Monica Hughes was born in Liverpool, England (maiden name: Ince), and emigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1952. Monica Hughes had lived in Cairo, Egypt and other countries. In World War II, she served in the Women's Royal Naval Service. She died in Edmonton at the age of 77 from a stroke.

She is a writer who has written over 35 books for young people. One of her first book was called "Crisis on Conshelf Ten".