Editor
Eleanor Hawken
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
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Eleanor's specialties
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.
What Eleanor works on
By purchasing any of these products, you'll have the opportunity to express your interest in working with Eleanor.
Perfect for authors with a finished draft
Manuscript assessment
Perfect for authors with a finished draft
Developmental Editing
Eleanor's published books
