Ashley Hickson-Lovence – författare

Winner of the YA Diverse Book Award 2025, the Two Cities Book Award 2024, the Mal Peet Children’s Award 2024 and the East Anglian Book of the Year 2024, and nominated for the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Writing.A soaring debut YA verse-novel by novelist, poet, and former secondary school teacher Ashley Hickson-Lovence. A perfect next read for fans of Jason Reynolds, Dean Atta and Manjeet Mann.‘A book meant to be heard . . . It's the fresh, “spoken word” style that makes Ronny's story’ The TimesPen in one hand, on my wrist, a ticking clockI've got to make this work, just need a little luck . . .When fourteen-year-old Ronny’s life is struck by tragedy, his mum decides it’s finally time they move out of East London.In his new city, as a Black teenager in a mostly white school, Ronny feels like a complete outsider and struggles to balance keeping his head down with his ambition of becoming a rapper.But when a local poet comes into class, Ronny discovers a world he’s never considered before. Rap is like spoken word, bars equal poetry – and maybe the combination of both could be the key to achieving his dreams?Praise for Wild East:‘A powerful story of resilience, friendship, discovery and growth’ Jeffrey Boakye, author of Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer‘I loved Ronny's kindness, vulnerability, empathy, tenacity and open-heartedness’ Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy‘Raw, moving, and so accessible. A powerful spoken-word style verse novel’ Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How To Be Extraordinary‘Welcomes all types of readers . . . Hickson-Lovence has crafted a superb piece’ DD Armstrong, author of Ugly Dogs Don't Cry‘Heartfelt and up-to-the-minute . . . A reminder that even short lines can take you a long way’ The Sunday Times‘This empowering verse novel announces the arrival of an exciting new talent in YA fiction’ Waterstones.com

An electrifying new YA verse-novel by multi-award-winning and Carnegie nominated author and poet Ashley Hickson-Lovence. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Dean Atta and Manjeet Mann.'Gritty, engrossing and deeply relatable' Nathanael LessoreThere are stories within these storeys . . .Something is going down at Singer Court.Something big.It’s Saturday morning and fourteen-year-old Toby 'Mastermind' McKenzie and his younger brother Dré are forced to evacuate their high-rise tower block by armed officers.Set over the course of a single day, this is the nail-bitingly thrilling and poetic tale of a bright young Black boy using the power of courage, friendship and unity to save his community.Ashley Hickson-Lovence's debut YA verse-novel Wild East won the YA Diverse Book Award 2025, the Two Cities Book Award 2024, the Mal Peet Children’s Award 2024 and the East Anglian Book of the Year 2024. It was nominated for the Carnegie Medal for Writing 2025 and shortlisted and longlisted for multiple more prizes.Praise for Wild East:‘A book meant to be heard . . . It's the fresh, spoken word style that makes Ronny's story’ The Times‘Heartfelt and up-to-the-minute . . . A reminder that even short lines can take you a long way’ The Sunday Times‘A powerful story of resilience, friendship, discovery and growth’ Jeffrey Boakye, author of Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer‘I loved Ronny's kindness, vulnerability, empathy, tenacity and open-heartedness’ Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy‘Raw, moving, and so accessible. A powerful spoken-word style verse novel’ Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How To Be Extraordinary‘Welcomes all types of readers . . . Hickson-Lovence has crafted a superb piece’ DD Armstrong, author of Ugly Dogs Don't Cry‘This empowering verse novel announces the arrival of an exciting new talent in YA fiction’ Waterstones.com

LONGLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZEAS HEARD ON R4s FRONT ROW'The football novel is back.' The TimesWonderful.' IRENOSEN OKOJIE 'A novel rich in both poetry and detail.' DAVID PEACE'Memorable and moving . . . Your Show is a remarkable book' Observer____________The Uriah Rennie Show? Damn right it is.From Jamaica to Sheffield to the recently formed Premier League, Uri rises through the ranks as a referee, making it to the highest level of our national game.But along the way he is confronted with tensions and prejudices, old and new, which emerge as his every move is watched, analysed and commented on.Your Show is the thrilling story of one man's pioneering efforts to make it, against the odds, to the very top of his profession and beyond.'A gripping, thought-provoking and important read.' Daily Mail 'Incredibly moving . . . Whether a fan of football or not, readers will love this novel, and its ultimate message -- one of hope.' NICK BRADLEY'Fantastic.' CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS

'Poignant and tender.' FERDIA LENNON'A dynamic voice.' IRENOSEN OKOJIE'Lushly written and formally audacious.' NICOLAS PADAMSEEThis is the story of one man's weekend, a weekend in which everything could changeThese lines could change everything /He sips more of his tinny / Imagines a new lifeAidy's just punched a co-worker, but he hasn't got time to deal with the fallout. With a deadline fast looming he must get home, knuckle down and finish the story he's been working on, a story he hasn't been able to stop thinking about. It's the story of a falling plane and of a grieving mother.Set across one weekend, About to Fall Apart is the exhilarating story of a man of mixed heritage - living on the Irish border - as he tries to stay positive, reconnect with his children and maybe, even, find his own birth mother.

Explore the lives of the Windrush generation in thisfull-colour anthology.With a foreword from Baroness Floella Benjamin, DBE.This book presents 12 moving tales of sacrifice and bravery,inspired by first-hand accounts of the Windrush generation. "Home ain't jus' where you live. Home is your heart an' yer history." Each inspiring story helps to bring the real experience of BlackBritish people into focus.Produced in partnership with Black Cultural Archives to honourthe Windrush generation.Includes ten photo-packed fact sections.   The contributors: K. N. Chimbiri, Kevin George, Salena Godden, Judy Hepburn, AshleyHickson-Lovence, Kirsty Latoya, Katy Massey, E. L. Norry, Quincythe Comedian, Jermain Jackman. With cover art by Joelle Avelino. Black Cultural Archives is the only national heritage centrededicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the historiesof Black people in Britain.50p from every copy sold goes to BCA.  Listed on two of BOOKS FOR TOPICS lists:Black History BooklistBlack British History

A beautiful, celebratory and joyful book of bedtime stories.Written and illustrated by Black creators, with a forewordby Candice Brathwaite, Bedtime Stories showcasesa curated collection of tales from Black history, based onimportant figures and events from around the world. Each story isthe ideal length to read at bedtime as well as any moment whenyoung readers are looking for an inspirational read! Features one young reader's winning entryfrom the Cocoa Boy and Cocoa Girl magazinescompetition An empowering and celebratory giftPerfect for any child wanting to learn more about history'suntold storiesA beautiful keepsake book - a gift for a lifetime Written by Ify Adenuga, Ryan Crawford, Alex Falase-Koya, MahamedHashi, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Nansubuga Isdahl, Jade Mutyora,Reggie Nelson and Wendy Shearer.Illustrated by Lucy Farfort, Anastasia Magloire Williams, JadeOrlando, Amanda Quartey, Paul Kellam and Richy Sanchez Alaya.

What is it like to grow up Black or Black dual heritagein Britain?Stuart Lawrence, brother of Stephen Lawrence,talks to seven inspirational figures about theirchildhood experiences, as well as sharing insight into his own.This is a collection of courageous, thought-provokingand ultimately hopeful pieces set to educate and inspireyoung people. contributors include TV presenter Alison Hammond, Olympicgold medallist Kye Whyte and actress Lolly Adefopeempoweringreal-life stories for children aged 10+bold page layouts that are stimulating and clear to read National Stephen Lawrence Day takes place on April22nd each year, with the aim of creating a society in which everyonecan flourish.  PRAISE FOR STUART'S DEBUT CHILDREN'S BOOK, SILENCEIS NOT AN OPTION:"This book will change lives" - Marianne Levy, the i Paper“Silence is Not an Option: You Can Impact the Worldfor Change is intended to empower all children irrespectiveof skin colour to demand a better society… Stephen Lawrence'sbrightness runs throughout the pages, along with Stuart’slove for his brother” – Louise Carpenter, TheTimes MagazineAbout the author:Stuart Lawrence is the younger brother of Stephen Lawrence, theyoung man who, on 22 April 1993, at the age of just 18, was murderedin an unprovoked racist attack. Stuart is an educator and motivationalspeaker, dedicated to helping to transform the life chancesof young people.