Born in southern California, P. A. O’Neil experienced what might be considered culture shock when her family moved to a small town in Washington State. The year was 1970 and the community was not necessarily culturally diverse. Proud of her Mexican and Irish heritage, or “Smoked Irish” according to her father, she learned what it meant to be simultaneously in the minority and the majority.
She’s come to feel Thurston County, Washington her home and would not consider living elsewhere. She is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, and has worked for colleges, churches, and youth organizations.
Her first published story appeared in an anthology in October 2017, followed closely by another in December. Three and a half years later, her stories have appeared in print and online, over thirty-six times. Some of her stories may be found in publications by Clarendon House Publications, Zombie Pirate Publishing, Dastaan Magazine, Black Hare Press, Sweetycat Press, Anthology Askew, and others. One of her stories was even nominated for “Story of the Year” on the Spillwards.com website.
A collection of her stories has been released under the name, Witness Testimony and Other Tales, and is available as a paperback or eBook, from Amazon.com. It has been met with five-star reviews.
Much of what she has learned about writing, and publishing in general, has been self-taught or gleaned from others through the various Facebook groups to which she belongs. She believes there has never been a better time for anyone, especially people of her generation, to become writers with the advent of the Internet and the ease of world-wide communication. It’s important for her to encourage others and support their writing, regardless of where they are on that journey.
It’s been said, “40 is the new 30 and 70 the new 50,” and with that in mind, P. A. O’Neil believes she is starting middle age all over again.
Interview with P. A. O'Neil
