State Senator Bill O’Neill, Short Session

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"A fast-paced, wisecracking look at life as a fundraiser and would-be senator. From his insider's perch, O'Neill charts the highs and lows and the compromises involved on the campaign trail, from mudslinging mailshots to photo-shopped teeth. The voice is sharp and self-aware, and the dialogue crackles like kindling. A terrific read."--JJ Amaworo Wilson

"Bill O'Neill's engaging second novel, Short Session, poses the question: For an introspective and caring person like Chapman Murphy, often too personally involved with the previously incarcerated people he works with, and mostly embarrassed to admit that he ran for office (unsuccessfully) the first time because he genuinely wanted to help people, not just to get a special state senate car tag (as he sometimes even tells himself)--is there a place in American politics? O'Neill makes us hope so. Authentic and inspirational." --Fred Harris

Bill O'Neill grew up in rural Ohio and graduated from Cornell University. Elected to the New Mexico State Legislature in 2008, he is now in his third term as a New Mexico State Senator. His first novel and poetry collection have received national critical acclaim, and SHORT SESSION (Red Mountain Press, 2021) is a sequel to his much praised PANORAMIC DIARIES (Red Mountain Press, 2020). He is also the author of the poetry collection THE FREEDOM OF THE IGNORED (Red Mountain Press, 2017). Bill's career has been framed by his work with non-profits, with a focus on incarcerated juveniles and adults. Named an Emerging Leader in 2016 by the University of Virginia's Darden School, he credits his early literary inspiration to his mentor E.L. Doctorow.