D.D. Armstrong is the author of Lynch’s Road the first book to be released on Smash & Grab. His writing style is brutally honest, boldly experimental, fierce and uniquely original. Like, Courttia Newland, Donald Goines, Chester Himes, and Gil Scott–Heron D.D. draws on personal experiences to bring life and energy to his characters.

Raised in the council estates of West London by his mother, the effects of a Thatcher government shaped his early upbringing. He explains 'growing up a bus ride away from some of London’s richests' boroughs and not being able to have will affect anybody eventually, whether good or bad,'and he openly admits a somewhat colourful background. 'I’ll never deny I was more than enthusiastic about crime, most of the people I knew were. When lemons is all you got, you’re gonna make lemonade…or steal what you want’

During his late teens and early twenties D.D experienced high levels of crime and violence. Although creative writing was the furthest thing from his mind he once told a friend he wanted to write a book. ‘I told him and he laughed’. However after being remanded to Wandsworth prison and later moved to Belmarsh D.D. found a passion for literature spending 23 hours under lock and key. ‘I was gonna do the typical thing go gym and get big, but I met this guy named Graham. He challenged me to use my time to better effect and taught me how to reflect on my mistakes. He gave me the first book I ever read from front to back since primary school.’

After a year on remand, D.D.'s case was dismissed from the Old Bailey and he returned to West London to start a fresh. Turning a new D.D. was in full time employment for 18 months when he lost his job. Finding himself unemployed he decided to try something new. In the late summer of 2005 he isolated himself and began writing his first novel. The early manuscript to Lynch’s Road then entitled ‘A King’s Journey’ was to voice the opinions and attitude of a disillusioned generation.

After encouragement from friends D.D. applied for a grant from The Arts Council who later introduced him to his former mentor Alex Wheatle MBE and author of ‘Brixton Rock’ and ‘East Of Acre Lane’. “I first read Alex’s books in jail and he was a big inspiration to me. Learning under him was incredible because he understood how to mould my uncouth practices yet allowed me to be authentic. Alex once said ‘that one day he would have to stop writing so-called ghetto stories and he was waiting to see who will carry the torch. I reckon I’m ready for that now.’

Since then D.D. Armstrong has worked in a number of media jobs in Film, TV & Broadcast. He was also a script consultant to Actor/Director Noel Clarke on the film ‘ADULTHOOD’ and is currently studying a Masters Degree in Stage and Screen Writing at the prestigious London School of Film Media & Performance. He continues to write, having completed the sequel to Lynch’s Road plus stage and film adaptations. With various projects ongoing D.D. insists ‘Writing’s my way of making lemonade out of lemons. It’s the closet thing to being God and I love it.’

Lynch’s Road is now available to buy at our online store