Mollie West Duffy

Mollie West Duffy is an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction. Her novels, short stories, and essays have been featured in various publications, including The New York Times and The Globe and Mail. She lives in Toronto, Canada and works as a college writing instructor. Known for her honest and engaging storytelling, Mollie West Duffy crafts stories and essays that leave readers feeling inspired and entertained.

Mollie West Duffy’s debut novel, Baddest Girl in Town, was published in 2020. Set in her hometown of Rochester, NY, it follows the story of sixteen-year-old Portia Wilce, a strong-willed, African-American girl from a poor neighborhood. As she navigates the ups and downs of high school life, she discovers her passion for music, her love for her friends, and her potential for self-discovery. Along the way, she finds community and support in unexpected places, forging a path toward a brighter future. Baddest Girl in Town is a touching coming-of-age story, written with wit and insight.

Mollie West Duffy’s short stories and essays have also been widely praised. In her collection, This is America, she writes thoughtfully and candidly about topics such as identity, race, and privilege. Through storytelling, she allows the reader to explore these topics and reflect on their own beliefs and experiences. Her work has been awarded the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize and the New York Public Library’s Young Lions Fiction Award.

In addition to her writing, Mollie West Duffy is a contributing writer for The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and other publications. Her essays provide a platform for meaningful dialogue surrounding topics such as racism, mental health, and parenthood. In 2021, she released her first book of non-fiction entitled Open My World: Exploring Identity and Community. The book features her essays and interviews on topics related to identity, privilege, and the intersections between them.

Writing has become Mollie West Duffy’s passion and she hopes to use her words to spark dialogue, open minds, and help others journey towards self-discovery. Those familiar with her work say it's refreshing and realistic, but her writing is rooted in the truth. “My work is often informed by both lightness and darkness,” she explains, “yes, I'm interested in the lighter things, but I'm also highly compelled to write about the darker themes that come up in our human experience.”

Mollie West Duffy’s work has been praised for its honesty and openness, and her ability to engage readers through her unique stories and essays. From her novels to her non-fiction, she is an author whose words draw us in and inspire us to think deeply about our relationships, our communities, and our identities.