Manilla Press snares ‘courageous’ memoir by Lord Woolley

Bonnier Books UK literary imprint Manilla Press has landed “inspirational” memoir Soar: My Journey from Council Estate to House of Lords by Lord Simon Woolley. 

Publisher Margaret Stead acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, direct from the author and Soar will be published in hardback, e-book and audio in April 2022. 

Its synopsis states: "Soar is a story of courage and commitment, of perseverance and remaining positive despite the challenges of institutional racism. It is about becoming a father and honouring your heritage. Most of all, it is about being your own role model, when no others have been available to you."

Woolley is a member of the House of Lords, the first Black man to head an Oxbridge college, and "a policy changemaker who has the ear of prime ministers and the future king". Manilla said: "This is a lord who wants to shake up the establishment; an outsider who knows how important it is to bring underrepresented voices to the table.” 

Stead said: “Simon Woolley is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. He is passionate, determined, courageous, charismatic and very funny. We’re so proud to be publishing his powerful and uplifting memoir, Soar, at Manilla Press.”

Woolley commented: “Everyone has a story to tell, often filled with highs and lows, extremely funny, and desperately sad. This is mine. I’m delighted to share my journey and hope it might inspire people like me, choose from the list: council house kid, adopted, Black and initially not well educated. Above all, I want to share the skills I’ve learned that others can use to change our world. I would love my personal story to inspire a generation of change makers.”