View source for Kay O'Neill

{{Short description|New Zealand comic artist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2019}}

{{Infobox author
| image            = Katie O’Neill at ComicFest 2019.jpg
| caption          = O'Neill in 2019
| nationality      = New Zealand
| occupation       = Illustrator and writer
| awards           = {{plainlist}}
*[[Eisner Award]] (2018)
*[[Harvey Award]] (2018)
{{endplainlist}}
}}

'''Kay O'Neill''' (also known as '''K. O'Neill''', and who has published under the name '''Katie O'Neill'''<ref>{{Cite book |last=O'Neill |first=Katie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Pz2DAAAQBAJ |title=Princess Princess Ever After |date=2016-09-07 |publisher=Oni Press |isbn=978-1-62010-341-8 |language=en}}</ref>) is an illustrator and writer from [[New Zealand]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/indie-comics-spotlight-eisner-winner-katie-oneill-on-tea-dragons-princesses-and-saving-all|title=Indie Comics Spotlight: Eisner Winner Katie O'Neill on Tea Dragons, Princesses, and saving all the animals|last=Horne|first=Karama|date=2018-11-16|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en|access-date=2019-08-29|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829030053/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/indie-comics-spotlight-eisner-winner-katie-oneill-on-tea-dragons-princesses-and-saving-all|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Biography==
O'Neill is a self-taught artist<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/counting-stars-katie-oneill-white-knight-tumblr/|title=Wishes really do come true when you count stars|last=Alfonso III|first=Fernando|date=2012-02-14|website=The Daily Dot|language=en|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> who has produced several comics and graphic novels. They initially built a fan base by publishing comics on their [[Tumblr]] page,<ref name=":3" /> such as ''Princess Princess'', which was later published as a book by [[Oni Press]] as ''Princess Princess Ever After''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.themarysue.com/exclusive-interview-katie-oneill-oni-press/#0|title=[UPDATED] Exclusive Interview: Comic Creator Katie O'Neill Talks About Her Work, Announces Next Project With Oni Press|last=Jusino|first=Teresa|website=www.themarysue.com|date=8 September 2016 |access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://characterdesignreferences.com/blog-interviews-3/katie-oneill|title=Katie O'Neill|date=15 May 2016|website=Character Design References|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref> O'Neill notes "a different kind of accessibility and visibility that comes with a book, particularly one that is in easy reach of kids’ hands in school and public libraries".<ref name=":2" />

Their graphic novels cover fantasy, slice-of-life stories which are intended for all ages.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/new-zealand-childrens-authors/interview-with-katie-oneill/|title=Interview with Katie O'Neill|website=my.christchurchcitylibraries.com|language=en-NZ|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> These have won multiple awards, with ''[[The Tea Dragon Society]]'' in particular winning two [[Eisner Award]]s, a [[Harvey Award]], and a [[Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics]]. ''The Tea Dragon Society'' also led to a card game and plushies,<ref name=":3" /> and another Tea Dragon book was published in 2019.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://ktoneill.com/index.php/portfolio/the-tea-dragon-festival/|title=The Tea Dragon Festival – Illustration by Katie O'Neill|last=O'Neill|first=Katie|website=ktoneill.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref><ref name=":9" /> When not working on a book, O'Neill is a fulltime freelance illustrator.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wcl.govt.nz/blog/index.php/2019/04/10/comicfest-2019-5-minutes-with-katie-oneil/|title=ComicFest 2019 – 5 minutes with Katie O'Neill – Library News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>

O'Neil's work often includes [[LGBT|LGBT+]] characters and positive messages; they consider inclusiveness to be important, and that media "should reflect the diversity of the world around us." To this end they portray different identities in their stories.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicosity.com/interview-katie-oneill-and-the-tea-dragon-society/|title=Interview: Katie O'Neill and THE TEA DRAGON SOCIETY|date=2017-08-01|website=Comicosity|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> ''The Tea Dragon Society'' was included in the [[American Library Association]]'s Rainbow Book List for 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1270|title=2018 Rainbow List|website=Rainbow Book List|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> ''Princess Princess Ever After'' was also on the Rainbow Book List in 2017, making its top ten,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1255|title=2017 Rainbow Book List|website=Rainbow Book List|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref> and was awarded [[Autostraddle]]'s Favourite Graphic Novel/Book in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/drawn-to-comics-one-year-anniversary-presents-the-first-annual-autostraddle-comic-and-sequential-art-awards-255064/|title=Drawn to Comics' One-Year Anniversary Presents The First Annual Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Awards|date=2014-09-23|website=Autostraddle|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> Autostraddle writer Mey said that ''Princess Princess Ever After'' "has characters of different races and body types. It has two princesses who are their own heroes and don’t need to change who they are to save themselves and the day. It has a really cute queer couple. And all of this is in an all-ages comic." O'Neill has said that "with consciousness of a new generation I would like to try to make books that inspire kindness, self-acceptance and social responsibility."<ref name=":1" />

In a [[Twitter]] post of 18 December 2020, O'Neill said that they prefer to be known as Kay and use they/them pronouns.<ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Neill|first=Kay|date=18 December 2020|title="hi all, just notifying of a small change! I prefer to be known as Kay, with they/them pronouns. thank you, and take care 💚"|url=https://twitter.com/strangelykatie/status/1339665566290755584|website=Twitter}}</ref>

===Awards===
{{Awards table|2}}
|-
| 2019
| ''Aquicorn Cove''
| [[Eisner Award]]: Best Publication for Kids (ages 9–12)
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comic-con.org/awards/2019-will-eisner-comic-industry-award-nominees|title=2019 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees|date=2019-04-25|website=Comic-Con International: San Diego|language=en|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/2019-eisner-awards-complete-winners-list-1225835|title=Eisner Awards: The Complete Winners List|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=20 July 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref>
|-
| 2018
| ''The Tea Dragon Society''
| Eisner Award: Best Publication for Kids (ages 9–12)
| {{won}}
| <ref name="hollywoodreporter.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/2018-eisner-awards-complete-winners-list-1128983|title=Eisner Awards: The Complete Winners List|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=21 July 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref>
|-
| 2018
| ''The Tea Dragon Society''
| Eisner Award: [[Eisner Award for Best Webcomic|Best Webcomic]]
| {{won}}
| <ref name="hollywoodreporter.com"/>
|-
| 2018
| ''The Tea Dragon Society''
| Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsarama.com/39810-2018-dwayne-mcduffie-awards-for-kids-comics-nominees.html|title=2018 DWAYNE MCDUFFIE AWARDS FOR KIDS' COMICS Nominees|website=Newsarama|language=en|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://file770.com/dwayne-mcduffie-award-for-kids-comics-2018/|title=Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics 2018|website=File 770|date=17 June 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref>
|-
| 2018
| ''The Tea Dragon Society''
| [[Harvey Award]]: Best Children or Young Adult Book
| {{won}}
| Co-winner with ''The Prince and the Dressmaker''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harveyawards.com/About/News/The-Harvey-Awards-Announce-2018-Winners/|title=Eleven Awards Handed Out at the 30th Anniversary Celebration During ReedPOP's New York Comic Con|website=Harvey Awards|language=en|access-date=2019-08-29|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829023429/https://www.harveyawards.com/About/News/The-Harvey-Awards-Announce-2018-Winners/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2014
| ''Princess Princess Ever After''
| [[Cybils Award]]
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cybils.com/2016-finalists-elementarymiddle-grade-graphic-novels |title=2016 Finalists: Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels |publisher=CYBILS Awards  |access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref>
|-
| 2014
| ''Princess Princess Ever After''
| [[Autostraddle]]: Favorite Graphic Novel/Book
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/drawn-to-comics-one-year-anniversary-presents-the-first-annual-autostraddle-comic-and-sequential-art-awards-255064/|title=Drawn to Comics' One-Year Anniversary Presents The First Annual Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Awards|website=Autostraddle|date=23 September 2014 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref>
{{end}}

=== Works ===

*''Counting Stars'' (2012), webcomic<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deviantart.com/strangelykatie/art/Counting-Stars-Full-Comic-290955152|title=Counting Stars - Full Comic by strangelykatie on DeviantArt|website=www.deviantart.com|date=18 March 2012 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-08}}</ref>
*''Song of the Wheel'' (2012), webcomic<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://strangelykatie.com/comics/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806030000/http://strangelykatie.com/comics/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-08-06|title=Comics {{!}} Strangely Katie|date=2013-08-06|access-date=2019-09-08}}</ref>
*''The Girl from Hell City'' (2013), webcomic<ref name=":7" />
*''The Girl With Eyes Like a Cat'' (2013), webcomic<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7831390.Katie_O_Neill|title=Katie O'Neill|website=www.goodreads.com|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=http://strangelykatie.com/comics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401231326/http://strangelykatie.com/comics|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-04-01|title=Comics {{!}} Strangely Katie|date=2016-04-01|access-date=2019-09-08}}</ref>
*''Don't Let Go'' (2013), webcomic<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://strangelykatie.com/dont-let-go/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204125610/http://strangelykatie.com/dont-let-go/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-02-04|title=Don't Let Go {{!}} Strangely Katie|date=2014-02-04|access-date=2019-09-08}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Let's Read Don't Let Go| date=7 January 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4Hv9dkbK8A|language=en|access-date=2019-09-08}}</ref>
*''Below the Waves'' (2014), webcomic<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":8" />
* ''Mushrooms'' (2014), webcomic<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2015/07/depression-and-webcomics-how-a-comic-about-mushrooms-taught-me-to-love-myself/|title=Depression and Webcomics: How a Comic About Mushrooms Taught Me to Love Myself|date=2015-07-02|website=WWAC|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-08}}</ref>
*''Princess Princess Ever After'' (2016), published by Oni Press<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/235884515|title=Princess princess ever after|last=O'Neill|first=Katie|publisher=Oni Press|year=2016|isbn=9781620103401|language=en}}</ref> (first version published as a 2014 webcomic titled ''Princess Princess)<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" />'' 
*''The Tea Dragon Society'' (2017), published by Oni Press<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/228948721|title=The Tea Dragon Society|last=O'Neill|first=Katie|publisher=Oni Press|year=2017|isbn=9781620104415|language=en}}</ref>
*''Aquicorn Cove'' (2018), published by Oni Press<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/233536004|title=Aquicorn Cove|last=O'Neill|first=Katie|publisher=Oni Press|year=2018|isbn=9781620105290|language=en}}</ref>
*''The Tea Dragon Festival'' (2019), published by Oni Press<ref name=":9">{{Cite book|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/264618469|title=The Tea Dragon Festival|last1=O'Neill|first1=Katie|last2=O'Neill|publisher=Oni Press|year=2019|isbn=9781620106556|language=en}}</ref>
* ''Dewdrop'' (2020), published by Oni Press<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2019/07/19/comic-con-news-katie-oneill-announces-dewdrop/|title=Comic-Con News: Katie O'Neill Announces 'Dewdrop' — Good Comics for Kids|website=blogs.slj.com|date=19 July 2019 |access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=O'Neill|first=Katie|title=Dewdrop|publisher=Oni Press|year=2020|isbn=978-1620106891}}</ref>
*''How to Date Your Dragon'' (2020) webcomic<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Tapas (website)|Tapas]]|title=''How To Date Your Dragon'' {{!}} Tapas|url=https://tapas.io/series/How-To-Date-Your-Dragon/info|access-date=2021-03-29|website=[[Tapas (website)|tapas.io]]}}</ref>
*''The Tea Dragon Tapestry'' (2021)
*''The Moth Keeper'' (2023)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Tapas (platform)}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:ONeill, Katie}}
[[Category:New Zealand comics artists]]
[[Category:New Zealand comics writers]]
[[Category:New Zealand webcomic creators]]
[[Category:New Zealand graphic novelists]]
[[Category:Harvey Award winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:New Zealand LGBTQ writers]]
[[Category:New Zealand non-binary people]]
[[Category:New Zealand illustrators]]
[[Category:Eisner Award winners]]
[[Category:Non-binary comics writers]]