Editor
Haydn Middleton
Haydn Middleton has been an author and tutor for almost forty years.
Haydn is probably unique in having published quite so many books on such a wide range of subjects – both fiction and non-fiction, for both adults and for children – although some of them are really very short indeed! Many have been translated into foreign languages. Details can be found on his website www.haydnmiddleton.com. The Observer said of his most recent novel for adults, The Ballad Of Syd & Morgan (Propolis, 2018), ‘Haydn Middleton brilliantly imagines a meeting between Syd Barrett and E M Forster’. His next adult novel, The Actual Whole of Music was published in May 2021.
His latest work of fiction for children The Girl Who Said No to the Nazis (Pushkin, 2020) tells the true story of the 1942-43 White Rose plot against Hitler & Co. A historian by training, and a lifelong devotee of fantasy/SF, he has worked as an editor at Oxford University Press, taught creative writing around the world from England to America to Greece and Australia, and he currently tutors students from Stanford University USA on the Bing Overseas Studies Program.
- Catriona & Alexa
– Rafif A. R.
– Murray F.
– Martin W.
- Nigel S.
- Kathryn T.
- Charles B.
- Gillian G.
- C. H.
- Laura L.
- J. Parnham
- Ann L.
Haydn's specialties
WHY WE LOVE HAYDN
Haydn is one of our longest-standing editors, having worked with us since 2005. He’ll happily work across fiction and non-fiction and books for adults and children. He’d be a particularly good fit for your fantasy, historical, or literary novel. His intricate reports are always packed-full of advice, particularly on voice. We spoke to him about his work as an editor here.
WHAT HAYDN SAYS ABOUT EDITING
I’ve sometimes been told that my reports tend towards the ‘sterner’ end of the JW editorial spectrum. It has also been suggested that I take a ‘tough love’ approach. I’m not sure I go with that – and not just because ‘love’ in this context would be entirely inappropriate! I’d rather say my advice is based on ‘tough respect’. Clients have paid good money for a report, and the last thing they need is from me is soft soap or flannel.
I aim to help each client to communicate their vision more clearly and more entertainingly (two qualities that are often very closely linked). This may require a fairly thorough rethink of the client’s own original aims. In my online courses for JW I frankly admit that I’m not sure whether creative writing can be taught, but I sincerely believe that it can be learned, particularly from open-minded editorial exchanges, and exposure to the great literature of the past.
What Haydn works on
By purchasing any of these products, you'll have the opportunity to express your interest in working with Haydn.
Perfect for authors with a finished draft
Manuscript assessment
Perfect for authors querying agents
Agent Submission Pack assessment
Haydn's published books
