Mary O’Hara is a writer, editor, producer & researcher
Commissions Open
A bit about me
I love storytelling, writing, producing and editing and am lucky enough to get to do these for a living. My journalism appears in publications including The Guardian and Mosaic Science. I’ve authored two non-fiction books: The Shame Game: Overturning the toxic poverty narrative (2020) & Austerity Bites: A journey to the sharp end of cuts in the UK (2014), and contributed to numerous others. My first novel, The Linen Hall Waits, is currently with my literary agent. I’m also the founder of the multi-platform anti-poverty initiative storytelling initiative, Project Twist-It and as well that I’ve directed/produced short films, run a comedy club, been a Fulbright Scholar at UC Berkeley, a producer and consultant on the podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness and am the founder and chair of the David Nobbs Memorial Trust championing new comedy talent. I’m also a fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts. As a copywriter & consultant I’ve worked for clients including Samaritans UK, The European Social Network, The European Commission and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. In 2020 I was named Best Foreign Columnist at the Southern California Journalism Awards.
Praise for The Shame Game
“A necessary book in divisive times.”
JAMEELA JAMIL, ACTRESS AND ACTIVIST
“The most comprehensive description of poverty I’ve seen yet.”
LINDA TIRADO, JOURNALIST & AUTHOR OF HAND TO MOUTH
“Real stories, by people who have lived that story, smashing apart the divisive narratives around poverty.”
KERRY HUDSON, AUTHOR OF LOWBORN
The Shame Game is available in paperback, e-book & audiobook
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Praise for Austerity Bites
“Should be required reading for every MP, peer, councillor, civil servant and commentator.” MELISSA BENN, THE GUARDIAN
“Injustice and the waste of human potential leap from this book.”
TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION
“This book is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the great human cost of austerity. Read it, get angry and get active.”
JOSIE LONG, COMEDIAN & WRITER
Podcasting Pro
I’m an experienced and excellent podcast producer, booker and researcher with nifty Pro-Tools skills. Working on the award-winning ‘Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness’, I produced and booked episodes on topics ranging from neuroscience to middle east politics and how to be an artist! Guests included Melinda Gates, Elizabeth Warren and Jameela Jamil. I’m also producer of the short podcast series Write-On and currently in development on new projects with producers of ‘The Dream’, Jane Marie and Dann Gallucci of Little Everywhere.