I think what we need, especially in publishing, is more commissioning editors and editors who are people of colour. Malorie Blackman colourcommissioneditor Change image and share on social
I think fan fiction is the way most writers start, and the same goes for music and design. Malorie Blackman designfanfiction Change image and share on social
I believe we need more culturally diverse books - about disabled characters, though not about their disability, about people with different sexual orientations, or a boy who is a cross-dresser. We need to reflect the diversity of our society. Malorie Blackman bookboycharacter share on social
I don't believe in regrets. There are a few things I'd do differently, but I can't go back in time and redo them, however much I might wish to. All I can do is learn from past mistakes and move forward. Malorie Blackman backdifferentlyforward share on social
There is a saying: 'The child is parent to the adult', which means whatever happens to you as a child or teenager affects the adult you become. You are forged in your history. And fiction is an incredibly important force in shaping children, and that's why fiction needs to be diverse. Malorie Blackman adultaffectchild share on social
Children find prescriptive reading lists daunting, and they are a dangerous thing to have in schools. Malorie Blackman childdangerousdaunt Change image and share on social
I started reading seriously at seven or eight, books about myths and legends, the Narnia series. By the time I was 11, I had read all the children's books in my local library, so I moved on to 'Jane Eyre.' What I loved about Jane Eyre was that she didn't rely on her looks but her character. She had a spirit nobody could break. Malorie Blackman bookbreakcharacter share on social
I read a lot of highly unsuitable books for an 11-year-old. I was desperate to read as widely as possible. I thought, 'There are so many places I am never going to get the chance to visit, but I can if I read them.' And I did. I could go anywhere in the world - and off it - by reading. Malorie Blackman bookchancedesperate share on social
I remember being in a history lesson and saying to my teacher, 'How come you never talk about black scientists and inventors and pioneers?' And she looked at me and said, 'Because there aren't any.' Malorie Blackman blackhistoryinventor Change image and share on social
I loved reading when I grew up but did feel totally invisible because I couldn't see myself and my life reflected in the books I was reading. Malorie Blackman bookfeelgrow Change image and share on social