Get Amanda to L.A.!


I'm still not sure how it happened, but I've been chosen to be one of Lambda Literary's Emerging LGBTQ Voices in young adult fiction! This means that I get to spend a week in Los Angeles (a place I've never been) with Emily Danforth, an incredible young adult fiction writer who is also from eastern Montana.

Friends and family, this is the opportunity of a lifetime for me. I've been tooling away at a young adult novel for several years now. The current version of J's story is one I feel passionate about, and would love to finish and see published. However, I have no idea how to do either of those things. That's where the Lambda Literary Writers Retreat comes in. 

For one solid week, I get to spend all day, every day working with Emily Danforth and a group of talented LGBTQ writers critiquing and improving my work. 

Here's the hitch--it costs money, of course. As most of you know, in 2018, I had to have surgery. All told, my medical bills have cost me nearly $5,000, which has wiped out my health savings and our personal savings. Paying for the trip to Los Angeles isn't something we can do alone this year. I'm hoping you're willing to help me take advantage of this amazing opportunity.

The cost of attending the retreat is $1650, which covers room and board in the dorms on the Otis college campus. The round trip flight costs between $330 and $350. That comes out to $2000. Thank you for helping me attend the writers retreat. I will be eternally grateful for your help, and it will push me that much more to get my book finished and published. <3