Overview
As an editor for Penguin Random House and David Fickling Books, I worked on books by some truly wonderful writers. Titles include:
Daemon Voices: Essays on Storytelling by Philip Pullman (Guardian Best Books 2017; Wall Street Journal Notable Book, winner of the Anne Izard Award in the US).
I was also part of the editorial team working on Philip Pullman's novels La Belle Sauvage and The Secret Commonwealth.
* YA novel Unbecoming by multi-award winning Jenny Downham
('Exceptional.' Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
* The Mysterious Life of Dr Barry by best-selling Lisa Williamson (forthcoming)
* Middle-grade novel Black Arts by Andrew Prentice and Jon Weil
('brilliant, a great blend of action, adventure, magic, horror and humour.' Charlie Higson)
For this I was short-listed for the Branford Boase Award, UK's premier first-children's-novel prize, which jointly honours author and editor.
*Picture book Very Little Red Riding Hood by Teresa Heapy ('fabulous - sure to become a bedtime delight' The Sun).
I'm currently setting up a new series of rollicking adventure stories from world history for middle-grade readers, 'True Adventures', and working with some great authors such as award-winning Catherine Johnson and best-selling Lisa Williamson. They'll be published by Pushkin Press from August onwards.
Earlier in my career, I commissioned and edited trade/academic non-fiction for Oxford University Press (Oxford History of Art series), Thames and Hudson (best-selling Styles, Schools and Movements) and Greenwood (Young British Muslim Voices).
My own YA novels include: Garvie Smith mysteries Kid Got Shot (Crimefest Best Crime Novel for YA - winner) and Running Girl (Costa Children’s Prize – shortlisted). ‘Sixteen-year-old Garvie Smith is one of the best detectives in contemporary fiction . . . fresh, funny and compelling.’ Sunday Times Books of the Year
I also teach Creative Writing.
I love working with authors. Nothing more exciting than seeing an author find their voice and tell their story.
Daemon Voices: Essays on Storytelling by Philip Pullman (Guardian Best Books 2017; Wall Street Journal Notable Book, winner of the Anne Izard Award in the US).
I was also part of the editorial team working on Philip Pullman's novels La Belle Sauvage and The Secret Commonwealth.
* YA novel Unbecoming by multi-award winning Jenny Downham
('Exceptional.' Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
* The Mysterious Life of Dr Barry by best-selling Lisa Williamson (forthcoming)
* Middle-grade novel Black Arts by Andrew Prentice and Jon Weil
('brilliant, a great blend of action, adventure, magic, horror and humour.' Charlie Higson)
For this I was short-listed for the Branford Boase Award, UK's premier first-children's-novel prize, which jointly honours author and editor.
*Picture book Very Little Red Riding Hood by Teresa Heapy ('fabulous - sure to become a bedtime delight' The Sun).
I'm currently setting up a new series of rollicking adventure stories from world history for middle-grade readers, 'True Adventures', and working with some great authors such as award-winning Catherine Johnson and best-selling Lisa Williamson. They'll be published by Pushkin Press from August onwards.
Earlier in my career, I commissioned and edited trade/academic non-fiction for Oxford University Press (Oxford History of Art series), Thames and Hudson (best-selling Styles, Schools and Movements) and Greenwood (Young British Muslim Voices).
My own YA novels include: Garvie Smith mysteries Kid Got Shot (Crimefest Best Crime Novel for YA - winner) and Running Girl (Costa Children’s Prize – shortlisted). ‘Sixteen-year-old Garvie Smith is one of the best detectives in contemporary fiction . . . fresh, funny and compelling.’ Sunday Times Books of the Year
My middle-grade fiction includes Moon Pie (Guardian Children’s Prize – shortlisted). ‘Outstanding . . . gripping and absorbing . . . deserves prizes as well as praise.’ The Times. And also The Quigleys (Branford Boase Award – special commendation). ‘Huge fun.’ Sunday Times
I also teach Creative Writing.
I love working with authors. Nothing more exciting than seeing an author find their voice and tell their story.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Middle Grade
Mystery & Crime
Thriller & Suspense
Young Adult
Languages
English (UK)
Awards
- Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award (top children's first novel award) for editing Black Arts by Andrew Prentice and Jon Weil
- Costa Award for Best Children's Book - shortlisted for Running Girl
- Guardian Children's Book Prize - shortlisted for Moon Pie
- Crimefest Best Crime Novel for Young Adults - Winner for Kid Got Shot
- Betty Trask Award for Best First Novel - Winner for The Great English Nude
- Iburger Schlossgeschichten Award (Germany) - Winner for The Quigleys
- Anne Izard Award for Best Book on Story-telling (US) - Winner for Daemon Voices
Work experience
Pushkin Press
Feb, 2019 —
Jan, 2020
(11 months)
I devised, set up, commissioned and edited a new series of middle-grade adventure stories from world history called 'True Adventures'. Launching in August 2020, it contains narrative non-fiction titles intended primarily to thrill: fast-moving historical novels featuring charismatic characters to inspire a new generation of readers - such as Mu Guiying, kung-fu prodigy of Ancient China and bandit's daughter, who saved her country from the northern barbarians, or Sophie Scholl, young Munich University student, who dared to speak out against Hitler at the height of World War Two.
David Fickling Books
Jan, 2012 —
Jan, 2018
(about 6 years)
With the owner, I set up and ran the company (a leading independent publisher of children's books), doing the usual managing director stuff. But I also worked editorially with a number of our authors, including Jenny Downham, Lisa Williamson and Philip Pullman.
Portfolio
Simon has 5 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Mahtab N.
May, 2021
David W.
May, 2021
Gloria W.
Sep, 2020
David W.
Sep, 2020
Dave C.
Sep, 2020
