Three Years of Cut Short
On the journey of my debut book so far
My debut book, Cut Short: Why We're Failing Our Youth — and How to Fix It, was published three years ago this week.
It's a true story spanning five years about my time as a youth worker in London schools, youth clubs and prisons, featuring a cast of characters — Jhemar, Demetri, Carl — who helped me to pen their respective journeys in its pages.
It explores why violence affecting young people in the inner-city happens, and provides a blueprint for how to prevent it, combining memoir, narrative nonfiction and deep-dive journalism. It provides analysis and social commentary, brought to life by real-life interactions from my work, about themes like social media, gentrification and criminal justice.
Writing it was the hardest but most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I did so across lockdowns in 2020. Juggling the traditionalism of the publishing world with the sensitivities of community life was tough. Doing so during a pandemic was even tougher. But I learned and grew from the process. The lifespan of the book veers in new, fascinating directions every few weeks. Slowly and steadily I come to realise its higher purpose.
Since it came out, I've used it to lead literacy workshops in prisons, writing lessons in schools with young people at risk of exclusion, and participatory action research lectures in universities. I've launched my Writing for Social impact course at City, University of London. I've received countless messages from youth workers, parents, students, academics, rappers and other readers expressing their connection with the story and appreciation of its analyses. On the ground, Jhemar, Demetri and Carl are all thriving as community leaders and not-so-young men who inspire others around them everywhere they go.
Most recently, over the last six months, Cut Short played a role in bringing me to the Youth Endowment Fund where, as Director of Comms and Public Affairs, I've been working to use narrative and storytelling to advocate for what works to prevent violence in England and Wales.
May the journey continue.
Congratulations Ciaran, much to be proud of in those 3 years. Keep ‘er lit! (that’s what we say in my part of the world to tell people to keep up the good work)