Q 01/05

How old was Christopher Paolini when he began writing Eragon after finishing home school?

A) Fifteen

B) Twelve

C) Eighteen

D) Twenty-one

Answer · why

A) Fifteen

He spent a year on the first draft and a second year rewriting before his parents saw it.

Q 02/05

Who first published Eragon, in 2001?

A) Paolini's parents, through their own company

B) Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

C) Scholastic's children's imprint

D) Tor Books, the fantasy publisher

Answer · why

A) Paolini's parents, through their own company

Paolini International was a small home-based publisher; he drew the cover art of Saphira's eye himself.

Q 03/05

Which novelist discovered Eragon on holiday and brought it to Knopf's attention?

A) Stephen King

B) Carl Hiaasen

C) Dave Barry

D) Philip Pullman

Answer · why

B) Carl Hiaasen

His stepson bought a copy at one of Paolini's talks and immediately loved it.

Q 04/05

In which year did Knopf release its edition of Eragon?

A) 2001

B) 2003

C) 2005

D) 1999

Answer · why

B) 2003

It came out on August 26 with a new cover by John Jude Palencar.

Q 05/05

Roughly how many talks did Paolini give while touring to promote the self-published book?

A) About 20

B) Around 50

C) Over 135

D) More than 500

Answer · why

C) Over 135

He often appeared in medieval costume and might sell forty books in a good eight-hour day.