Blink to publish 'brave' memoir by athlete Cain

Blink Publishing, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has acquired a “moving and brave” memoir from the celebrity campaigner and endurance athlete Ashley Cain.

Ciara Lloyd, editorial director, acquired world rights for Strong from David Riding at MBA Literary Agents with Jim Erwood and Jason Brightman at Off Limits Entertainment.

Cain is an ex-professional footballer and has also appeared on MTV’s reality TV shows such as "Ex on the Beach" and "The Challenge", and Channel 4s "SAS: Who Dares Wins". He is currently appearing on BBC’s "Go Hard or Go Home" and has a hit podcast "Fierce Minds, Kind Hearts".

Poised to publish in hardback on 22nd June 2023, Strong charts the birth of Cain’s daughter and the fight for her life when she was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was seven weeks old, as well as his own struggles since her passing in 2021.

Blink describes the book as a moving tribute to his daughter, in which he attempts to demonstrate the connection between his grief and the extreme challenges he undertakes, in order to provide inspiration and comfort to others struggling with loss and other mental health difficulties.

Lloyd said: “I’ve admired Ashley for some time and shared in the heartbreak after the passing of his daughter, Azaylia, in 2021. Ashley’s journey since has been inspirational to watch; his emotional and physical strength of spirit is awe-inspiring to behold, and it is an honour to be able to work with him to share his story and Azaylia’s legacy with the world.”

Cain added: “Writing this book has probably been my toughest challenge yet. Not only by revisiting the heartbreak, but making sure it truly reflects the traumatic but magnificently beautiful journey of me and my incredible daughter Azaylia. It is a true story of beauty and the beast. It’s a love story with a powerful, strong and unbelievably meaningful message.

"My daughter taught me the true meaning of love, even through a breaking heart. She taught me how to be strong, when all I felt was weak. The power of courage, even when I was most scared. To smile and shine light, when it seemed I was surrounded with nothing but darkness and to never ever give up on that or them in which you love. In her honour, I want to pass on those values to the world in this beautiful memoir, Strong.”

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to The Azaylia Foundation, the charity that Ashley and his ex-partner Saafiya set up to raise money to fight childhood cancer, in memory of their daughter, Azaylia Diamond Cain.