Gillian O’Reilly is a professional writer and editor and the author/co-author of two works of non-fiction for young readers. As editor of Canadian Children’s Book News from 1996 to 2016 (best freelance gig ever!), she covered the diversity of writing and publishing in Canadian children’s literature. She is the recipient of the 2016 Claude Aubry Award, given by IBBY Canada for distinguished service within the field of children’s literature.

From 2017 to 2023, Gillian sat on the board of Telling Tales, the Hamilton-based all-children’s book festival, serving as chair for two (pandemic) years. She currently chairs the Executive of the Friends of the Osborne Collection, which supports the Toronto Public Library’s extraordinary historical book and illustration collection. She is a member of CANSCAIP, IBBY Canada and The Writers’ Union of Canada.