Marian Keyes (edit name/settings)

Born in Limerick and raised in Monkstown, Keyes earned a law degree from Dublin University. After completing her studies, Keyes took an administrative job before moving to London in 1986. During this period she developed alcoholism and clinical depression, culminating in a suicide attempt and subsequent rehabilitation in 1995 at the Rutland Centre in Dublin, Ireland.

Keyes began writing short stories while struggling with alcoholism. After her treatment at the Rutland Centre she returned to her job in London and submitted her short stories to Poolbeg Press. The publisher encouraged her to submit a full-length novel and Keyes began work on her first book, Watermelon. The novel was published the same year.

Keyes currently lives in Dún Laoghaire with her husband Tony Baines, after returning to Ireland from London in 1997. Since 1995 she has published 12 novels and three works of nonfiction. After a long hiatus due to severe depression, a food title, Saved by Cake, is due to be released in February 2012.

Keyes has written frankly about her battle with clinical depression.