Today I am very pleased to get to know a little bit about Shannon O’Leary, author of The Blood on my Hands.
Set in 1960s and ‘70s Australia, The Blood on My Hands is the dramatic tale of Shannon O’Leary’s childhood years, growing up with an abusive father, who was also a serial killer. No one, not even the authorities, would help O’Leary and her family. The responses of those whom O’Leary and her immediate family reached out to for help are almost as disturbing as the crimes of her violent father. Relatives were afraid to bring disgrace to the family’s good name, nuns condemned the child’s objections as disobedience and noncompliance, and laws at the time prevented the police from interfering unless someone was killed.
The Blood on My Hands is a heartbreaking—yet riveting—narrative of a childhood spent in pain and terror, betrayed by the people who are supposed to provide safety and understanding. The strength and courageous resilience it took for O’Leary to not just survive and escape from her father, but to flourish, thrive, and triumph over the unimaginable trauma she endured as a child is both powerful and moving.
Tell us a little bit about your latest book and what readers can expect from it.
My latest book is a memoir about my childhood years. It is a shocking and yet compelling story. When I wrote The Blood on My Hands, I decided to write it from the perspective of my childhood self. My father was a serial killer capable of the most horrific acts of violence. The laws in the 1960s and 70s did little to protect those in an abusive situation. Many child abuse cases were swept under the rug, as there were not laws in place to protect children. Domestic violence was prevalent, and wives were expected to do what they were told by their husbands. The Catholic Church frowned upon divorce, and people were scared of social repercussions.
My book is a record of what I remember and what happened, so it is gruesome in parts. I wrote my story do I could get some closure. I also sincerely hope that in sharing my experiences, some light may be shed on the whereabouts and stories of the other victims. I also hope that those who are in violent situation get out of it and seek help.
Where did you grow up and what was your family like?
I grew up in Australia in the 1960s and 70s, and it was not a conventional childhood. I was brought up in NSW with the National Park as my backyard. As a child I had many pets, goats, chickens, cats, dogs and guinea pigs. Today I have two cats and two dogs and I spent my time between the rural central Australian slopes and Sydney, NSW. I love all the creative arts and I teach music and singing. I also write films, music and songs as well as books and poetry.
Academic or creative at school?
I was always a very creative child because it was my means of escape. If only I had a dollar for every page that was ripped out of my workbooks by teachers (I wrote and drew prolifically – poems and songs in maths books, drawings and art works in the middle of essays and music symbols in science books). At school, I was desperate to be academic but my traumatic childhood often got in the way of my learning. We were poor and I didn’t even have a table to do my homework on. However, I had a thirst for knowledge, questioned everything and read anything I could get my hands on. As soon as I got the chance, I pursued academia later on in life.
First job you really wanted to do.
I have had so many jobs I have loved doing. I love writing, directing and performing. I also love my music and art. I really enjoyed my years on children’s TV but I also get immense gratification from teaching Creative Arts to others.
Do you remember the first moment you wanted to write?
I started reading at an early age and I spent many hours during and after school in libraries. I was a read-aholic and loved that books could transport me into another world. As a child, I also wrote songs, poetry and short stories so I guess writing has always been second nature to me. What I can’t say vocally I can express through my written words.
Who are your heroes?
1) My mother
2) My partner – he’s my best friend and soul mate.
3) Eleanor Roosevelt
4) Rosie Batty (Australian of the Year 2015) Campaigner against Domestic Violence
Funniest or most embarrassing situation you’ve found yourself in
DIY expert or phone a friend?
I definitely like to try to do things myself. have a wonderful partner who is a great DIY and he can help me with projects. I love to build things and restore old bits and pieces. I also love painting. At present I am restoring some old 1930s carnival plaster pieces.
Sun worshipper or night owl?
I have very fair skin so even though I love the sun, gardens and beautiful spring days at my farm, I hate getting sun burnt. Night time is a very creative time for me (I have trouble going to sleep because my brain keeps whirring on with new ideas). I guess I must be a bit of both….
A book that made you laugh out loud
Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
One piece of life advice you give everyone.
If you are in abusive relationship, please get away from the abuser and seek help immediately. The laws are different now and there is hope for you and your children. The future is always one step away from the past. Keep moving forward to a safer and happy future because you never know what joy lies around the corner.
Thank you so much Shannon.
Shannon O’Leary is a prolific writer and performer. She is the author of several books of poetry and children’s stories, and she has won many awards for song-writing.
Shannon has acted and directed on the stage and on Australian national TV, and she runs her own production company.
She has numerous graduate and post-graduate degrees in education, music, and science. She is a teacher and academic, has five children with her deceased former husband, and lives with her longtime partner in Sydney, Australia.
You can purchase The Blood on my Hands HERE
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