Yvvette Edwards facts for kids

Yvvette Edwards is a British writer from London, England. Her family comes from the Caribbean. She is known for her amazing novels.

Her first book, A Cupboard Full of Coats, came out in 2011. It received many awards and nominations. This included being considered for the famous Man Booker Prize. Five years later, in 2016, she released her second novel, The Mother. This book also showed how talented she is. Yvvette Edwards also wrote a short story for the book New Daughters of Africa in 2019. This collection of stories was put together by Margaret Busby.

About Yvvette Edwards

Her Early Life and School

Yvvette Edwards was born in Barnet, a part of north London. Her parents came from the Caribbean. Her mother moved to Britain from Montserrat when she was a child. Yvvette grew up with her mother.

She went to school in Hackney, which is in east London. Yvvette still lives there with her family today.

Her Journey as a Writer

Yvvette Edwards' first novel, A Cupboard Full of Coats, was published in 2011. It was released by Oneworld Publications. This book was highly praised. Kirkus Reviews even called it one of the "Best of Fiction" books in 2011.

The novel was also considered for many important awards. It was longlisted for the 2011 Booker Prize. It was also shortlisted for the Writers' Guild Awards in 2011. Other nominations included the Commonwealth Book Prize in 2012. Critics said her writing was very clear and beautiful.

Her second book, The Mother, was published in 2016. This novel also received nominations for awards. It was nominated for the 48th NAACP Image Awards. It was also considered for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award in 2017.

BookPage magazine highly recommended The Mother. They said it explored important issues like violence among young men. The book also showed how families are affected by losing someone. Paste magazine called it a powerful story. They said it showed how one sad event can affect many people. NBC News praised Yvvette Edwards' "masterful storytelling." The New York Journal of Books said The Mother was a clear and honest book. It was about city life and the challenges parents face. They called it another "hit-the-ball-out-of-the-park" novel.

In 2019, her short story "Security" was included in the book New Daughters of Africa. This book was edited by Margaret Busby.

In November 2020, Yvvette Edwards became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. This is a special honor for writers.

In February 2025, it was announced that Yvvette Edwards' third novel, Good Good Loving, had been acquired by Virago Press. This book is expected to be published in 2026.

Awards and Nominations

Yvvette Edwards' books have been recognized with many awards and nominations.

A Cupboard Full of Coats

• 2011: Named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
• 2011: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction
• 2011: Shortlisted for the Waverton Good Read Award
• 2011: Shortlisted for the Writers’ Guild Awards
• 2012: Shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize
• 2013: Nominated for the 44th NAACP Image Awards
• 2013: Nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award

The Mother

• 2016: Nominated for the 48th NAACP Image Awards
• 2017: Nominated for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award