V.L. Brunskill

V.L. Brunskill is the author of the award-winning novel Waving Backwards (2015). Her stories and personal essays have appeared in numerous publications and blogs.

A nineties rock goddess, V.L. ditched journalism class after landing her first interview with the late great punk icon Joey Ramone. As a national music journalist, V.L.’s work appeared in Metronome Magazine, CREEM, and The Boston Globe.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on Christmas Eve and adopted after seven months, V.L. was reborn in 1991 when she was reunited with her biological parents. She moved south to be closer to both.

V.L. lives in Savannah, Georgia, with her bass player husband and a precocious Pyrenees named Ozzy.

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Praise for the Author

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Review of The Killing Closet by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

The Killing Closet is a work of non-fiction in the memoir, family life, and inspirational writing subgenres. It is best suited to mature adult readers owing to extensive discussions of domestic violence and child abuse. Penned by author V.L. Brunskill, this poignant memoir recounts the author's tumultuous upbringing on Long Island, New York. Adopted into a family marred by violence, Vicki-Lynn and her brother Peter endure a harrowing existence until she finally seeks refuge in a domestic abuse shelter after years of defending her mother and brother. The narrative delves into the complexities of family dynamics, including the hidden gender identity of the author's adoptive father, Jo Selbach. Following Jo's death, Brunskill embarks on a journey of self-discovery and understanding, grappling with the truth of Jo's identity.

Author V.L. Brunskill's memoir is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome trauma and find redemption, leaving readers both moved and inspired by her courageous journey. Through raw and unadorned prose, this honest and harrowing memoir offers a compelling portrayal of resilience, forgiveness, and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity, in a narrative that walks a fine balance between the shocking reality of abuse, and never being too gratuitous just for the sake of it. The facts are balanced by Brunskill’s confident, calm narration, which is an inspiration in itself to those seeking to someday also be brave enough to face their demons and discuss trauma with such a well-measured approach. Overall, The Killing Closet is a must-read for anyone seeking to explore the damage done by parents who rule with fear and violence and is a beacon of hope for survivors everywhere.

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"I’m astounded by the bravery it took to tell this story. The Killing Closet is not for the faint of heart. But heart is the key word. This memoir is terrifying to read as Brunskill lays out still-fresh brutality, but at the same time, balances the darkness with a clear and defined sense of redemption. To find understanding, and even hope, inside a landscape filled with monsters is no easy feat. But it’s worth the read to understand the heart of a survivor. This book will make you want to hold the hand of someone you love and never let go.”

— Brian Panowich, International Best-Selling Author of Bull Mountain and Nothing But The Bones

“A heartbreaking, powerful read. Survival comes with its price. Brunskill turns you inside out, but the journey is well worth any discomfort you experience. The Killing Closet is beautifully written and resonated with me long after I finished.”

— Ann Hite award-winning author of Roll The Stone Away: A Family’s Legacy of Racism and Abuse

“The Killing Closet is at once a hard-hitting exploration of a childhood lost to violence and a keen-edged narrative about the dual nature of loving and hating. What hurts us, V.L. Brunskill writes, is embedded in the cerebrum, burned into the very nerve endings of ourselves. How we embrace that hurt is at the heart of who we become and how we find the courage to take charge of our lives.”

— Karen Salyer McElmurray, author of Voice Lessons, Wanting Radiance, Surrendered Child

“A soul searing story of abuse that pits survival versus untethered evil.”

— Jackie K Cooper, author of The Wisdom of Winter, Memory’s Mist, Journey

“V.L. Brunskill’s new book, The Killing Closet, is without a doubt one of the more riveting (and oft chilling) accounts I’ve ever read. Time after time, I found myself asking how Brunskill and her family lived through what she describes, and, at the same time, admiring her strength. At others, I found myself in tears, or angered on her behalf, and horrified by her and her family’s experiences. Finally, came my admiration for her nuanced handling of what, ultimately, is delicate subject matter indeed, and I’m sure that, like me, none of her readers will be able to put this breath-taking book down before it’s end.”

— Rosemary Daniell, award-winning author of Fatal Flowers: On Sin, Sex and Suicide in the Deep South and nine other books of poetry and prose