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Trinidad And Tobago Monique Roffey, an acclaimed Trinidadian-born British writer, has gained recognition for her novels and memoir, exploring themes of identity and Caribbean history through a blend of magical realism and factual narratives.
Monique Roffey's novel "House of Ashes," based on the 1990 coup in Trinidad, was shortlisted for the COSTA Award 2015. Her novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" won the Costa Book of the Year award in 2021.
Monique Roffey's novel "Archipelago" won the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature in 2013. Her novel "House of Ashes" was shortlisted for the OCM BOCAS Award 2015. Her novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" was shortlisted for the OCM Bocas Fiction Award in 2021.
Monique Roffey's novel "Archipelago" was shortlisted for the Orion Award 2014.
Monique Roffey's novel "The White Woman on the Green Bicycle" was shortlisted for the Orange Prize in 2010.
Monique Roffey is a former Centre Director for the Arvon Foundation, a setting and organization for creative writing.
Monique Roffey's trip to Sri Lanka was mostly funded by The British Council. The trip was co-hosted by the British Council and the Gratiaen Trust.
Monique Roffey's novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" was first published by Peepal Tree Press in April 2020. Her edited work "The Global Village, Tell Tales" (2009) was also published by Peepal Tree Press.
Monique Roffey's novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" was published in paperback by Vintage Books in June 2021.
Monique Roffey's novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" featured on the BBC Radio 4 programme A Book at Bedtime in August 2021.
Dorothy Street Pictures bought the film rights for Monique Roffey's "The Mermaid of Black Conch."
A screen adaptation of Monique Roffey's "The Mermaid of Black Conch" will be developed by Film Four.
Monique Roffey's novel "Passiontide" was published by Harvill Secker in 2024.
Monique Roffey's novels "Sun Dog" (2002), "The White Woman on the Green Bicycle" (2009), "Archipelago" (2012), "House of Ashes" (2014) and memoir "With the Kisses of His Mouth" (2011) were published by Simon & Schuster UK. Her novel "The Tryst" (2017) was initially sold to Simon & Schuster UK.
Monique Roffey's novel "The Tryst" (2017) was sold to independent press Dodo Ink, after initially being sold to Simon & Schuster UK.
Monique Roffey's novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" was shortlisted for the Rathbones/Folio Prize (2021).
Monique Roffey's novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" was shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize (2020).
Monique Roffey's novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" was shortlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize (2021).
Monique Roffey's novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" was longlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction (2021).
Monique Roffey's novel "The Mermaid of Black Conch" was longlisted for the Ondaatje Prize (for writing that evokes the 'spirit of a place') (2021).
Monique Pauline Roffey, born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1965, is a Trinidadian-born British writer and memoirist. She received her early education in Trinidad at St Andrew’s School in Maraval, and subsequently in the UK at St Maur’s Convent and St George’s College, Weybridge. Roffey further pursued her academic interests, graduating with a BA in English and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia in 1987. She later earned an MA and PhD in Creative Writing from Lancaster University. Between 2002 and 2006, she served as a Centre Director for the Arvon Foundation. Roffey is a Professor of Contemporary Fiction at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she teaches creative writing on the novel route MA. Her career is marked by a dual nationality, holding both British and Trinidadian passports, and she splits her time between London and Port of Spain. She has also been a literary activist and advocate for emerging writers in Trinidad since 2013, conducting workshops and establishing the St James Writers’ Room in 2014.
Roffey’s literary output includes six novels and one memoir. Her 2009 novel, “The White Woman on the Green Bicycle,” was shortlisted for the Orange Prize in 2010 and the Encore Award in 2011, establishing her presence in the literary world. Her 2012 novel, “Archipelago,” which explores themes of climate change, won the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature in 2013. In 2014, she released “House of Ashes,” a fictionalized account of the 1990 attempted coup in Trinidad. This novel was shortlisted for the COSTA Award in 2015 and the OCM Bocas Award in 2015 for fiction. Her 2017 novel, “The Tryst,” delved into themes of celibacy and relationships, and was noted for its erotic elements. A significant achievement in her career came with “The Mermaid of Black Conch,” published in 2020 by Peepal Tree Press, which won the Costa Book Award for Novel and Costa Book of the Year in 2020. This novel also received shortlistings for the Rathbones/Folio Prize (2021), the Goldsmiths Prize (2020), and the Republic of Consciousness Prize (2021). The film rights for “The Mermaid of Black Conch” were acquired by Dorothy Street Pictures, with a screen adaptation under development by Film Four. Her latest work, “Passiontide” (2024), is a mission-driven novel exploring themes of femicide and sociopolitical issues in the Caribbean. In 2022, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
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