Malorie Blackman and Stormzy’s friendship continues to blossom as it is announced that the Penguin Random House imprint launched by the grime artist, #Merky Books, will be publishing Malorie Blackman’s autobiography. The pair first became linked when Stormzy revealed his love for Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses series which has played a brilliant role in representing black characters with its reversal of the race power structures in its alternative history. Stormzy will also be appearing in the TV adaptation of Noughts and Crosses and even used a quote from the books in his poignant Glastonbury 2019 performance.
#Merky Books announced this exciting new publication of Blackman’s autobiography on Twitter writing, “SO excited to announce / let you know that we’ll be publishing the autobiography of a true national hero… the one and only @malorieblackman OBE.”
The book will include Blackman’s journey as a writer from the 82 rejection letters she received before Noughts and Crosses was finally published in 2001 to her time as the Children’s Laureate. The book will unlike any ordinary biography though as it will also include tips and tricks for other aspiring writers that Blackman has learnt over the decades. “Not only will my autobiography be a full and frank account of my life journey as an author, it will also contain all the writer’s tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years,” explained the author.
In a video posted on Twitter, Malorie Blackman exclaimed how excited she is to be joining the #Merky Books Family before doing a celebratory dance on camera. “#Merky Books are so innovative and dynamic that I truly believe my autobiography could not have found a better home,” said Blackman.
🗣️ SO excited to announce / let you know that we’ll be publishing the autobiography of a true national hero… the one and only @malorieblackman OBE 🎉 pic.twitter.com/YnaA47ScXD
— #Merky Books (@MerkyBooks) October 16, 2019
Unfortunately, we will have to wait a while because the as of yet untitled autobiography by Malorie Blackman is not due to be published until 2022. However, it does appear to be available for pre-order already, so in the words of Malorie Blackman herself, “So, now back to writing it.”

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