Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse was born and raised in Rwanda. She fled to France in 1994 after surviving the genocide against the Tutsi.
She studied political sciences and worked for organizations, living in different continents. She is now settled in Bordeaux. She has published short-stories, poetry and two novels.
Her collection of short-stories "Ejo" won several french literary awards. Her debut novel, "All your children, scattered", was acclaimed by critics and won the Prix des cinq continents de la francophonie in 2020 (Paris). Her second novel "Consolée" was awarded the Kourouma Prize in 2023 (Geneva).