Donia Youssef

Donia Youssef is a British writer, producer, and storyteller with a big heart and an even bigger drive to turn pain into purpose.

Born in London in 1978 to an English mother and an Egyptian father, Donia grew up between cultures — part of her childhood was spent in the Middle East, and she later returned to the UK. That blend of worlds, along with a loving but demanding family (her father was a consultant anaesthetist and her mother a teacher), shaped her deep curiosity about people, resilience, and what makes us human.

Before finding her voice as a writer, Donia built a career in talent management. She founded Tiny Angels, a children’s modelling and acting agency in London, and more recently has launched YM Talent Group Ltd. But life had other plans. In her late thirties, she was diagnosed with breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. Doctors gave her a 40% chance of survival. That terrifying chapter became the turning point.

Instead of staying silent, Donia started writing. What began as a way to process her own fear, anger, and hope grew into the Monster Series — honest, emotional books for both children and adults that help readers face illness, mental health struggles, grief, and healing. She’s now published more than 35 books, with one children’s series currently in development as an animated TV show.

As a screenwriter and producer, Donia has poured her energy into stories that matter. Her films and screenplays have won awards at 86 film festivals, including Cannes and Bafta qualifying festivals. Through her production company, Monster World Studios, she creates content that sparks conversations around cancer awareness, mental health, emotional resilience, and empowerment.

Today, Donia balances writing and producing with her work as a political cancer ambassador for Cancer Research UK and a mentor to other creatives. She’s also studying a Law degree because, as she puts it, she’s not done learning or fighting for what matters.

Above all, Donia is a survivor, a mother at heart to her projects and the people she supports, and a firm believer that even our darkest moments can become our most powerful stories.