37 Writers Rewrite Homelessness Through New Anthology

Thirty-seven writers with firsthand experience of homelessness and poverty are changing how the world sees their stories, one page at a time.

More Than One Story, curated by arts charity Cardboard Citizens, brings together voices rarely heard in mainstream publishing. The anthology features everything from emerging writers discovered through an open call to established names like former children's laureate Malorie Blackman and T.S. Eliot Prize winner Joelle Taylor.

"When we asked for the voices of More Than One Story, we weren't sure who would answer," said Chris Sonnex, CEO of Cardboard Citizens and someone who has experienced homelessness himself. "What we received was a chorus, voices from every corner of the UK, carrying truths shaped by poverty and homelessness, by resilience, by love, by survival, joy, and rage."

The project started with an open call that drew 135 submissions. In a unique twist, members of Cardboard Citizens who had experienced housing insecurity were trained to join industry professionals in selecting the final pieces.

Twenty-two stories made the cut and appear alongside commissioned works from acclaimed authors and playwrights. The collection builds on the charity's 2024 short film series with the Big Issue.

The Ripple Effect

Despite tackling heavy subjects, Sonnex says the book crackles with humor and defiance. "It isn't a book of 'woe is me,'" he explains. "When you've had that lived experience you can take it with some jest, because it becomes a coping mechanism."

That humanizing factor matters. "Instead of being a statistic, you're a flawed or funny or whatever actual human," Sonnex said. "That's what I think will change the idea of what it means to be homeless, or to come from poverty."

The book's impact extends beyond changing perceptions. Sonnex hopes it will open doors in the arts and entertainment industries, where only 8% of workers come from working-class backgrounds. "As you go through trauma, you don't necessarily believe you should be taking up those spaces," he said.

Now, anyone looking to hire writers for plays, TV programs, or other projects can see the breadth of talent that exists in overlooked communities.

More Than One Story proves that everyone has more than one chapter to share.