The Official Matthew Reilly Homepage

Although I finished this one a while ago, I thought I'd mention it because I think it has a lot of relevance to the world today. One of the key themes of this book is the futuristic world it depicts: a world where the pursuit of leisure is paramount, and where anything that makes a person think or pose questions is dangerous and hence, must be destroyed. The consequence: all books must be burned (451 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which paper burns, hence the title).

Sometimes I look at the world and I worry that we are heading down this path. In Australia at the moment, if you question something or have a point of view, you risk being labelled "elite". I heard a guy on talkback radio today saying that there are too many "elite intellectuals" in Australian politics at the moment. Once you start to glorify ignorance and see thinkers as a threat (the Fahrenheit 451 principle), you are heading down a dangerous, dangerous path.

Since I just can't keep up with the emails coming into the site, I have decided that I will answer the most-asked questions in my emails here. So...here we go:

That's right, for those Americans who have asked, I'm coming over there in February!! Between February 15 and February 28, I'll be touring the major eastern centres: New York, Philadelphia, DC, Virginia, Cincinnati, Chicago and Minneapolis. Dates and in-store times to follow soon!

This is a common question that comes through the email: where can you get my books in hardback? My US publisher, St Martins Press, has done hardback editions of ICE STATION, TEMPLE and AREA 7, and my UK publisher, Macmillan, have released "Special Edition" hardbacks of TEMPLE and AREA 7 (they are really cool, too! But there is no UK ICE STATION hardback). For those readers who like to wait for the paperback, paperbacks of a title generally come out a year after the hardback/trade paperback edition.

As for those who have asked about the availability of original editions of CONTEST, I'm sorry, but there are none left! Seems they are becoming collectors items!

Okay, since many have asked, the new book is a new Schofield adventure...and it's bigger, badder and faster than any of the others (and I'm only up to page 137!).

This is a common question...especially from my Australian readers! Yes, there will be more Australian content (locations and heroes) in future stories. In my defence, THE MINE featured an Australian heroine, and ALTITUDE RUSH (in the anthology GIRLS' NIGHT IN 2) also featured Australians taking on America and its trade policies. Also my screenplay, THE LAST LINE OF DEFENCE is set entirely in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic Games, with an Australian hero. How's that?

For those who don't want to know which weapons in my books are fictional and which are not, please look away now! Some readers have emailed me asking about Maghooks and G-11s and whether or not they are real. Okay. Here are some revelations: the Maghook is my creation (ICE STATION, AREA 7), the G-11 is real (TEMPLE), nitrogen charges and Tritonal charges (in ICE STATION) are my creations (although Tritonal is used as an explosive in aerial bombs). Isotopic charges are my creation (TEMPLE). And all of the aliens in CONTEST are my creations -- although if you've run into any Karanadons, please let me know!

And finally, a lot of readers (mainly from Australia, England and New Zealand) mention my love of the cricket and have asked about my views on the current Australian team! Okay then (my God, where to start!)....

I reckon Adam Gilchrist should NOT open the batting in the one-dayers. I think he's a better old-ball hitter and when he bats down the order, he lifts the tail. Without Gilchrist, the tail is kind of left to fend for itself.

I reckon Steve Waugh's cap is fine. That cap symbolises his whole career, the highs and the lows. It is part of Steve Waugh. If you want him in the team (and I do), you accept that the cap goes with him.

I reckon Stephen Fleming (the NZ captain) is a pretty shrewd customer and his team has a bit of guts. Their rise is good for international cricket. South Africa would do well to take a look at Fleming's clever captaincy.

P.S. Had a great time on "The 7:30 Report" recently, talking about Australia (and the world) post-2001 with the likes of Tom Keneally, John Birmingham and Linda Jaivin. I wish it could become a regular thing. And yes, Maxine McKew is as smart as she appears!

P.P.S. And the news you've all been waiting for...the mighty Full Tossers indoor cricket team have made the semi finals! We face the tough customers of the Prodigals next Monday night. It'll be a blinder.