Anna Carey author page

Anna Carey biography

Anna Carey is an Irish author, journalist, editor and scriptwriter who has written for The Irish Times, the Irish Independent and other publications. She has also worked as a musician, playing in bands before establishing her writing career. Her children’s and young adult novels are published by The O’Brien Press.

Carey’s debut novel, The Real Rebecca, was published in 2011 and won the Senior Children’s Book of the Year award at the Irish Book Awards that year. Written in diary form, it follows a Dublin teenager dealing with school, friendships and the embarrassment of having a mother who writes bestselling books. Three sequels followed: Rebecca’s Rules (2012), Rebecca Rocks (2013) and Rebecca is Always Right (2014).

Her first historical novel, The Making of Mollie (2016), is set in Dublin in 1912. It follows 14-year-old Mollie Carberry, who discovers that her older sister is involved in the women’s suffrage movement and decides to join the campaign with her friend Nora. The novel, which features cover artwork by Lauren O’Neill, was shortlisted for the Senior Children’s Book of the Year award at the 2016 Irish Book Awards. Its sequel, Mollie on the March, was published in 2018.

Carey’s subsequent historical novel, The Boldness of Betty (2020), takes place during the Dublin Lockout of 1913 and includes an appearance by Mollie. It was shortlisted for the Senior Children’s Book of the Year award at the 2020 Irish Book Awards and the 2021 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards.

In 2024, Carey adapted The Making of Mollie for the stage. The production received its world premiere at The Ark children’s cultural centre in Dublin.