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Kay O'Neill

ケイ・オニール

Kei O'Nīru

Aliases: K. O'Neill / Katie O'Neill
Pen Names: Katie O'Neill（Used in early publications）

Profile

Gender
non-binary
Born
New Zealand
Nationality
New Zealand
Languages
English

Career

Occupations
Illustrator, Writer, Comic artist
Active Years
2012-2024
Affiliations
Oni Press, Random House Graphic
Nominations
2019 Eisner Award nomination (Aquicorn Cove, Best Publication for Kids 9-12), 2014 Cybils Award nomination (Princess Princess Ever After)

Awards

Eisner Award
2018
Work: The Tea Dragon Society
Category: Best Publication for Kids (ages 9–12)
Organization: Comic-Con International
Result: Won
Eisner Award
2018
Work: The Tea Dragon Society
Category: Best Webcomic
Organization: Comic-Con International
Result: Won
Harvey Award
2018
Work: The Tea Dragon Society
Category: Best Children or Young Adult Book
Organization: Harvey Awards
Result: Won (co-winner)
Dwayne McDuffie Award
2018
Work: The Tea Dragon Society
Category: Kids' Comics
Result: Won
Autostraddle Award
2014
Work: Princess Princess Ever After
Category: Favorite Graphic Novel/Book
Organization: Autostraddle
Result: Won

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Princess Princess Ever After

2016 Fantasy 64 pages

Two princesses escape their castle and embark on an adventure, forging a deep friendship in this all-ages tale.

friendshipself-acceptancediversity

The Tea Dragon Society

2017 Fantasy/Slice-of-life 144 pages

Young Greta encounters tea dragons and learns the vanishing art of tea-making in this heartwarming story.

kindnesstraditioninclusivity

Aquicorn Cove

2018 Fantasy 96 pages

A girl helps unicorn-like aquicorns to save her village's future.

environmentcommunitygrowth

Dewdrop

2020 Slice-of-life

Charming slice-of-life comic about a little dragon's daily adventures.

everyday lifefriendship

Bibliography

  • Counting Stars (2012, webcomic)
  • Song of the Wheel (2012, webcomic)
  • The Girl from Hell City (2013, webcomic)
  • Princess Princess Ever After (2016)
  • The Tea Dragon Society (2017)
  • Aquicorn Cove (2018)
  • The Tea Dragon Festival (2019)
  • Dewdrop (2020)
  • The Tea Dragon Tapestry (2021)
  • The Moth Keeper (2023)
  • A Song for You and I (2025)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
warm, soft illustrationssimple and engaging storytellingall-ages accessibility
Recurring Motifs
natural inclusion of LGBTQ+ charactersfantasy creatures (dragons etc.)themes of kindness and self-acceptance

Legacy

Acclaimed with two Eisner Awards among others for all-ages graphic novels featuring inclusive, positive messages reflecting diversity.

In Popular Culture

  • Tea Dragon series adapted into card game and plushies

Quotes

  • media should reflect the diversity of the world around us.
    Source: Interview (2016)
  • with consciousness of a new generation I would like to try to make books that inspire kindness, self-acceptance and social responsibility.
    Source: Interview

Trivia

  • Self-taught artist
  • Built fanbase on Tumblr
  • Prefers name Kay and they/them pronouns since 2020
  • Naturally includes LGBT+ characters in works