Creative Writing alumna Odette Debono publishes debut memoir

Creative Writing (MA) alumna Odette Debono has published her debut memoir, White Sheep, with Welsh independent publisher Parthian Books.

Published in March 2026, White Sheep is described as a lyrical and engrossing memoir of a docklands childhood in late 1960s South Wales. It follows Odette growing up in Newport with her single mother, grandmother and two younger sisters, capturing the darkness and instability of that world, and the humour and everyday moments that sit alongside it.

Born and still based in Newport, Odette came to creative writing later in life. After leaving school, she went on to study at the University of South Wales, where she won the Tony Curtis Prize for Poetry and had poetry, fiction and non-fiction published in the university’s annual anthology.

She later completed a Creative Writing (MA) at Cardiff University. White Sheep is her first book.

Odette said: “This is the book I had to write before I could move on, and I am so thrilled that the wonderful Parthian Books has decided they liked it enough to go forward with publication.”

Susie Wildsmith, Publishing Editor at Parthian Books said: “I am so excited to share this glittering new memoir with you. Debono’s caustic wit and poet’s eye brings her docklands disco lounge to vibrant all-seeing life in this engaging working-class story. It is a story of resilience, humour, and harsh love.”

Odette’s debut marks a major publishing milestone and highlights the success of Cardiff University’s Creative Writing alumni.