When Courage Becomes a Story: The Unforgettable Journey of Steve James Briggs

Steve James Briggs’s journey began in Blackpool in 1966, within the structured confines of a military family. Yet beneath the surface of this ordinary beginning lay the seeds of extraordinary trauma. As a child, Briggs endured systematic abuse from his schoolteacher and Peter Righton, the founder of the notorious Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE). The scars of this betrayal will follow him for decades, shaping a story that is as much about the long road to justice as it is about personal survival.

A Name in History: Reclaiming Black Narratives Through Fiction

“A Name in History” embodies this year’s Black History Month theme of “Reclaiming Narratives.” This gripping tale follows Ella, a Londoner whose discovery of a shell fragment unveils hidden family secrets, leading her on a journey from England to the Caribbean. Baptiste’s work exemplifies the power of storytelling in reclaiming Black history. Through Ella’s quest, readers confront the legacy of slavery and its impact on identity. The novel’s vivid portrayal of Caribbean culture and traditions adds depth to the narrative, showcasing the richness of Black heritage often overlooked in mainstream history.