Holly Wallace

Holly Kennedy is a Canadian author hailing from Alberta. Her novel, The Sideways Life of Denny Voss, achieved a longlisting for the prestigious Giller Prize in 2025. Born in Athabasca, Kennedy's literary journey began with the publication of her first novel, The Tin Box, in 2005. She currently resides in the Rocky Mountain foothills alongside her family and a Newfoundland dog named Wallace. Kennedy's upbringing was in a modest household in a small town, where she was one of five children and her mother worked as a cleaner. A pivotal moment in her childhood, at age eight, was reading 'Millions of Cats,' which ignited her aspiration to become a writer. She has publicly shared that she manages ADHD, depression, and severe anxiety.

Holly Kennedy's writing career officially launched in 2005 with the release of her debut novel, 'The Tin Box.' Since then, she has continued to build her bibliography with subsequent works. Her most recent novel, 'The Sideways Life of Denny Voss,' published in 2025, garnered significant attention by being longlisted for the Giller Prize, a major Canadian literary award. This recognition highlights her growing presence and impact within the contemporary Canadian literary landscape.

Originally from Athabasca, Alberta, Holly Kennedy's formative years were spent in a small, economically challenged environment. She grew up in a household with four siblings, raised by a mother who worked as a domestic cleaner. This humble background has likely shaped her perspective and narrative voice. A profound early influence was the children's book 'Millions of Cats,' which, upon reading at the age of eight, instilled in her the desire to become an author. Kennedy has also been open about her experiences with ADHD, depression, and severe anxiety, acknowledging these aspects of her life.