DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/0E1E-SM22

Defense Date

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts

Department

English

First Advisor

Sonja Livingston

Second Advisor

Gretchen Comba

Third Advisor

Jessica Hendry Nelson

Fourth Advisor

Shelli Fowler

Abstract

Lonely People Anonymous is a collection of creative nonfiction essays and an excerpt from an in-progress novel bearing the same name. The collection of personal essays reflects on psychogenic illness, mental illness, Seventh-day Adventism, losing one’s faith, and making peace with a meaningless existence through connection with others. Lonely People Anonymous is a speculative fiction novel that follows Henry as he joins what he believes to be a support group for loneliness. When he’s offered the chance to take part in a three-month study, Henry discovers that the group’s leader, Rich, has created a device that allows users to experience the memory of others. While this device initially helps Henry connect with other members, Rich’s darker intentions for the technology are gradually revealed throughout the course of the novel, making Henry have to choose between his loyalty to Rich and his loyalty to another member, Julia, who he has fallen in love with. The novel explores loneliness in America and the need for community despite its dangers.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-7-2025

Available for download on Sunday, March 20, 2225

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