O R Melling is a writer of fantasy novels, mostly for children and young adults, born in Co. Wicklow. Melling's novels focus on Irish and Celtic folklore. She writes reviews and film scripts as G. V. Whelan. She is sometimes published as Orla Melling. Melling has said that she started writing after dropping out of studying law

She has been awarded the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award for The Druid's Tale, and the Ruth Schwartz Award for Children's Literature. The Druid's Tale has been translated into Czech and Japanese.

Her influences include Patricia Lynch.

Melling has also worked as a teacher of Irish dance and been an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy.