Many tributes have been paid to former Orion publisher Malcolm Edwards, who died at the weekend at the age of 76. This is ours.
Torin Douglas, director of the Chiswick Book Festival said: “There would have been no Chiswick Book Festival without Malcolm Edwards. He and his wife Jacks Thomas were co-founders of the Festival in 2009 and it was Malcolm’s authors and Jacks’s energy that got the Festival off to a flying start and ensured it never looked back. I thought we should start slowly. Their idea of ‘slowly’ was Lady Antonia Fraser, Anthony Horowitz, Michael Frayn and Jacqueline Wilson, who all drew large and appreciative audiences to St Michael & All Angels Church. See ‘Our History: How the Festival began’
Malcolm will be very much missed. Our condolences to Jacks and their family.
Below is the report from Festival partner BookBrunch.
The news was released last night in a statement shared by his family, which we reproduce in full below:-
‘Malcolm Edwards graduated from King’s College, Cambridge, in 1971 with a degree in social anthropology, having gone up as a scholarship boy from Haberdasher Aske’s Boys School as a Scholar in Economics; he discovered the 70s and changed courses quickly.
‘On graduating, he trained as a librarian and worked in Pinner Library while also reading The Bookseller avidly and pursuing his SF hobby. He started his publishing career in 1976 as an editor at Gollancz. He rose to become Publishing Director and established a formidable list. One high point came in 1984 when, within a month, he published J.G. Ballard’s Empire of the Sun, William Gibson’s Neuromancer, and Robert Holdstock’s Mythago Wood. Other authors he edited included Brian Aldiss, Octavia Butler, Arthur C. Clarke, Philip K. Dick, Frank Herbert, Ursula K. Le Guin, Michael Moorcock and Terry Pratchett.
‘He was a Contributing Editor to the very first edition of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, published in 1979. He also edited Foundation and Interzone, administered the Science Fiction Foundation, and was president of World SF. His only published story, ‘After-Images’, won a British SF Award in 1983. He co-authored The Tour of the Universe with Rob Holdstock, among other books.
‘Edwards wrote for and edited a number of other SFF publications including Vector, the critical journal of the British Science Fiction Association, and the science fiction anthology Constellations.
‘He moved to HarperCollins in late 1989 and became Fiction Publishing Director in early 1991. Among the many authors he edited were Stephen Baxter, Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, David Eddings, Alan Furst, James Herbert and Peter Straub. He published both Michael Dobbs’ House of Cards novels and George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones.
‘His idea to publish a novel in paperback serial parts came to fruition with Stephen King’s The Green Mile in 1996. He was named Editor of the Year at the 1996 British Book Awards.
‘Edwards moved to Orion at the beginning of 1998 to take up the newly created position of Managing Director of Orion Books and became Deputy Chief Executive and Publisher in 2003. He also served on the Hachette UK board from its foundation.
‘At Orion he assembled an exceptional team of editors, and a major part of his role was to acquire books for all parts of the list. Among the authors he worked with were – in fiction – Maeve Binchy, Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly, Justin Cronin (The Passage), Julian Fellowes, Gillian Flynn, Anthony Horowitz, Kate Mosse, Ian Rankin and Carlos Ruiz Zafón; and in non-fiction Trinny & Susannah, the Hairy Bikers, Richard Hammond, Michael Palin, Keith Richards, Julie Walters, Jennifer Worth (Call the Midwife) and Malala Yousafzai.
‘He also co-edited the Fantasy Masterworks series – and launched the – at the time – groundbreaking SF Masterworks, SF Gateway and the Murder Room digital crime list during his time at Orion.
‘Orion was named Publisher of the Year at the 2005 British Book Awards. Weidenfeld & Nicolson was named Imprint of the Year in 2015.
‘Edwards left Hachette in 2019. Later the same year, at Worldcon Dublin, George R.R. Martin presented the ‘Alfie Award’ to Edwards for his editing. Subsequently he was given the Terry Pratchett HoneyBee Award.
‘He went on to become Publisher of André Deutsch, part of the Welbeck group, until Welbeck’s sale, and latterly worked as a consultant.
‘In due course, there will be a celebration of Edwards’ life and career in publishing for the trade.’
Authors, agents and publishers were quick to pay tribute to Edwards.
Ian Rankin said: “I always think of Malcolm as a properly old-school publisher for whom people were as important as the books they wrote, read, sold or published. He was charm incarnate and (to my eyes) unflappable, but with one of the sharpest minds in the business. His quest to get me to read more science fiction was one of his rare failures. I will miss his wisdom and his humanity.”
Erica James said: “Malcolm was an integral part of my early career as an author, for which I will always be grateful. I recall with great fondness many a publication lunch when, and with perfect timing, he made us all laugh with his wonderfully wry sense of humour.”
Kate Mosse said: “Malcolm Edwards was a brilliant, quiet, exceptional man of publishing. He was principled and inspiring, a key part of the success of Labyrinth, and someone who never lost the excitement of discovering, and promoting, a new author.”
Si King said: “I’m so very sad to hear of Malcolm Edwards’ passing. Without him and his guidance, knowledge, wisdom, and instinct, I’d never have put pen to paper. He and his team had the vision to take two northern lads on and give them an opportunity to craft their writing and leave a body of work Dave, and I were so very proud of. The man I knew was a man of great integrity, humour, and insight. Malcolm had a fundamental belief that the written word mattered and has the power to change minds and enrich lives. I know Malcolm changed my life for the better. The publishing world shines less brightly with his passing. Thank you, Malcolm, for all you did for Dave and me. You will be remembered with great affection.”
Rob Wilkins from The Terry Pratchett Estate said: “Malcolm Edwards was a titan and taught me more about publishers and publishing than anyone else in the business. Even during the toughest of negotiations, Terry Pratchett had nothing but praise and respect for him and that – believe me – is a rare accolade. Everyone at the Pratchett estate will miss him dearly and we send our condolences to Jacks and his family.”
Amanda Harris, Literary Agent, said: “Malcolm Edwards’ publishing legacy cannot be overestimated. The rollcall of authors he discovered, published and championed is a who’s who of commercial and critical success – and not just in book publishing. Some of the most acclaimed Film & TV successes of recent times were adapted from the books Malcolm commissioned. Malcolm had an unnervingly brilliant mind, and his negotiation skills, use of a silent pause and deal architecture were second to none. But the most important lesson of business he taught me, which is one I am most grateful for, was to be kind.”
Literary Agent Luigi Bonomi said: “Malcolm was the brightest star in the publishing firmament – a kind man with a razor-sharp intelligence who was a giant in our industry. I shall never forget his support and love for me and for all the authors and colleagues who worked with him.”
Jonathan Lloyd, Literary Agent, said: “He was a truly inspired and inspiring publisher respected by authors and admired by staff. His knowledge was vast and his taste was impeccable. His sense of humour was ever-present, and he wore his wisdom lightly. And he was a great and invaluable member of any team including at any quiz evening where his presence guaranteed the winning prize. He and Jacks made for an especially brilliant and balanced duo – a modest but powerful and very popular publishing couple. I am very proud to have known him and my heart goes out to Jacks and his family.”
Jon Wood, Literary Agent: “It’s rare that the smartest person in the room is also the wisest. Malcolm was both. Usually, he knew the answer to your problem long before you had walked into his office, but he understood that people need support and respect as much as guidance and let you catch up. He published brilliantly throughout his career – and was always fearsomely competitive. But, more than that, he built a team who loved both him and each other and still do. No one has had a greater impact on my life in publishing.”
Lisa Milton said: “Malcolm gave me my biggest career break. He created a great team, empowering us all to do our very best, to push ourselves, to want the most for our authors and their books. We published mega bestsellers, experimented with genres and were never afraid of niche audiences. I treasure every lunch, and the Ivy Club breakfasts, every publication moment and also, those journeys where you knew you would arrive at your destination fully educated about an aspect of this brilliant industry with a decisive dollop of fun. Hugely passionate about reading, the power of books and a great story, working with him was a masterclass in publishing. I will be forever grateful for his guidance, support and brilliance.”
Anthony Horowitz said: “I owe Malcolm Edwards a lot. He was a wonderful publisher and a loyal friend, inspiring and supporting some of my best work including The House of Silk and Magpie Murders. All in all, he represented the very best in British publishing.”
Pictured (l-r); Jon Wood and Malcolm Edwards