Anthologies#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| New Sun Rising |
2012 |
Buy |
| Southword 38: New International Writing |
2020 |
Buy |
Short Stories/Novellas#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| A Death in the Family |
2017 |
Buy |
Short Story Collections#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| Tales of Old Douglas |
2001 |
Buy |
| In Exile |
2008 |
Buy |
| In Too Deep |
2009 |
Buy |
| The Things We Lose, The Things We Leave Behind |
2013 |
Buy |
| The Boatman and Other Stories |
2020 |
Buy |
Standalone Novels#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| The Dead House |
2017 |
Buy |
| My Coney Island Baby |
2019 |
Buy |
| Life Sentences |
2021 |
Buy |
| The Paper Man |
2023 |
Buy |
Billy O’Callaghan is an Irish writer from Cork who has built a strong reputation in both short fiction and novels. He started publishing with Tales of Old Douglas in 2001 and has released five short story collections over the course of his career. His collection The Things We Lose, The Things We Leave Behind won the Irish Book Award for Short Story of the Year in 2013, and his stories have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies.
O’Callaghan’s novels include The Dead House (2017), My Coney Island Baby (2019), Life Sentences (2021), and The Paper Man (2023). His fiction tends to focus on characters facing quiet crises, whether that means reckoning with the past, dealing with grief, or confronting loneliness. The writing is grounded in specific Irish places and voices, and O’Callaghan has been praised for his ability to find deep feeling in small, everyday moments. He has won the Molly Keane Award and the George A. Birmingham Award, among other honors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books has Billy O’Callaghan written?
Billy O’Callaghan has written twelve books across four series.
What was Billy O’Callaghan’s first book?
Billy O’Callaghan’s first book is Tales of Old Douglas, published in 2001.
What kind of fiction does Billy O’Callaghan write?
Billy O’Callaghan writes literary fiction rooted in Irish life. His novels and short story collections explore ordinary people dealing with loss, memory, and the passing of time, often set in Cork and other parts of Ireland. He is especially well regarded for his short fiction, which has won multiple prizes.