Picture a British-Nigerian storyteller who spun a romcom where Cinderella is Black and nobody blinks—meet Lizzie Damilola Blackburn! Born in Peckham, London, this vibrant author burst onto the scene with her debut novel, Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?, a witty tale that blends humor, heart, and cultural commentary. With her fresh voice, Blackburn is redefining romance for a new generation.
Blackburn’s stories resonate because they’re personal. Drawing from her own experiences, she crafts narratives that explore love, identity, and the pressures of modern life, all while celebrating Black women who are rarely center stage in romantic comedies. Her work is a joyful rebellion against stereotypes, wrapped in laugh-out-loud moments and relatable struggles.
The Making of Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
Born and raised in South London, Lizzie Damilola Blackburn grew up surrounded by a tight-knit British-Nigerian community. As a child, she devoured books by Jacqueline Wilson and Malorie Blackman, craving stories that reflected her world. But the romcoms she loved rarely featured heroines who looked like her. This gap sparked her desire to write. While working at Carers UK, Blackburn began penning short stories and blog posts, eventually turning her experiences into the novel that would become her breakout hit. In 2019, an early draft of Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? won the Literary Consultancy Pen Factor Writing Competition, marking her as a talent to watch.
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn’s Unforgettable Stories
Blackburn’s debut, Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?, follows Yinka Oladeji, a 31-year-old Oxford graduate navigating family expectations, dating mishaps, and her own quest for self-love. With sharp humor and heartfelt moments, the novel tackles colorism, cultural identity, and the universal pressure to find ‘the one.’ Critics hailed it as a millennial Bridget Jones, with Malala Yousafzai selecting it as a Literati book club pick.
Her second novel, The Re-Write, is a lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romcom about Temi, a writer, and Wale, her ex who ditched her for a reality TV show. Forced to collaborate on Wale’s memoir, they confront past hurts and new sparks. Blackburn’s vibrant style shines, blending romance with themes of racism and social inequality. Both novels showcase her knack for flawed, authentic characters and dialogue that feels like a chat with a friend.
Blackburn’s writing is a love letter to Black women, offering heroines who are complex, funny, and unapologetic. Her stories weave serious topics—colorism, self-esteem, cultural straddling—into breezy narratives, making them accessible yet profound. Fans adore her ability to balance laugh-out-loud scenes with poignant reflections on identity.
Why Lizzie Damilola Blackburn Matters
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is more than a romcom writer; she’s a cultural game-changer. By centering Black women in stories of love and self-discovery, she’s filling a gap in publishing where diverse voices are still underrepresented. Her work resonates globally, with readers from London to Nigeria sending heartfelt messages about seeing themselves in Yinka and Temi. A 2023 Diverse Book Award runner-up, Blackburn is paving the way for new voices in contemporary fiction.
Her impact extends beyond the page. Blackburn’s stories challenge stereotypes, spark conversations about representation, and remind readers that everyone deserves their happily-ever-after. As she continues to write, her influence grows, inspiring a new wave of storytellers to embrace their truths.
- Born: Peckham, London
- Key Works: Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? (2022), The Re-Write (2025)
- Awards: Literary Consultancy Pen Factor Writing Competition (2019), Diverse Book Award Runner-Up (2023)
Snag Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? or The Re-Write and dive into Lizzie Damilola Blackburn’s joyful, heartfelt romcoms! Her stories will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for love in all its messy, beautiful forms.