Amanda Brown

My Next Novel: An Exploration of Being Told “You Can’t”

Words are powerful. There will always be those who deny this. There’s a whole rhyme about it: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Inspiration For a while, I let what people thought about me define who I was. WhenContinue reading “My Next Novel: An Exploration of Being Told “You Can’t””

celebrating 2 years in LA with a FREE e-book

I celebrated two years in LA last month, which is really no big deal EXCEPT the whole story of how I moved here is so innately tied to my faith. I thought that to celebrate (and also to do some design work because I miss doing book/magazine layout), I’d create a nice coffee-table type bookContinue reading “celebrating 2 years in LA with a FREE e-book”

a jungle of exceeding decibels

I hail from the gentle suburbs of Greenville, South Carolina. Tucked into the Bible belt, I lived life in a bubble and honestly it was a beautiful thing. Now that I’m here in LA, I see and hear and even smell (ick) a lot of things that are different from my roots. I’ve gained aContinue reading “a jungle of exceeding decibels”

blue robe

Living in LA, I see a lot of *interesting* people wandering the streets. While driving to work the other day, I saw a rough-looking woman (probably in her 60s) walking with a man who was slowly riding a bike. She looked worn and weary, and I wondered what her story was. My heart went outContinue reading “blue robe”

i did a photo series inspired by my debut novel

Photography is a sweet solace for me, if not a bit chaotic. When I get an idea, I pull out my camera and begin snapping. I live by myself so I have to rely on my camera’s self-timer, which can be frustrating. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. That frustration—that marriage between ideaContinue reading “i did a photo series inspired by my debut novel”

my latest moody poems

NO 1. PROMPT: “old times” Maybe new times Are just old times in disguise NO 2. PROMPT: “feelings” How deep is the well of my feelings take a bucket and drain me dry don’t worry how i collapse into dust NO 3. PROMPT: “tragedy” Life took me one tragedy at a time until i wasContinue reading “my latest moody poems”

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING // moody marshes, grits, & zoology

I do not like doing popular things until they are UNPOPULAR. So, when I saw that Where the Crawdads Sing was being read by everyone and their grandmother, I immediately said “Ew no.” However I have fallen I am sorry to disappoint Here’s what happened: I literally saw a billboard for the movie based onContinue reading “WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING // moody marshes, grits, & zoology”

a cloudy morning

THE CARTOGRAPHERS // maps, mysteries, & multiple povs

Me at the beginning of 2022: i shall read one book every week of 2022 Me at the beginning of 2022: *gets a FREAKING PUBLISHING DEAL* Me: whoopsie The events relayed to you above are 100% true, 0% fictional. I had a great plan to read 52 books but . . . I had toContinue reading “THE CARTOGRAPHERS // maps, mysteries, & multiple povs”

i got a peek at my debut novel’s book cover.

I always love getting emails from Mel, founder of Lost Island Press (my publisher!!). It always means there’s exciting news, and we’re one step closer to publication day! This past email was probably my most favorite yet, though. Because I finally got to see my book’s cover. I’ve fiddled around with covers for this bookContinue reading “i got a peek at my debut novel’s book cover.”