Desert Island Discs - Malorie Blackman on receiving 82 rejection letters from publishers

Download Malorie Blackman on receiving 82 rejection letters from publishers

The writer Malorie Blackman was cast away by Kirsty Young in 2013.

Although she has published more than 70 books for children and young adults - among them her hugely popular Noughts and Crosses series - getting her start as a published author was hard - 82 rejection letters had thudded onto her door mat before she had her first manuscript accepted for publication. She still remembers the day that 83rd letter arrived.

You can listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Published on Friday, 25th September 2026.

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