Stormzy announces #Merky Books - a publishing imprint with Penguin Random House

Artist said he was 'super proud' of the new project and promised to reveal more information for aspiring writers soon

Stormzy has announced a partnership with Penguin Random House to launch a new publishing imprint, #Merky Books.

It is the latest addition to the grime star's expanding #Merky empire, which already includes a music festival and a record label.

Stormzy said he was "super proud" of the collaboration, writing on Instagram: "We will be using this as a platform for young writers to become published authors.

"I know too many talented writers that don't always have an outlet or a means to get their work seen and 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."

He added: "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, your poems, your novels, your sci-fis and then getting them out into the big wide world. Proper proud of this!"

Stormzy also revealed that #Merky Books would offer a paid internship in 2019. The first book to be released under the imprint will be Stormzy's own book, titled Rise Up: The #Merky Story So Far.

Penguin Random House describes the book as: "Featuring hundreds of never-before-seen photographs, annotated lyrics and contributions from those closest to him. Rise Up is Stormzy's story, in his words, and the record of a journey unlike any other."

Stormzy is a Brit award winning, Mercury Prize-nominated artist who achieved one of the biggest selling albums of 2017 with his debut Gang Signs and Prayers. He was also recently awarded Album of the Year at the Ivor Novello awards, at a ceremony in London.