#Merky Books winner on ‘writing for lads like me’

The latest winner of the #Merky Books prize has spoken about the importance of writing for people like him. The competition, run by grime artist Stormzy’s publishing imprint, aims to discover new literary talent from underrepresented backgrounds.

The winning entry, a powerful memoir about growing up in a rough London estate, is set to be published by #Merky Books later this year. The author, who wishes to remain anonymous for now, spoke about what it means to him to have his story told.

“I wanted to write a book that spoke to lads like me, who come from a similar background and face similar challenges,” the author said. “I think it’s so important to have stories like mine out there, to show that there is more to us than just the stereotypes.”

The #Merky Books prize aims to give a platform to voices that are often overlooked in the publishing industry. Stormzy himself has been a vocal advocate for diversity in literature, and has used his platform to champion aspiring writers from all walks of life.

The success of the latest winner is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of representation in literature. As #Merky Books continues to shine a light on new voices, we can expect to see more groundbreaking work from writers who have previously been silenced.