Tony Delsham

André Pétricien (4 February 1946 – 16 July 2024), better known by his pen name Tony Delsham, was a French writer, novelist, and journalist from Martinique. From 1990 until his death in 2024, Pétricien was editor-in-chief for Antilla. Many of his novels discuss issues such as drug abuse and AIDS.

Biography
Born in Fort-de-France on 4 February 1946, Delsham's father served in the French Armed Forces during the Second World War. His family came from Grand'Rivière but Delsham finished his schooling in Schœlcher. Starting from the age of 16, Delsham worked as a concert organizer where he presented various rock and roll shows.

After obtaining his bachelor's degree in 1965, Delsham would serve in the 40th Artillery Regiment based in Châlons-sur-Marne (which later became Châlons-en-Champagne). He returned to Martinique in 1970 where he noted the "alienation of Creole thought" which he attributed, among other things, to French Radio and Television and the daily newspaper France-Antilles. Two years later he founded the press company Éditions MGG (later renamed Martinique Editions in 1999) to publish more books in the territory. Critics have praised Delsham's popular writing for his positive and realistic portrayals of women.

Delsham died on 16 July 2024, at the age of 78.