Blink to publish 'empowering' Nelson memoir alongside initiative to open doors in publishing

Bonnier Books UK’s non-fiction imprint Blink Publishing has acquired youth mentor and social mobility advocate Reggie Nelson’s “empowering” debut memoir, to be published in tandem with a new initiative to help a publishing hopeful from an under-represented background break into the industry.

Madiya Altaf, editor, acquired world rights to Opening Doors: How Daring to Ask for Help Changed My Life (And Will Change Yours Too) from Crystal Mahey-Morgan at OWN IT! Literary, Film and TV Agency. It will be published on 12th May. 

Nelson went went viral at the age of 23 for knocking on doors in Kensington, West London, to ask for for life advice in order to gain an understanding of the tools needed to widen his career options. Working his way up through five internships at various asset managers and a hedge fund in the city, Nelson is now an associate with a private equity firm.

To celebrate publication, Bonnier Books UK is working in partnership with OWN IT! and Nelson to launch the Opening Doors initiative, offering a fully paid, four-week work experience placement to help a candidate from an under-represented background break into the publishing Industry.

The successful candidate will get an insight into two sides of the industry, with two weeks based in the adult editorial team at Bonnier Books UK’s HQ at Victoria House and two weeks at OWN IT!’s offices in Piccadilly Circus. The candidate will also receive a coaching session from Bonnier Books UK c.e.o. Perminder Mann and separately from Mahey-Morgan.

The placement will be promoted through Creative Access. To encourage as many applicants as possible, the National Living Wage will be paid and accommodation will be provided through The Book Trade Charity (BTBS). Travel expenses will be paid in advance.

Nelson said: “Opening Doors is more than just a book for me, [it’s] something to remind myself of what I need to continually do for others, the same way someone did for me all those years ago. Hopefully, this work experience initiative is the first brick laid in this lifelong construction of opening doors for others and I’m super-excited to see this programme flourish. My goal was to be as open and as vulnerable as I possibly could be, to help readers feel encouraged, inspired, but most importantly, hopeful!”

Altaf said: “Reggie is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. In Opening Doors, Reggie takes us through challenges he’s faced and how, despite many barriers, he was able to turn his life around. I have learnt a huge amount from his resilience and outlook on life and his empowering story will strike a chord with so many people.”