Merky Books New Writers’ Prize Winner 24/25!
It still feels unreal. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t gassed! It’s been a crazy past few weeks for me. Overwhelming, but I'm so thankful.
And this is what this post is. Just a thank you, among other things.
Fun fact: This is my third time applying for the Merky Books New Writers’ Prize. I applied in 2020 with a poetry collection and then again in 2022 with a poetry collection disguised as a novel. Now I've won in 2024 with an actual novel (but for legal reasons, I can’t confirm or deny whether any poetry does or doesn’t exist in this book).
I feel so much right now, but I can’t find the exact words to describe it.
I’m very much grateful for all the love and support I’ve received since the announcement. I’m due to do a full Instagram post, but I’m just waiting for the pictures from the night.
Firstly, thank you to my close friends and family for all your love, support, prayers, and encouragement. I couldn’t do it without any of you.
A good example is my friend Nana. He graciously let me use his Grammarly Pro for the week leading up to the submission. FOR FREE. Many nefarious individuals would have charged me an arm, a leg and half of an appendix for that. I will always be in debt to you bro!
Thank you to everyone who reads this blog, and those who subscribe, like, share and comment. Starting this blog three years ago has been the catalyst for maturing my longer-form writing and transitioning from poetry. If you hadn’t engaged with this content, I don’t think I would have had the passion to go on for so long. Even when I started poetry 10 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined it would lead to this.
Certain names always like, comment, or message me to give feedback or commendations. Not only on the blogs that everyone loves, or when they see others sharing, or when the blog is on the radio. Of the blogs with three likes and a handful of views, there are always one or two that continue to be ever-present. I know who you are and will always have you in my heart.
Let’s all gather around for this story.
In February 2022, I wasn’t offered a full-time role at the end of my internship (which is a story for another day). After a short stint in Scandinavia to drown my sorrows, I started working at a warehouse to pay the bills. Treacherous times. I remember walking, but mainly sulking, to the warehouse in the morning, thinking “There’s no way I have a master's degree and I can’t even get a job”. There's nothing wrong with working in a warehouse, but I knew it wasn't where I wanted to be or was supposed to be.
I used to lie to my fellow workers, saying I was 19 (I was actually 22 at the time), saying I had dropped out during my second year, to hide the shame and embarrassment. But you know some of these Essex lads, they’ll find any way to make fun of you. Interesting times. Looking back now, I’ve realised one thing:
Failure is fuel
I don’t want to sound like those 3 a.m., cold water face-plunging influencers. But I mean it. In that season I:
Was humbled
Started this blog
Now had the perfect setting for my novel (I just didn't know it yet)
My debut novel is entitled “Where Geezers Call Home”. It’s set in an alternate world where race riots have left the UK divided and lawless. The United Nations steps in to bail out the UK, and the protagonist, Xavier, is relocated to Essex, where strict “Unity Laws” are in place and rebellion is on the rise.
Xavier must navigate life as one of the few Black members at his workplace, community, and even in his cul-de-sac. Amidst growing anti-UN sentiment, the cracks in racial harmony can no longer be ignored. Who can Xavier trust, and where will he turn?
Although Where Geezers Call Home is a dystopian novel that touches on race, identity, trust, and rebellion in modern British culture (and it’s apparently the only thing the media wants to latch onto with this book), there’s a deeper story here.
Xavier’s workplace is a warehouse in Essex, which he succumbs to after failed attempts to find a job after finishing his Master's. Sound familiar? Failure. Is. Fuel.
For a short thank you, I really have yapped a lot. Final shoutouts go to the amazing shortlistees, the Merky Books team and Stormzy for creating such a great initiative.
I thank God for giving me this gift! All Glory to God, Always and Forever!
I hope I can make you all proud. In all honesty, I'm not sure when the book will be coming out (rumour has it that I still need to write it), but stick around for the journey. This blog isn’t going anywhere.
Joy. That’s the word. Pure joy.
Love, Peace & Blessings.
Abs
AMAZING!!!!!! Well done, well done, well done!!
Yay!!! Congratulations!!!