Meet Mark Francis O’Sullivan author and storyteller

 

Early Life and Irish Roots

 

I grew up in Coventry, the son of Irish parents who carried their humour, music, and resilience across the water — my mum from County Down and my dad from County Waterford. Growing up in Coventry’s Irish community gave me a strong sense of identity and a love of working-class stories, which continue to influence my writing today.

 

My Journey to Sobriety

 

By my early twenties, alcohol had taken over my life. At 23, I hit rock bottom and made the decision to stop drinking. Moving to Comber, County Down, gave me the chance to rebuild from scratch. I’ve now been sober for more than 35 years.

 

My memoir, Staying Sober: What 35 Years Without a Drink Has Taught Me, is an honest alcohol recovery memoir that shares the truth about addiction and life in sobriety. It’s not theory, but lived experience — a story of resilience, setbacks, and the hope that life without alcohol is possible.

 

Career and Work

 

Before becoming a writer, I worked in the fire protection industry, working my way up to service manager. For the past 15 years I’ve been a UK driving instructor, teaching hundreds of learner drivers how to pass their test with confidence.

 

That experience inspired my practical guide Parallel Parking Made Easy, a step-by-step book for learner drivers. It’s designed to take the stress out of one of the test’s trickiest manoeuvres and give new drivers the tools to succeed.

 

Why I Write

 

Writing has always been my way of making sense of the world. I write across memoir, guides, and fiction, but all my work is rooted in honesty and resilience.

 

My latest creative project, Nobody’s Heroes, is a character-driven drama series set in Coventry’s Irish community. It explores addiction, recovery, and the bonds that hold people together, even when life is at its toughest.

 

What’s Next

 

I continue to write across different forms — from personal memoir to practical guides and community-driven drama. My focus is on telling real stories that reflect resilience, recovery, and everyday life.

 

Connect with Me

 

You can find my books on Amazon and Apple Books. To keep up with my latest projects, follow me on social media or explore the other pages on this site.