Margaret Busby

Celebrated as Britain's youngest and first Black female publisher, Margaret Busby revolutionised literary London . . . Margaret's writing, like her thinking, is incisive , unflinching, sharply funny and exact . . . In her prose and in person, Margaret neither shows off her expertise nor flaunts her achievements. Her lightness of presence is that of the consummate editor: fully focused and committed while working and thinking outwards. She understands the power of writing that is born out of personal imperative and framed by collective endeavour. She deflects attention and is quick to point out the activity going on around her, and the importance of sharing and passing on what you learn . . . Writing in 1985, she quoted her friend and fellow editor Toni Morrison, but could have been speaking for herself: "What I really want to do . . . is to make it possible for someone else to do the same things." She has and she does and she will

Credited with changing the world of publishing over the past half-century . . . Busby, the UK’s first Black woman publisher, did much to deliver new voices — from Africa, from the Caribbean and elsewhere — to the nation’s bookshelves and is cited as an inspiration by authors from Zadie Smith to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, as well as many small independent publishers keen to break new ground . . . A cultural flight recorder, illuminating a time before gender and race equality laws but also reviving some of the great voices and issues on both sides of the Atlantic, drawing in a cast ranging from Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison to Gil Scott-Heron and Paul Theroux

This fascinating and simply fantastic book is a comprehensive record of Margaret Busby’s exceptional life story, unparalleled career and deep knowledge of black culture and literature, with many personal connections to the people who shaped it. It is an astonishing revelation to read of the myriad ways she has been at the centre of our culture through the ages - generously opening doors and changing the game through her work as a publisher and editor and providing ongoing cultural and literary context and advocacy through her writings in the media. A true trailblazer, we all walk in the deep imprints of her footsteps

A very special work of non-fiction from one of publishing's most iconic figures, Margaret Busby . . . From politics and publishing to her own childhood in Ghana and the circle of writers who surround her, this is an absolute 2026 highlight

Margaret has been a cheerleader, instigator, organiser, defender and celebrator of black arts for the past 50 years, shouting about us from the rooftops, even back when few people cared to listen . . . We can because she did is a cliché but in Margaret's case it is both true and no exaggeration. She helped change the landscape of both UK publishing and arts coverage and so many Black British artists owe her a debt. I know I do

In Part of The Story Margaret Busby quotes Victor Hugo on Ngugi Wa Thiong’o “There is nothing like a dream to create the future” but the quote could equally apply to Busby herself. She had the dream that created the future. She is one in a million, a pivotal figure in the literary world, a champion of the unheard, a fighter for literary excellence

Busby has shaped British cultural life for more than 50 years, from becoming the country’s first Black woman publisher to editing landmark anthologies that brought African and voices of the diaspora to the fore. Here she collects her own writings with reflections on politics, publishing and people, while recounting the experiences — childhood in Ghana, decades championing Black artists — that defined her life

As a collection, Part of the Story is witness testimony, a vibrant historical document and a collection of writings about a life of substance . . . Busby was writing long before 'equity and inclusion' was the hard fought for norm, before the culture wars of today. She writes of a time when black voices were well out in the cold, when black writers had to fight for every word published . . . It is because of a handful of people like Margaret Busby that today's contemporary British cannon is diverse at all. Read this book for many things: politics, publishing history, people, places and a time

This inspiring collection beautifully showcases Margaret Busby's pioneering work as a champion of literature

Margaret Busby wears her fame as a trail-blazer and 'daughter of Africa' lightly in this entertaining and erudite collection of writing. It is a testament to her wide-ranging talents, as well as to her status as a pioneer in the (still) white-dominated fields of publishing and journalism

For over fifty years, Margaret Busby has made others visible—as Britain's youngest and first Black woman publisher, as editor of the landmark Daughters of Africa anthologies, as quiet architect of our collective memory. Now, at last, her own remarkable voice takes centre stage in this essential collection

A deeply personal and fascinating curation of cultural writings that take us step by step through key moments of political intervention and the formation of a diasporic and international body of global writing

Margaret Busby is a legend of British publishing . . . She championed important writers from a wide range of communities at a time no one else was doing so. Her taste was impeccable and she helped widen the scope of literatures available to the nation. She represents the fairness, good taste, and inclusivity that are qualities that ought to be part of the future of British publishing

Magnificent, necessary and relevant . . . Part of the Story marks an important juncture in the legacy of prodigious cultural achievements by writers, publishers, theatre people, dancers, craftspeople, film makers and all the creative communities on the continent of Africa and the diaspora in the last fifty years, and before . . . It is a living installation that will travel throughout the world forever

A trailblazer as well as an enlightener on all matters African . . . [Part of the Story] provides us with a rich insight into the writings and lives of great historical figures like CRL James and novelists like Roy Heath and several others with Caribbean, Afro-American or African Heritage

Her ongoing contribution to our literary culture, often as a lone pilot in the early days has deep roots . . . Powerful, self-contained, pragmatic and visionary, she refused to let barriers stop her from pursuing a career in literature. As a pioneer, a trailblazer, and someone who has made history, she laid the ground for subsequent generations . . . For all the plaudits and her substantial, long-standing, consistent and hugely impressive career, Margaret remains one of the nicest people on the literary scene

Bernardine Evaristo, from her speech awarding Margaret Bubsy the LBF Lifetime Achievement Award

Britain's first black female publisher revolutionised literature – and never gave up . . . In her 20s, she set up her own company, publishing everyone from James Ellroy to the Worst Witch series, and changing Britain for the better, book by book . . . Her account [of publishing the first Allison & Busby book, The Spook Who Sat By the Door by Sam Greenlee] tells you much about Busby herself: her persistence; her appreciation of a quiet character who turns out to be radically subversive; her instinct that a thriller could carry a serious political argument as easily as a polemic; and, yes, her bravery

Margaret has never lost sight of what is important, keeping the faith throughout. What a woman, what a warrior!

Writings from Half a Century

Margaret Busby has been at the heart of cultural life in the UK for over 50 years. From becoming Britain’s youngest and first Black woman publisher when she founded publishing house Allison & Busby, to editing the ground-breaking international anthologies Daughters of Africa and New Daughters of Africa, her many achievements are testament to her dedication to championing the lives and stories of others, particularly those throughout the world who have been marginalised by the mainstream. 
 
With little attention previously given to her own skills as a writer, Part of the Story is a unique opportunity to enjoy her own remarkable literary output. It brings together her writings on people, places, politics and publishing, and provides a rich insight into the many elements that have contributed to shaping her life, from her childhood in Ghana to the Black writers, intellectuals, artists and activists she has worked with, befriended, supported and championed for over half a century.

Margaret Busby

Praise for Part of the Story

Celebrated as Britain's youngest and first Black female publisher, Margaret Busby revolutionised literary London . . . Margaret's writing, like her thinking, is incisive , unflinching, sharply funny and exact . . . ...

Credited with changing the world of publishing over the past half-century . . . Busby, the UK’s first Black woman publisher, did much to deliver new voices — from Africa, from the Caribbean and elsewhere — to the na ...

This fascinating and simply fantastic book is a comprehensive record of Margaret Busby’s exceptional life story, unparalleled career and deep knowledge of black culture and literature, with many personal connections ...

Celebrated as Britain's youngest and first Black female publisher, Margaret Busby revolutionised literary London . . . Margaret's writing, like her thinking, is incisive , unflinching, sharply funny and exact . . . ...

Credited with changing the world of publishing over the past half-century . . . Busby, the UK’s first Black woman publisher, did much to deliver new voices — from Africa, from the Caribbean and elsewhere — to the na ...

This fascinating and simply fantastic book is a comprehensive record of Margaret Busby’s exceptional life story, unparalleled career and deep knowledge of black culture and literature, with many personal connections ...

Celebrated as Britain's youngest and first Black female publisher, Margaret Busby revolutionised literary London . . . Margaret's writing, like her thinking, is incisive , unflinching, sharply funny and exact . . . ...

Credited with changing the world of publishing over the past half-century . . . Busby, the UK’s first Black woman publisher, did much to deliver new voices — from Africa, from the Caribbean and elsewhere — to the na ...

This fascinating and simply fantastic book is a comprehensive record of Margaret Busby’s exceptional life story, unparalleled career and deep knowledge of black culture and literature, with many personal connections ...

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