Sara O'Leary


Sara O'Leary is a Canadian writer. She has published fiction, children's books, plays, and reviews. She holds an MA in English and Creative Writing from Concordia University in Montreal and an MFA with a specialization in Screenwriting from the Program in Theatre, Film and Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. Her picture book, This is Sadie, was adapted for the stage by Barbara Zinn Krieger for New York City Children's Theater. The production, directed and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons, was deemed "beguiling" by the New York Times.
She currently teaches at Concordia University.

Children's books

The Little Books of the Little Brontës, illustrated by Briony May Smith Gemma and the Giant Girl, illustrated by Marie Lafrance A Kid Is a Kid Is a Kid, illustrated by Qin Leng This Is Ruby, illustrated by Alea Marley Percy’s Museum, illustrated by Carmen Mok Night Walk, illustrated by Ellie Arscott Maud and Grand-Maud, illustrated by Kenard Pak Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets, illustrated by Jacob Grant The Boy and the Blue Moon, illustrated by Ashley Crowley A Family Is a Family Is a Family, illustrated by Qin Leng You Are One, illustrated by Karen Klassen You Are Two, illustrated by Karen Klassen You Are Three, illustrated by Karen Klassen This Is Sadie, illustrated by Julie Morstad When I Was Small, illustrated by Julie Morstad Where You Came From, illustrated by Julie Morstad When You Were Small, illustrated by Julie Morstad

Plays

O'Leary's plays have been performed at numerous Fringe festivals and an early play, "The Dysfunctional Documentary," was nominated for a Sterling Drama Prize. Her play, "The Kitchen Sink," took first prize in Theatre BC's National Playwriting Competition for 2003 and was subsequently produced by Frank Moher at Western Edge Theatre.

Fiction and reviews

A collection of postcard stories titled Wish You Were Here was published by Exile Editions and followed up by a collection of short fiction titled Comfort Me With Apples. O'Leary then went on to become a weekly literary columnist for both the Vancouver Sun and CBC Radio One.
Her fiction has appeared in publications such as Mslexia, Hobart and The Walrus, and her reviews appear in The Globe and Mail and the National Post. She is currently at work on a story collection titled The Art of Losing. On July 7, 2020, O'Leary published a novel entitled The Ghost in the House.
In 2024 she was the recipient of the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for her body of work.