Matt Haig

Matt Haig is a British author of novels and non-fiction, who has been described by The Guardian as “one of the great magical realist writers”. His publications span from adult and children's fiction to a blue-chip self-help books. His topic matters have included mental health, history, adventure, family and relationships, philosophy and travel.

Haig was born in 1974 in Sheffield, England. He studied at the University of Cambridge, where he received a degree in English literature. After graduating in 1997, he spent two years working as a copywriter, before embarking on a serious writing career.

Haig’s first book, The Last Family in England, was published in 2000; a young adult novel focusing on the influence of technology on modern family life. He went on to publish a series of successful young adult novels, including The Finding and Love, Again. His first adult novel, The Radleys, was published in 2010 to critical acclaim, and was shortlisted for both the South Bank Sky Arts and the Guardian First Book Awards.

Haig's first non-fiction work, The humans, was published in 2013. It was an exploration of why humans are the way they are and offered a unique perspective on the development of human nature. Since then, he has gone on to write a number of other non-fiction books, including Reasons to Stay Alive, Notes on a Nervous Planet and How to Stop Time.

Haig’s biggest success to date has been his widely-acclaimed ‘The Rules of Seeing’ trilogy, consisting of The Humans, The Shock of the Fall and Notes from an Apocalypse. Each book deals with a different stage of life, from childhood to adulthood, and examines how we can live our lives in a meaningful and fulfilling way despite the personal struggles we may face.

Haig’s writing is honest and emotional, and he often speaks candidly in the media about his experience with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. His autobiography, Reasons to Stay Alive, recounts his personal struggles with depression and explores how he came to look at life in a more positive way.

In 2017, Matt Haig was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters, in recognition of his contribution to literature. He is currently a Visiting Professor of creative writing at Lancaster University.

Haig is known for his accessibility and approachability online, and he is active on Twitter and Facebook. He has a huge international fan-base and specialises in creating truly memorable experiences for readers and fans. His books have been translated into more than 25 languages and will continue to remain popular for many more years to come.