Literary citizenship is a term that has been around for at least a decade or so. I first encountered the term within The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman, although Jane credits Rod Spillman, a cofounder of the literary magazine Tin House, for coining the term. No matter who originated the term, I love and embrace the concept.

Literary citizenship refers to how writers can support one another in the greater community with reading, writing, and publishing efforts. We all know there is more to being a successful and respected writer than putting words on a page. Ask any established writer about their writing origin story, and you will hear stories about being mentored, offered a first break, being helped with book tours, and working together collectively to achieve writerly goals.

Vickie MacArthur, author of A Lotus on Fire: How A Buddhist Monk Ignited My Heart, is dedicated to building community within her areas of passion, yoga, Buddhism, and writing. Two decades ago, Vickie transitioned from the stressful sales industry to the yogic path and founded Spirit in Motion Yoga. She offers opportunities for people intimated by one-size-fits-all yoga classes, welcoming those living with chronic pain, heart conditions, and other movement challenges. She respects the spiritual aspects of yoga and meditation, which she practices harmoniously in the context of her Christian faith. She is a devotee of Thich Nhat Hanh who awakened a sacred curiosity for mysticism, and a fierce commitment to share her story. Inter-Spiritual describes her best, she seeks connection rather than division between divergent faith traditions and practices.

Vickie realized early in her memoir publishing experience that she would need support from others as she journeyed. From the start, Vickie modelled transparency regarding her trials and tribulations navigating the publishing industry (both traditional and Indi). She didn’t want to be “successful” before including other emerging authors in her process; she shared submission letters, rejections, and eventually her successes.

Vickie put in hours (and hours!) of work to bring A Lotus on Fire to market. She took risks as a literary citizen, asking a little-known writer to submit a book review for the Alberta Yoga Bridge magazine, partnering with a local bookstore for readings, and inviting both Buddhist and Christian communities to celebrate the release of A Lotus on Fire. She collaborated with other emerging writers in marketing, locally and online. As her book gained traction, Vickie joined international Buddhist memoirists to publish the anthology, When Tears Become Rain: Stories of Transformation and Healing Inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Before the release of her memoir, Vickie was struck by a car which resulted in several broken bones and months of rehabilitation which meant she could not practice or teach yoga. During this time Vickie fully embraced breathwork and stillness to recover in body, mind, and spirit. Yoga Nidra, her dog, and journalling were constant companions. Now, she is an ardent proponent of embodied writing, which brings awareness of one’s body into their writing. Her literary citizenship has expanded, and Vickie shares formally and informally about the benefits of bridging mindfulness, somatic awareness, and writing with individuals and in community gatherings.

Those who know Vickie believe she will soon write a second memoir focusing on her accident and subsequent journey, and how meditation, breathwork and yoga promote healing and rehabilitation.

To learn more about Vickie’s yoga, meditation, and writing visit www.vickiemacarthur.ca.

Note: The bolded orange words are hyperlinked to related online sources. Just click to explore.

Photo credits: to Eleni Nikoletsos (@snappyninja) for the yoga photo of Lana Cullis
and to Lana Cullis for the photos of A Lotus on Fire and Vickie with her books and her curious dog