About Cynthia Holz, author of the novel Onlyville

PREVIOUS WORK: Home Again, a collection of short stories; short stories in many literary magazines and anthologies.

BACKGROUND: Born and raised in New York City. Began writing career as a journalist in 1971. Came to Canada in 1976 as a columnist for Business Week. Fell in love with Canada (and a Canadian from Newfoundland) and has lived in Toronto ever since. Teaches short story writing at Ryerson.

KINGSTON CONNECTION: Summers in the Kingston area and owns a cabin at Dog Lake.

THIS BOOK: A novel in three movements, illustrated with woodcuts by acclaimed Canadian printmaker Gerard Brender à Brandis (Porcupine's Quill, $14.95).

QUOTE: I think of Canada as my spiritual home. I crossed the border and the feeling overwhelmed me. I thought, "this is where I belong".