Stormzy's book imprint, #Merky Books has just announced an exciting new initiative: the #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize.

The competition will be used to discover the stories that aren’t being heard enough in popular culture, with an eventual aim of finding the best writer of a new generation.

Open to enter for anyone aged between 16 and 30, everyone shortlisted for The New Writers’ Prize will receive invites to a free workshop hosted by Penguin which will include editorial feedback together with essential information on how to get published and make your voice heard.  The winning entry will be selected by a panel of judges which include; Stormzy, celebrated writer Yrsa Daley-Ward, award-winning poet Kayo Chingonyi, writer and agent Nikesh Shukla, Susan Sandon, Managing Director at Penguin Random House UK, and a special guest judge who will be announced soon.

https://youtu.be/oQ_ihYaFiJs

Speaking about the award, Stormzy said: "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. 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."

Launched in collaboration with The Good Literary Agency and First Story, the shortlist will be announced on May 2nd, with the winner announced on June 6th. Entries can be submitted via the online portal which includes full entry requirements and T&Cs. Applications are now open until 12 April 2019 – sign up here.

In other UK music news, Dave’s debut album, ‘Psychodrama’, is close to securing Number One in the charts.