Matthew Reilly (2015)

Matthew

Im a huge fan of your work, and have read everything you have done, sometimes even twice. I love the Shane Schofield series, as it has a fantastic level of bravery and badassery. But, I love the historical ties (very Indiand Jones-ish) feel of Jack West Jr series. Is there ever a possibility that the two universes could collide, or is that just too much action adventure to behold in one book?

Why did you have to do that to Elizabeth Gant?

:(

Big Australian fan burning the midnight oil for this AMA. (The second one I've been on.)
Over the years, much has been made about the inspiring way in which you secured your publishing deal.
Anyway, if Contest was never picked up, and writing professionally was permanently off the cards, do you think you would pursue a career in law, or perhaps something else entirely?

Hi Matthew, thanks for doing this AMA!

I heard you are open to the idea of book-to-film adaptations of your novels. I personally would love to see Hover Car Racer turned into film. Which books of yours would you most like to see portrayed on the big screen?

True fans who follow you know about your Han Solo frozen in carbonite, which you cherish. With your love for Sci-Fi and Story telling in general, have you thought about taking a story line in to space? Or is that a frontier that you are not interested in pursuing?

Hi, I am a big fan of all of your books. I have a couple of quick questions:

• If you could travel to any time period in your DeLorean where would you go?

• Are there going to be four more Jack West Jr books?

• Do Shane Schofield and Jack West Jr exist in the same universe? If so do you think there might be the possibility of a team up book?

If you get the chance to create a film adaptation from any one of your books, which one would you pick? Also, would you dedicate the film to your wife Natalie if you got the chance to? From what I understand she was a major influence on your work.

Thank you for doing this AMA Mr. Reilly!

Hi Matthew! Real happy you're doing this, I missed your last AMA.

First, thanks for everything. I was introduced to your books when I was in the 7th grade (back in 2002) with Temple. And I was hooked! It's been a whole 13 years, I've bought everything you've written so far, and I'm eagerly awaiting delivery of The Great Zoo of China. And I still go back to being that awestruck child each time I read one of your books.

1) I'm sure a lot of people have spoken to you about film adaptations. I'm aware that in the past, Ice Station, Contest and Hover Car Racer were optioned, but never saw fruition. Do you think there comes a point where certain books just can't be adapted to cinema? Does it become an issue of creative control?

2) If you had unlimited resources at your disposal - which book of yours do you think would have the best potential to become a feature film?

Thanks for everything, Matthew! I'm a wildly imaginative 26 year old; and a lot of that is because of the entry of William Race, Shane Schofield and their various literary cohorts.

Hi from Kingston, Canada. Absolutely love your books! Are you planning on anymore Jack West Jr or Schofield books?? Or are you planning on doing any North American tours that take you up to Canada?

Hi Matthew, I'm a huge fan! I've read and re-read everyone of your books countless times since I've been about 14 years old and I absolutely love them! I would love to see ALL of your books made into movies, and so my question to you would be, who would you like to see playing the roles of Shane Schofield and Jack West on the big screen?

If those two exist in the same universe, does that apply to any of your other books? Specifically Contest, and how that could apply to the otherworldly aspects of Jack West Jr's series.

How do you think ebooks have changed the industry for novelists? Good/bad?

Hey Matthew, thanks for doing this AMA!

As a person that has grown up on your novels, I would like to know if did you have the ending to Five Greatest Warriors established well in advance? And also, can we see a possible return of Jack West Jr?

I'm a Greenkeeper at Kingsbarns golf links and a massive fan. Would ever consider playing in the Alfred dunhill links championship? Also I re-read ice station whilst sitting in my drivers seat of my warrior apc whilst I was out in Iraq during the 2003 invasion, it kept me going during the quiet times! Can't wait to read the great zoo of China.

Hi Matthew,
I've read almost all your books and gotta say I love them.
You mentioned in the interview in Scarecrow you might write a book for Aloysius Knight. Is that going to happen?
Are you planning to write a book just for Mother?

Keep up the writing mate.

You gave us The Tournament, Troll Mountain and The Great Zoo Of China in two years which, for you, is fairly prolific! Can we expect this to continue?

Hey Matt, it's well known you own a Delorean. It's also fairly well known that Deloreans have terrible performance issues. Do you have many troubles with yours?

As someone who knows nothing about the Great Zoo of China, can you tell what is special about this book?

Stick your finger in each of your ears, take them out. Which ear has the most ear wax?

Your an author, Most have alot of eBook Piracy/Illegal Downloads of your book.

Do you care?

Matthew,
one more final question. Thanks for doing this AMA by the way. I live in Houston, and would love for you to make your wary through here while in the states. But I am curious that with your love for DMC (DeLorean Motor Company and their fine autos) combined with your fanciful imagination and knack for telling gripping stories full of excitement, twists, humor and action, one has to assume you are a big fan of Back to the Future. Have you ever thought about doing a stand alone, or a new series, which could be based around time travel? (like Dr. Who or BTTF or even Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure) thanks!

Hey Matt, thanks for the AMA. Long time fan so I have loved your recent push into writing strong female leads. I am wondering if there are any other strong, war/action based historical females you may be inspired to write about?

Again from my 3rd grader. Any possibility of a Scarecrow video game? If so, please give each book it's own stage, include all characters and make it available for Xbox 360. (Thanks, Matthew. Your AMA is making our drive from Philadelphia to New Haven seen much shorter.)

Have you ever considered doing a prequel for scarecrow? His earlier exploits as a pilot, maybe even a book from the perspective of the team who rescued him.

Honestly, that's the best thing about Matthew Reilly's books. Because lets be real here, this ain't your Overrated Mission Impossible film. Your heroes are not invincible, they have to die someday, somehow. If you keep on saving the main characters you might as well term them as The Hulk, wouldn't you?. Because ain't nobody gonn' kill hulk?

Dear Matthew,
After all this our Hero (Shane Schofield) has been through, are you considering a book where we know how exactly does he feel. Like He's been through Libby's death, He's been targeted by the world's former richest people. Maybe a Vengeful book with a more of a monstrous depiction of Shane or him turning Ice Cold, like Katniss, trying to not care about all that has happened? Because c'mon do you still expect him to keep on doing his duties as if nothing ever happened. Maybe this time, Scarecrow gets to choose his targets instead of getting assigned to them or them chasing him and he gets to chalk out and plot plans?

Hi, greetings from Thailand! My brother and I are huge fans of yours! We just wanted to ask,

"Personally speaking, who is YOUR favorite character from all the books you wrote?"

Also wanted to say, I loved The Great Zoo of China but we're more of the suspense and mysterious type so were eagerly awaiting the next Jack West novel, or maybe something along the lines of The Tournament.

Again, big fans!!

G'day Matthew, do you have any advice on budding authors who want to make it into the business, and also, what do you expect to gain from your recent move to the States?

Hi Mathew TGZOC great read. Have you experienced

any difficulties around the world as you have

included a fair number or goverments/ countries

especially France and China in a negative role

against your lead characters?

Hi Matthew! Another book to film question from my 3rd grader: any chance that a Scarecrow book will hit the big screen?

Hi Matthew! I LOVED The Great Zoo of China! Just wondering how excited you are to see Jurassic World?

And also, do you have any favourite tidbits of research for the book that you'd like to share?

Would you ever host Saturday Night Live if given the chance?

Met you in Perth this year, cool guy.

Are you still thinking of doing the Knight and Scarecrow crossover?

Also any news from Disney on Hover Car Racer?

Hi Matthew,
my question has to do with research behind the sets in which your character's stories are set. I read somewhere that during the process of writing of Contest, you were able to work with the library in New York, being able to have access to said library in order to more accurately capture the feel in your finished work.
I am wondering to what extent you did the same sort of research when writing Area 7?

Hello Matthew, big big fan of your works!

Will we see CJ, Huntsman, and Scarecrow work together? Maybe against some militarised ancient dragons? :D

Hey, Matthew. I'm a huge fan, and thanks for doing this AMA.
Currently re-reading my entire collection of your books.
Two questions!

Will we see Marius Calderon vs. Scarecrow any time soon?
Any plans for another Australia tour in the near future?

Hi matt! I really loved your "ice station" My question to you is,can you explain the process that goes into writing a book? Like how do you come up with the core story based on which the entire novel will be based on,et al. Thanks for doing this!

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Hi, just managing to stay awake in Australia. I have a rather battered and much read copy of Contest that I love to pieces. Your books are so easy to visualise. Do you think a tv series could happen some day?

The Jack West Jr. question has been done already I see, so I'll have to ask another question: with the current zombie (e.g.: World War Z)/post apocalyptic (e.g.: Hugh Howey's Silo series or Sand)/dystopian (e.g. Hunger Games) craze; is there any change we'll see you write some story that goes in that direction?

Hi Matthew! Huge fan of all of your books. I specifically love all of the chase scenes. They are my favorite scenes - so much action jam-packed together. Hovercrafts in Ice Station, cars in Scarecrow, buses with Jack West, etc. Of all of them, which was your favorite to write? And any new chase ideas to come?

Will you write a sequel to the great zoo of China? As I want to know what happens to the yellow dragon family.

Hey Matt loved your books since i was a kid, i still have my beloved copy of ice-station bound up with bodge tape because i broke it.

I have many many question to ask about all your books, and i feel like a gimp for asking a question already answered in the back of one of your books but.....
Why did you have to do that to Book man, why ;_;

Also any more news of William Race? I loved that guy.

And i must say man, as much as i love my Beloved copy of Ice-Station that i have read so many times it is falling apart at the bindings, and Hover Car Racer because it was the book that introduced your writing to me, Area 7 Man, i think is my fav book of yours, and i feel is under appreciated. Any comments you would like to make on Area 7 would be amazing. Like what theme you were trying to set, what you were doing with the characters? Plot devices. Book II, etc.

Hello Matthew, huge fan here, with a quick question. Why did you decide to be so ruthless in your books when it comes to character deaths? Even when they're 'main' (Scarecrow's girlfriend for instance), it seems nobody is safe. Personally this is one of the reasons why I like your books so much, but I can imagine readers being scared off. Would you mind explaining your reasoning behind this?

Do you have any advice for aspiring young writers? Or advice for young people in general?

How does one get a finished piece to a publisher for the first time? What's the process?

What are your 3 favorito books?

You really are a fun writer and went through a phase of constantly reading your books and loved both Contest and Ice Station.

These stories never seem to take themselves too seriously and instead seem more focused on just being fun for the reader and is something I have found across all the books of yours I've read.

This is more of a thank you than a question now that I've written it out.. So, yeah... Sorry.

Contest reminded me of video games such as Unreal Tournament, was this intentional, were you influenced by video games and if so, do you play regularly and what are your favourites?

Morning Matthew (2nd of July birthday buddy) it's just after 4am Melbourne time here. Loved your latest book. Have there been any serious discussions with any movie makers to adapt any of your novels to film of late (as this seems the latest craze)?

Mr Reilly, thanks for doing this AMA. Massive fan from Perth (it's 1am here). Just a few questions. What would you rather keep if you had to choose, the DeLorean or Han Solo? Are there any plans in motion to release a Scarecrow movie? And when will we be seeing Shane Schofield return to our shelves in a new adventure? Thank you again :).

What are you more hyped for Star Wars: A New Hope or Avengers: Age of Ultron?

Totally got my books mixed up D:

• I meant a standalone for Knight :)

Dear Matthew,
Can't you let me help you in writing a great book? I'm an aspiring author :)) Also, Best of Luck for all the books you write in future, you never fail to surprise me :D
-Love.

I like your scarecrow books, do u plan on making more books with scarecrow?

Matthew, thanks for doing this AMA, just one last question: any possibility of a book tour to India in the future? Probably promotion for the next JWJ? hint hint Also, I adore your writing, and I think you're an overall wonderful person.

Will Jack West ever meet Scofield?
And when are you planning to release the fourth installment of the Jac k West Series!?
Is the Great Zoo of China according to you among your greatest works?

Where did the idea for the Jack West series originate from?
PS Big fan!

What book or books would you recommend as the best resource for young writers in regards to the creative aspects, like plotting and style?

I don't seem able to keep my promise so here's another question.
Your younger characters are all very charming and child-like (Lily, Holly Swain, Alby, et al) and Elizabeth's POV in the Tournament was beautifully written, but your adult characters are so dizzyingly adult and equally awesome. Who is easier to write?

Also, will we be seeing Teenager!Lily in the next Jack West book? :P
(If my hints were any stronger they'd be the Hulk)

If you had to take a vacation where would you go?
Which grave would you first visit - Jesus or Genghis Khan?

Hi Matthew, a big cheers from India! Would we see more of Scarecrow and Veronique in the future? Would Calderon's protege or Calderon himself be the Moriarty/Joker to our Sherlock/Batman?

Your books are written with breakneck pacing-- are you an adrenaline junkie yourself, or are we more likely to find you sitting with your laptop in front of a window with a view of a pastoral meadow, sipping a cup of tea?

Hey! My friend wanted me to ask you, are you planing on writing a sequel to Hover Car Racer?

Hi Matthew, huge fan since I picked up Contest nearly 20 years ago, thanks for doing what you do.

My question is why do you seem to hate Mother so much? She always gets the shitty end of the stick, leg bitten off, presumed dead more than once and (supposedly) in the way of a nuclear warhead!! Hasn't the woman suffered enough?

Seriously though, thankyou for so many great reads.

Edit: 2nd question. I love the zombie genre but this has been overdone in the last few years, everything feels a bit samey. I reckon you'd be able to do it justice though, any plans to do a zombie book in the future?

Hi Matt! long time fan and avid collector of your books.

Rumour has it that a few years back you used to play touch football (rugby) down at Artarmon. Is this true?! Cheers mate

Huge fan of Scarecrow and I would like to believe he helped me become the reader i was in my youth where many others dismissed the hobby.

I have an book I want to write and I've got the setting down but I'm having trouble coming up with a proper plot. Any tips for inspiring writers in a similar conundrum?

Hi Matthew!

I've read all your scarecrow and ancient wonder books and loved them to bits. The other day I saw that the Seven Ancient wonders series was picked up by ABC a couple of years back, is there any more news on that?

Sydney fan checking in for my second AMA with my favourite Australian author.

My question this time is who wins in an arm wrestle between Jack West Jr and Scarecrow, given the only condition is that West Jr has to use his biological arm?

Hi Mathew!!

I can't believe you're doing this AMA and that I'm even awake now to ask a question. I'm a WA uni student and have been reading your books for as long as I can remember. My first book of yours I read was ice station when I was 12 years old and it was my first young adult book. The scarecrow and JWJ series are my two favorite book series to date tied with lord of the rings and asoiaf.

I have always been interested in writing stories and poems but in school I never found how I could excel in doing so. So my question is what are ways I can turn an interest in writing into a passion to be a author? And to follow up what do you do to be able to start a novel fresh and keep the passion to follow with that spark?

Thank you so much for your novels, they bring so much happiness and imagination to read to me, especially now that I don't read many series as time gets harder to find. Your last book rocked! Keep up the great work!!

Your fan in the west

OMG Hi! I've loved your books since I read Ice Station when I was 13 :) still love them at 28! I had no idea about The Great Zoo of China until I saw it in a bookstore yesterday. Can't wait to read it.

Will we ever see William Race again or did his character/adventures morph into Jack West Jr.? There were some great characters in Temple.

Who is the author you admire most and why?

Hi Matthew, thanks for the AMA. You said earlier on that the Jack West books take the longest to research, how much longer does that usually take? Iv read your books for as long as I can remember, and buy them straight away no matter what. Do you have any authors that you have to buy their book asap? Thanks for your time, from a huge fan :D