(Image: Merky Books)
A former Pleckgate pupils has won popstar Stormzy’s Merky Books New Writers’ Prize.
Sufiyaan Salam is now 26 but left Pleckgate 10 years ago and graduated in English Literature from the University of Manchester.
Sufiyaan’s book is called ‘Wimmy Road Boyz’ and follows three men in pursuit of a wild time in Manchester. They don’t know that their first night out in so long will be their last.
Sufiyaan’s debut novel explores ‘heartbreak, masculinity, friendship, faith and class’.
Chart-topping musician Stormzy set up the #Merky Books prize to discover unpublished and under-represented writers aged 16 to 30 from the UK and Ireland.
Sufiyaan has won a publishing contract with Stormzy’s publishing imprint Merky Books at Penguin Random House UK.
Sufiyaan said: “It’s still sinking in, but I’m beyond excited to be given the opportunity to have my work published with Penguin.
“I’ve been trying to write for as long as I can remember and I’m committed to making work that’s interesting, has something to say and is even better fun.
“Growing up in Blackburn, it was easy to think this kind of thing wouldn’t happen for someone like me.”
Stormzy said: “I was excited to announce Sufiyaan as this year’s winner of the prize.
“I loved Wimmy Road Boyz and I can’t wait to read more.”
