Anakana Schofield is an Irish-Canadian author living in Vancouver. Her debut novel Malarky won the Amazon.ca First Novel Award and the 2013 Debut-Litzer Prize for Fiction in the United States. Schofield joined us at Wordfest for the debut of her novel. It was included on 16 separate Best Books of 2012 lists and was selected as a Barnes & noble Discover Great New Writers Pick. She has written for newspapers including The Guardian, The Irish Times, The Globe and Mail and The National Post.

Martin John

Martin John sits beside you on the train. Can he see that look on your face? He needs to see that look in your eyes, the surprise of his touch upon your leg, and your repugnance. Despite his work’s distractions, his evil flatmate’s enmity, his worn-out mother’s admonishments, his own rules and routines, nothing can diminish his determination to touch – and to repel.  2015 Giller Prize long-listed Martin John is a testament to Anakana Schofield’s skill and audacity. Schofield’s novel is a brilliant exploration of a marginal character, but not a rare character– the kind of man many women have experienced, but whom few of us have understood.

Globe and Mail review

Guardian profile

Prism interview

Canada Writes: Reader Q & A