Testimonials
Literary Rescue Service
'He has a fantastic way of seeing missing plot points and character aspects that no-one else catches. His gift for clearly capturing setting and character with minimal words makes his input helpful for any writer wanting to produce immersive, fast-paced stories. Highly recommended.'
Aiki Flinthart - Aurealis award shortlisted Author of Blackbirds Sing and The Kalima Chronicles.
'I was having no success getting my non-fiction book published, until Jan worked with me on a new cover letter, proposal and synopsis. A publisher who had ignored my previous communications immediately accepted it.' Charlotte Golledge (author of The Graveyard and Cemetaries of Edinburgh).
'Jan edited my book and helped polish the dialogue. Then, when I admitted I didn’t like my ending, he suggested a crazy alternative. It was exactly what the novel needed. Now I send everything I write to him for input.' Samantha Maclaren (Features writer in New York)
'Thank you Jan for giving me such constructive feedback! You’ve presented it so positively and given me great direction. You’ve made my day!' Caroline Ann
'Half way through my first novel I was completely stuck. Jan suggested brilliant new forms and avenues for the plot and characters and provided me with ideas galore. It inspired me to complete a work I would never have finished otherwise.' Charlie Guy
I had the pleasure of working with Jan Henderson across multiple manuscripts. His expertise in character development is unrivalled and he’s extremely knowledgeable in world building, pacing and story development. Most importantly, he respected my voice as an author. Jemima McKusker (Author of Stone Guardians, Crossfire and The Last Druid)
General Reviews
Henderson writes the kind of thrillers that make you miss your stop on the bus. Times Educational Supplement
Jan Henderson has written some incredible books… One of my favourite authors. Sharon Rooney, star of ‘My Mad Fat Diary’
One of the UK’s most promising writers. Edinburgh Evening News
One of the UK’s best talents. Lovereading.co.uk
‘If there were more books like yours out there maybe people would be reading more’ - Charlie Higson (Young James Bond and The Enemy series)
School Talks and Workshops
You are an extremely entertaining speaker (and lunch companion!). You kept the students laughing. It was clear that you had our students’ full engagement by the number of questions and the reluctance of students to leave at the end of the session. I particularly noted that students hovered around you and the table of books as they left. Even more striking was one of our shyest year 7’s requesting your autograph at the end of the day (this has never happened before). Further to this I have one young writer email me requesting your contact details so she can send her work through to you (consider yourself warned!).
Chris Barker, Teacher Librarian, Emmaus Colllege, Brisbane.
J A Henderson visited our school as part of a scheme to enthuse reluctant boy readers in lower school; he certainly did that! The boys were mesmerised by his stories. They talked about his visit for weeks afterwards! Sarah Culshaw, Librarian Elfed High School.
Really good, interesting and the funniest day of my life! Your adventures have made me want to be an author! D.P. Pupil, Elfed High School.
You left an awesome impression on me. I used to think authors were quite dull and boring but you seem like such a laid-back cool (but crazy) guy. I love how you don’t mind expressing yourself, your intense curiosity and you’re simply hilarious. H.F. Pupil, Beath High School.
It was very inspiring how anyone can become writer, not just people who have had that dream since they were a child or were the top English-geeks at school. I don’t think I could write a novel but you did help me realise that there’s more out there than I might think and to keep my options open. So thank you. And no my teachers didn’t make me do this, haha. N.T. Pupil, Beath High School.
Brilliant, funny but also inspiring. He had my stomach sore, I was laughing so much. H.F. Pupil, Lasswade High School
My friend and I thought we were going to listen to a boring writer that talked for hours in an expressionless voice. We were wrong. Your talk was brilliant…. I think you gave us great advice. H.H. Pupil, Lasswade High School.
You single handedly have inspired me in a way I cannot describe. M.Y. Pupil Lasswade High School
Sound guy, kept everyone happy. Very imaginative, really enjoyed it. A.L., Pupil, Irvine Royal Academy.
Not like other writers, very different with good ideas. T.L. Pupil, Irvine Royal Academy.
I just wanted to send you a personal thank you for a very entertaining afternoon. You captured the attention of S1’s for an hour and that is some feat! Janice Bourelle, Librarian, Creiff High School.
I wanted to let you know I really enjoyed listening to your journey on becoming a writer. Wow, it was hilarious. I’m going to sit and come up with a brilliant idea. H.G. Pupil, Glenrothes High School.
Your talk was funny and everyone at school was talking about it. C.S. Pupil, St Augustine School.
Book Reviews
Edinburgh New Town: A Comprehensive Guide
Henderson writes with great wit… you can almost hear the voice of a tour guide as you read the book. Southside Advertiser.
It’s Only the End of the World
A whirlwind of action and breathless exposition… A sharply built adventure with engaging characters. Kirkus Reviews.
Thrilling storytelling that is page-turningly brilliant! Full of drama, unexpected twists, genuine heartfelt moments and ACTUAL LOLS! Perfectly paced and wonderfully written. Daffodil McNugget is inspired - Her one liners are epic! Sharon Rooney (Star of My Mad Fat Diary).
This book is a Hollywood holiday blockbuster, giant box of popcorn with your mates, having a good time romp… And the clown sequence is inspired
– Armadillo Book Review Magazine.
The Royal Mile: A Comprehensive Guide.
Henderson’s wit is hugely entertaining… with a host of intriguing facts and amusing anecdotes. Scottish Field Magazine.
Colony
Winner of the Doncaster Book Award. Short-listed for the Leeds Book Award and RED Book Award.
Readers will feel like they’re clinging on for dear life… flipping the pages, desperate to know what happens next. This book is mad, bad and dangerous to read. Scotsman Newspaper.
Highly original and extremely brave… a tour de force. Vulpis Libris.
A riveting read… far ahead of the average conspiracy thriller. The Bookbag.
Intelligent, visual and utterly gripping. Four Shires Magazine.
A beautifully executed, finely crafted thriller. Write Away.
Fast pace, genius plotting, original story line and compelling characters…. Brilliant. Lovereading.co.uk
Tautly written… the story hurtles towards its somewhat alarming conclusion. Carousel Magazine.
Crash
Short-listed for the Royal Mail Award, the Angus Book Award, the Manchester Book Award and the Bolton Book Award.
Enough pace and plot twists to keep fans happy, but this time there’s a little more room for his characters to breathe. Scotsman Newspaper.
Fast-moving, engrossing and extremely effective. Carousel Magazine.
A wonder in dramatic tension… there is a huge depth to this novel and coupled with the furious pace of the narrative drive, it left me unable to put this book down. Vulpis Libris.
Oh, I did enjoy reading Crash… an adventure story in the best tradition but it does have great thematic depth. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The Bookbag.
J A Henderson has produced another taut thriller, which compels from the first page… strongly recommended. Books For Keeps.
Fantastic. Teen Titles.
Bunker 10
Winner of the Royal Mail Award. Short-listed for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, The Angus Book Award, the South Lanarkshire Book Award, The RED Award and the Stockport Book Prize.
I raced thorough it… Great stuff. Charlie Higson (Young James Bond).
A high octane, action packed adventure story. The Guardian.
I finished reading it and just said, wow… 9/10. Sunday Herald.
A plot that crackles. Scotsman Newspaper.
A contemporary classic… this story is in a class by itself. In The Library Review.
Delivers an emotional punch as well as an adrenaline rush and more twists than the average roller coaster… a treat. Write Away.
Certain to attract a readership. Bookline.
Hold tight for a non stop thrill ride. Teenreads.
I was swept along by the sheer cleverness. It captivated me. Vulpis Libris.
Just like a good Crichton Book… makes you sit back and think. The Phoenix Book Company.
Every now and then a book comes along wherein the reader is genuinely surprised by a shocking development halfway through. This is one such stunner. Kirkus Book Review.
An intelligent, suspenseful novel with all the ingredients of the perfect thriller. - Teensread
Hunting Charlie Wilson
Very definitely on our list of must-reads. Scottish Book Collector.
Left me with my mouth open… a great read. I couldn’t put it down. Teen Titles.
A gripping story from page one… timeless. Write Away!
Fast, furious and totally gripping. The School Librarian.
Skillful and well paced. Scottish Association of Teachers.
Secret City
Contains enough plot to power half a library. Scotsman Newspaper.
A cracking read. The Sunday Post.
Sent chills and thrills down my spine. Vivian French.
A winner… a thrilling read… this book has it all. Derby Evening Telegraph.
Thrilling. Newsround, BBC TV.
Appealing and authentic. Sunday Herald.
A guaranteed bestseller… a terrific read. The Afternoon Show, BBC Radio.
An action packed, highly imaginative read. Bookfest.
Fast moving and inventive. Scottish Book Collector.
The Ghost That Haunted Itself
A haunting tale The Scotsman Newspaper.
Compelling. Daily Express.
A fascinating read. Dundee Courier.
Well written and gripping. Scottish Town & Country.
Fascinating. Lanarkshire TV.
The Emperor’s New Kilt
Fascinating. The Scotsman Newspaper.
Original and fresh. Aberdeen Press and Journal.
Amazing. The Daily Record.
Absolutely fascinating. Scottish Connection, BBC Radio.
Excellent. Carluke Gazette.
The Town Below The Ground
Spine Chilling. Scotland on Sunday.
Thoroughly recommended. Radio Scotland.
Fascinating. The Big Issue Magazine.
A fascinating book. The Daily Mail Newspaper.
Into the Sky of Miles (Play)
Sharp and blackly comic. The Scotsman Newspaper.
Roadkill Tamales (Play)
Moving, funny and original. Austin American Statesman.
On the Roof. (Play)
A dark intelligence and a unique way with words. Austin Chronicle.
'He has a fantastic way of seeing missing plot points and character aspects that no-one else catches. His gift for clearly capturing setting and character with minimal words makes his input helpful for any writer wanting to produce immersive, fast-paced stories. Highly recommended.'
Aiki Flinthart - Aurealis award shortlisted Author of Blackbirds Sing and The Kalima Chronicles.
'I was having no success getting my non-fiction book published, until Jan worked with me on a new cover letter, proposal and synopsis. A publisher who had ignored my previous communications immediately accepted it.' Charlotte Golledge (author of The Graveyard and Cemetaries of Edinburgh).
'Jan edited my book and helped polish the dialogue. Then, when I admitted I didn’t like my ending, he suggested a crazy alternative. It was exactly what the novel needed. Now I send everything I write to him for input.' Samantha Maclaren (Features writer in New York)
'Thank you Jan for giving me such constructive feedback! You’ve presented it so positively and given me great direction. You’ve made my day!' Caroline Ann
'Half way through my first novel I was completely stuck. Jan suggested brilliant new forms and avenues for the plot and characters and provided me with ideas galore. It inspired me to complete a work I would never have finished otherwise.' Charlie Guy
I had the pleasure of working with Jan Henderson across multiple manuscripts. His expertise in character development is unrivalled and he’s extremely knowledgeable in world building, pacing and story development. Most importantly, he respected my voice as an author. Jemima McKusker (Author of Stone Guardians, Crossfire and The Last Druid)
General Reviews
Henderson writes the kind of thrillers that make you miss your stop on the bus. Times Educational Supplement
Jan Henderson has written some incredible books… One of my favourite authors. Sharon Rooney, star of ‘My Mad Fat Diary’
One of the UK’s most promising writers. Edinburgh Evening News
One of the UK’s best talents. Lovereading.co.uk
‘If there were more books like yours out there maybe people would be reading more’ - Charlie Higson (Young James Bond and The Enemy series)
School Talks and Workshops
You are an extremely entertaining speaker (and lunch companion!). You kept the students laughing. It was clear that you had our students’ full engagement by the number of questions and the reluctance of students to leave at the end of the session. I particularly noted that students hovered around you and the table of books as they left. Even more striking was one of our shyest year 7’s requesting your autograph at the end of the day (this has never happened before). Further to this I have one young writer email me requesting your contact details so she can send her work through to you (consider yourself warned!).
Chris Barker, Teacher Librarian, Emmaus Colllege, Brisbane.
J A Henderson visited our school as part of a scheme to enthuse reluctant boy readers in lower school; he certainly did that! The boys were mesmerised by his stories. They talked about his visit for weeks afterwards! Sarah Culshaw, Librarian Elfed High School.
Really good, interesting and the funniest day of my life! Your adventures have made me want to be an author! D.P. Pupil, Elfed High School.
You left an awesome impression on me. I used to think authors were quite dull and boring but you seem like such a laid-back cool (but crazy) guy. I love how you don’t mind expressing yourself, your intense curiosity and you’re simply hilarious. H.F. Pupil, Beath High School.
It was very inspiring how anyone can become writer, not just people who have had that dream since they were a child or were the top English-geeks at school. I don’t think I could write a novel but you did help me realise that there’s more out there than I might think and to keep my options open. So thank you. And no my teachers didn’t make me do this, haha. N.T. Pupil, Beath High School.
Brilliant, funny but also inspiring. He had my stomach sore, I was laughing so much. H.F. Pupil, Lasswade High School
My friend and I thought we were going to listen to a boring writer that talked for hours in an expressionless voice. We were wrong. Your talk was brilliant…. I think you gave us great advice. H.H. Pupil, Lasswade High School.
You single handedly have inspired me in a way I cannot describe. M.Y. Pupil Lasswade High School
Sound guy, kept everyone happy. Very imaginative, really enjoyed it. A.L., Pupil, Irvine Royal Academy.
Not like other writers, very different with good ideas. T.L. Pupil, Irvine Royal Academy.
I just wanted to send you a personal thank you for a very entertaining afternoon. You captured the attention of S1’s for an hour and that is some feat! Janice Bourelle, Librarian, Creiff High School.
I wanted to let you know I really enjoyed listening to your journey on becoming a writer. Wow, it was hilarious. I’m going to sit and come up with a brilliant idea. H.G. Pupil, Glenrothes High School.
Your talk was funny and everyone at school was talking about it. C.S. Pupil, St Augustine School.
Book Reviews
Edinburgh New Town: A Comprehensive Guide
Henderson writes with great wit… you can almost hear the voice of a tour guide as you read the book. Southside Advertiser.
It’s Only the End of the World
A whirlwind of action and breathless exposition… A sharply built adventure with engaging characters. Kirkus Reviews.
Thrilling storytelling that is page-turningly brilliant! Full of drama, unexpected twists, genuine heartfelt moments and ACTUAL LOLS! Perfectly paced and wonderfully written. Daffodil McNugget is inspired - Her one liners are epic! Sharon Rooney (Star of My Mad Fat Diary).
This book is a Hollywood holiday blockbuster, giant box of popcorn with your mates, having a good time romp… And the clown sequence is inspired
– Armadillo Book Review Magazine.
The Royal Mile: A Comprehensive Guide.
Henderson’s wit is hugely entertaining… with a host of intriguing facts and amusing anecdotes. Scottish Field Magazine.
Colony
Winner of the Doncaster Book Award. Short-listed for the Leeds Book Award and RED Book Award.
Readers will feel like they’re clinging on for dear life… flipping the pages, desperate to know what happens next. This book is mad, bad and dangerous to read. Scotsman Newspaper.
Highly original and extremely brave… a tour de force. Vulpis Libris.
A riveting read… far ahead of the average conspiracy thriller. The Bookbag.
Intelligent, visual and utterly gripping. Four Shires Magazine.
A beautifully executed, finely crafted thriller. Write Away.
Fast pace, genius plotting, original story line and compelling characters…. Brilliant. Lovereading.co.uk
Tautly written… the story hurtles towards its somewhat alarming conclusion. Carousel Magazine.
Crash
Short-listed for the Royal Mail Award, the Angus Book Award, the Manchester Book Award and the Bolton Book Award.
Enough pace and plot twists to keep fans happy, but this time there’s a little more room for his characters to breathe. Scotsman Newspaper.
Fast-moving, engrossing and extremely effective. Carousel Magazine.
A wonder in dramatic tension… there is a huge depth to this novel and coupled with the furious pace of the narrative drive, it left me unable to put this book down. Vulpis Libris.
Oh, I did enjoy reading Crash… an adventure story in the best tradition but it does have great thematic depth. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The Bookbag.
J A Henderson has produced another taut thriller, which compels from the first page… strongly recommended. Books For Keeps.
Fantastic. Teen Titles.
Bunker 10
Winner of the Royal Mail Award. Short-listed for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, The Angus Book Award, the South Lanarkshire Book Award, The RED Award and the Stockport Book Prize.
I raced thorough it… Great stuff. Charlie Higson (Young James Bond).
A high octane, action packed adventure story. The Guardian.
I finished reading it and just said, wow… 9/10. Sunday Herald.
A plot that crackles. Scotsman Newspaper.
A contemporary classic… this story is in a class by itself. In The Library Review.
Delivers an emotional punch as well as an adrenaline rush and more twists than the average roller coaster… a treat. Write Away.
Certain to attract a readership. Bookline.
Hold tight for a non stop thrill ride. Teenreads.
I was swept along by the sheer cleverness. It captivated me. Vulpis Libris.
Just like a good Crichton Book… makes you sit back and think. The Phoenix Book Company.
Every now and then a book comes along wherein the reader is genuinely surprised by a shocking development halfway through. This is one such stunner. Kirkus Book Review.
An intelligent, suspenseful novel with all the ingredients of the perfect thriller. - Teensread
Hunting Charlie Wilson
Very definitely on our list of must-reads. Scottish Book Collector.
Left me with my mouth open… a great read. I couldn’t put it down. Teen Titles.
A gripping story from page one… timeless. Write Away!
Fast, furious and totally gripping. The School Librarian.
Skillful and well paced. Scottish Association of Teachers.
Secret City
Contains enough plot to power half a library. Scotsman Newspaper.
A cracking read. The Sunday Post.
Sent chills and thrills down my spine. Vivian French.
A winner… a thrilling read… this book has it all. Derby Evening Telegraph.
Thrilling. Newsround, BBC TV.
Appealing and authentic. Sunday Herald.
A guaranteed bestseller… a terrific read. The Afternoon Show, BBC Radio.
An action packed, highly imaginative read. Bookfest.
Fast moving and inventive. Scottish Book Collector.
The Ghost That Haunted Itself
A haunting tale The Scotsman Newspaper.
Compelling. Daily Express.
A fascinating read. Dundee Courier.
Well written and gripping. Scottish Town & Country.
Fascinating. Lanarkshire TV.
The Emperor’s New Kilt
Fascinating. The Scotsman Newspaper.
Original and fresh. Aberdeen Press and Journal.
Amazing. The Daily Record.
Absolutely fascinating. Scottish Connection, BBC Radio.
Excellent. Carluke Gazette.
The Town Below The Ground
Spine Chilling. Scotland on Sunday.
Thoroughly recommended. Radio Scotland.
Fascinating. The Big Issue Magazine.
A fascinating book. The Daily Mail Newspaper.
Into the Sky of Miles (Play)
Sharp and blackly comic. The Scotsman Newspaper.
Roadkill Tamales (Play)
Moving, funny and original. Austin American Statesman.
On the Roof. (Play)
A dark intelligence and a unique way with words. Austin Chronicle.