The wicked witch is on trial in Diary of a Wicked Witch, a hilarious new book from million-copy bestselling author, comedian and actor BEN MILLER. Students from Anglican Church Grammar School in East Brisbane asked Ben about his book. Read on for a Q&A.

Who or what inspired you to write Diary of a Wicked Witch?

One of my favourite fairy stories growing up was Rapunzel. I always wondered why the witch stuck her daughter in a tall tower and climbed up using her hair. And what happened to her after the story finished. So I thought I’d write her diary…

Why did you pick a wicked witch as your main character?

Because witches get a hard time in fairy tales, and I thought it was time we understood things from their point of view.

How did you choose the different wicked witches to include?

I chose my favourites. There’s Agatha, the witch from Hansel and Gretel. Then Gertrude, from Snow White. Wendy, of course, from Rapunzel, who writes the diary. Celia, the sea witch, who steals the Little Mermaid’s voice. And finally Baba Yaga, who lives in a house on chicken legs and flies around in a mortar which she steers with a pestle.

What were some of the other 3000 unlisted spells?

How to turn porridge into glue, how to turn hair green, how to make dried batwings into a refreshing evening snack.

Why is your target audience children?

I think children are the best readers because they have the best imaginations. I also have children the same age, so I’m always telling them stories.

If you were to take part in the wickedness management course, what lessons do you think you would learn?

Maybe to be a little bit more patient. I’m not good at waiting…

What wicked things did Agatha and Wendoline do together?

So many things. They had curses which made people hear with their tongues and see with their ears. Curses that made chocolates taste like squirrel droppings. And other curses that made dogs talk and their owners bark.

Why didn’t Wendoline perform any curses in the books? Can she even do magic?

She had an ankle bracelet on that meant she couldn’t do any magic. When the bracelet’s off, she’s one of the most magical witches around.

Which witch is your favourite witch?

Wendoline! That’s why I made her the main character. There’s something about the story of Rapunzel that makes me chuckle. I like Baba Yaga too.

What is the backstory behind the Wendoline and the troll – why do they hate each other?

The Troll isn’t anyone’s friend, really – he’s always demanding money when they cross his bridge. And he’s very grumpy. But it’s only when he joins the jury that Wendy decides she really doesn’t like him.

What was the idea behind the Fairytale Woods?

I thought it would be fun to tell well-known fairytales from the point of view of the baddies. So Diary of a Big Bad Wolf, the Puss in Boots, and now the Wicked Witch. Though maybe it should be Witches, plural, because there are so many in the story.

Why could Baba Yaga only say her name, except for when she yelled out ‘Halloween’?

You’d have to ask her! But I think it’s something to do with how much fun it is to say her name… BABA YAGA!!!!

Why did the king and queen want to get cursed?

I think they were bored without any witches around. No-one wants BAD witches. But a little bit of mischief now and again reminds everyone not to take themselves too seriously.

Who do you think is the strongest witch and why?

Well definitely not Wendy. She very nearly cracks under pressure. And Agatha does crack. Now I think about it, Gertrude and Celia go pretty much off the rails too. So I guess it’s Baba Yaga.

What would you like to write about in your next book?

My next book is about a dog, and it’s set in the highlands of Scotland at Christmas.

Will there be more books in this series? Which fairytales would you like to write about next?

Definitely! In fact I’m beavering away on the next one, about an extremely evil Dragon.

What would happen if Rapunzel was the baddie and the witches were the good characters?

That’s such a good idea. You should definitely write that… before I STEAL IT! CACKLE CACKLE CACKLE!