Stormzy’s first book released through #Merky Books is out today

It's the #Merky story so far

Stormzy's been on his grind for a very long time, but it's these past four years that have seen him blow up and become one of the country's most valued voices, especially when it comes to British youth culture. Releasing his debut book, Rise Up is the story of how Stormzy got to where he is today: a tale of faith, ideas and fighting for them, knowing where you’re from, and where you’re going. It’s about following your dreams without ever compromising who you are. Featuring lyrics and contributions from those closest to him, as well as never-before-seen photographs, Rise Up is published through Stormzy's very own #Merky Books, an imprint within William Heinemann, a part of Penguin Random House UK, dedicated to publishing the best new fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Stormzy says of Rise Up:

"When I was in school I fell in love with literature and looking back it’s safe to say that this was the start of a life-long journey with words, poetry and writing. I read books religiously and often wrote poems which were undeniably setting me up for a career as a songwriter and a rapper. "We’ve created #Merky Books for many reasons, the first simply for it to be a reference point for talented young writers to say 'I can be an author' and for that to be a feasible and realistic achievement and not something in the distance. "We hope this imprint will instil belief and ambition in young writers, making publishing seem less prohibitive and making the dream of being a published author a reality.  We want #Merky Books to be a source of confidence and I look forward to publishing writers from all different walks of life, especially those who may have never had the opportunity to get into the industry so early."

To celebrate Rise Up and #Merky Books a launch event will take place next week, featuring Stormzy in conversation with Akala, alongside special guests Malorie Blackman, Benjamin Zephaniah, Chelsea Kwakye, Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi and Jude Yawson, at the Barbican in London on November 7th. There will also be performances from poets Caleb Femi and Bridget Minamore in a spoken word showcase curated by Stormzy and Apples and Snakes. Stormzy's Rise Up is out now and can be bought here.