Part of the Story

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

Elle

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

Zadie Smith

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

Lemn Sissay OBE

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

Financial Times

As a collection, Part of the Story is witness testimony, a vibrant historical document and a collection of writings about a life of substance .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

Monique Roffey

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

Michèle Roberts

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

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

Lindsey Hilsum

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

Susheila Nasta