Matt Haig is an award-winning author whose diverse body of work spans fiction, non-fiction, and children’s literature across a variety of genres. His international bestseller The Midnight Library became a cultural phenomenon, winning the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction and selling over ten million copies worldwide. The novel spent 52 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was shortlisted for the 2021 British Book Awards’ Fiction Book of the Year. The audiobook, narrated by Carey Mulligan, also earned widespread acclaim. The Midnight Library was further adapted into a ten-episode radio series for BBC Radio 4. Haig’s most recent novel, The Life Impossible, also became a New York Times bestseller.
Haig’s personal journey has deeply informed his writing and advocacy. After a suicide attempt at 24, he became an outspoken advocate for mental health, using his platform to share his experiences and offer tools for living a more positive life. His memoir Reasons to Stay Alive became a #1 bestseller and remained in the British top ten for 46 weeks. In Notes on a Nervous Planet, Haig explores the impact of modern society’s technological and social advancements on our happiness, offering reflections on the challenges of contemporary life.
In addition to his work for adults, Haig has made a significant impact in children’s literature, known for addressing dark themes in ways that are accessible to younger readers. His book Shadow Forest won the prestigious Nestlé Children’s Book Prize in 2007, and A Boy Called Christmas became a global success, translated into over 40 languages. The book was adapted into a film featuring Maggie Smith, Sally Hawkins, and Jim Broadbent.
Haig’s work has been published in 56 languages, and he is a passionate advocate for literacy, libraries, and improved mental health care for all. He studied English and History at Hull University and later completed an MA at Leeds.
