Stormzy announces #Merky Books 'new writers' prize for young authors
Artist said he knows 'too many talented writers that don’t always have an outlet or a means to get their work seen'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Stormzy is using his #MerkyBooks imprint to launch a prize for new authors under 30, to “promote the stories that aren’t being heard, and to find the best new writer of a generation”.
The grime star partnered with Penguin Random House to start #MerkyBooks with the intention of fostering young British talent. Its first book was Stormzy’s memoir Rise Up, which was co-authored with 25-year-old writer Jude Yawson.
The new prize will be run in collaboration with the Good Literary Agency, which was co-founded by The Good Immigrant editor Nikesh Shukla, agent Julia Kingsford, and charity First Story.
The winner will be given representation by the Good Literary Agency, and a publishing contract with #Merky Books.
“I know too many talented writers that don’t always have an outlet or a means to get their work seen,” Stormzy said in a statement.
“Hopefully #Merky Books can now be a reference point for them to say ‘I can be an author’, and for that to be a realistic and achievable goal.
“Reading and writing as a kid was integral to where I am today and I, from the bottom of my heart, cannot wait to hear your stories and get them out into the big wide world.”
Entries are now invited from unpublished writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry aged between 16 and 30, who do not already have an agent. They can be submitted via the link here and the closing date is 12 April.
The winner will be selected by a panel including Stormzy, Shukla, the author Yrsa Daley-Ward, the poet Kayo Chingonyi and Penguin Random House UK’s Susan Sandon, and announced on 6 June.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments