Julia Golding

Nicola wrote on 15 September 2007:

Hey Julia I think I might have left this comment on the Mines Of the Minotaur page- but how can Connie and Col get together when technically they are cousins??? I'm confused!! Please explain when you get the time! Thanks again- Nicola xxx P.s.- Your books are a pleasure to read- they always make you want to read more and more and more

Hi Nicola Connie and Col are not blood relations - the only link is when Evelyn (Connie's aunt) married Col's father in Minotaur. Julia

Hafsa wrote on 14 September 2007:

Hi Ms Golding I finished chimera. It was brilliant. My favourite bit was what Connie did to Mr Coddrington. I think she turned into to Cat for a few seconds. And the last paragraph - does this mean there will be more. I'd like to see how everyone reacts to Connies change. Mum says she thought the battle between Connie and Kullervo was good. She knew who would win but she wouldn't have guessed what happened to Connie. I also wanted to know, how comes Arran is the only creature that can take the form of a human? Love Hafsa

Hi Hafsa You read that fast! All selkies can take human form and I imagine there are other mythical creatures that do too - banshees are quite human looking as are dwarves and some giants. I don't think Connie turns into Cat, but rather she's grown up a bit over the course of the adventure and is less afraid to be herself (and a bit Kullervo-like too!). Julia

Stephanie wrote on 14 September 2007:

Hello Julia, I just wanted to say that i love all the similes and metaphors you use in the Cat Royal books, especially the one abut having a nose like a roman emperor. It makes it much more facinating to read. Thanks again =] Stephanie X

Milliex wrote on 14 September 2007:

Hi Julia:) Its me again!!!! I was wondering how i could send you the plan for my story. i'd love for you to read it and maybe give me some feedback but i haven't got a clue where to send it to. i dont went to tell it to you on here just in case someone steals the idea. please write back. thanks for telling me the font. i've started using arial now because i love the type of writing in your cat royal books. Milliex P.S have you ever got writers block and if so is there a cure????

Hi Millie I can't really read other people's story ideas as I don't know where it would stop if I said yes to one person! Sorry. But I'm sure a sympathetic teacher or friend would do just as well. The cure for writer's block - write anything - even if it is rubbish - just to get over the hump! Julia

Arnet Addis wrote on 13 September 2007:

hello again Julia, was just wondering, is the upcoming event in cambridge a book-signing? (I've realised that giving my sister four books that I've bought for myself and read is essentially more of a hand-me-down than a birthday gift) Arnet

Hi Arnet My school visits in Cambridge are organized by Heffers so perhaps they can suggest how to get your books signed? There might be an opportunity between things. Julia

Lizzie wrote on 13 September 2007:

Hi Julia, Sorry to keep bothering you with questions, but you mentioned having favourite scenes, so I just wondered, which is your favourite scene in all of the Cat books out so far? (mine's in Pigeon, when Billy is taking her to rats castle) Thanks again (sorry for my continual curiousity!) PS-dragonfly looks great!!

Hi Lizzie Not sure I have a favourite - it depends on my mood. I'm quite fond of the Bath ballroom scene just because it is so Cat to end up in the hat room. Julia

Hafsa wrote on 12 September 2007:

Hi Ms Golding Thank you sooooooo much for the books you signed for me today. My mum said you were really nice and that you looked younger in real life than in your pictures. I hope to meet you too one day. I hope your hand didn't get too tired from signing the books. I heard there were loads. Also my mum says that getting around Harrods was a bit like being in a labarinyth. Thank you again. I happy, happy, happy. Love Hafsa

Hi Hafsa It was lovely to meet your mum. I hope you enjoy Chimera! Julia

Charlotte wrote on 11 September 2007:

Hi Julia I am a massive fan of your work, and have been for a while now. It was 'The Diamond of Drury Lane' that caught my eye a while ago when it was first out. I read like mad and ever since dicovering you and your amazing skill and imagination, I have looked forward to each and every book that you have written so far, and continue to do so now. I am sad that the companions Quartet has finished because i was a big fan of them. I loved all of the creatures and characters that you have brought to life through out the books and hope that maybe, just maybe, that you will write maybe one more about Connie and Col's adventures! i would love to hear what happeneds between them now that they have finally gotten together!! And as for the Cat Royal series well.....WOW!! I have read all 4 up to now and look forward very much to reading the others!! they are amazing!! thank you for writing them!! Charlotte

Andy Jeyes wrote on 11 September 2007:

Dear Julia - on the excited recommendations of my daughter and partner I've just read, and loved The Diamond of Drury Lane and am about to start on Cat Among the Pigeons. I have a question; have any or all of the film rights for the Cat Royal series been optioned. The characters and story lines are so vibrabnt and compelling they'd seem ideal for adapting to the big screen? Regards and thanks - Andy Jeyes

Hi Andy Not yet, though I too could imagine it on screen. The rights are handled by my agents, David Higham Ass. Julia

Amelia wrote on 11 September 2007:

Hey Julia I LOVE THE CAT ROYAL BOOKS!!!!!!! I hope that "BLACK HEART of JAMAICA" isn't the last book as the series is so well written!!! ;-) I have one very important question... Is Cat's last name pronaounced Royal (as in royalty without the ty) or Royal (as in Royale)??????? This question must be answered as there has been much debate and arguments between myself and by Best Friend. Thanks!!!!!!! :-) Amelia

Hi Amelia Royal not Royale. Julia

Kirsty!!!!! wrote on 10 September 2007:

Hi Julia I finally got Cat o' nine tails and thought it was a really good book, i read it in a day and a bit. Now i really can't wait for Black Heart Of Jamaica. Is Syd in it as much as he is in the other books?

Hi Kirsty Not as much as this is really about Cat, Pedro and Billy. Julia

Stephanie wrote on 09 September 2007:

Hi Julia, If you could change one thing about any book you have written, what would it be?? Or do you like your books just the way they are. Thanks Stephanie X

Hi Stephanie I'd call croquet 'pall mall' in Den of Thieves as I got it wrong (it only became croquet in about 1820). Julia

Charlotte wrote on 09 September 2007:

Dear Julia As I told you before, I reviewed your book to enter the Blue Peter Book Awards and I have heard that I got through. I am now going to be on Blue Peter in November. I am so excited. I was wondering if you do visits to schools and, if so, whether you could come to mine? If not, how can I find out about your next visit to Cambridge so that I can come and see you? Charlotte

Hi Charlotte Congratulations! You must be really excited. If you'd like a school visit, it's best to get a teacher interested and then they can approach my publishers (or me). I'm not sure exactly what I'm doing in Cambridge yet. The best place to see me is at a festival (Bath, Cheltenham etc) Julia

charlotte wrote on 09 September 2007:

Dear Julia How do I buy your last Cat Royal book ? charlotte

Hi Charlotte The last is Cat O'Nine Tails - widely available. Black Heart isn't out yet. Julia

lottie wrote on 08 September 2007:

me and freinds were helpers when you came to s.g.j.s it was when diamondhad just comeout

Hi Lottie Only a year ago but it seems a long time now! Julia

Lizzie wrote on 08 September 2007:

Hey Julia, thanks for the info on Cat's name. Its good when historical books have loads of little things that connect it to its time. Its also quite funny that she's named after royalty and not exactly ladylike!! Kirsty, it's good to know I'm not the only one as well! One last question (for now ;) ) - will Cat see the Creeks again Julia?

Hi Lizzie I don't think so - it's such a long way away from where the rest of her adventures take place. Julia

kayleigh wrote on 08 September 2007:

is syd in balck heart ...

Hi Kayleigh Yes. Julia

Matt wrote on 07 September 2007:

Julia, please let there be a sequel to Ship between the Worlds! The way it ended seemed like it wasn't the end of David's story.

Hi Matt Thanks for asking for more. I'll have a think about it. Julia

lotie l wrote on 07 September 2007:

what is the storyline for black heart of jamacia Will u eva b in stockport

Hi Lottie I was in Stockport last year at a school (the grammar school I think). I can't give too much away about Black Heart but it does involve pirates. Julia

Tom wrote on 07 September 2007:

Hi, I have a question, i don't know whether it's been asked before or not but i was just wondering. It says Col has the same eyes as Connie and then in the last book it says that the Connie's eyes are that of a universal, so would Col be a universal, or is it just a coincidence?

Hi Tom Not all people with mismatched eyes are universals but all universals have mismatched eyes. Think about it... Julia