"Words are a lens to focus one's mind."  Ayn Rand
Despite the library in her linen closet, Amanda never became a librarian. She received a Master's of Education from The Ohio State University and taught pre-K through second grade for three years. She has also worked in science and art museums, as well as a big cultural park. Amanda has lived in four states (OH, TX, NV, CA) and now resides in southern California with her husband and two children. She writes about her dog (who may have been reincarnated as a bird), plants, snakes (though she never wants to encounter one), moose, and other things that inspire and challenge her. When she isn't writing, Amanda and her family enjoy reading picture books, hiking, and visiting museums and zoos. 
Lifelong Learning
  • Attending Andrea Brown Literary Agency's 2018 Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop
  • SCBWI member since 2013 & attended 2013 Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles
  • Awarded a Writing With the Stars mentorship with author Penny Parker Klostermann (Feb - Sept 2017)
  • Participate in Julie Hedlund's 12X12 Writing Challenge to complete 12 Picture Book manuscripts in 12 months (2018, 2017, 2016 & 2014)
  • Participate in Julie Hedlund's 12X12 monthly webinars: 
    1. ​​Authors & Industry Professionals: ​​Laura Backes, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Hannah Barnaby, Betsy Bird, Martha Brockenbrough, Jen Bryant, Arree Chung, Katie Davis, Bethany Hegedus, Penny Parker Klostermann, Tara Lazar, Tim McCanna, Vanessa Brantley Newton, Baptiste Paul, Miranda Paul, Ann Whitford Paul, Heather Preusser, Jean Reidy, Peter Reynolds, Casey Robinson, Sergio Ruzzier, Melissa Stewart, Whitney Stewart, Don Tate, Deborah Underwood, Emma Walton-Hamilton, Matthew Winner
    2. Agents & Editors: Rob Broder, Erzsi Deak, Sylvie Frank, Stephen Fraser, Sean McCarthy, Deborah Warren
  • Participate in regional SCBWI chapter events (Season Ticket holder since 2014)
    1. MayFest 2018 In-person agent critique and Nonfiction Picture Book workshop with author Cindy Jenson-Elliott
    2. February 2018 A New Approach to Writing Stories Picture Book Intensive with Salina Yoon
    3. January 2018 Purpose, Premise, & Promise with Cheryl Klein
    4. MayFest 2017 In-person agent critique and Picture Book Process workshop with Viking Children's Books Art Director Jim Hoover
    5. April 2017 The Dance of Words and Art with author Lee Wardlaw and author/illustrator Eugene Yelchin
    6. January 2017 One Writer's Confessions with Pam Munoz Ryan
    7. November 2016 Picture Book Intensive with Alexis O'Neill
    8. May 2016 Critique-a-thon
    9. February 2016 Spring Writing Retreat
    10. November 2015 Revision Intensive with Harold Underdown
    11. March 2014 Inside Children's Books Conference and Intensive
  • Attended Picture Book Summit 
    1. 2017 Keynotes: Tomie DePaola, Carole Boston Weatherford, & Adam Rex
    2. 2015 Keynotes; Peter Brown, Andrea Davis Pinkney, & Mac Barnett
  • Participated in Inland Northwest SCBWI webinar series:
    1. 2018 - Tips and Creative Advice from the Snappsy Book Team with Tim Miller, Denise Cronin, Joanna Cardenas, and Julie Falatko
    2. 2017 - From Bright Idea to the Final Page Turn with Tara Lazar, Jessixa Bagley, Josh Funk, and Linda Ashman
  • Participated in Tara Lazar's StoryStorm, previously Picture Book Idea Month PiBoIdMo (2018, 2017, 2015, 2013)
  • Attended webinars:
    1. May 2018 - First Pages with Karen Chaplin, Senior Editor, HarperCollins (SCBWI, MD/DE/WV)
    2. May 2018 - Fiona Kenshole, Make Your MS Stand Out (Inked Voices)
    3. January 2018 - Allison Moore, Don't Tweet Your Breakfast (KidLit College)
    4. September 2017 - Emily Feinberg, Picture Books in Focus (Inked Voices)
    5. March 2017 - Emily Feinberg, Editing Your Picture Book from Beginning to End (KidLit College)
    6. February 2017 - Melissa Edwards, Agent Advice on Best Queries (KidLit College)
    7. February 2017 - Eve Adler, Voice (KidLit College)
    8. December 2016 - Eve Adler, Developing Characters (KidLit College)
    9. Fall 2016 - Melissa Manlove, First Pages & Why They Work (KidLit College)
  • Completed Arree Chung's 6-week Storyteller Academy webinar series
  • Completed Susanna Leonard Hill's Making Picture Book Magic course (April 2016)
  • Participated in KidLit Summer School (2016 Theme: Heart and Humor) ​
  • Completed 2016 ReFoReMo Challenge - Reading For Research Month
  • Completed Paula Yoo's 2016 National Picture Book Writing Week (NaPiBoWriWee)
  • Participated in Pam Calvert's Picture Book University (2016)