Dame Malorie Blackman has written over 70 books for children and young adults, including the highly acclaimed NOUGHTS & CROSSES, which was voted as one of The 100 Greatest Children’s Books of All Time in a 2023 BBC Culture Poll (one of only fourteen books published in the 21st Century to make the list).

Malorie has written for the eleventh series of DOCTOR WHO, co-writing the episode ROSA with Chris Chibnall. This episode won TV Show of the Year for ‘making a positive social impact’ at the inaugural Visionary Honours at BAFTA. Her work has also been adapted for TV, including her own BAFTA winning 6 part adaptation of PIG-HEART BOY, and NOUGHTS & CROSSES for BBC One.

NOUGHTS & CROSSES has been adapted for the stage by Dominic Coole for the RSC. This adaptation recently premiered at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Additionally, Sabrina Mahfouz created another adaptation for Pilot Theatre, which won the Excellence in Touring award at the UK Theatre Awards in 2019. A new stage adaptation of PIG-HEART BOY premiered at the Unicorn Theatre in 2025, in collaboration with Sheffield Theatres and the Children’s Touring Partnership.

In 2005, Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children’s books. In 2008, she received an OBE for her services to children’s literature and, between 2013 and 2015, she was the Children’s Laureate. Malorie’s autobiography JUST SAYIN’: MY LIFE IN WORDS was published by Merky Books in 2022. Full of life lessons, this is a deeply personal and vividly compelling look at an incredible life that defied expectations and inspired a generation.

In June 2026, Malorie received a Damehood in the King’s Birthday Honours list for her services to literature.