We’re so thrilled that the wonderful author Joanne Harris (author of Chocolat and most recently, The Gospel of Loki) has penned a guest episode for Season 3 of Zombies, Run!

We asked Joanne a few questions about how she got involved and what she’s made of the experience!

Joanne, how did you come to get into Zombies, Run!?

I initially heard about the game from Naomi Alderman. I’d never done any running before, and I thought it sounded like a great idea. I tried it, and was genuinely surprised, both at how much I actually enjoyed the physical part, and at how quickly I became involved in the affairs of Abel and its inhabitants. I’ve been following them ever since.

How did you decide where to focus in your episode?

So far there have been so many episodes that have centred on the adult inhabitants of Abel, and so few that reflect the younger community.

I began to imagine what it would be like to be a teenager in Abel; going through all the usual angst and self-doubt, with the zombie apocalypse thrown it. Too young to be accepted as runners, but old enough to feel the need to do something to contribute, I created two young characters, orphaned and left to their own devices, who, desperate to prove they can manage alone, set off illegally from Abel, in search of those things adult runners never seem to want to collect…

And finally, what’s your favourite song to run to, and which member of Abel would accompany you on your ideal run?

I have a number of ZR playlists which I vary according to weather and mood, but I always pick up the pace when Voltaire comes on – he has a number of songs about zombies, which I find quite motivational.

I like to run on my own, but, given the chance,would jump at a mission with Sam, of whom I’ve grown rather fond…

And of course, Sam’s fond of you too. All of you Runners Five out there ;-).