Mary-Anne O'Connor always knew she wanted to be an author...
and had an extraordinary creative role model to inspire her.
Mary-Anne O'Connor was an avid reader as a child and dreamt of becoming a writer one day but she figured it was just that - a dream. Then an extraordinary event changed her perspective. When she was twelve her father Kevin Best OAM left his established career in the stock-market to become one of Australia's best-loved artists. The perseverance and ultimate triumph she witnessed during those years left her inspired to follow in his footsteps and pursue her own creative aspirations. A colourful marketing career followed, along with the completion of an Education/Arts degree with specialties in Literature, Music and Environment. During this time she also co-wrote two books with her father, A Brush with Light and Secrets of the Brush.
Work then began on her first major novel, Gallipoli Street. This work gained critical acclaim and finished at #3 for debut novels in Australia in 2015. Since then she has released seven more novels: Worth Fighting For in 2016, War Flower in 2017, In A Great Southern Land in 2019, Where Fortune Lies, in 2020, Sisters of Freedom in 2021, Dressed By Iris in 2022, Never To Surrender and At the Going Down of the Sun in April 2024.
Mary Christmas, her first historical Christmas romance is a novel she says she's written 'for pure escapist joy'. It is due for release October 1st, 2024.
Mary-Anne has drawn on her love of the Australian bush, her fascination with her own family history and her deep, abiding respect for the men and women who carried our nation through turbulent, formative times to produce these novels. Mary-Anne still lives in the Bushland Shire with her husband Anthony, their two sons, Jimmy and Jack and their very spoilt dog, Saxon. She is an avid supporter of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter.
Work then began on her first major novel, Gallipoli Street. This work gained critical acclaim and finished at #3 for debut novels in Australia in 2015. Since then she has released seven more novels: Worth Fighting For in 2016, War Flower in 2017, In A Great Southern Land in 2019, Where Fortune Lies, in 2020, Sisters of Freedom in 2021, Dressed By Iris in 2022, Never To Surrender and At the Going Down of the Sun in April 2024.
Mary Christmas, her first historical Christmas romance is a novel she says she's written 'for pure escapist joy'. It is due for release October 1st, 2024.
Mary-Anne has drawn on her love of the Australian bush, her fascination with her own family history and her deep, abiding respect for the men and women who carried our nation through turbulent, formative times to produce these novels. Mary-Anne still lives in the Bushland Shire with her husband Anthony, their two sons, Jimmy and Jack and their very spoilt dog, Saxon. She is an avid supporter of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter.
Kevin Best painting in the Bushland Shire
Guest Appearances
Mary-Anne O'Connor has appeared on television and radio and has extensive experience as a presenter and in public speaking. She has lectured on women's rights, protection from domestic violence, veteran support, Australian history, communications, marketing, writing skills, lifestyle and wellness and motivation. She is available as a guest speaker or for interview via the contact form on this page.
Out & About
Speaking at the NSW State Library with son Jimmy O'Connor
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At QBD Chatswood
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Guest lecturing at the Hawkesbury River Writers Annual Dinner with Mum Dorn Best
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Interview with Chris Smith at 2GB
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Mary-Anne visits QBD Hornsby with mum Dorn and niece Laura
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With Nicola Robinson, Commissioning Editor Harper Collins, fundraising book launch 2021
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Meet the Author at
Hornsby Library
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Speaking at the Anzac ceremony
at her old school St Leos College Wahroonga
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