Heather O'Neill

Heather O'Neill
Heather O'Neill speaking at a book panel in 2016
Born	Montreal, Quebec
Occupation	writer
Education	McGill University
Notable works	Lullabies for Little Criminals
Children	1

Heather O'Neill (born 1973) is a Canadian novelist, poet, short story writer, screenwriter and journalist, who published her debut novel, Lullabies for Little Criminals, in 2006. The novel was subsequently selected for the 2007 edition of Canada Reads, where it was championed by singer-songwriter John K. Samson. Lullabies won the competition. The book also won the Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction and was shortlisted for eight other major awards, including the Orange Prize for Fiction and the Governor General's Award and was longlisted for IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

Lullabies for Little Criminals was a publishing sensation in Canada and went on to become an international bestseller. She was named by Chatelaine as one of the most influential women in Canada.

O’Neill was born in Montreal. Although her father is from Montreal, her mother is of Southern American descent. O’Neill spent the first part of her childhood in Montreal. After her parents’ divorce, she lived in the American South with her mother for several years before returning to Montreal to live with her father. She has lived in Montreal ever since. She was educated at Dawson College and McGill University. She has one daughter, Arizona, whom she raised as a single parent.

O'Neill published her debut novel Lullabies for Little Criminals in 2006 and it immediately became a bestseller.

She published her second novel The Girl Who Was Saturday Night in 2014. It was a shortlisted nominee for the 2014 Scotiabank Giller Prize. It was also nominated for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction and the Encore Award.