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PUBLISHING

Happy Publication Day to Sean Godfrey, author of the thrilling debut novel Sasha Knight

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GET YOUR COPY HERE

Today we are celebrating the publication of Sean Godfrey’s debut novel. Sasha Knight is acoming-of-age novel, alternating between past and present and shifting back and forth from Jamaica and the United States, picking apart the puzzle left behind when 11-year-old Sasha disappears.

Portraying the perils of toxic masculinity and the damaging effects of emotional trauma. Touching on religion and the deep-seated class and colour divide in Jamaican society, this is a genre-bending mashup that shakes the senses and tears at the heart.

A QR code to the trailer will be included on the back cover of Hardback copies of Sasha Knight. This will give shoppers a chance to scan the code with their mobile and watch the trailer instantly. Adding another layer to the book-browsing experience, and giving readers a sort of visual book-blurb to take in and decide if Sasha Knight will make it to their bookshelf.   

Check out this OWN IT! curated playlist inspired by Sasha Knight

QUOTES FOR SASHA KNIGHT

‘Vivid, powerful, and moving, teeming with rich period detail, Sasha Knight is an astute debut from a writer completely at home on the page. This book is full of love, not just for Sasha Knight, but Jamaica as a whole. Seriously impressive stuff.’ Courttia Newland, Author of A River Called Time

‘Godfrey has crafted a whole host of characters and a world that feels new, but somehow familiar. I flew through the pages. Candice Carty-Williams, Author of Sunday Times Bestseller People Person

‘Sean Godfrey is a brilliant and breath-taking writer, Sasha Knight is profoundly tender and vivid, it is a tremendous story of love and loss and much more…‘ Salena Godden, Author of Mrs Death Misses Death

‘Sasha Knight is a masterful piece of writing.  Painful, playful, complex, evocative and wonderfully realised.  Sean Godfrey’s novel is set in Jamaica and America, but has relevance across the globe. This is an absolute must-read. Yvonne Bailey-Smith, author of The Day I Fell off my Island

‘What a delight, a moving delight. I read this book twice, started it over as soon as I closed the last page.‘ Colin Channer, Author of The Girl with the Golden Shoes

‘A masterclass of storytelling. Godfrey has that special ability of bringing a story to life so much that it lives in you, long after you’ve finished reading it. JJ Bola, Author of The Selfless Act of Breathing

‘Fiercely endearing. An accomplished and absorbing debut written with real heart and great depth. This profoundly mesmeric novel deserves to be found, embraced, and loved by many. One of the best stories you’ll read this year.’ Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Author of Your Show.

‘A sublime story, showcasing a magnificent mind. Sasha Knight is immediately infatuating, leading you through a multi-layered journey of two unique characters.‘ Jude Yawson, Co-Author of Stormzy’s Rise Up: The #Merky Story So Far

‘A brilliantly absorbing read with indelible character.’ Irenosen Okojie MBE, Author of Nudibranch

SASHA KNIGHT – ANIMATED BOOK TRAILER

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INTRODUCING…

SASHA KNIGHT – A NOVEL BY SEAN GODFREY

THE ANIMATED TRAILER

Everyone seems convinced that Sasha has simply run away.

On the days when he can’t hear her…Matthew believes it too.

Animated by Geroff My Visuals, with music by Cuba (OWN IT!’s co-founder and Creative Director, Jason Morgan), the trailer gives a sneak peek into the world of Sasha Knight.

The debut novel by Sean Godfrey picks apart the puzzle left behind when 11-year-old Sasha disappears. This coming-of-age novel, alternates between past and present, shifting back and forth from Jamaica and the United States.

Portraying the perils of toxic masculinity and the damaging effects of emotional trauma, whilst touching on religion and the deep-seated class and colour divide in Jamaican society. This is a genre-bending mashup that shakes the senses and tears at the heart.

Help Matthew find Sasha – Pre-order your copy here.

We understand that there are many people who have spent years walking past book shops, believing that there isn’t a story in there, for them.

For a long time, traditional publishing has strayed away from finding and publishing under-represented and marginalised voices, with a belief that there is not an audience for them. These days, publishers will look at an author and take into consideration whether their following on social media is large enough to add support to the publication of a book. This type of thinking leads to many brilliant voices going unheard.

Our open submission policy means that we accept unsolicited manuscripts from anyone and everyone, no agent needed. Through this method, we have the opportunity to find a story that we love, for the story. Because the story is at the heart of everything we do. Because Stories Are Life. As Sean Godfrey is a debut author, with no social media following, we had to think innovatively about ways to get Sasha Knight out into the world. We hope that this trailer will attract readers who might not even be aware that they are readers.

A QR code to the trailer will be included on the back cover of Hardback copies of Sasha Knight. This will give shoppers a chance to scan the code with their mobile and watch the trailer instantly. Adding another layer to the book-browsing experience, and giving readers a sort of visual book-blurb to take in and decide if Sasha Knight will make it to their bookshelf.   

QUOTES FOR SASHA KNIGHT:

‘Vivid, powerful, and moving, teeming with rich period detail, Sasha Knight is an astute debut from a writer completely at home on the page. This book is full of love, not just for Sasha Knight, but Jamaica as a whole. Seriously impressive stuff.’ Courttia Newland, Author of A River Called Time

‘Godfrey has crafted a whole host of characters and a world that feels new, but somehow familiar. I flew through the pages. Candice Carty-Williams, Author of Sunday Times Bestseller People Person

‘Sean Godfrey is a brilliant and breath-taking writer, Sasha Knight is profoundly tender and vivid, it is a tremendous story of love and loss and much more…‘ Salena Godden, Author of Mrs Death Misses Death

‘Sasha Knight is a masterful piece of writing.  Painful, playful, complex, evocative and wonderfully realised.  Sean Godfrey’s novel is set in Jamaica and America, but has relevance across the globe. This is an absolute must-read. Yvonne Bailey-Smith, author of The Day I Fell off my Island

‘What a delight, a moving delight. I read this book twice, started it over as soon as I closed the last page.‘ Colin Channer, Author of The Girl with the Golden Shoes

‘A masterclass of storytelling. Godfrey has that special ability of bringing a story to life so much that it lives in you, long after you’ve finished reading it. JJ Bola, Author of The Selfless Act of Breathing

‘Fiercely endearing. An accomplished and absorbing debut written with real heart and great depth. This profoundly mesmeric novel deserves to be found, embraced, and loved by many. One of the best stories you’ll read this year.’ Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Author of Your Show.

‘A sublime story, showcasing a magnificent mind. Sasha Knight is immediately infatuating, leading you through a multi-layered journey of two unique characters.‘ Jude Yawson, Co-Author of Stormzy’s Rise Up: The #Merky Story So Far

‘A brilliantly absorbing read with indelible character.’ Irenosen Okojie MBE, Author of Nudibranch

EDITORIAL AND LITERARY ASSISTANT

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THIS IS A LONDON BASED ROLE.

Job Purpose:

UK Literary, Film/TV Agency and Publisher seeks Editorial and Literary Assistant

Black and Brown owned and run UK agency and publisher, representing high profile authors and artists across books, film and TV are looking to add an enthusiastic and dedicated Editorial and Literary Assistant to the team to work across both the agency and publishing arm of the business.

The candidate does not need to have any previous experience of working at a publisher or agency, but does need to have a keen interest in developing a long term career in these industries. They must love reading and not be daunted by huge volumes of material, have a keen eye for detail, a pro-active can-do attitude and the confidence to work in a fast-paced environment with excellent interpersonal skills.

The role will entail being the first point of contact for the publishing submissions box and agency query letters, managing spreadsheets, organising internal acquisitions/representation meetings, liaising with potential and existing clients and authors, writing copy and proofreading materials. There will also be general ad-hoc admin along with diary management.

The role will report to publisher and agent Crystal Mahey-Morgan.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to break in the industry and be part of a dynamic publisher and Literary, Film and TV Agency who have fast built a reputation for innovation, going against the status quo and breaking boundaries within the arts.

Personal Traits

  • Ability to work well under pressure
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Highly organised with a meticulous eye for detail
  • Works well within a team, motivated and able to adapt and be flexible
  • Good time management, ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
  • Competent with Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint
  • Ability to multi-task

Qualification

No formal qualifications necessary but a love of books and reading essential

Salary

£22K

How to Apply:

Please send a CV and cover letter and answer the following 2 questions. The questions can be answered either through written answers (no more than 300 words each) OR a 3 minute video. All applications should be emailed to [email protected]

  1. What do you think you could bring to OWN IT! ?
  2. What does the future of publishing and/or agenting look like to you?

Deadline to Apply:

3rd June

About OWN IT!:

OWN IT! was created by founders Crystal Mahey-Morgan and Jason Morgan as a way to address a lack of representation within the arts and creative industries, first starting as a publisher but always with a multi-media and cross-platform approach to storytelling. With a desire to see as many creatively diverse and traditionally under-represented voices and stories out there as possible, OWN IT! quickly expanded to launch a talent agency arm paving a new way of working to house both a publishing and agency arm under one umbrella, albeit operating completely independently.

Whether publishing or representing talent, OWN IT! is never afraid to think outside the box and innovate but always has their artists and talent at the heart of everything they do. The company’s fluid and non-traditional approach comes from the joining of forces of the two co-founders coming from different disciplines, with Crystal’s background in book publishing and Jason’s background in music, having been part of a London 90’s UK hip hop group.

OWN IT! currently represents a host of exciting talent including Courttia Newland, Salena Godden, Derek Owusu, Ify Adenuga, Toni Tone and Sian Anderson to name a few.

OUT NOW – AN ABOLITIONIST’S HANDBOOK

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AN ABOLITIONIST’S HANDBOOK: 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World by New York Times bestselling author, artist, activist and abolitionist Patrisse Cullors.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY NOW

In this book, Cullors charts a framework for how everyday activists can effectively fight for an abolitionist present and future. Filled with relatable insights on the history of abolition, a reimagining of what reparations look like for Black lives and real-life anecdotes from Cullors AN ABOLITIONIST’S HANDBOOK offers a bold, innovative, and humanistic approach to how to be a modern-day abolitionist. Cullors asks us to lead with love, fierce compassion, and precision.  

This handbook is for those who are looking to reimagine a world where communities are treated with dignity, care and respect. It gives us permission to move away from cancel culture and into visioning change and healing. 

Patrisse Cullors is a New York Times bestselling author, educator, artist and abolitionist from Los Angeles, CA. Co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Patrisse has been on the frontlines of abolitionist organizing for 20 years. Since she began the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013, it has expanded into a global foundation supporting Black led movements in the US, UK, and Canada and has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. The significance of the Black Lives Matter movement has been recognized by The New York Times as the “largest movement in US history.”

Patrisse is also the Faculty Director of Arizona’s Prescott College, a new Social and Environmental Arts Practice MFA program, which she developed nesting a curriculum focused on the intersection of art, social justice and community organizing that is first of its kind in the nation. Not stopping there, Patrisse is also a former staff writer on Freeform’s Good Trouble series as well as an actress on the show. She also co-produced the 12-part YouTube Originals series titled RESIST, that premiered November 18, 2020 on the platform. In 2020, Patrisse signed an overall production deal with Warner Brothers, where she intends to continue to uplift Black stories, talent, and creators that will continue to transform the world of art and culture.

COVER REVEAL: AN ABOLITIONIST’S HANDBOOK

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AN ABOLITIONIST’S HANDBOOK: 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World by Patrisse Cullors

OUT JANUARY 25, 2022

We couldn’t be prouder to be publishing An Abolitionist’s Handbook by Patrisse Cullors on 25 Jan and are excited to reveal the cover in partnership with www.ReformTheFunk.com.

At its heart, this is a book which allows us to re-imagine the world, making it a better and more equal place for all.

We’re so excited for you to come on this journey with us.

Pre-order here.