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Heather O'Neill

What is heather o'neill?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Born 1973, Montreal, Quebec[1]
Nationality Canadian[1]
Debut novel *Lullabies for Little Criminals* (2006)[1]
Education Dawson College and McGill University[1]
Notable recognition Won CBC Canada Reads 2007 for *Lullabies for Little Criminals*[1]

Heather O'Neill is a Canadian writer best known as a novelist, and she has also worked as a poet, short story writer, screenwriter, and journalist. She was born in 1973 in Montreal, Quebec, and her debut novel is *Lullabies for Little Criminals*.

Context

Heather O'Neill is a Canadian writer known for her novels, poetry, short stories, screenwriting, and journalism [1]. Born in Montreal in 1973, she has lived there her whole life [1]. Her debut novel, *Lullabies for Little Criminals*, was published in 2006 and won CBC Canada Reads 2007 [1]. She studied at Dawson College and McGill University [1]. O'Neill has one daughter, Arizona, whom she raised as a single parent [1]. Her work has been shortlisted for several major literary awards, including the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Orange Prize for Fiction, and the Scotiabank Giller Prize [2].

Documented claims

  • Heather O'Neill has been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Orange Prize for Fiction, and the Scotiabank Giller Prize. [2]
  • She has one daughter, Arizona, whom she raised as a single parent. [1]

Questions and answers

Where does Heather O'Neill live?

She was born in Montreal, Quebec, and has lived in Montreal since [1].

Is Lullabies for Little Criminals a true story?

The source packet does not indicate whether the novel is based on a true story.

Who is Heather O'Neill?

Heather O'Neill is a Canadian writer, best known as a novelist, who also works as a poet, short story writer, screenwriter, and journalist [1].

Sources

  1. Heather O'Neill | The Modern Novel — themodernnovel.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. I'm Where You Are: An Interview with Heather O'Neill — lareviewofbooks.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in People