Marsha O’Mahony is a writer, journalist, and oral historian with a deep interest in preserving the voices and stories of communities and landscapes. Her latest book, This Stolen Land: A People’s History of the Gwent Levels, is the result of two years spent travelling the Levels, gathering the memories and experiences of those who live and work in this unique, ever-changing landscape. Through a series of oral histories, she captures the rich traditions, resilience, and culture of the area, from shipwrecks and saltmarsh mutton to the ever-present threat of flooding.

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Marsha’s previous books include River Voices, an oral history of the River Wye, and Scratch of the Hop, a social history of hop-growing in the West Midlands. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, BBC Countryfile, Country Life, The Field, and This England, among others.

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Marsha will be appearing at Newport Festival of Words 2025 in conversation with Gaynor Funnell to discuss This Stolen Land and the power of oral history in preserving community narratives.