Abaka Debrah is the winner of the latest New Writers’ Prize from #Merky Books, a Penguin Random House imprint launched by rapper Stormzy. Thinking about the future, the writer has one big mission in mind, “I want to write for the next generation of young Black boys,” he explains.
The story that caught the attention of the prize judges, including Stomrzy himself is, ‘Where Geezer Call Home’ which is partly inspired by the UK riots last year, while also drawing on Abaka’s experiences of moving to the UK from Ghana aged two. The judges described the books as “a thrilling and shocking dystopian exploration of the complexities of race and identity, trust, and rebellion in modern British culture”. The novel beat over 700 other submissions to win the writing competition.
Known as Abs to his friends, 25-year-old Abaka’s story portrays a future where race riots lead to the United Nations (UN) taking over the UK government.
“I’m from Ghana and I’ve lived here most of my life. What it means to be British is this ongoing battle,” Abs says.
“The UK is my home and I love the UK but I thinks sometimes for a lot of people who contribute a lot to this society they wonder if this place is really home.”
Abs – who did not get to read many authors like him when he was growing up – hopes that his book will help to inspire a new generation of writers, in particular young Black boys.
“It brings out representation and support for people not seen in traditional publishing.
“There’s so many great writers from marginalised communities not represented.”
Abs does add that he is starting to see a change in how representation is shown, “We’re seeing a lot more media now about black love and black joy, instead of just black pain.”
Previous winners of #Merky Books prizes have included stories from Sufiyaan Salam, junior doctor William Rayfet Hunter, Hafsa Zayyan, Jyoti Patel and Monika Radojevic.
