Stormzy’s #Merky Books, a free publishing imprint, is launching a two-day literature festival on April 22nd and 23rd at the Roundhouse in London. The festival is aimed at inspiring young creatives and making publishing more accessible. The event is sponsored by Netflix and will cover literature, film, TV, music, and photography.
Headline acts
The festival’s lineup includes Wretch 32, John Agard, and Malorie Blackman. The headline event on the first day will feature a panel discussion with Wretch 32 and Agard, followed by an opening party. On the second day, DJ Vick Hope will interview Blackman, the author of the award-winning Noughts & Crosses series.
Other highlights
The festival’s diverse range of events includes a spoken-word performance by Sophia Thakur, Monika Radojevic, Caleb Femi, and Yomi Ṣode. There will be a panel discussion exploring the theme of girlhood with author Candice Brathwaite and playwright and screenwriter Theresa Ikoko. Additionally, BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Richie Brave will host a conversation on mental health and resilience.
The festival will also offer workshops and masterclasses in publishing, writing, and storytelling across various media. Participants can attend career drop-in clinics hosted by Penguin Random House UK and Netflix, as well as Ask Me Anything sessions held by Run the Check, which promotes paid jobs in the creative industries. Independent bookseller Round Table Books will run a bookshop throughout the weekend.
#Merky Books’ mission
#Merky Books is committed to investing in the voices of today and tomorrow, breaking down barriers in the publishing industry. The festival is designed to empower a new generation of talent by demystifying the creative industries and offering insights into the range of careers in the arts.
Anne Mensah, Netflix’s VP of UK content, believes that events like the #Merky Books literature festival can open up the arts industry to young people and demonstrate the real and accessible careers available to them.
