Eleanor Hawken - Editor
Eleanor is an experienced fiction editor and has worked on titles across the various children’s markets, from Young Fiction to YA. She loves discovering fresh talent and working with new authors to hone their story-telling skills.
Eleanor has had nine novels for children published under her own name. Her titles include Sammy Feral’s Diaries of Weird (winner of the Lancashire Library’s Fantastic Book Award 2014), Felix Frost (Quercus Books), The Blue Lady and The Grey Girl (Hot Key Books). Eleanor has also written under the pseudonym Zed Storm, devising writing and working as a series consultant on the Will Solvit books. She has also written Book of the Film novelisations for movie studios, and countless activity and story books for various Disney films and franchises in her days as an editor in licensed publishing.
Eleanor is married with two young sons. When not writing, editing or helping with maths homework she loves nothing more than to practise yoga!
Find Eleanor on Twitter here: @ehawken
Testimonials
– Laken B.
– Gloria B.
– Andy G.
- T. W.
- B. M.
- Jamie M.
- Jimmy C.
WHY WE LOVE ELEANOR
Eleanor’s knowledge within the children’s market is exemplary. So much so, we are proud to say that she is the lead tutor on our Writing for Children course. The enthusiasm that Eleanor brings to each project leaps off the page; you can feel your passion for writing re-ignite with every word. This is why it’s always a pleasure to read Eleanor’s reports. Eleanor’s concise reports are crafted with care and packed with commercial know-how. Confident across the children’s market, including YA, we believe Eleanor can give any children’s author the tools to achieve their dreams, along with the encouragement to believe they are attainable.
WHAT ELEANOR SAYS ABOUT EDITING
I have always loved stories, and am passionate about reading, writing and telling them. I remember vividly what it was like to be a rookie writer with no industry experience at all. Plenty of people helped me along the way, and now it’s a privilege to be able to help others.
Since beginning my editorial career I’ve had an eye for commercial children’s fiction. I’m particularly drawn to books that may appeal to reluctant readers – the more children we see with books in their hands, the better!
My passion and experience in how to create a commercial hook are key elements that I bring to editing.
I aim to look at each project with a view of how it could be the best possible version of itself. How can a book be funnier? Scarier? Better paced? How can we create characters that leap off the page and into the reader’s hearts? I genuinely enjoy the opportunity to work with new authors, helping them to hone their storytelling skills and begin their publishing journey.
Genres Eleanor specialises in
Eleanor's published books
Felix Frost: Roman Riddle
Join Felix Frost, secret boy genius, his chameleon Einstein and his classmate Missy as they travel back in time to Ancient Rome, where terrifying danger and embarrassing togas await.
But can they solve the riddle of a mysterious gladiator skeleton without getting themselves skewered in the gladiator arena?
Funny, fast-paced and full of you-won’t-believe-it facts, Felix Frost: Time Detective will have readers hooked on history and sold on science!
The Blue Lady
A chilling boarding school ghost story that will keep you up all night…
Fourteen-year-old Frankie Ward is used to being the new girl at school, but even she is unprepared for life at St Mark’s College. Finding herself isolated from the rest of the girls, Frankie is drawn to flamboyant and dramatic Suzy, who captivates her with stories of ‘The Blue Lady’ – the ghost of an ex-St Mark’s pupil who died in mysterious and tragic circumstances. One night Suzy persuades Frankie to help her contact The Blue Lady via an Ouija Board – and the girls unleash a terrifying spirit who seems set on destroying not only their friendship but Suzy’s sanity. Determined to rescue her friend, Frankie enlists the help of Seb, a mysterious and alluring boy from sister-school St Hilda’s. Seb is as interested in St Mark’s past as Frankie – but does he have as many dark secrets as the school?
Sammy Feral’s Diaries of Weird: Vampire Attack
Together with his cryptozoologist friends Red and Donny, Sammy Feral investigates weird creatures like werewolves, yetis and dragons. When a whole village of children goes missing, Sammy knows something weird is going on again. A black cat begins following him everywhere, and a legion of vampire bats descend on his own village. Then, Sammy’s little sister Natty gets really ill, with a strange bruise on her neck.
Thanks to his CSC talent (cross-species-communication) Sammy discovers that the cat is here to warn him about evil bats led by the evil Count Batula. The only way to increase their numbers is by biting children, Sammy’s sister does not have much time. The gang create a plan to kill Count Batula, which cat believes will release the other bats back to their normal state.
