Frequently Asked Questions

About Meg and her books:

When will BEING NIKKI, the sequel to Airhead, be in stores?
BEING NIKKI will be in US stores in May 2009. The third book in the series, as yet untitled, will be out in 2010.

Is Forever Princess, Princess Diaries 10, really the last Princess Diaries book?
Yes. Look for it on January 6, 2009. Although I may write about Princess Mia again, I don't have any more contracted books about her at this time. Both Mia and I need to take a long break!

Will there be any more books in THE HEATHER WELLS series?
At this time more books about Heather are certainly planned, I just need to find time to write them. Books 4 and 5 should be coming out in 2009-2010.

Will there be more books in the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU and Mediator series?
No. The sixth book, TWILIGHT, is the final book in the series. The 5th book in the 1-800-Where-R-You series, MISSING YOU, is the final book in that series, as well. I'm happy about the way both series ended and pleased with where I left the characters.

Will there be more books in the ALL AMERICAN GIRL series?
No, I'm happy with where the sequel, Ready or Not, ended. Look for a short story about Sam and her experience in the White House in Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out

Will there be sequels to PANTS ON FIRE, HOW TO BE POPULAR, or TEEN IDOL?
No, these were all meant to be stand-alone novels.

When will you write another paranormal book like THE MEDIATOR?
Look for Abandon, my next YA paranormal series, coming in 2010.

Is there going to be a MEDIATOR movie, and can I audition for it?
The film rights to the MEDIATOR movie have sold to Julia Pistor, the producer of the Spiderwick Chronicles and she is working on a script. At this time there is no more information on it and no, casting has not begun as there is no studio attached to the project.

Will there be any more Princess Diaries movies?
I don't think so! The director, producers, and cast have moved on to new projects.

What other new movie information about your books do you have?
Size 12 is Not Fat and Jinx were both recently optioned for a television series by ABC Family. And Queen of Babble has been optioned as a feature film by Jeffrey Sharp of Sharp Independent Entertainment. Kristen Bell is currently slated to star.
How To Be Popular was recently optioned by MTV for a TV movie/series, and film rights to Avalon High went to Disney Channel. Sorry, I have no say in (or details about) casting!

What are you working on now?
Right now I'm working on the next book in my new series about Em Watts (from Airhead) and my new series for younger readers ALLIE FINKLE'S RULES FOR GIRLS (click http://alliefinkle.scholastic.com/ here to read more about it), as well as more adult books.

Why do your book covers and titles vary from country to country?
My book covers, titles, and even some of the book content vary from country to country because they are put out from different publishers. It is highly recommended that readers buy their own country's editions of the books!

Am I old enough to read your books for adults?
If you have to ask, then no, you are not.

What inspires you to write?
People ask me this all the time, and honestly, I don't understand this question. I just love to write, the same way other people love to play golf. Although, just like Tiger Woods, I have my good days and bad days. The challenge is what makes it fun!

Where do you get your ideas?
Much of what is in my books is taken directly from my own diaries that I kept when I was in high school...I still have them, though I am the only one who will ever be allowed to read them. I am only using the selective bits that won't incriminate me. If you'd like to know my inspiration for individual series, click below:
Inspiration for The Princess Diaries
Inspiration for The Mediator
Inspiration for 1-800-Where-R-You

What books did you like to read when you were a kid?
I read far too many books for me to list here, but some of what I read included a lot of fantasy, such as Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising series, Nancy Springer's Book of Isle tetrology (including The Sable Moon), and the Lloyd Alexander books. I also liked STAR WARS and SPIDERMAN comic books. I really loved some classics, too, like Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Lorna Doone, and the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace. And I am a big fan of Mary Stewart, especially Nine Coaches Waiting, Madame, Will You Talk? and Thornyhold.

How can I get your autograph?
If you'd like a free newsletter, postcards, and autographed bookplates to stick in your copies of the books, send your request with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Meg Cabot, P.O. Box 4904, Key West, FL 33041-4904. For the specifics on what size envelope and how much postage, click here.

Why do you have books written under names that aren't yours, like Jenny Carroll and Patricia Cabot?
When I first started writing professionally, I wrote for three different publishers, and so had two pen names (Jenny and Patricia). Now all of my books are written under the same name, my real name, Meg Cabot.

What awards have you won?
My books have won numerous awards. Including being number one New York Times bestsellers, they are frequently chosen as New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age, ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, IRA/CBC Young Adults' Choice, Book Sense Picks, have also been on the Texas Lone Star Reading List. All American Girl won the Evergreen Young Adult Book Award (Washington), and The Princess Diaries won the TASL Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award. I was recently named the 2008 Distinguished Alumni of my college, Indiana University.

How do you come up with your titles?
Titles are tricky! I don't usually think of a book's title until the book is almost finished. Sometimes I can't think of a title at all, and the publisher will have to come up with one. Sometimes my publisher won't like my title, or there will already be a book with that same title published recently. Often, my publishers in other countries will come up with their own titles, because the American title doesn't translate correctly. Even though titles are important, authors can't be too picky about them. I've had book titles change two months before the publication date! I would say of all my book titles, 50% are ones I've come up with, and 50% are ones my publishers have come up with. Of my non-US editions, almost 100% of my titles are made up by the publisher!

What is the theme of your books?
I hope readers will realize that they are not alone in feeling the way I did when I was in middle and high school-like a great big freak! Also that "normal" is not what you see on TV. Being true to yourself, and to your friends, is way more important than being part of the "in crowd." I am living proof that it is possible to profit from being a middle and high school freak.

About writing:

What advice do you have to give to aspiring writers?

My advice to young writers is:

• Write the kinds of stories you like to read. If you don't love what you're writing, no one else will, either.
• Don't tell people you want to be a writer. Everyone will try to talk you out of choosing a job with so little security, so it is better just to keep it to yourself, and prove them all wrong later.
• You are not a hundred dollar bill. Not everyone is going to like you … or your story. Do not take rejection personally.
• If you are blocked on a story, there is probably something wrong with it. Take a few days off and put the story on a back burner for a while. Eventually, it will come to you.
• Read-and write-all the time. Never stop sending out your stuff. Don't wait for a response after sending a story out … start a new story right away, and then send that one out! If you are constantly writing and sending stuff out (don't forget to live your life, too, while you are doing this) eventually someone will bite!
• It is nearly impossible to get published these days without an agent. The guide I used to get mine was called the Jeff Herman Guide to Agents, Editors, and Publishers. It was well worth the money I spent on it, since it lists every agent in the business and what he or she is looking for. It also tells you how to write a query letter, what to expect from your publisher, and all sorts of good stuff...a must buy for any aspiring author!
• And above all, become a good listener. In order to write believable dialogue, you need to listen to the conversations of the people around you-then try to imitate them! Good luck, and keep writing! If I can do it, so can you!

Do you have more questions about writing, like How do I get an agent? How do I get published?
Then go here.

Do you have more questions? Check out the Ask Meg forum.