DD Armstrong is a British author, filmmaker, playwright, script consultant, and international educator. Armstrong is best known for his 2020 novel Ugly Dogs Don’t Cry, a contemporary retelling of John Steinbeck’s classic Of Mice and Men.
DD Armstrong holds a Master of Arts in Stage and Screenwriting from Regent’s University London. After being expelled from school, he earned five GCSEs and studied courses ranging from Art and Design to Business before securing a scholarship for his master’s degree. Armstrong has a strong passion for storytelling in all forms, influenced early on by his grandfather, a pioneer of the Windrush Generation who shared stories of Caribbean life and migration to the UK.
His most famous novel, Ugly Dogs Don’t Cry, is set in West London. The book follows best friends Kyle and Sideeq as they embark on college and confront the challenges of youth, friendship, and self-discovery.
Sideeq is an aspiring artist grappling with a traumatic past, while Kyle aspires to success in both rap and business. Their bond is tested by social politics and bullying, exploring themes of masculinity and British youth culture.
Armstrong has explained why he chose to retell Of Mice and Men: “While delivering creative writing workshops in schools, I found several issues around race and language used in the book.” He felt the retelling could fill a gap in the curriculum, offering a more diverse and relatable narrative. Armstrong describes the power of his story as lying in its characters, who reveal the complexities of Black masculinity and loneliness, while also offering hope through the bonds of friendship.
Ugly Dogs Don’t Cry has resonated strongly with young readers and schools. Armstrong said he is “flattered when people say they prefer my book to the original” and values how the novel creates interest in reading. Though he considers adapting other classics, like Othello, Armstrong prefers to explore contemporary stories to avoid being pigeonholed.
Photo credit: X @Dd_Armstrong
DD Armstrong holds a Master of Arts in Stage and Screenwriting from Regent’s University London. After being expelled from school, he earned five GCSEs and studied courses ranging from Art and Design to Business before securing a scholarship for his master’s degree. Armstrong has a strong passion for storytelling in all forms, influenced early on by his grandfather, a pioneer of the Windrush Generation who shared stories of Caribbean life and migration to the UK.
His most famous novel, Ugly Dogs Don’t Cry, is set in West London. The book follows best friends Kyle and Sideeq as they embark on college and confront the challenges of youth, friendship, and self-discovery.
Sideeq is an aspiring artist grappling with a traumatic past, while Kyle aspires to success in both rap and business. Their bond is tested by social politics and bullying, exploring themes of masculinity and British youth culture.
Armstrong has explained why he chose to retell Of Mice and Men: “While delivering creative writing workshops in schools, I found several issues around race and language used in the book.” He felt the retelling could fill a gap in the curriculum, offering a more diverse and relatable narrative. Armstrong describes the power of his story as lying in its characters, who reveal the complexities of Black masculinity and loneliness, while also offering hope through the bonds of friendship.
Ugly Dogs Don’t Cry has resonated strongly with young readers and schools. Armstrong said he is “flattered when people say they prefer my book to the original” and values how the novel creates interest in reading. Though he considers adapting other classics, like Othello, Armstrong prefers to explore contemporary stories to avoid being pigeonholed.
Photo credit: X @Dd_Armstrong
Books
fb2epub
Drag & drop your files
(not more than 5 at once)