LoveReading and LoveReading4Kids were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Marcus Sedgwick, an exceptional writer for all ages whose books we’ve long loved. Here LoveReading Editorial Expert Joanne Owen pays personal tribute to Marcus Sedgwick. 

We’ve also collected his books below so you can discover his remarkable work for yourselves.

 

Wise and kind. Honest and inventive. Gentle, with an understated, yet undeniable presence. These words apply equally to Marcus the person, and Marcus the writer. His work is a thing of grace and clarity. His writing opens new ways of seeing the world, as did his company — here, have you noticed this? Look over here. Why not see it this way? Why not step onto this path? Few authors could write so perfectly for so many ages as Marcus, and his loss will be felt bone-deep by those who knew him in life, and through his soul-stirringly beautiful work.

I first met Marcus 22 years ago. At that time, I was the Children’s Book Buyer for Borders, he was the Key Account Manager for Templar Books, on the cusp of a remarkable writing journey, for it was in 2000 that Marcus and his editor, Fiona Kennedy, won the prestigious Branford Boase Award for his debut novel,  Floodland  — an award that’s presented annually to the most promising debut children’s writer and their editor. 

Though of cutting relevance two decades ago, Floodland’s story of a near-future Britain submerged under water has become yet more prescient in 2022. And a clutch of Marcus’ later novels also explore the damage humans are doing to our planet, including his 2022-published novella, Wrath. Such was Marcus’ sense of humanity, and his understanding of our elemental connections to the natural world. And of course, winning that Branford Boase Award was the first of many global accolades Marcus’ work would receive.

Back then, as Marcus’ writing flourished, there were good days of book launches and publishing parties, which I’d attend with my fine friend and Borders colleague Becky Stradwick (who went on to become an editor extraordinaire), and a mutual mate of Marcus’. There were also tough times, when he knew exactly what to say.

During this period, Marcus was generous with his thoughts and time as I began to write my own debut children’s novel. He listened, he encouraged, and that novel went on to be edited and published by the very same, very wonderful Fiona Kennedy, then Publishing Director of Orion Children’s Books. I have joyous memories of a bunch of Orion writers — Marcus, Lauren St John, Cliff McNish, Joe Friedman — getting together to share stories, and lots of laughs. 

On the subject of laughter, though many of Marcus’ novels tackle serious subjects with his inimitable grace and fresh perspectives, his writing for younger readers — including The Raven Mysteries, and Elf Girl and Raven Boy — brim with humour, a delicious sense of adventure, and friendship. Always friendship.

On the theme of friendship, Marcus’ last published books, Be the Change: Be Kind and Be the Change: Be Calm are rather like having the ear of a wise friend. In these empathetic handbooks, Marcus shares personal experiences and practical techniques for being calmer and kinder with typical honesty and generosity.

I’ll leave the last words to Marcus, with heartfelt thanks for his friendship, and for the exceptional writing he’s gifted to the world. We’ll miss you, Marcus. Very much.

“To be remembered in the heart of a loved one is to live forever”, Marcus Sedgwick, The Ghosts of Heaven.