Survived By: A Memoir in Verse + Other Poems (Curious Corvid Publishing, 2023)

SURVIVED BY, will appeal to individuals working through a grief journey and individuals who have experienced and are working through emotional hardships. This memoir in verse and selected other poems were born from the pain induced by watching her father slowly lose his life. Writing these poems kept her from drowning in her grief, and she hopes that others can find a similarly buoyant companion in this collection and use her words in whatever ways they need in order to stay afloat too.

Order your copy through Curious Corvid Publishing! (All orders INCLUDE shipping and free swag!)

Order your copy through Amazon!

Listen to this book for free on YouTube!

Find a library that carries Survived By!

SURVIVED BY is heart-wrenching if you’ve already walked Grief Road. Wells has such a way of capturing The Moment, The Now of every last memory. This read catapulted my 35-year-old spirit back into my 9-year-old body, losing my mom to lung cancer. What I didn’t have, what I needed — was a guidebook, which is what Wells has written despite her acknowledgement that “there’s no guidebook.” She shows us that there’s no way to exist in grief or pre-grief without our humanity spilling into every moment. It is hard to be selfless and it’s hard to be brave, and oh yeah — we don’t have to be. We just have to love love love our person all the way to the end and all the days after. Bring tissues.  - Danielle H.

What a touching tribute to life, love, and loss. This book is so beautifully written and made me cry in the most cathartic way. It’s an emotional roller coaster through grief and a great reminder to appreciate your loved ones while you can. - Julia C.

The format of this book is very unique and a pleasure to read. The topic is heavy, but the stylistic verse urges you on. I think it's very brave to write about one's grieving process since it's so personal. Hopefully by sharing her story, the author is able to make others feel less alone in their own grief. I adore the term “love army” and feel comfort knowing I have my own love army so close to me. For so long I felt lost in a dark pit of loneliness…but I’ve worked hard to build up community that I can call my love army. Accepting help is so difficult when we don’t feel worthy, sometimes giving help reminds us that we are worthy of being on the receiving end as well. - Aimee Nicole

One of the most relatable readings I have come across involving losing a dad. One of the hardest journeys. Very hard read but very moving. - Annie A.

I felt a strong connection to this collection. The pain of losing a parent is immense. Was a beautiful tribute to your father. - Sarah

Although my father passed away 14 years ago, this heartfelt story helped me to understand my own journey living a life without my dad, and now my mom for 6 years. Thank you for sharing your pain and trusting your reader to understand your innermost thoughts. You have helped many people through your poetry. - Jeanette

This book has helped me through the toughest of grief thoughts. I’m flipping through just mesmerized at how she put my feelings into words & into a beautiful book. I struggle with cliche grief books so this did NOT disappoint, very unconventional & even helped me see a new perspective on grief. - Bekah

It’s usually difficult for me to finish books of any kind. This was a book I read and then read one more time. I lost my father to stage IV lung cancer last year and the poems resonated so deeply with me and my own experiences. It made me feel less alone. I highly recommend! - K

My father was born on February 25, 1962, diagnosed with ALS on December 9, 2019, and died in October 5, 2023. He was and will always be my hero. Reading this collection finally gave me the words to capture just how earth shattering his sickness and death was/is. I got to be flayed open, and put back together with gentle care. I feel like I got a hug from the big sister I never had (oldest child 🙋🏻‍♀️). Thank you for the comfort. 🤍 - Kaci

I was searching for something as I’m grieving my father. I was looking for a book or just something that I could connect with. This book delivered in every way. I lost my dad to cancer and reading that someone felt the same feelings I went through from pushing everyone out because everyone got my nerves to feeling this big feelings. It really was a wonderful read. Anne Marie Wells’s vulnerability and candor are very admirable and I am very grateful for it. - Rachel C.

There is no how to guide for grief but Anne Marie’s beautiful memoir is helping me find meaning in my loss and grief. I appreciate her openness during what could have been the most devastating time in her life yet. This book helped me understand the emotions I have been going through and helped me understand we are not alone. Most recommended for anyone especially if you’ve lost a loved one or know someone who has. Thank you Anne Marie for sharing your steps in grief! - Anonymous

Some say a picture is worth a thousand words, but in ‘Survived By,’ every word seems to paint a thousand pictures. The poems resonate deeply, evoking memories that many of us hold close, while also offering a glimpse into a life shaped by profound loss. It’s a moving tribute to a father’s legacy and a testament to the strength found in moving forward. This collection not only touched my heart but also inspired me to channel my own experiences into storytelling. A truly powerful read. - Fred M.

In an 8-9 month span, 2022-2023, I suffered through 4 significant losses of loved ones. Early this summer my public library offered a workshop with Anne Marie called "Synonyms for Grief: Coping with Loss through Creative Writing". While I didn't know this poet, I did know that I could use some better coping with all the recent lossess that I had experienced. Anne Marie's guidance in that session helped me process my grief. After the class, I picked up Anne Marie's book and it was ... engaging ... and almost spell-binding ... and I think I felt her pain ... I know I felt mine. I cried, sometimes a lot as I read through the book. I thought I was all better as I neared the finish and then her last writing about meeting her Dad on the moon ... spolier alert! So I love it, I love it but do I recommend it? YES with a CAVEAT: reading this book may touch your heart, may poke your soul in ways that you might not be ready for if you have fresh grief. So buy it; read it respectfully. Take a big swig if you dare, but know that just a little taste might be more than enough. Thank you, Anne Marie.  - Tim

After losing my dad, I was looking for something to help with all the overwhelming feelings. While reading the book, it felt like Anne Marie took everything I was thinking and feeling and finally put them into words for me. I will hold this book close to my heart. - Amy D.

Anne Marie’s writing is truly a gift to the world. It is proof that grief is a deep, soul-wrenching expression of undying love. I’ve read this book so many times and there wasn’t a single one when I want brought to tears by it’s beauty. Thank you, AM, for sharing your pain and healing, and for helping your readers navigate the confusing, crushing, life-altering maze that is grief road. I am better because of it. - Larissa F.