It’s been 30 years since the original "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" was published, and now the "trilogy" is back with a sixth installment. Don't forget to bring a towel.

Don't panic, the much-loved, ill-billed 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' trilogy is back for a sixth installment to mark the 30th anniversary of the publication of the first book.

Fans of Douglas Adams' series are accustomed to improbabilities that prove to be entertaining diversions, and this certainly counts as one of those.

[Zoe Parsons, Hitchhiker's Guide Fan]:
"I never expected to see another one but then Douglas Adams did die nine years ago."

Alex Clarke is the editorial director for the new book which is called, And Another Thing.  A position he also held for the recent update to the James Bond franchise by Sebastien Faulks.  That book, based on the series by Ian Fleming, sold 44 thousand copies in three days to make it Penguin's fastest-selling hardback novel ever.

[Alex Clarke, 'And Another Thing' Editorial Director, Penguin Books]:
"With Bond we learned there's a huge appetite for these national and cultural icons and this is a very different cultural icon with Douglas, but we know there's an appetite for these continuation books."

Don't Panic is a favourite catchphrase for fans of the original books, but the author of the new installment Eoin Colfer admits to feeling some trepidation.

[Eoin Colfer, Author]:
"I'm nervous and excited, but mostly nervous."

Actor Harry Shearer, best-known for his role in Spinal Tap and vocal contribution to 'The Simpsons', says he understands what Colfer must be feeling.

[Harry Shearer, Actor & Hitchhiker Fan]:
"Yeah, like the woman who wrote Gone With The Wind Part 2.  Good on him.  Good luck to him."

Colfer says he's been encouraged by the reactions of those who have read the book.

[Eoin Colfer, Author]:
"It's done in an affectionate way.  When you read it you know that this guy, me, is a fan of Douglas Adams.  And this is not trying to be the sixth Hitchhiker book in a way. It is like a big sign post saying there's the Hitchhiker books.'

Colfer says he won't write any more Hitchhiker books, but he hopes other authors will.

[Eoin Colfer, Author]:
"Imagine if Iain Banks would do one, or Margaret Atwood.  How great would that be? Plus it would dilute my blame."