Amanda has been a member of SCBWI since 2018 in both Oregon and California where she volunteered for two years. After moving to Huntsville in July, she joined Southern Breeze. She is proud to be our new Member Spotlight Coordinator, spearheading our new feature, Breezers Making Waves.
What do you enjoy about the role?
We all know the path to publishing can be long, with milestones spread out between years and months of diligent effort. It can feel discouraging when it looks like nothing is happening. That’s why I love that we now have a platform where we can celebrate all the things our members are accomplishing, big or small. Book launches and securing a literary agent are incredible moments, no doubt, but there’s a lot of exciting things that are just as worthy of celebration! Did you win an award or contest? Sharing about it can bring awareness to lesser- known opportunities. Got invited onto a podcast? Not only will you increase potential listeners by sharing, but you can inspire other members to take a similar leap. We’re calling this new feature Breezers Making Waves because it’s about celebrating all our members who are taking courageous plunges! How it works: One member a month will be featured with a full-length interview, while others can submit to receive a brief mention. If you’ve recently made a splash, tell me about it by completing the Member Spotlight Form here, and let us celebrate with you!
Tell us a little about your writing.
I write everything! Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult, poetry, songs. I love writing. Period. My stories tend to be deeply emotional and have some heart-focused component. I believe stories help us understand what it means to be human, how to move through difficult situations, and I hope, help us become our greatest versions. Writing for children is a true art form and I love learning how to do it better so I can reach kids’ hearts more directly and communicate my messages more clearly. I am pre-published and unagented at the moment, but am currently querying picture book manuscripts right now. I have two novels in progress, one middle grade, one young adult, and many more in my head and heart (they’re scribbled down here somewhere). I also aspire to illustrate my own picture book (or two) one day, so I am slowly practicing that when I’m not slinging paint on the canvas. I love making abstract art and mixed media, too, so I try to split my time between painting and writing.
What advice would you give to anyone considering volunteering in our region?
I knew I wanted to get back into volunteering with SCBWI as soon as possible after I moved. I knew I had skills to offer that could fill gaps, support other members, and lift the burden off fellow volunteers. I also knew volunteering meant I'd get a first look at what's happening in our area and be part of its expansion. As a former SCBWI volunteer in other regions, I've been afforded incredible opportunities I never would have had as a member alone. I've been able to attend conferences for free, ride in cars with literary agents and editors, and grow deeper personal relationships with incredibly talented authors and illustrators. Volunteering with SCBWI doesn't have to be overwhelming. If you're honest about what lights you up, what your strengths/skills are, and how you can merge that with a need in the region, then you're golden! Want more opportunities to connect with local writers? Volunteer to start a critique group or monthly meet up in your area! Wish there were more opportunities to develop your craft? Offer to coordinate workshops! If you aren't sure where your skills meet a need, just reach out and ask! Helping hands are always welcome. You never know what deep relief your presence might bring to an overwhelmed volunteer or the incredible opportunities your creativity can bring to other members. You have so much to gain by giving back!