MARJOLEIN VISSER
MARJOLEIN VISSER
BIOGRAPHY
MARJOLEIN VISSER (1989) writes prose and non-fiction. She studied Clinical Psychology and Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies. Marjolein has won several writing competitions, including Writing for Success and VPRO Bagagedrager. She was in the finals of Write Now! twice. In the meantime, she worked as a psychologist in training at a trauma clinic for refugees and conducted research for various institutions (including Vluchtelingenwerk, Radboud University and CIDIN) in the Netherlands and Mexico. For example, she conducted research about the well-being of young people and preventing the deportation of asylum families. She also worked in the 'hospital rooms' of the Ronald McDonald Children's Fund. Marjolein is the founder of the national platform 'de Schrijfwerkplaats', where hundreds of writers with a refugee or migration background are guided in publishing their work in the Netherlands. She was selected for the literary talent development programme of De Nieuwe Oost I Wintertuin and the Dutch Foundation for Literature, for which she followed deported asylum seekers. A literary account of this journey appeared in the VPRO Gids and was published by Wintertuin Uitgeverij under the title Chacun sa Chance. Partly for this work, she received the PAX Duif in September 2018. Her tragicomic debut novel Restmens was published in 2020 and received rave reviews.
Marjolein currently works regularly as an editor for writers and theatre makers and performs at festivals. She also works as an interviewer: both live interviews and written portraits (including 'Are you asleep yet' and 'My most meaningful friend' for the Parool). Her children's book debut De Verboden Duinen/The Forbidden Dunes (publisher Leopold, age recommendation: 10+) was published in September 2023. It was received with praise and nominated for the Hotze de Roos prize and the Amarte Literature Prize.
In October 2024, her picture book debut Voor altijd ons kind/You'll always be our child (Leopold Publishing, age recommendation: 6-99 years) was published, about the loss of a child before or around birth. February 2025, her novel Hou je stil (De Geus Publishing) will be published, for which she did years of research and spoke to dozens of people with asylum experiences, to trauma psychologists, human rights activists, anthropologists, journalists, deported people and victims and perpetrators of cartel violence.
For all her work in literature and beyond, she received the Cultuur Stimuleringsprijs 2024, an award that is only given every two years.
REVIEWS / COMMENTS
“Vissers work is gentle yet outspoken, compassionate, and independent, and in this way, it has a very unique form of contrariness.“ Jury Cultuur Stimuleringsprijs 2024.
“Visser is a literary creator in every fiber of her being and works with a great conviction: it is not she as the writer, but the voices in her story that must be central. Her work not only says something about the world, it tries to change it.“ Kim van Kaam, Head of Literary Talent Development Programme Wintertuin, Artistic Coordinator CELA (Connecting Emerging Literary Artists EU).
ABOUT 'VOOR ALTIJD ONS KIND/YOU'LL ALWAYS BE OUR CHILD'
“Simple yet very poignant words about a loss that is often unseen.” Leeuwarder Courant.
“Visser wrote this light poetic story with a sensitive pen. A valuable comfort for those dealing with it, but just as much for everyone else. An original and moving picture book that stays with you.” Pluizuit.
“A heartwarming and comforting picture book about a journey of loss, with powerful, warm, and honest words and incredibly beautiful illustrations to get lost in.” Kinderboekenrijk.
ABOUT 'DE VERBODEN DUINEN/THE FORBIDDEN DUNES'
“11-year-old Mila is vulnerable but far from pitiful in this psychologically strong youth novel.” TROUW.
“If this book had existed in my youth, I would have run to the library over and over again to borrow it.” Lisa Weeda, winner of the 2022 Bronze Owl, Shortlisted for the 2022 Libris Literature Prize.
“Rough and funny.” De Morgen.
“Visser brings a fine, new voice to children’s literature.” Pim Lammers, children's book writer/poet.
“Encourages thought and tells a sensitive story with humor and perspective.” Jaap Friso, jaapleest.nl.
“A great book recommendation for both children and adults.” Knowledge Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
“An emotional and startling story.” TZUM Literary Blog.
“It is impressive how Visser manages to pack so much into a story without it becoming overwhelming. A beautiful children’s book debut.” The Children's Books Journal.
“An intriguing story, a poignantly described friendship. Much is not said, but ís present. This makes the reader even more curious.”Jacques Vriens, international children's book author.
“An almost tender portrait of what quickly gets labeled a problem family.” Didactief.
“Mila gets under your skin. A protagonist you won’t forget easily.” Hebban.
“A beautiful and touching debut.” Astrid Verhoeven, owner of Dekker VD Vegt bookstore, in De Volkskrant.
“'The Forbidden Dunes' is not only mysterious, well-written, and full of beautiful observations where Visser sharply creates her characters. 'The Forbidden Dunes' also does something that only very good books do: it gives you the feeling that you've gained a friendship.“ Jaap Robben, winner of the 2023 Silver Griffel.
ABOUT 'RESTMENS'
“Visser employs a humorous and down-to-earth writing style, combined with exceptional empathy. 'Restmens' is a brilliant plea for empathy and humanity.” “… One of the five best books of the year.” Psychologie Magazine.
“Heartbreaking yet never sentimental – a tightly crafted novella that you won’t forget easily.”**** NRC.
“The humor, combined with a light tone, makes it so that despite the poignant subject of 'Restmens', you’ll want to keep reading.” **** De Boekenkrant.
“What an amazing book, I couldn’t stop reading and I’m completely speechless. So cleverly composed. Light in tone, but slowly it really chokes you up. Heartbreakingly beautiful and moving.” Inge Schilperoord, international author.
“Those characters, as pragmatic as they are empathetic… I sighed as I closed the book and still think about them days later.” Boekblad.
“Visser can set tension lines in an unparalleled way.”“… A virtuose novel.” Leeuwarder Courant.
Marjolein Visser the forbidden dunes residual human being writer novel debut book publisher podium leopold
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