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New Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book commissioned

17/09/2008

A children's author has been commissioned to write the sixth instalment in the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy series.

The new book will be written by Eoin Colfer, best known for his character Artemis Fowl, after the widow of the series' creator Douglas Adams gave her approval to the plans.

Adams wrote the fifth Hitchhiker's book, Mostly Harmless, 16 years ago before dying of heart failure in 2001 aged 49.

Colfer's addition to the series is expected to be entitled And Another Thing… and will be published by Penguin.

The 43-year-old author said he was "terrified" at the prospect of stepping its Adams' shoes.

"My first reaction was semi-outrage that anyone should be allowed to tamper with this incredible series. But on reflection I realised that this is a wonderful opportunity to work with characters I have loved since childhood and give them something of my own voice while holding on to the spirit of Douglas Adams," he said.

"I feel more pressure to perform now than I ever have with my own books, and that is why I am bloody determined that this will be the best thing I have ever written.

"Being given the chance to write this book is like suddenly being offered the superpower of your choice. For years I have been finishing this incredible story in my head and now I have the opportunity to do it in the real world. It is a gift from the gods."