Cathy Marie Buchanan (born May 23, 1963) is a Toronto-based writer. The Day the Falls Stood Still, her debut novel, was published in North America in 2009 and Italy and the UK in 2010. It immediately became a New York Times bestseller.[1] The novel was chosen as a Barnes & Noble Recommends selection, a Barnes & Noble Best of 2009 book, an American Booksellers Assocition Indie Next pick and a CBC Canada Reads Top 40 Essential Canadian Novel of the Decade.[2][3][4] Inspired by the life of Niagara's most famous riverman, William "Red" Hill the novel chronicles early hydroelectric development on the Niagara River.
Previously, Cathy Marie's stories have appeared in some of Canada's most respected literary journals: The Antigonish Review, The Dalhousie Review, Descant, The New Quarterly and Quarry. She has been awarded grants by the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council.
Buchanan holds a BSc (Honours Biochemistry) and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, she grew up amid the scenery of the Niagara River. She is a founding member of the nonprofit, conservation organization Friends of Niagara Falls.[5]
As at 2010, Buchanan is at work on a second novel.