Just Sayin'
  • Published: 15 August 2023
  • ISBN: 9781529118698
  • Imprint: Merky Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $27.99
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Just Sayin'

My Life In Words

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The long-awaited autobiography of one of the world's greatest children's writers, and an empowering and inspiring account of a life in books.

The long-awaited autobiography of one of the world's greatest children's writers, and an empowering and inspiring account of a life in books.

Malorie Blackman OBE is one of Britain's best loved and most widely-read writers. For over thirty years, her books have helped to shape British culture, and inspired generations of younger readers and writers. The Noughts and Crosses series, started in 2000, sparked a new and necessary conversation about race and identity in the UK, and are already undisputed classics of twenty-first-century children's literature.

She is also a writer whose own life has been shaped by books, from her childhood in south London, the daughter of parents who moved to Britain from Barbados as part of the Windrush Generation, and who experienced a childhood that was both wonderful and marred by the everyday racism and bigotry of the era. She was told she could not apply to study her first love, literature, at university, in spite of her academic potential, but found a way to books and to a life in writing against a number of obstacles.

This book is an account of that journey, from a childhood surrounded by words, to the 83 rejection letters she received in response to sending out her first project, to the children's laureateship. It explores the books who have made her who she is, and the background to some the most beloved and powerful children's stories of today. It is an illuminating, inspiring and empowering account of the power of words to change lives, and the extraordinary life story of one of the world's greatest writers.
  • Published: 15 August 2023
  • ISBN: 9781529118698
  • Imprint: Merky Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $27.99
Categories:
Share…

About the author

Malorie Blackman

Malorie Blackman has written over seventy books for children and young adults, including the Noughts & Crosses series, Thief and a science-fiction thriller, Chasing the Stars. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a BAFTA-award-winning BBC production of Pig-Heart Boy and a Pilot Theatre stage adaptation by Sabrina Mahfouz of Noughts & Crosses. There is also a major BBC production of Noughts & Crosses, with Roc Nation (Jay-Z’s entertainment company) curating the soundtrack as executive music producer. In 2005 Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children’s books. In 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children’s literature, and between 2013 and 2015 she was the Children’s Laureate. Most recently Malorie wrote for the Doctor Who series on BBC One, and the fifth novel in her Noughts & Crosses series, Crossfire, was published by Penguin Random House Children’s in summer 2019.

portrait photo of Malorie Blackman

Also by Malorie Blackman

Penguin Readers Level 5: Boys Don't Cry (ELT Graded Reader)
Penguin Readers Level 4: Pig-Heart Boy (ELT Graded Reader)
Endgame
We're Going to Find the Monster
Blueblood
Crossfire
Chasing the Stars
See all

Praise for Just Sayin'

This is a book of life. An inspiring life.

Benjamin Zephaniah

A powerful inspirational memoir that shows just what you can achieve with resilience, determination, ferocious hard work and talent.

Jacqueline Wilson

This book is a frank, earnest, surprising, witty, vulnerable yet open insight into the journey, mind (or heart) and life of a literary icon.

Dapo Adeola

Since childhood it has been an honour to read every story that Malorie Blackman has written.

Candice Carty Williams

It's a total privilege to get a glimpse in to Malorie's inner world. Her humour, boldness, sensitivity and humanity are as much on show here as any of her classics. She's a superhero of literature, goodness knows how many readers she's saved like me.

Zawe Ashton

'It's very candid, and movingly so.... Not only in Blackman a grafter- even more, and in the face of more, than we already knew. She's someone with whom you do not mess. Good on her. She's earned it'

The Telegraph

Just Sayin' is a phenomenal read, truly powerful.

Catherine Johnson

Packed full of life, love, struggle and hope - you won't regret reading it.

Dorothy Koomson

This is a book about survival and success.

Guardian

The story of an extraordinary woman.

Sunday Times

Beautifully written, honest and thought-provoking.

Stylist

She's the light children's writers of colour and diversity all follow.

Alex Wheatle