When Arundhati Roy completed her new novel, her first in 20 years, she told her literary agent, "I don't want all this bidding and vulgarity, you know.' She wanted interested publishers to write her a letter instead, describing "how they understood' her book. She then convened a meeting with them. "OK,' her agent prompted afterwards. "You know what they think. You've met them. Now decide." "Oh no,' she told him. "Not yet. First I'll have to consult."

He was puzzled. "You consult me, right?' "No, I have to consult these folks. You know, the folks in my book.' So the author and her agent sat together in silence while she asked the characters in her novel which publisher they liked the best. When Roy announced their choice, her agent pointed out that his bid was half what other publishers were offering. "Yes," she shrugged. "But they like him."

Seeing my expression as she relates this, Roy starts to smile. "Everyone thinks I live alone, but I don't. My characters all live with me." They're always with her? "Oh yes. As soon as I shut the door, it's, "So what did you think of that person? Idiot, right?'' Will she ask them how this interview went after I leave? She looks surprised I'd need to ask. "Yes, of course."

The Guardian speaks to Arundhati Roy ahead of the release of her book The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Read the full interview here.