About Ben O'Mara.

I grew up in Greensborough, a suburb in Melbourne’s north east.


After completing my studies in Professional Writing at Deakin University, I moved to West Footscray for work, and started writing non-fiction. Now I live between Melbourne and Canberra.


My stories have been published in The Age, The Guardian, Eureka Street, ABC The Drum, Kill Your Darlings, Meanjin and other publications. I mostly write essays, feature articles, profiles and short reflective pieces, and am working on my first non-fiction book.


I ride my bicycle to most places, and love early morning exercise – especially shooting hoops on the basketball court.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge, recognize and pay my respect to the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Bunurong/Boonwurrung, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung of the Kulin who are the traditional owners of lands where I've lived in Victoria, and the Ngunnawal who are the traditional custodians of land in the Australian Capital Territory.

INSPIRING WRITING

Some books that have influenced my writing:

  • Leviathan, John Birmingham
  • The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby, Tom Wolfe
  • Money Shot, Jeff Sparrow
  • Melbourne, Sophie Cunningham

  • Common People, Tony Birch

  • Unpolished Gem, Alice Pung

PROFESSIONAL WORK

I’ve worked in university research, at the Cancer Council of Victoria, as a Science Writer for the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, and am the Information Resources Development Manager at Motor Neurone Disease Australia. 


I also balance my freelance writing with my work as an Adjunct Fellow for Swinburne University, and the Centre for Social Impact, University of New South Wales.

FEATURED PUBLICATIONS

Copyright 2016-2022 Ben O'Mara