J.M. Donellan

J. M. Donellan is a writer, musician, poet and teacher. His work includes children’s fantasy, psychological thrillers, poetry and fiction podcasts. Donellan has had near-death experiences and has had unusual adventures across Asia.

Young readers hailed his children's fantasy novel Zeb and the Great Ruckus as "the best book ever". His novel Killing Adonis was nominated for a Kirkus Prize and has recently been adapted into an audiobook. In 2016, he published the poetry collection Stendhal Syndrome, and in 2017 he co-directed the fiction podcast series Six Cold Feet.

His most recent novels are Lenore’s Last Funeral (2023) and Rumours of Her Death (2023). Lenore’s Last Funeral follows a professional mourner with precognitive abilities who inherits a mysterious estate filled with secrets, including a cryonically frozen corpse. The story intertwines cult intrigue, family ties and the search for a missing daughter.

Rumours of Her Death is a kaleidoscopic psychological thriller about a man haunted by his girlfriend’s suicide. Assuming multiple identities, he attempts to escape his past, yet finds himself drawn into a surreal realm of deception and peril. Publishers Weekly described it as a “funny, off-kilter thriller” that makes readers root for its unsavoury lead.

Donellan is also developing several film scripts with Continuance Pictures. Although he has won numerous awards, he chooses not to list them, citing an aversion to bragging.

Photo credit: Martin Ingle