Meet the Team: Nadia Saward, Commissioning Editor

Introducing Nadia Saward, Commissioning Editor

What was your first acquisition or the first book you worked on for Orbit?

My first acquisition was the delectably spicy The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

What was the first SFF book you were obsessed with as a child?

The Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale re-wired my brain, as did Anthony Horowitz’s horror short stories.

Name an Orbit cover you love:

This is tricky, because I love all the covers I’ve worked on, but the cover for A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall, designed by Charlotte Stroomer with art from Raxenne Maniquiz, has a special place in my heart.

What’s been your career highlight at Orbit?

Every time I acquire a book is a highlight really, especially if it’s through pre-empt or auction. But one from my early days at Orbit was the first time I got to email N.K. Jemisin, and totally kept my cool and didn’t scream once.

What are your top 5 TV shows of all time?

In no particular order: The Haunting of Hill House, New Girl, Evil, What We Do In The Shadows and Severence

What would your specialist subject be on Mastermind?

Rom-coms released in the 90s-2010s, specialising in movies written by Nora Ephron

What one book do you wish you had published?

It has to be The Goblin Emperor, my favourite book of all time (I even have a tattoo from it)

What’s your favourite trope?

When a character is too kinky to be tortured, niche but brilliant

What would your DnD race and class be?

In terms of what I like playing best, it’s a toss up between my owlin ranger and autognome cleric, but if I was a character, I’d gravitate towards a halfling druid, so I could wild shape into a cat and lie in sunbeams anytime I want.

Star Wars of Star Trek?

Star Wars if I have to, because Reylo, but really my choice is Stargate. Specifically the movie, you can’t tell me it wasn’t made specifically for the bisexuals