I wish I could writer faster, Melanie - but it would probably drive me truly insane. However, seeing as the fate of the world is at stake I will perhaps attempt to speed it up a little. But anyway, how come it's all my fault? Surely the more important question is: why can't you read slower?

Oh, it just feels awful. Really terrible. No, that's not true, it feels fantastic. It's not a good idea to think about trying to win awards when you're writing - but when it happens it's a lovely bonus!

Good question, Rowan. Perhaps we'll find out in another book. But the Spirit of the Rainbow certainly thinks Mr Gum used to be good, a long time ago. Have a look at the sweetshop scene in You're A Bad Man, Mr Gum! and you'll see what I mean.

Um... er... hmm. Next question please!

He might go to prison, Chazzer. It is very possible. But if he does I expect he'll break out and start being an outrageous nuisance all over again. As for Mrs Lovely, she is a thoroughly modern lady and she decided to keep her own surname when she married Friday.

Weeeeell now... I have been lucky enough to meet a lot of great authors over the last year or two, including Lauren Child, Francesca Simon, Chris Riddell and many others. As for being friends with them, I have got to know Jenny Valentine, Catherine Forde and Philip Ardagh quite well. I probably know Philip best of all which is quite unsurprising, as we both write nonsense and both have beards. But his beard is bigger than mine, it is so big it has people living in it.

Hi Miranda. Well, you've forgotten Alan Taylor of course, but no, Polly doesn't particularly have any other friends - although that doesn't mean another one won't come along in a future book. And she doesn't go to school as far as I can see. I hope that answers your questions. Tell your mum we must all go to Marine Ices for a sorbet soon.

Hi, Niamh, thank you for your nice comments. As for Polly's name, the idea was to write not just a silly, funny, crazy, long name for a character - but the silliest, funniest, craziest, longest name EVER. I hope I succeeded, otherwise I'll have to come up with an even longer name for another character in another book.

How nice to meet you, Nicole. Mr Gum isn't actually based on anyone in particular, I just wanted to come up with a horrid villain to get the story moving along. BINGO! Up popped the stinky Mr G. Now, I think it is a very good idea for you to read all of my books, but be warned. They are extremely serious and intellectual. For some reason a lot of people seem to find them rather funny - but that is their problem.

Mr Gum is quite old, probably over fifty, but I'm not sure exactly. He hates Lamonic Bibber because he hates pretty much anything nice, and he can't stand to see the townsfolk enjoying their lives or that sort of thing. P.S. my favourite food is potato 'n' donkey yum-yums. They're delicious.

No, but I wish I had. It's totally brilliant.

Catherine, do you mean what is my favourite of my own books? Or books in general? Oh, well, I'll answer both as I seem to be in a talkative (or a type-ative) mood. My favourite 'Mr Gum' books are the first one as I originally wrote it simply to make my little cousins laugh, and the new one, 'Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear', as I am really pleased with how funny and emotional it turned out. Plus it's got a ship in it and I like stories with ships. My favourite children's book in general is probably 'The Eighteenth Emergency' by Betsy Byars. It's a very funny but melancholy story about a kid who's scared of being beaten up by the school bully. I read it when I was eight and I still think it's brilliant.

You know what, Daniel, I don't think I have. I'm not very good with dogs, the small ones seem to quite like biting me and I don't get too near the big ones out of general cowardice. However, my mum's got a huge enormous cat called Oscar who's very fond of leaving dribble all over people, if that counts.

Interesting theory, Alfie, but no. I wasn't thinking of David Tazzyman when I came up with David Casserole. And in fact, I have no idea whether Mr Tazzyman actually even likes casserole (although I know he likes sticky toffee pudding very much indeed, I have seen it with my own eyes). Thank you and goodnight.