We’re thrilled to announce that Alison White’s memoir, Letter to Louis, is a finalist for the prestigious Audie Awards in the best autobiography/memoir category. The Audie Awards celebrate the best in audio publishing, recognising the talent of authors, publishers and narrators each year. The winner’s will be announced in New York at a ceremony in March, hosted by Queer Eye’s fashion expert and author Tan France.

Letter to Louis was published in audiobook by Bolinda in February 2018, narrated by Eve Webster. The paperback edition is out now from Faber & Faber.

This is a memoir about hope – hope in others, hope in systems, and hope for the future.

I’ve never quite known where to begin when someone asks me what I’ve been up to. I’ve never quite known how to explain what our daily life is like. I wanted to write how it is in order to give others a greater understanding of disability and caring. And to be totally honest, I wanted to write something that would make people consider being Louis’s friend.

So here is me introducing you: Louis, this is your story. Readers, this is my son.

Alison White grew up in Sheffield, studied in Leeds and moved to Glasgow, where she set up her own Landscape Architectural business, and exhibited in the Scottish Art Scene. In 1996 Alison’s first child, Louis, was delivered by emergency caesarian section at thirty-two weeks gestation. He suffered severe brain damage due to her undetected pre-eclampsia in the days preceding his birth, and has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties. From this point Alison’s life drastically changed.

Alison’s memoir, addressed to Louis, explores their first eighteen years together. Louis is still unable to walk, eat or do most basic tasks unaided but his indomitable spirit, irreverent humour, and surprising talents shine through. Her book offers a glimpse into the world of disability and caring and also explores hope: the hope we place in others, in systems, and the hope we have for the future.