The Tor editor who first published John Scalzi, then handed him a 13-book contract in order to – I don’t know, prevent him from taking all those nonexistent offers from other publishers? – has retired.
Patrick Nielsen Hayden, my friend and also my editor at Tor Books, is retiring. He steps forward from a career that includes editing hundreds of books, including twenty of my own, and a ridiculous number of professional awards and achievements, including several Hugo Awards and a World Fantasy award. In addition to editing, he was (and continues to be) a notable figure in science fiction fandom, helping to run conventions, having been guest of honor for several, and got his first Hugo nomination for the fanzine Izzard back in 1984. He also teaches, including a long stint at the Viable Paradise writing workshop.
The short version of this is, he’s one of the editors most responsible for how the science fiction and fantasy field looks today.
Wow, that’s pretty harsh! Damning words indeed! If he’s one of the editors most responsible for how the science fiction and fantasy field looks today, he’s got a lot for which to answer.