About
Marilyn McVicker's fourth book, Long Field Hollow , a chapbook of poetry detailing the story of locating and moving to a pristine cove in western North Carolina, was just released, September 2023. Her third book, As for Life, a full-length poetry book, was released by Redhawk Publications, August 2022. Marilyn had her first poem published in 1980, and has recently been published in Kakalak, Kaleidoscope, The Healing Muse, Wordgathering, Earth's Daughters, Front Porch Review, Red Clay Review, Speckled Trout Review, Redheaded Stepchild, and others. Her chapbook, Some Shimmer of You, was published by Finishing Line Press in June 2014. McFarland & Company published her non-fiction book, Sauna Detoxification Therapy, in 1997. Marilyn worked as a solo flutist and music educator, before her retirement. Her fascination with words and self-expression stems from her musicianship and her family's association with sign language and Deaf culture.
Featured Work
As for Life
As for Life: a memoir in poetry, exploring the isolation and loss of chronic illness.
I must warn the reader that my writing is not intended to be uplifting or inspirational. For every moment of emotion I have captured on paper, there are other experiences, just as strong, but opposite. It has been a balancing act to learn to accept how I feel on any given day, to embrace and express my own humanity. I offer these poems to you, and hope you glean some satisfaction from knowing that even in illness, there is life and love, even with exquisite suffering, there is exuberance and abundance.
"To every prospective reader of As for Life I would say 'Brace yourself. Do not avert your gaze. Here you will experience revelation that will increase your understanding.' Marilyn McVicker does not countenance equivocation in herself or in others. This may well be the most candid volume of poetry I ever read. Be prepared." -- Fred Chappell, North Carolina Poet Laureate, 1997-2002
Other Works
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Long Field Hollow
2023
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As for Life: a memoir in poetry exploring the isolation & loss of chronic illness
2022
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Some Shimmer of You
2014
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Sauna Detoxification Therapy: a guide for the chemically sensitive
1997
Awards and Recognition
- As for Life received and Honorable Mention in North Carolina Poetry Society's Lena M Shull Book Contest in 2020.
