Killick illustrates this book with a series of vignettes taken from his own experience as an only child. It follows him as he grows up, featuring moments both pivotal and seemingly mundane. Onlyness explores the nature of what it means to grow up as an only child, and the ongoing effect that the only child's experiences have on his or her adult life.
John Killick was a teacher for thirty years, and has been a writer all his life. He has published books of his own poetry and books on creative writing. He began working with people with dementia in 1992, and has held a number of posts with nursing homes, hospitals, libraries and arts centres. He has edited six books of poems by people with dementia, and co-authored books on communication and on creativity. He has written many articles and book-chapters, and given many workshops in the UK and abroad. He has also made a number of broadcasts.