O'Leary: A Versatile Career in Literature and Drama
O'Leary is a multifaceted author and educator whose professional journey spans a wide array of genres, from children's picture books and adult novels to stage plays and literary journalism. With a career marked by critical acclaim and prestigious awards, she has established herself as a significant voice in contemporary writing.
Key Facts
- Award-winning author of children's picture books, including the Crystal Kite Award winner Night Walk.
- Accomplished playwright with a first-prize win in Theatre BC's National Playwriting Competition.
- Experienced journalist who served as a weekly literary columnist for CBC Radio One and the Vancouver Sun.
- Academic educator teaching at Concordia University as of 2026.
Contributions to Children's Literature
O'Leary has achieved significant success in the realm of children's picture books, receiving numerous honors for her storytelling. Her work often focuses on inclusive and evocative themes, earning her recognition from several prestigious bodies.
In 2021, she won the Crystal Kite Award for Canada for Night Walk, a collaboration with illustrator Ellie Arscott. Her commitment to excellence in the genre was further recognized in 2024 when she received the Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Picture Book Writing for The Little Books of the Little Brontës. Additionally, she was honored with the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People in 2024, recognizing her overall body of work.
Her books A Family is a Family is a Family (2017) and A Kid Is A Kid Is A Kid (2022) were both finalists for the Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award for Children's Picture Book.
Fiction and Literary Journalism
Beyond children's literature, O'Leary has a robust portfolio of adult fiction and non-fiction. Her early work includes Wish You Were Here (1994), a collection of postcard stories published by Exile Editions, and Comfort Me With Apples (1998), a collection of short fiction published by Thistledown.
Her versatility extends to journalism and criticism. She has contributed reviews to The Globe and Mail and the National Post, and her fiction has been featured in publications such as The Walrus, Hobart, and Mslexia. She also shared her literary insights with the public as a weekly columnist for the Vancouver Sun and CBC Radio One.
More recently, O'Leary published the novel The Ghost in the House on July 7, 2020, and is currently developing a new story collection titled The Art of Losing.
Dramatic Works and Stage Adaptations
The stage has served as another vital outlet for O'Leary's creativity. Her play The Kitchen Sink won first prize in the 2003 National Playwriting Competition hosted by Theatre BC and was later produced by Frank Moher at Western Edge Theatre. Her early play, The Dysfunctional Documentary, earned a nomination for a Sterling Drama Prize, and her works have been performed at various Fringe festivals.
Her literary success has also crossed over into theater; her picture book This is Sadie was adapted for the stage by Barbara Zinn Krieger for the New York City Children's Theater. Directed and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons, the production was described as "beguiling" by the New York Times.
Career Summary Table
| Category | Notable Works / Roles | Key Awards / Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Books | Night Walk, The Little Books of the Little Brontës | Crystal Kite Award, Vicky Metcalf Award, Alice Kitts Memorial Award |
| Fiction | The Ghost in the House, Wish You Were Here | Published in The Walrus, Mslexia, and Hobart |
| Drama | The Kitchen Sink, The Dysfunctional Documentary | Theatre BC National Playwriting Competition (1st Prize) |
| Journalism | Vancouver Sun, CBC Radio One | Weekly Literary Columnist |
| Academia | Concordia University | Faculty Member (as of 2026) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which awards has O'Leary won for children's literature?
O'Leary won the Crystal Kite Award for Canada in 2021 for Night Walk, the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People in 2024, and the Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Picture Book Writing for The Little Books of the Little Brontës.
Has O'Leary's work been adapted for the theater?
Yes, her picture book This is Sadie was adapted for the stage by Barbara Zinn Krieger and produced by the New York City Children's Theater.
What are some of O'Leary's notable plays?
Notable plays include The Kitchen Sink, which won a national competition, and The Dysfunctional Documentary, which was nominated for a Sterling Drama Prize.
Where has O'Leary worked as a journalist?
She has been a weekly literary columnist for CBC Radio One and the Vancouver Sun, and has written reviews for the National Post and The Globe and Mail.
What is O'Leary's current professional role in education?
As of 2026, O'Leary teaches at Concordia University.