#Merky Books launches pocket-sized 'How To...' series

#Merky Books is launching a new non-fiction series of "How To..." guides this autumn, commissioned by editor Lemara Lindsay-Prince.

The 12-part series of "practical, pocket-size" guides will launch on 3rd September 2020, each priced at £6.99, starting with three titles: How To… Change It: Make a difference by Joshua Virasami, with an introduction by Patrisse Cullors; How To… Build It: Grow your brand by Niran Vinod and Damola Timeyin, with an introduction from Nandos; and How To… Write It: Write your story by Anthony Anaxagorou, with an introduction by Candice Carty-Williams.

How To… Change It: Make a difference by artist Virasami is guide to activism, which draws on the experience and actions of a number of successful activist and political movements, including Extinction Rebellion, Occupy and Black Lives Matter. It explores how can readers can tackle injustice and inequality at a local and national level, knowing your rights, where power sits and how to access it and whether it is possible to create real change. It features an introduction from Cullors, the co-founder of Black Lives Matter and founder of Dignity and Power Now.

How To… Build It: Grow your brand, written by a duo of creative strategists for Facebook and Instagram, acknowledges we live in a society "where everyone is trying to monetise their side hustle and the 5-9 is as valuable as the 9-5" and seeks to help readers build a brand "in a way that maintains relevancy in the digital age, and has longevity". The guide takes readers from building solid foundations for their brand to thrive, through to shared personal insight having worked on strategy for brands from Nike Football to Tesco, Weetabix and Clarks.

How To… Write It: Write your story is by Anaxagorou, the artistic director of Out-Spoken and founder of Out-Spoken Press, whose publishing outfit is dedicated to challenging the lack of diversity in British publishing. In the guide, he will give "a masterclass in craft" having come to literature "by chance and... now a highly celebrated poet, writer and publisher". Taking Anaxagorou's personal journey as its starting point, the guide explores the trials of navigating the British arts scene and is also full of "inspirational and creative" quotes. It promises, "readers will put this down feeling detangled from their writer’s block, more faith in their journey and the know-how of how to take their poem, short story or novel to finished published work." Carty-Williams, who is the author of the critically acclaimed debut Queenie (Trapeze), pens the book's introduction. The guide will be published to coincide with the launch of the second annual #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize.

The remaining, other forthcoming books in the series will be published "at key moments throughout the calendar year". The staggered approach "allows the reader to guide their own experience and development, as well as curating a personalised collection of titles", the publisher said.

Lindsay-Prince, commissioning editor, said: "This series was built from the idea that we still have things we wish we could do, and want to learn. I believe that knowledge should be shared and new voices heard. The books’ approach balances insight, practical knowledge, know-how and wisdom on a range of topics from things you can do with your hands, to actions which establish new behaviours. I’m excited for readers to have these—there will be a book that speaks to the core of your ambitions the most. I can’t wait for everyone to digest, share and collect the How To series. The books are a first for the imprint, and contribute to our commitment of uplifting a new generation."