The “diversity” I bring to my work is less about being brown than it is about having grown up poor. Which had a much bigger negative impact on me.
Alom Shaha
So much of my work as a writer is informed by my experiences growing up poor and from a household which was not of the type that usually produces writers. Some people have recognised this about my work (e.g., British Science Assoc) but the publishing industry doesn’t seem to give a fuck.
Alom Shaha
Reading was central to my happiness as a kid. Didn’t grow up in a household with books but had an amazing local library with wonderful librarians, a safe place where I also did arts and crafts and other things I didn’t at home. Libraries should be at heart of any campaign to get more kids reading
Alom Shaha
Given that so many of the gatekeepers of books - publishers, librarians, teachers etc - were bookish children themselves, it takes an act of imagination to think about pleasure for those who don't come to it easily. For kids who don't naturally immerse deeply in text. #UKKidLit #KidLitUK
