillie who was gunna die?
2. Who is the main villain in book 7, does Domdaniel come back or something? Or is it something or someone completely different? (Don’t have to answer I was just wondering)
3. Will there be a twist in book 7?
4. What do you prefer SepHeap or Araminta?
5. Will there be another death?
6. Will you ever be anywhere near West Yorkshire for book signings or anything, at anytime in the near or distant future?
7. When will book 7 comeout in England, does it come out any earlier on Kindle? If it does, PLEASE tell me!!
Thankyou in advance even if you dont answer
February 19, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Hello Joee!
1. Well, I did have to get rid of Miss djinn somehow. Not only was she really annoying me,
but there had to be a way for beetle to become CHS. So poor old Jillie Djinn had to go.
2. I won’t give anything away about Fyre!
3. I do always try to put some kind of twist or surprise in each book, so I hope you won’t see everything coming in Fyre.
4. I love them both!
5. No telling!
6. I will post any events I am doing here. And on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/septimusheapbooks. There will be some events when the new jackest are launched and I am at Edniburgh lit fest this august, which is not too far from Yorkshire.
7. Kindle comes out at the same time, sorry to say. It will be Feb 2013…
April 11, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Hullo, It’s me again. How have you been Angie?
I’ve been neglecting Septimus lately, it seems. But I’m back just in time to see FYRE!
I am really excited that you’re finally writing the book we have all been waiting so long for!
I think I know what Fyre is about mostly due to your “aha” ‘s in reply to peoples questions. I don’t want to spoil it so I wont say (but be prepared for a graceful “I KNEW IT” heard all over the world when I read it).
Also your subtle clues regarding what time period Septimus lives in haven’t been lost on me…
I’d like to know your view on Science fiction… particularly Star Trek? I have found that it is my new obsession. At first I didn’t see the resemblance with it and my first love (Septimus Heap) but then I realized both Septimus and Star Trek have hidden morality messages in every story, and thats what I like about it.
I love the minor characters Romilly Badger and Rose, I would really like to see them in a larger role sometime.
I read a fan-fiction about an interesting shape-shifter family, it was only a few pages long- a short story. I thought that would be a wonderful book; a bundle of short stories about the minor characters of Septimus heap!
Now on to the actual questions:
A) I did a reading reflection on Physik, and already handed it in, but I’m still wondering: What did you feel was the main idea of Physik? (What did you want the reader to take away from the book?)
B) What are all the shops along Wizard Way? I know there is the Manuscriptorium, the cloak shoppe etc.. what others are there?
Okay, I thought there would be more questions springing into my head, but thats it.
For now……
xxxxxxxx Amelia
February 19, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Hi Amelia,
I used to really love scifi – I don’t read it now really but I ithnk good scifi can be really mind expanding. So glad you love the minor Sep characters – they are all important as they make up the whole Sep Heap world. You will see a little more of both Rose and Romilly in Fyre. Yep – I have thought about lots of short stories too, so much to think about and so little time to do it!! I guess Septimus does have an underlying morality – or code of ethics, rather, which shows through at times. But I don’t set out to tell a moral tale – though I do think that it is important to have people acting ethically – and when they don’t then there are consequences.
The main idea of physik … for me it was about belonging (as always) and the cause and effect of actions down the ages. And it was probably about a whole load of other stuff that I haven’t even thought about. So often readers find out far more about a book than the writer does. The main thing I wanted someone to take away was actually a feeling of relief in still living in their own time. And a determination never to mess with potions of eternal life!
There are lots of shops along Wizard Way, and they are alwasy changing. There are quite a few listed in The magykal Papers. The main bulk are printing and book shops. But there is also Sandra’s Palace of Pets, Larry’s Dead Languages, Wizard Sandwiches and many more. You will have to take a trip there for yourself…
April 11, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Hi, Angie
When will Fyre be released????
February 19, 2012 at 7:18 pm
2013!
February 20, 2012 at 7:20 am
in February 2013. So it could be worse. It could be April. or May.
April 11, 2012 at 3:17 pm
This is more of a hope than a question, but could you please, please, please make Syrah wake up in Fyre? I would be soooo happy.
Thanks
Syrah
February 19, 2012 at 11:04 pm
yes!
April 11, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Dear Angie,
I am a huge fan of your book, and i got all my friends into them, too. I was wondering, Why are all the employees at the manuscriptorium named after animals? Also, where do jinnee like Jim knee come from?
- Christyna
February 19, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Hi Christyna,
thanks for spreading the word about Septimus – that’s what we need!
It just turned out that way at the Manuscriptorium. I didn’t notice it until I realised I had foxy, partridge and beetle. So than it just had to carry on.
jinnee are very very ancient, they come from the east and are old Magyk.
April 11, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Hi Angie,
I was wondering if it is possible for someone that is not a Wizard to become one like Jenna became a witch? If so, can they be turned back? And how are they turned into one- do they have to be exposed to magic or is there a special spell or ceremony,etc.? I was also wondering if there was such thing as a half-Wizard. Could a wizard marry a non- wizard and result in a half-wizard child?
Thank you.
February 20, 2012 at 12:37 am
Hello Sherry,
Generally not. There has to be some kind of gift there, which is usually inherited although it can suddenly appear.
You have to train for 7 years to be a proper qualified Wizard. Wizards can marry
who they want and it is then 50-50 as to whether their chld has the talent – normal rules of genetics apply…
April 11, 2012 at 3:30 pm
hello mrs.sage ,sorry,more questions,
1.in Queste the DoorKeeper’s appearance is quite like Miarr’s in Syren and the are both guardians.Are they related? or are they the same species?
2.Why does Simon like Lucy and Lucy like Simon?Simon seems so intense about magick and Lucy is so nice and unmagickal?
3.is rose the assassin because when Marcia threw the thunderflash she lost her memory and went to help in a hospital. maybe its the wizard ick bay.
February 20, 2012 at 2:00 am
hello petroc!
1. They are similar but not related. Of course it may be that way, way back they are, but I think the doorkeeper is more bat-like than cat-like.
2. Simon and Lucy – well, true love is not always logical. It just works and that’s the way it is. And they are good for each other.
3. No, Rose is definitely not the Assassin. She is far too nice. and too young as well. The Assassin went to another country across the sea.
April 11, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Hello Angie!
First of all, I was wondering why we are now unable to read the comments posted on the previous ask angies. all of the comments are gone now
I just wondered…..
I have a few Marcia questions. Did you really know someone a lot like Marcia when you were 20? Did she even look like Marcia? I read a story that you had and thought that was really neat.
Does Marcia act on her crush on Milo Banda in number seven? Will we see any Marcia romance? Wouldn’t it be tough for them to have a romance when he is always gone and she is always busy? I hope he won’t mess with her. I think he is a ladies man. Maybe she could do better.
Why does Marcia always tell the mirror to make her look thinner? I think it sounds as though Marcia would be very pretty even if she herself doesn’t realize it. She doesn’t need to be thinner. I wish I had an adjustable mirror sometimes too though. I think it must be a girl thing.
Thanks for reading this!
February 20, 2012 at 4:11 am
I am not sure where they have gone, I will ask Shauki as I haven’t kept any copies and really should have done.
I did share a flat with someone called Maria, who I later realised did look a lot like Marcia. But Maria wasn’t actually like Marcia – she was not as bossy for a start. Though she was a lovely person. Also our flat was at the top floor of a tall house in london and there were a lot of steps to climb. So maybe it was a little like the Wizard Tower. We certainly burned a lot of incense!
I am going to write a little more about Marcia’s personal life in book 7. I agree that Milo seems to be a ladies man but maybe he is not as bad as you–or Marcia–thinks.
Marcia isn’t really bothered about looking thin, she just likes messing with the mirror. Its a game, really. I think Marcia is pretty confident about the way she looks. It is true though, it is a girl thing.
April 17, 2012 at 2:35 pm
hi was was just reading through the first ask Angie and i saw someone ask why Marcia and Jenna don’t get along to well and you said it was just somthing that always happens with ExtraOrdinary wizards and queens and i started to wounder if that would happen to Septimus and Jenna if he becomes ExtraOrdinary wizard THNX
February 20, 2012 at 10:13 am
Hello jess,
I think they would just have to agree to disagree. Jenna already finds some of Sep’s Magyk a bit weird anyway. But whatever happens, I don’t think they will really fall out in the way it has happened with other Queens and EOWs in the past.
April 17, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Hi Angie
Must just say that I think you are awsom! And you are one of the best writer I know 
(one of) My favorite character is Marcia, She is definitely the best character I’ve had the pleasure of meeting (read abote). So my quations are ….
1. Do you know a real ‘Marcia’, a person you have been inspired by when you wrot Marcia??
2. I think…. I heard… somewere that Marcia was from North….Ice.. something. And that her dad workt for the Ice prinssec (I’m not sure x/ ) So I wonder how, and why Marcia come to the Castle?
Sorry if I speld somthing wrong
February 21, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Hello Julia,
thank you! I am so pleased you like Marcia, I love her too.
I did share a flat with someone called Maria and much, much later after I had written the first 3 Septimus books I realised that when I think of Marcia she looks like Maria. and Maria loved to wear purple! But Marcia’s character is not based on Maria, she is just herself, Marcia Overstrand. No one could be like Marcia, I think you would agree.
I do want to write a book about Marcia and how she came to the Castle, so I won’t say any more here. I need to really think about it when I have finished Fyre.
April 17, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Hey Angie,
I know you are busy with book 7 and I know I asked this question before but I am begging you:
Can you at least tell me that there is something under the Ice Tunnels??? I am dying to know and can you at least tell me it will be in another book if anything???
February 21, 2012 at 9:01 pm
More about the Ice Tunnels in Fyre!
April 17, 2012 at 2:43 pm
will there ever be copies of the dragon and the twoface ring for sale?
February 22, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Hello Alex,
I do really like that idea, but as yet there isn’t any Septimus merchandise on sale. Something to think about though….
April 17, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Hi Angie!
Hi, you might remember but i asked you about writing stories and being and author in my last question. Well, me and my best friend are obsesed about your Septimus Heap books. So we have been making some youtube videos of the books! So far we’re on chapter two of magyk (yes, it has taken a long, long, long, long time so far…) and made a fake commersial for the movie. We are Really big fans… None of them are on youtube yet but we are going to post them soon so can you watch them??? They will be under the account AmazingPurple! Thanks! And have you done auditions for the real movie yet???
-Yours truly,
Astrid
February 25, 2012 at 4:03 am
Hello astrid,
I would love to see what you have done, so let me know (you can post it here) and I will look. The real movie is not going nearly as fast as yours, sad to say. As far as I know they are not at the stage where they will be doing auditions.
April 17, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Hi
I just wondered what colour Jenna’s dress/robes are.
By the way, I love Septimus Heap.
From Maya
February 25, 2012 at 11:03 am
Helo Maya,
so pleased you love Septimus! Jenna wears red. With a little bit of gold trimming – of course.
April 17, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Hi!
I know a lot of people ask this but as of right now how many chapters have you revised?
And at the rate your going at right now when will fyre be out?
Thanks
nicole
February 25, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Hello Nicole,
I am on chapter 36 today. I will be sending FYRE to my editor on May 1st and then it goes into what is called copy edit. This is where all the niggly little things like punctuation marks and changing my British English to US English are fixed. But the book is scheduled for February 2013, however fast everything goes. Mark is working on the illustrations right now!
April 17, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Hi Angie,
I was just wondering if Marcia’s area/element of magyk is air, (hence being able to breathe life into people) then what are the other areas/elements of magyk, and what abilities go with them?
Also, jenna already knows that Beetle likes her doesn’t she?
Good luck with fyre!
February 26, 2012 at 9:28 am
Hello Pilio,
It seems to me that that would fit Marcia very well, although i don’t remember what element she chose for doing the triple… I think Sep chose air then?
Jenna knows tat Beetle likes her, but she kind of throws it away in Darke. We will have to see whether she realises what she has lost.
Thanks for your good wishes!
April 17, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Hello again angie
sorry I forgot to ask you something : what would you like to call your fans ?
and thank you
J.K.Rowling call her fans ” potterhead ” what would you like to call us ?
February 26, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Hello Alice,
I have been thinking about this ever since someone asked me that on Twitter. It would be brilliant to have a word now, I have thought of lots but nothing sounds quite as neat as potterhead! Do you have any ideas? What would you like to be called??? Perhaps we ought to ask everyone on here.
April 17, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Hi Angie,
I absolutely luv your books! (My favorite).
1. Will there be any romance between Marcia and Marcellus? I think it makes more sense than Milo/Marcia ’cause with Milo being Jenna’s dad and the fact that he keeps traveling makes it a very difficult.
2. Does Jillie Djinn return as a ghost?
3. Will Dawnie ever return to Stanley?
4. Does Jenna ever meet her mother’s ghost?
5. Did Betty Crackle feed the boy next door to the Grim? How did she feel about it? Was this what caused her to become slightly mad?
February 26, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Hello Kylie,
so glad you love the books!
Lots of your questions are answered in Fyre…
But I don’t think Dawnie does return to Stanley, and if you ask me that is for the best.
Yes, Betty did feed the boy to the Grim and you are right, it haunted her forever.
April 17, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Hey Angie
hello Angie i’m your biggest fan from India , Bangalore . And i wanted to know because the main reason the House Of Froyx existed was because of the questing stone so that the most talented apprentices get to go see Hotep Ra who is in the House of Froyx , no that Septimus drew the last Questing Stone what will happen to the House Of Froyx ????
Laya XX
February 27, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Hello Laya,
The House of Foryx will still be there as Hotep-Ra built it for himself, really, so that he could live forever in his own way. The Queste was just his way of keeping in touch without him having to go back to the Castle, but as we all know, it didn’t quite work out that way. There is a saying: the best laid plans of mice, men and Wizards do often go astray (except it is in scottish).
April 17, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Hi Angie,
I have been wondering this for a while, but since I haven’t found anyone else ask about it I’m not sure if I just read something wrong. Here it is anyway: In the end of Magyk it is said that the ghost of Alther Mella can’t be on Zelda’s island, since he hasn’t been there when he was alive, and in on of the later books (don’t remebmer which) it is said that he can be in the Queens secret room, since he ones accedentely teleported there from the Keeper’s Cottage. How is that poosible if he had never been there?
I also wonder if you know why the cover of “The Magykal Papers” isn’t the same in Sweden as on the website, even though they are both in english?
Love your books,
Kasper
February 29, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Hello Kasper,
Alther has been a bit of a problem with this. It turns out he;s been to a whole load more places than he told me. It is very annoying. And it is something I am going to have to look at seriously when I have a moment.
The MPs covers – the red one is published by Bloomsbury in the UK and the paper-coloured cover by HarperCollins in the USA. So both iare in English. So you can tell which kind of English you have from the colour of the cover. Unless you have a UK paperback then it is the same colour as the USA hardback. COnfused? Yup, me too….
April 17, 2012 at 3:12 pm
This is Nicole again. I forgot to ask on the last question.
can anyone in the castle be a subwizard or does it require magical powers?
Thanks
nicole
February 29, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Anyone can be a subwizard but you have to be a little Magykal to get any further. A subWizard knows the magyk but cannot do it well enough to be a Wizard.
April 17, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Angie,
In Queste (Chapter 25: Siege), Tertius calls for the draw for the 21st Apprentice Queste. In response, 19 ghosts gasped extra loud for their lost apprentices. Did a 20th apprentice survive (and make it back to tell someone)?
Also, why did Silas know the mannerisms of the doorman at the House of Foryx so well having never been there (or had he been there)?
I’m reaching here, but are the answers to those two questions related?
March 1, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Julius Pike lost two apprentices; one of them Syrah Syara. He probably gasped louder than the rest. I’m sorry that I’m not Angie, but I think she will answer your other question, to your liking. I too am eagerly awaiting her response,
March 12, 2012 at 6:23 pm
i should probably should nt be commeting but
thats because julius pike lost 2 of his apprentices to the quest
March 13, 2012 at 2:50 am
Hello Augusta,
you are right!
April 17, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Uh, Im not sure if I should be replying, but Silas probably knows thorugh myth, just like the Foryx, and the bottomless pit were known. Besides, he may know people who have been there before.
March 26, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Thanks Jariel,
you are right, and as you see, Silas’s father knew about it. He used to tell his sons the House of Foryx bedtime story, which was very popular.
April 17, 2012 at 3:30 pm
its a nice idea that the 2 are related but unfortunately they are not. Only 19 ghosts gasped because one of them – Julius Pike – had lost two Apprentices to the Queste. Silas had heard about the doorman from his father. But I know no more than that.
April 17, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Hi Angie!!! I saw that the title 4 your new book is Fyre, and I guessed that the title was going to be Fyre before you even started giving out hints!!! I think it’s weird, like a coincidence. Freaky!!!
Well, good luck writing Fyre!
From,
Sophie:)
March 1, 2012 at 4:43 pm
spookeeeeeee. Septimus is like that sometimes.
April 17, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Hi, Angie!
I am going on a mission trip to a school in Mexico and I started a fundraiser for buying books for the school. We raised over $1800
and bought a lot of books, but I would really like to get the Septimus Heap books in Spanish. I have looked online and only found the first book, but do you know, or could you please find out where I can purchase the whole, or most of, the series in Spanish?
Thank you!
P.S. My brother (the one who never read until I introduced him to Araminta Spookie) would like very much to know when the next Araminta book might be coming out
He has literally asked me at least once a week since about November when the next book comes out 
March 2, 2012 at 4:03 am
Hello Myka,
I do know that all the Sep heap books are out in Spanish, although Darke may not be yet. If you can’t find them online I think the best thing is to email the Spanish publishers and ask them. They should know.
I am sorry to say that I don’t know when there will be another Araminta. I don’t know if my publisher wants one just now. It is something I want to think about when Septimus is done.
Congratulations on raising so much money and I hope your trip goes very well.
April 17, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Hello Angie
My Son has a million word challenge for school. We have been trying to find the word count for your septimus heap books, We could only find the word count for Magik and Physik could you please help us.
March 2, 2012 at 4:24 am
Hello Miriam,
Sorry it has taken so long to reply, finishing Fyre took over big time. If it is not too late, then I think you can average out about 110,00 words per book. Flyte and Magyk are under that I think. Syren is over. Its hard to know exactly as my word count gives up at 100,000 and also the number does change throughout the editing process. I reckon if he read the whole series (!) he’d be up to about 800,000. Eek. That is a whole lot of words.
But the main thing is to enjoy what you read, don’t you think?
April 17, 2012 at 3:41 pm
hi this is a rather serious question compered to most on this site but anyways here goes do you really want Magyk to become a movie would you rather that it stayed a book so everyone could meet the real septimus
sorry id this question made you uncomfortable or nervouse but i had to ask anyways thanks Jess
March 2, 2012 at 5:06 am
Hello Jess,
well, what I would really like is for the movie to be true to Septimus (not slavishly folllow every word, of course, but to be recognisably Septimus) so that all the fans do not feel betrayed by it. This is very VERY important to me, but it is also difficult for me as, I now realise, I do not have much say in what the studio do. But whatever happens – and not a lot is happening right now – Septimus will always be a book. Always.
April 17, 2012 at 3:46 pm
i have a few quistins
1.is there going to be a septimus heap video game at anytime
2.i saw something about book 7 and it said the tirle was fyre
3.is septimus ever going to be eow
4. is extraoridanary pronounced extrodinary or extra ordinary
thanks
March 2, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Hello Ian,
1. I hope one day there might be a Septimus game, but there are no plans at the moment.
2. yes, it is FYRE!
3. You will have to wait and see…
4. It is pronounced Extra Ordinary.
April 17, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Hi, I was wondering if ther are other Wizard Tower, in other countries, in the Septimus Heap world?? And if so, other EOW’s?? or is the castles tower “the one and only”?
I live in sweden (so my speling isn’t that great xD) and I have just finisht Darke, it is awsom. I think you are amazing<3 ^^
It felt like Marcia had a bigger part/roll in Darke, wicht I LOVE, shes fantastic. Thank you fore introducing me to her, my life would have been much more boring without her<3
again, sorry for my bad English. I HAVE to stop sleeping in English class xD
March 3, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Hello Julia,
I am so glad you loved Darke! Yes, I think Marcia did have a bigger role in this one. It is a balance between giving her a lot to do or Septimus.
There are other EOWs all around the world although they may well be called by different titles. There is only one Wizard Tower – Hotep Ra did not build any others – but there are many other equally amazing Magykal centres of excellence.
For someone who sleeps in English lessons your English is very good!
April 17, 2012 at 4:06 pm
wotcha angie!!!!!
i was wondering if you could post all the symbols of the great undoing and the wording ( oh and was the start and finish of the great undoing (start with magyk and end with fyre) purposeful (you know, the link between your books and the great undoing)
oh, and also what are some darke symbols. thanks!!!!!!!
-O. beetle beetle
March 3, 2012 at 11:49 pm
wotcha Beetle!!
I will look at the symbols when I have really finished with Fyre. it is something i would like to do – one of my many indexing things for Septimus!
April 17, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Why do Marcia dislike dogs and cats? Is that related to something special, or is it just so?
(I like Marcia, she is…Don´t know how to describe it, you know nice but tough)
PS. Excuse my English, I´m from sweden.
March 4, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Hello Ella,
well, cats leave fur everywhere and scratch your beautiful sofa to pieces (not to mention having a penchant for hanging out with witches). Dogs smell and leave hairs all over the place and their tails smash your favourite Fragile Fairy pots to bits.
For Marcia, all these things are a no no.
Your English is good!
April 17, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Hey Angie!
Wow, cool new look for the webpage. I can’t wait for Fyre!
I have a few questions:
1.I’ve been wanting to ask: I have a kindle touch, so I wanted to know if the book is going to be properly formatted for the kindle. I’m saying this because how all the pictures were kind of weird when I saw them. And the map was so small!
2. What is your approach on meat and vegetarians and stuff? (I’m a meat person, soooooo…)
3. Could there be a graphic novelization of Sep Heap? (that would be really cool.)
4. While we’re on that topic, how ’bout a video game?
Now for some actual book questions:
5. What period of history would this best fit into? While in history, my class was discussing feudalism, and I suddenly thought Septimus Heap.
6. You might have to think a bit on this one. If Sep had a chance to put a bunch of things in a time capsule for the future, what would they be?
Thanks,
Jariel.
P.S. Tell Shauki I said hi and thanks for editing my questions!
March 6, 2012 at 1:15 am
Hello Jariel,
Yes, I like the new look too. Shauki is really great!
1. I have heard that Kindle doesn’t do illustrations so well. I guess it is really something to take up with Amazon. But for maps, nothing looks as good as it does on paper, I reckon.
2. Meat …. veggies … all is fine. Personally I am an omnivore.
3. I would love there to be some Sep Graphic novels. Another thing to think about at the end of FYRE!
4. Yep, that too. But this is all big stuff.
5. Sep Heap echoes lots of periods of history – and also creates its own, I hope. I don’t think it is feudal really as people do not owe allegiance to anyone as happened in feudal society. But there is a retro medieval feel lurking somewhere, I guess.
6. I wonder what he would put in? A few Charms, I am guessing. Some drawings of the Wizard Tower. And some books he is thinking of writing about his experiences.
April 17, 2012 at 4:19 pm
hello again
i was bored and reading some of your old posts you said at the end of some event the people who said the password (tentacle) would get something draggony
i wanted to know what it was
Laya xx
March 6, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Hello Laya,
It was (and still is) a little spit fyre pin.
April 17, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Dear Angie.
I’ve got numerous questions..
One – At the end of Darke, the section about what happened in the darke domaine and afterwards, Spit Fyre’s section included that he was almost full grown, I understand the next book title is Fyre, will it be focusing on Spit Fyre, and if it is, will there be more dragon fight scenes like between the Darke Dragon and Spit Fyre?
Two – Is Simon now an ally to the Wizards?
Three – Will Fyre include a bit on Syrah (Syren)? Will she be getting out of the Disenchanting Chamber? Or will Septimus just visit her a few times like in Darke?
Four – How old was Septimus at the end of Darke? I remember Marcia saying he was Twelve in Queste, but has he had another birthday or…?
March 7, 2012 at 3:44 am
at the end of darke septimus is fourteen because they are celebrating his and Jenna’s 14 birthday.
March 20, 2012 at 4:05 pm
That’s right!
April 11, 2012 at 3:35 pm
well, I don’t want to give too much away about Fyre, but its not really about Spit Fyre this time. he had his moment of glory in Darke. The rest you will find out in Fyre… when he will be fourteen and a bit.
April 17, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Hi angie, i was re-re-re-reading Queste (yes i am a die-hard septimus heap fan, and queste is my favorite book) and i was wondering, it says, well sep says, when Sep, Jen, and Beetle are in the tree house Sep says he would rather be in Physik Then Magic, Will this be explored more in Fyre?
Also(not all of these q’s are from queste):
Are all Queens Eyes purple magenta pinkish?
Why did both parts of the Flyte charm kind of work when they were separated, wouldn’t they count as a broken charm?
Will we see more of Aunt Zelda in Fyre? She is my favorite charecter, along with beetle!
March 7, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Hello Roni,
Sep continues to findit difficult to choose between Magyk and Physik – and Alchemie. This does carry on in Fyre.
Yes, all queen’s eyes are violet, although some of darker/lighter/paler/brighter than others.
The Flyte Charm is part of an ancient group of Charms whose Magyk is so powerful that they will work (a little) even when broken.
Aunt Zelda will be in Fyre – just a little.
April 17, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Since Jenna is a witch does that mean she is magykal now? Will Sep teach her magyk? Thanks !
March 10, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Jenna is not a proper witch – only enough to fool a rather daft window. But she likes the cloak and the feeling of security it sometimes gives her.
April 11, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Hey Angie,
I was just wondering what the 49 words are that make up the “The Great UnDoing” in Darke? I love the whole Septimus Heap series, and can’t wait for more. Thanks in advance!!! -Krystle
March 11, 2012 at 1:24 am
Hell Krystle,
that would be telling. Some things are best left unknown…
April 17, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Dear Ms. Sage
I was wondering about how in Syren, when Syrah collapsed, how exactly could the fact that she loved Julius make her go into a coma for so long? My dad’s a doctor and he read the books first so it confuses me.
Thanks
Hestia
March 13, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Hello Hestia,
Syrah collapsed at the realisation that she was in another Time. UP until them she was holding up but that was such a shock that it allowed the effects of her Possession to finally take over. I am guessing that the effects of Possession by a Possessive Spirit are not yet taught at Medical School! I reckon it is similar to how people become weakened by a shock and then fall prey to all kinds of things that have been lurking in their system.
April 17, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Hey Angie
Will Fyre include MORE about the dragon boat, and will Sep play with the sled again??
sorry for such silly questions , and thank you
I HOPE
Shadi
ps:do u have a Lebanese agent or something so u could come to lebanon
March 13, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Hello Shadi,
Not silly questions at all! But one of them will be in Fyre. You will have to wait and see which!
I don’t have a Lebanese agent, but I think a visit is usually arranged by the publisher if they think it would be a good thing to do.
April 17, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Dear Ms. Angie Sage, (or any other fans who can help)
First of all, I am a HUUUUGE fan of Septimus Heap, and i am eagerly awaitng Books-A-Million to get Darke in paperback, but i am doing a book report and would like some advice. What would Septimus Heap’s favorite song be in Queste? I have absolutely NO idea and figured, who better to ask than the writer herself? Many thanks!
March 13, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Hello!
I do hope this isn’t too late for your book report.
Well, it certainly isn’t the Weasel song… It is something he one heard someone singing in the Castle when he was in the Young Army. The thing is, he heard Sarah Heap singing it and it made him feel happy. It was a silly song about sunshine coming through a window and looking like stars.
April 17, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Hi, my name is Julia, and I am a huge fan.
). And I think that is great and the pictures are amazing, but it’s a little thing that bothers me …. sorry Marcia’s hair color :/
I recently bought The Magykal Papers (yes, I know it came out a really long time ago, but it has not happened since I have been waiting for it to be translated into Swedish, with the contractions do not like it will happen
It says several times in bökerna that her hair is black, but on page 64, Mark Zug painted it brown.
Besides, the painting is great, but it always makes me stop and wonder why he painted it tan every time I scroll in the book, it’s a little disturbing.
Why, he painted it brown, and why did you let it be brown?
Or is it something I have missed and Marcia are actually brown?
P.S sorry for my english
Love Julia
March 14, 2012 at 11:02 am
Hello Julia,
well, it was Mark’s interpretation, but you are right, she does have black hair. I am trying to remember if we did ask him to paint it darker. But with a book like this there is so much to think about…
April 17, 2012 at 4:43 pm
hiii!!! angie!!!
skip all things b.c.) medieval, industrial, modern, technological, and MAGYKAL) anyway, why don’t you usually write about the wording of the spells??? you just say something like:and then sep did a LOCK,STOP AND BAR. ’cause i think it would be great to know the spells that they do in your books…
I was wondering if the sep heap books were supposed to take place in our world except a different time, if so do they take place before, or after this present (I think it would be really cool if like, the history of this earth was
also, is there a country that dosn’t use MAGYK, and just uses guns & coal & stuff like that??.
anyway, I forgot my other two questions that I have been thinking about, so thanks!!!
-O. beetle beetle( go on my website to figure out my real name!!!!)
http://home.comcast.net/~hypernova/site/
March 14, 2012 at 7:31 pm
wotcha again!
Sometimes I don;t say the words as it slows things down a lot. Spells are often used at an exciting port of the story and so I need to be sure that the action just keeps on going. But this is another thing on my index list!!
In Sep’s world Magyk is pretty much everywhere. But some places are a little more backward and still use the clunky stuff like we do.
April 17, 2012 at 4:45 pm
oh! oh! i remember!!! does your world have years & months & weeks like we do? ( I know they have the same kind of days & minutes like we do, just years & months & weeks??)
thanks!!!!
-C.H.S. O. beetle beetle
March 14, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Yes they do!
April 11, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Dear Angie,
does this mean any thing to you? “destiny of the jade the sky green and red, both make you dead. ” a friend and I (well my friend did) heard the water (yes, I did say water) say these words. if it helps, earlyer that day my friend found 2 peices of cloth and they were red and green. He wrapped them up in a purple cloth and squeezed them as tightly as he could. when he opened it up again, they were gone. also my friend was wearing the flag of Italy (green, white and red) and I think white is the colour of anti-Darke and at first I thought it was just to show how strong the thieves were (yes I did mean Darke steal), but later the water said this thing in a face with a rat’s nest. so, does it mean anything to you?
please reply
P.S. is there more than one way to hatch a dragon egg – I think there is but I wondered if you knew more.
March 14, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Hello Max,
ooh, that sounds very spooooookie. But no, it doesn’t mean anything to me, who knows what it might mean…
There is only one way to hatch a dragon egg!
April 11, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Dear Angie,
Earlier I heard that you said you had finished 52 chapters and was on the last one. So I was just curious, are there going to be fifty-three chapters? Are four chapters extra (since you always do 49+an extra)? And if they aren’t, why would you change from the
7X7 or 7 squared formula? (both being 49)
Thanks,
Jariel
P.S.
On what basis do you check our questions? I don’t mean to be rude, but I was a bit disappointed when I found my previous post wasn’t answered.
March 14, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Hi Jariel,
I’m really sorry that your post hasn’t been answered. I have been away from the internet writing the last tricky bits of Fyre and didn’t realise how long I had left everything!
Sometimes I start answering where I left off (which is the fairest really) but sometimes I begin with the latest one (not fair at all, I know) and sometimes, like now, I just hop around to different ones. But now I have finished the really tough bit of the book I will keep coming back until I have answered everything. I shall next log on on tuesday when I get my computer back… it is going in to computer surgery get sorted out.
I have joined up a lot of chapters now and I don’t think anyone will see the joins. And I got rid of one that was not needed. Because, yes, of course, there has to be 49!
April 11, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Hi Angie,
I am a huge fan from Tasmania, Australia and was wondering what I have to do to get my collection of your books signed by you?
Kind Regards
Brodie McHenry
March 15, 2012 at 8:52 am
Hi Brodie,
Well, as far as I know I am not coming to Tasmania yet – although I would really love to!
I think the best thing for you to do is send a letter to the publisher of the books and ask them to send it on to me. Then I can send you some signed sticky things to go in your books.
April 17, 2012 at 4:48 pm
hi, max again.
have you heard of the 7 layered egg or halley’s comet?
do they mean anytyhing to you? also did the Darke turn into a void?
March 15, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Hi Max,
never heard of the egg (tho’ it sounds interesting). But yes, I have heard and seen Halley’s comet. Well … I think it was Halley’s comet. Didn’t it come around in the 90s?
No, the Darke just dissipated. It lost its power and that was that.
April 17, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Hi angie,
I have a couple questions. As for I am a person who is obsessed with your books
anyways, here are my questions:
1. In your book, The Magykal Papers, i know this is a random question but it mentions that Marcia moved to the castle when she was 5 because something happened with her dad and the Eastern Snow Princess. So did she come from the Eastern Snow lands?
2. And if the Eastern Snow Princess was a character in one of your books what color eyes would she have?
3. Is the extra-ordinary wizard the only one allowed to wear purple?
Thanks! I cant wait for Fyre!
March 16, 2012 at 12:27 am
Hello Gabi,
No, she didn’t but I think her parents lived there when she as born. I want to spend a lot more time on Marcia when young!
Snow Princesses have very very pale blue eyes.
It is only by custom that the EOW is the only one to wear purple. You could wear it if you wanted, but everyone would laugh and think you were getting daft ideas. There are occasionally protest movements where everybody wears purple but they don’t last long as purple is not an easy colour to wear.
April 17, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Dear Angie,
I’m a 13 years old girl and I’m currently working on a story. I know this sound like it’s going to end very bad, but I’ve really thought about this one, and I just finished the first chapter. As I was re-re-re-re-re-reading Magyk I ased myself if you ever got tierd of writing the book? Did you ever get a block so that you couldn’t write more and took a break?
Also I just want to thank you ALOT for writing the Septimus Heap series, it really got me into books and writing, thank you.
I’m at the star of Darke, and I really hope to read alot of awesomeness!
March 17, 2012 at 10:22 am
Hello Dragnile,
Thank you, I am just so pleased that Septimus got you into writing too! that is wonderful.
And yes, I did get tired of writing – it is hard work, as you know! But the thing to do is take a bit of time away from it and to try not to think about it when you do. Writer’s Block always sounds so kind of important, but really it is just what happens when you can’t write anymore because you have been doing too much of it. Or when you run out of ideas, which does happen and can be a little scary.
But good luck with your writing!
April 17, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Hey Angie,
Things have been slow here in the US… so I’ve been re-reading the SH series over again. I wanted to ask a few questions…
1.Are there EOWs anywhere else in the world besides the Castle?
2.If not, do all wizards belong under the authority of Marcia? (which I very much doubt)
3.If there are other EOWs, where are they located?
4.How do the forest ways work? Is this some kind of ancient Magyk?
5.Do you have anything against cabbages?
Thanks,
Jariel
March 17, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Hello jariel,
Hope things have speeded up a little!
1. There are indeed EOWs all over the place, but they are not all called by that name.
2. No self-respecting Wizard is ever under the authority of another Wizard. Can you imagine what Marcia would say to that?
3. Lots of locations, but all are far enough away from each other so that there are no disputes.
4. Forest Ways are very ancient Magyk. They operate in the same way as the Queen’s Way. and the Great Ocean Way.
5. I have nothing personal against cabbages. But when i went to school the whole place used to smell of boiled cabbage at lunchtime. It was not good.
April 17, 2012 at 5:05 pm
is the whole series in roman times? where is the wizard tower? what are the words of the great undoing and is it possible to make a second undoing?
please answer my questions – it could be a matter of life and death!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 17, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Hello max,
I trust this late reply has not led to any danger…
The words of the Great UnDoing will make their way into the index sometime. No, there is no second UnDoing. Once is enough.
It is not set in Roman Times and the WT is nowhere we would recognise right now.
April 17, 2012 at 5:08 pm
hi angie
i myself was wondering .does sara syra wake up
.does sep love her or something
.are you going to keep the books going till sep become eow
.is beetle ever gong to admit to jenna that he likes her
.how is fyre going
.does nicko miss snorri
.does the dragon boat wake up
.how far are you on fyre
.is jenna a little snobish at the end of darke to you
did i spell anything wrong i felt like i did. please answer my questions
bye taylor
March 17, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Hello Taylor,
lots of your questions will be answered in Fyre! I have nearly finished revising Fyre now and soon it will go back to my editor and the copy edit will begin. Mark has already begun working on the illustrations.
I don’t think jenna got snobbish at the end of Darke … not really. Maybe she is getting is little princessy at times. But that does go with the job.
Your spelling was very good – all I could see was snobish, which is really snobbish. Maybe you missed the question marks and that was what made you feel that? Lovely questions, thank you!
April 17, 2012 at 5:13 pm
so since queen Etheldredda is jennas great great great great great great great great great great great (and then some) grandma and her son is marcellus pye and he would take her last name that would technically make Jenna, Jenna pye right?
March 18, 2012 at 3:50 am
Not exactly. The Queen always was the ruler, but also took the name of their husband. There would have been a different last name for the Queen/Princess every generation. Her father is Milo Banda, so she would be Jenna Banda.
March 24, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Hello Noah and Connor,
The Queens don’t take anyone’s name, they have an ancient name all of their own which is secret. The boys, however, do take their father’s name. Marcellus’s father was a very downtrodden man named Edgar Pye.
April 17, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Dear Angie
i love your work and am writing a author study on you! what are your 3 favourite things?
March 18, 2012 at 5:08 am
Hello Georgia,
eek, why is that so difficult? I expect I am answering too late for your study but some things I like:
clear green sea
sunshine
cherries
laughing
parties with good friends and good music
April 17, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Hi Angie i would just like to thank you for the septimus heap series. It in my personal opinion is the GREATEST book series EVER i am a book worm and i have read twilight and harry potter and i think septimus heap is 100 times better and i cannot wait for the seventh book i finished all the books the day after i got them because i a can’t put them down!!! When i finished Darke i was laughing crying and hoping the were would be a seventh book and now i know there is a seventh book i am doing my happy dance!! I cannot wait for the movie i told my um that she will have to take me immediately. I am eleven and i cannot thank you enough for septimus heap. I had just finished harry potter and then i saw septimus and i knew. It was brilliant. Well listen to me babbling on thank you and i have to ask you is the anything to going on between septimus and Jenna ? Because in Darke i seemed that Jenna had a crush on Sep and beetle was jealous of him. Any thanks for sep and the dragon.
March 19, 2012 at 11:13 pm
Hello Katie Jane,
well, thank you that is really really lovely! letters like yours makes all the writing worthwhile!
There isn’t really anything going on between Jenna and Sep but I do think that at times both has wondered whether they like the other a LOT. But in the end they have both realised that they are very, very good friends. And they do have very different views on Magyk, not to mention being seen as brother and sister even though they are not.
I don’t think Beetle was jealous of Septimus because of Jenna, it was more because everyone seemed to want Septimus for something and Beetle, who was having a difficult time workwise, was not feeling at all valued. He just felt second best. Particularly with Jenna. But all that has changed now.
April 17, 2012 at 5:26 pm
dear angie when i was reading magyk for the eighteenth time i started to wonder how many septimus heap books you are going to write by the way congratulations to darke i love it
March 21, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Helo Edwin,
WOW 18 times!
So glad you like Darke too. I am going to do 7 books in the main series but now I am thinking about maybe doing a smaller trilogy to go with the series. Nothing certain yet as I am still finishing Fyre…
April 10, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Hello Angie,
I am a young author and I noticed that both our books have characters with the same names (Jenna, Simon, almost Nicko too actually), yet very different personalities. Can I have your permission to name one of my book characters Silas, but probably end up not making him like Silas. Also, can you answer a couple of questions for an English Project? Here they are:
1. How would you transition between plot episodes? (i.e. moving from a bit of a small filler arc to continuing the main plot arc.)
2. On a scale of 1-10, how would you say how difficult it is to bring up events from a past book into a following book? If it is relatively simple: could you explain?
3. What inspires you to write what you write?
March 21, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Hello Cameron,
well, co-incidences happen and there is no copyright on names! But sometimes it is good to keep a distance from similar books by making the names your own so that no one can accuse you of taking too many ideas. That is why I don’t read other fantasy, so that other ideas and names do not creep into my own writing.
Plotwise, I just go with the characters and the feel of the book – I don’t do the more technical appraoch to writing. The important thing is to take your readers with you. Don’t jump around too much. You can also do a lot by sticking to one pont of view if you are changing to different parts of the plot – don’t switch to something totally new with new characters as well.
With backstory you have to make it sound natural, not as though you are giving a lecture on what has happened before. It can be difficult, sometimes you can get info across by making it part of a conversation. If you have to be authorial about it, keep it short. And be careful where you put it – don’t break off an exciting bit to fill readers in on historical stuff. It can be tricky, but you will get a feel for when it works. And when it doesn’t. I go by gut feeling – if you are bored writing it, your readers will be bored reading it.
I don’t know what inspires me… I just want to tell a good story and I have been lucky enough to find a world I love writing about. I think I do like discovering alternative worlds – where the people are just like us….
Good luck with your worlds too!
April 10, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Hi Miss Sage I am a big fan of the Septimus heap series and i would like to ask you about Jenna. Will she aver become Queen and will her birth mother Queen Cerys ever appear to her? Also in Darke I noticed that Jenna had a small crush on Septimus I do not know if I am imagining thing’s but it seemed that Jenna had a crush on Sep and that’s why beetle was jealous of him. I know that other people have asked you that but they are only adopted brother and sister and the first few months they didn’t even know they were adopted brother and sister and i think in Magyk at Aunt Zelda’s cottage Jenna liked him. Any way thank you for Sep and the Dragon.
Katie Jane
March 21, 2012 at 5:55 pm
sorry about the two messages i meant to cancel one but my computer crashed and i obviously didn’t work.
March 21, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I get the same stuff with mine too!
April 10, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Hello Katie Jane,
You will see about Jenna by the end of the series! Yes, Jenna did kind of like Septimus that way but as time has gone on they have become more like brother and sister because that is how they have been living. It’s true they are not related at all, but they do now see each other as siblings and very good friends!
April 10, 2012 at 4:34 pm
hello angie
1.why did hotep-ra decide to build the wizard tower in the first place?
2.how did the ice tunnels freeze?(did it have anything to do with the great alchimie disaster)
3.how did the 2 ice tunnel ghosts get out because the hatches were sealed and ghost can’t hold stuff unless there a substanible spirt?(this happend in queste if you forgot by acident)
March 22, 2012 at 1:02 am
Hi Ian,
Hotep Ra knew that the castle was an ancient Magykal place – the perfect place to keep his Magyk strong. And he wanted an excuse to stay near the Queen, too.
Ghosts can DeCompose and go through anything tat that had once gone through in life – which is what happened with the Stones.
And more info about the rest in Fyre!
April 10, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Dear Angie,
Thanks!
I was wondering, I am currently reading dark and I would like to know if Marcellus will ever get another apprentice and restore Alchemy and Physik back to the castle? Also, are you planning anything with Sep’s grandpa the tree? There are a few unanswered questions about a few characters and I’m hoping you will answer them in the next book. By the way, congrats on the movie, and good luck getting it up and running! You are a great author and I tore through these books like a madman!
March 22, 2012 at 2:16 am
Hi Connor,
Thanks! Some of your questions are answred in Fyre, but not all. I might have to think about putting something in about Uncle Benji…
April 10, 2012 at 4:28 pm
hi Angie
i have a question about Hugo Tenderfoot
is he Bo’s great great (and many more greats) grand father? if so who did Hugo marry ?
March 22, 2012 at 2:56 am
Yes, he is Bo’s great, great (and then some) grandfather. He married Mary Marnley, an apothecary.
April 10, 2012 at 4:26 pm
I have been checking the last few posts and It looks like you wont be replying anytime soon, but I can wait I guess. Are you touring to Australia in the near future anytime soon. We really need more international Authors touring Down Under. And Will there actually be a of the Septimus Heap Series. Also, My friends and I are writing a book we are up to about chapter 3 and we started about 4 weeks ago. can you send some helpful tips for us and in what time should you finish a book? If you answer that would be widley appreciated!
March 22, 2012 at 7:52 am
Hello just me!
Yes, I’ve been away from here a while as I’ve been trying to get Fyre really finished and working well. Nearly there now!
I do really hope to come to Australia! I came to Perth lit fest a couple of years ago and will be dropping heavy hints about coming back for FYRE.
And writing a book – well, it takes as long as it takes, as they (annoyingly) say. It depends how long it is and how complicated. And on all sorts of other things, like how much time you have. I write about 1000 words a day (or try to). Its wuite a big task you have set yourself! But if you have good ideas and the words are working well, just keep going until the end.
April 10, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Are you gonna make more books because my freind ally and I LOVE your series and want to hear from more books
March 22, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Hello Jessica,
I am thinking of doing some new Septimus outside the main series. Nothing is fixed up yet. But I hope so!
April 10, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Hi Angie. Just to let you know I am crazy about Septimus Heap! I love your books! Here are some questions-
1. Will Beetle give up on Jenna? Because he has sort of found that she doesn’t like him as much since she didn’t stay for long after… you know in Darke.
2. If someone travelled back in time over the 500 years, would Marcellus always be there,? Sorry I don’t really know how to put this question into words. For example if someone travelled 250 years back in time, or maybe 100, or 300, would Marcellus be there every time?
3. What do THINGS eat? Maybe you mentioned it in the books but I’m not sure…
4. Does Merrin know that Nursie is his mum?
5. Will Syrah wake up in Fyre? And does Septimus like her? I guess he does, because in Darke he visits her and this section on page 50 “He had grown to care … not possible” made me think a little.
xxpaperclip123xx
March 23, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Hello paperclip!
So please you love Septimus!
Some of your questions are answered in Fyre… so I won’t spoil it.
But yes, Marcellus would always be there – just gettingolder. But you would have to really go looking for him as he would be hiding down in the Old Way for most of the time.
Things eat anything – but preferably dead and mouldy stuff. Dead spiders are a favourite. Rotting cabbage. If we had Things around now they would eat roadkill.
April 10, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Oh do please tell us that you intend to maintain the same sort of iron-fisted control that Ms. Rowling demonstrated when her books were translated to film. All your fans would hate to see a Hollywood calamity like, say, “Eragon”, re-occur with the Septimus series.
Please promise that you wont let movie makers butcher your books!
March 24, 2012 at 1:37 am
Hello Al,
Unfortunately I have nothing like the control JK Rowling had. I can only offer advice – which does not have to be taken. But thanks for your comment about calamities. I do SO agree.
April 10, 2012 at 4:11 pm
hi i was woundering if when you get mail from the publisher cos i have read in the ask angies (i have read them all start to finish) that an mail is sent to your publisher and then they send it to you and i was woundering if you opened the fan mail.
March 24, 2012 at 9:59 am
Hello Jess,
yes, I do always read fan mail – I love it! And I do alwaysanswer too, though recently I have been really slow as writing takes up all my head space.
April 10, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Dear Angie,
I thought this was a really great question and I saw it went unanswered, so I have posted it again below.
Dear Angie,
I was wondering if you could elaborate on what the Great
Catastrophe was that caused the creation of the ice tunnels?
Also is the catrock light and the technology under the isles of syren hinting at a lost advanced civilization like an atlantis?
March 24, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Hi Connor,
Well, I would like to wait until Fyre is out and then answer this! Good question, though.
April 10, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Hi Angie!
Just had a question. What is the full text of the Paired Codes? Because in the book, in only says “Let there be…” and I’m very curious. Besides, what would they say in the movie (if they made one)?
Thanks,
Jariel
March 24, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Hi Jariel,
It’s very long and also kind of boring, which is why it did not go in the book. I have it in a notebook which – aargh – I can’t find. So I wouldn’t be a lot of use in a Darke Domaine emergency either.
April 10, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Hey Angie!
I started to read the Septimus Heap books in 7th grade and have some questons for you.
1. Does Syra wake up in Fyer?
2. When does Septimus’ story take place? (In the past or did magyk change the present?)
3. Does Septimus like Syra?
I know you cant anser some of my questons because of spoilers, but thanks for reading them! I’m SO looking forword to Fyer!
From your bigest Septimus fan ever!
March 25, 2012 at 1:54 am
Hi Lina,
I am really pleased you love Sep Heap so much! But I hope you don’t mind if I don’t answer your questions as they are all answered in Fyre – which I am doing a final rewrite for at the moment!
April 10, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Hi Angie
I am your biggest fan and i am so obsessed with the septimus heap books that sometimes I stay up till 2:00 am.now on to the questions
1.in Physik why does Queen Etheldredda come out of the painting in the first place
2.Why in Magyk does the matron take septimus away in the beginning of the story
3.and in Flyte how did simon get thunder, and how did simon get the Flyte charm anyway
March 25, 2012 at 4:01 am
Hello Jessica,
that’s great – reading late at night is the best! I still read far too late.
1. QE comes out of the picture because Silas UnSeals the room it is in.
2. The Matron Midwife has been told to by DomDaniel. It is all part of his plot to get Septimus for his Appretnice.
3. Thunder is Simon’s horse, he got him when he was workign for DomDaniel. And DD had the Flyte Charm too.
April 10, 2012 at 3:58 pm
wotcha angie!!!!!
I was just wondering, does anything explode in fyre???
I think that would be really cool……
anyway, thanks!!!!!
-O.beetle beetle
March 26, 2012 at 5:04 pm
I am trying to think whether anything does explode and all I can say it does come very close…
April 10, 2012 at 3:51 pm
‘nother question:
who is shauki anyway??????
March 26, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Shauki is the lovely guy who set this site up and keeps it going.
April 10, 2012 at 3:50 pm
oh! oh! and do you think septimus heap LEGOs would be cool?????
thanks!!!
-O.beetle beetle
March 26, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Sep Heap lego would be extreeeeeeemly cool!
April 10, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Are there any “bits” of Fyre or any of the earlier books that ended up edited out for space reasons? It would be great if you could end up posting them on this web site, perhaps after Fyre is published.
Jerri
March 27, 2012 at 1:05 am
Hello Jerri,
Most bits get edited out because they don’t work. I might fish through Fyre afterwards and see (as I have got rid of quite a lot of stuff) but in a way once the book is done, the other things seem odd. Like they don’t belong.
April 10, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Hi, Angie,
I’m doing this project for school; we have to ask somebody questions about career choice. So, I found most of the answers on your FAQs, but there are some questions left that you could maybe answer?
1. Are you in a career that you had originally planned for during college?
2. Were there particular courses or experiences in high school that paved the way for your career choice?
3. What job skills or personality traits are important for one to have in order to work as a writer?
4. Are there courses that you took/skills you learned in high school that you felt would not be of value but turned out to be useful after all?
5. What is the most challenging part of your job?
6. The most rewarding?
7. If you could go back in time, would you do differently in relation to your career?
Thanks!
March 27, 2012 at 1:23 am
Hi Evy,
sorry about being so late – hope it is not toooooooo late!
here goes with the answers.
1. No, I never planned to be a writer (though if you had asked me if I woud like to be one, I would have said YES!)
2. Yes – I took English, History and Art and I have used all three.
3. Hmm… well it helps to like being on your own. To be able to organise your time. To be very determined to keep going. To not listen to too much negative stuff. To be curious and interested in everything. And to love words and reading.
4. Well, I suppose I thought that most of what i did had some use. They were all good basic stuff I needed to know.
5. I ithnk the most challenging thing is keeping going – being confident that what you are doing is actually worth doing. And also continuing to do good stuff.
6. The most rewarding is when other people really get it! When they love what you write.
7. I wouldn’t do anything different (except worry less). It was all the weird twists and turns in life that got me here. I would be somewhere else if things had been different…
hope that is some help – and in time, too!
April 10, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Hi Angie!
Will you do a tour in Canada for the final book? I love Septimus Heap, and I finished Darke in 6 hours! I would love to get a chance to meat you!
By the way, are there other coves besides the Port Witch Cove? ( The Land of the Long Nights With Coven:))
Thanks a lot for your time and your great series,
Adam
March 27, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Dear Angie,
Are the bullets inscribed with initials (like the one inscribed with I.P.) go along with magyk in anyway, like are they enchanted?
March 27, 2012 at 9:10 pm
OH yes one more thing! I am going to school on book character day as Jenna and I want to know whether her dress is more maroon or more red, because in the Magykal Papers in her portrait it looks more maroon but in the books you say that it’s red… so I was wondering. Oh yes, I was looking at the portrait and I wanted to ask a few (yes they ARE a few… really!) questions:
1) I noticed the MZ sign… does it stand for Mark Zug?
2) What is Jenna holding?
3) What is she touching with her other hand?
4) Is she wearing the cloak from PHYSIK when she was on the Robing Room with Sep?
xxpaperclip123xx
April 1, 2012 at 12:57 pm
will there be more books after Fyre because Septimus heap is the best series ever !!!! Your biggest fan Sharon Farrell
April 1, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Hey Angie I love your books . What inspired you to write Septimus Heap books
April 1, 2012 at 11:49 pm
hi angie, i have to do a author report on you and i need to know your who your parents are and your fears. I would love to get a response and i know your busy so the please try to thanks for your time.
April 2, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Hello Angie ! Is this real tath you live with 3 ghost
April 2, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Will Snorri be in the last book? I really like her… And what about Simon? Is hi in it? He’s always been one of my favorites(I only ever disliked him in the first book) And also, is Beetle in there, i keep over analyzing and thinking that after what happened in Darke he’s sorta completed his own little story and won’t be in Fyre, but the thought actually makes me want to cry…
Sorry, i know it’s all me asking if some characters are going to be in the next one, but i stay up all night worrying about it!
April 4, 2012 at 5:20 am
I posted these questions, January but haven’t got any answers. In case you haven’t notice them I’m going to ask again:
1.Why People dislike alchemists so much?
2.Is Fyre going to be about destroying the two faced ring?(Because in Darke Marcellus suggested that he would start up Fyre in his alchemist chamber)
3.How is Syrah pronounced?
4.I think you know that I love your books so much but to be honest with you I didn’t like the way that Marissa made Jenna witch if Darke movie came out can you please cut that?It’s disgusting
April 4, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Dear Angie,
I am very looking forward to “Fyre”, and I am amazed at the new book covers.
Although, I have a few questions that keep nagging me, that prevent me from falling asleep at night.
1) As the series progress, does Septimus pronounce Wolf Boy’s army number as , four oh nine still, or does he call him four hundred and nine for short?
2) For the book covers, is it a boy, or a girl in the photo? Its hard for me to tell, and I mean no disrespect.
3)Will Mark Zug be drawing photos of our friends from the Septimus Heap series as adults, or will there be a different artist for the photos of “Fyre”? ( I am looking forward to photos of Wolf Boy as an adult hehe)
4)In Syren, is the Grim pronounced gruh-ihm or gruh-Aim? It just seems that “grim” can be sounded out as GRIME.
Sorry for the long reply, and I hope you can answer at least a question of mine, thanks ^^
April 4, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Omg. Does anyone know the name of book 7?Thanks if anyone could answer me.<3 : ]
April 4, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Woah Angie… seems like you have loads of questions to answer!
Anyway, I wanted to know how the Pot became corrupted in the first place. Since it was over the years, what is the major reason of the corruption?
Also, are the new cover styles going to used for Fyre? (although it was for the UK, I was curious)
On top of that, I wanted to know what was (or is) your position on SOPA and laws like it?
April 5, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Dear Angie,
I’m a big fan of your books! I’ve been counting down the days until Fyre comes out I read all of your books in 2010 and totally forgot about this website! Here is my question:
Will Septimus ever fall in love because everyone in the book is slowly falling in love but, I haven’t noticed much happen with Septimus?
Thanks!
April 6, 2012 at 9:53 pm
wotcho angie
whos your favorite(s) charecter
does merrin know that nursie is his mum
if there were diffrent ending and parts of the books would you make one that has somebody tell merrin that the heap all have strw colored hair
thanks
O.beetle.beetle
April 7, 2012 at 1:44 am
Hey Angie.I haven’t really blogged here before!lol i LOVE the septimus heap series!i do have a question or two though.1:will syra be mentioned(maybe even wake up lol) in the seventh book?i really liked her in the fifth book.2:should i reread the series?i don’t have much time anymore but i really want to remind myself about all the stuff that happened earlier in the series.3:will lucy and simon ever actually get married?
April 7, 2012 at 3:33 am
Hello Angie!
Your books are wonderful, and I know you hear that a million times, but it’s true. I’m on Queste right now and I can’t put it down. What I admire most is your writing, though. I love the intricate detail you put into every character. Being a writer myself, I want people to love some part of my books and always remember it, but sometimes I feel like I come off boring or annoying. Do you ever become discouraged when you’re writing?
Thanks a ton!
April 7, 2012 at 9:08 pm
wotcha angie
do you think that another series bout sep but when jenna is queen and sep is extraordinary wizard would be cool?
do you want your whole series to turn into movies or just magyk? i want the whole series
O.Beetle.Beetle
April 7, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Hey Angie
First of all i’d like to tell you, that your books are simply awsome!
Perhaps you hear this so often, but i must admit, that after i finished Harry Potter I was looking for something new and even found more than i could have ever imagined!
It’s so happy to know, that real good literature still exists.
Ok now my 2 questions:
1. Did you want “Septimus Heap” to be a serie from the first moment you started the book ?
2. Did you want it to be a book for children/teens or did the sucess of “Magyk” with teens/kids completly suprise you ?
3.( I know you didnt want questions about the movie,but please just tell me if it is true or not!) I read, that the movie is still coming out in 2012 . True or not ?
Thanks in advance
Minaku
PS: Please excuse my bad english, i’m german.
April 8, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Hey Angie
Me again ;D
I just read here, that you want to show the outtakes of Fyre in here, but could you also publish the outtakes of the other books ?
April 8, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Hello Angie! I want to dress-up as Jenna for Halloween and a party in the summer, and was wondering…. What do you picture Jenna’s red and gold dress to look like? Since somebody else drew the pictures, I wasn’t sure if that’s exactly how you pictured it in your mind. I need something rather specific, like if she has 3 quarter sleeves and longer sleeves under it and things like that. Also, in the pictures, Jenna’s hair is rather wavy. Is it really?
~Princess of Paradox
April 10, 2012 at 3:04 am
Hi Angie,
I wanted to ask if Fyre will be publishhed in the old cover style? (A book in the book with some impotant items on it (i.e Magyk’s cover is septimus’s appretice diary, with the dragon ring on the front))
April 10, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Hi Angie!
Um, will Fyre come out in the original cover style, or only in the new style? I’m kind of worried about that. Also, will Mark Zug’s illustrations remain in the new books? I hope so.
Jeffrey
April 10, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Dear Angie,
I posted a question several weeks ago, and it never got answered, so I am posting it again. Is septimus six months older than Jenna, since in physik he spent six months in the past that only took up a few days in his own time?
-Christyna
April 11, 2012 at 12:30 am
Hey Angie! I just realised that the symbols for The Great Undoing begins with Magyk and end with Fyre- just like your series! Was this on purpose or by accident?
xxpaperclip123xx
April 11, 2012 at 11:29 am
Hi Angie! I’ve just read your first book for my book report at school. Do you mind if I ask some questions? I hope not
It’s all from Magyk, not the others since I haven’t read the rest…
1. When was the Brownie Attack? Was it in the book, or was it only mentioned that Brownies had attacked Zelda’s place and so since then she put the (I-forgot-the-name) Charm?
2. Did you base Hotep-Ra and his dragon boat on the Egyptian myth or did you ‘claim’ that Hotep-Ra was a Magykal Wizard like lots of people did with Nicholas Flamel with their own stories (The Philosopher’s Stone [J.K.Rowling], The Alchemist [Michael Scott]) ?
That’s all, I’m really hoping that the reply will come soon since my report is due quite soon..
Thanks!
~cheeseStrings
April 11, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Dear Angie Sage,
I love your books, and am your number 1 fan!
I noticed in Magyk that the Heaps address in the ramblings was 223, and I thought 2+2+3=7! Was this on purpose, or a coincidence?
-Booklover.
April 12, 2012 at 7:20 am
Dear Angie
1-i was wondering how long it took to publish one of the Septimus Heap books.
2-and also how does spit fyre look?
-Neri
April 12, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Hello again Angie! I was reading Syrin, and always pictured the Septimus Heap world to be based in the Medieval times, but when Wolf boy started talking about “The old stories” of the people who went to the moon in big metal ships, it made me think… When is the story based? Is it based in the future?
P.S. I love your books!! I’ve never liked reading, and almost ALWAYS got bored of books, and then my sister gave me Magyk to read… I thought I would only read a chapter or two before I got bored as always, but that time of boredom never came!
I got so sucked in to the books, (and I still am in Syrin. I spend all night reading.) and your writing is so humouros and yet serious in all the right times and places! I just want to jump right in to the Magykal land!! I am now the best and fastest reader in my class, and read lots of books, but Septimus Heap is my very favorite!
So thank you for taking so much time effort to write them! They really do make a difference in very many peoples lives!
~Princess of Paradox
April 13, 2012 at 4:36 am
Hi Angie. Thought I’d give this a shot.
I’m sorry if you don’t like being asked a bunch of non-Heap related stuff, I just like knowing random things about people.
1. Have you read/do you like Harry Potter?
2. Have you seen/do you follow Doctor Who?
3. When did you decide you wanted to be an author?
4. And, for something Heap related, if Aunt Zelda had gotten Merrin to his mum, would he have stopped with the whole take-over-the-world stuff and just been normal. Or at least loved her?
Thanks in advance for answering. Not that you have to. Thanks for reading. Not that you need to do that either. Thanks for existing, I suppose?
April 13, 2012 at 11:20 pm
hello angie i just remembered my question
whats the password to the wizard tower
O.Beetle.Beetle
April 15, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Hi this is Katie Jane or KJ thank you for replying to my post and clearing up about Jenna and Sep I’ve got a question about Spit fyre How did his mother the dragon boat lay his egg as she is a boat? And why does marcellus like shoes so much? He and Marcia are very much alike but there always fighting. And my final question i promise(of this post if i have another question i think i may ask it) will Queen Cerys ever appear to Jenna’s father Milo?
Thank you for the books i am getting the new copy’s because they look so good. Ooh I’ve just thought up another question. Sorry but will the new book look like the new copy’s or the old copy’s? Thank’s again.
KJ Williams (my actual age is twelve i do not know why i put eleven last time)
April 15, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Angie? What are the 7th book called?
April 16, 2012 at 1:32 am
Fyre!
April 17, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Why are the books having their covers changed?
April 16, 2012 at 8:44 am
Hi Angie! I wonder if you could tell me how old Sep and Jenna are going to be in Fyre? I am realy looking forvard to the new book!
P.S. Sorry about my english, I am norwegian:-)
April 16, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Hi Angie!
(I am sorry about my english but I am Norwegian)
I am soooo excited about Fyre and I have soooo many questions, but i know you cant answer them all. I hope you can answer these.
1. Will we see Rose again?(I love her)
2. How old will Jen and Sep be?
These are all my questions:-) Can you please come to Norway(Oslo) once?
I wish you good luck with the new book!
Rose
April 16, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Hi angie,
This is my first question on this blog and im wondering if the drawings, images etc. Of the characters are how you imagined them in your head because they are exactley how i imagined them.
Cant wait for fyre just finished the darke
April 18, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Hi Angie,
I was wondering what you think of fanfiction sites? I would love to create a Septimus Heap fanfiction sites. I know that I would have fun writing stories about Jenna, Septimus, Nicko and Beetle.
Can’t wait to read Fyre. Also, I love how you spell Fyre, Darke, Magyk and all the other old spellings.
Rhaine
April 19, 2012 at 7:20 am
Hi Angie,
I think it would be really cool if there were septimus heap posters and t-shirts and stuff like that. also I havent finished syren yet but im wondering does merrin ever get out of the secret room?
April 21, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I was rereading Magyk again and I noticed a symbol on the map and on most of the pictures and I wondered if it was the Magyk symbol from the paired codes
Thnx Jess
May 1, 2012 at 7:09 am