I keep forgetting that nothing autoposts here from Instagram 😣

Back in a bit.

Today on Substack I’m talking pressure, deadlines, and how restriction sometimes leads to more creativity—and less decision paralysis. All while I’m working to a deadline. #CreativeLife

If you’re in the US or UK and keen on my book, bookshop.org are having an Anti-Prime Day sale where you can get a discount. They do ebook and print, so whatever format takes your fancy, go for it!

Me, on waking: rough night. I need a little more sleep. I’ll close my eyes for another hour. Me on waking again: how did it get to lunch time? #RestIsNecessary

Join us!

Do the work: of trying, of failing, of learning, of succeeding. It’s all work and it all matters. Artist, go. Do the work. (I’m so proud of you.) #ArtistsOnBluesky #Creativity #Collage

Today’s Substack is on knowing your why, and digging deeper to really find it (because it’s probably not what you think). #WhyIMakeArt #Creativity

Remember this painting? Someone else fell in love with that magic place too. ❤️ Congrats to the new owner. I hope it brings you the same sense of peace it brings me. And thank you for supporting human-made, real art. @strathnairnarts #ArtistsOfInstagram #WhyIMakeArt #Canberra

Earlier in the week I declared today would be a no things day. I have slept for about 14 hours, and now it’s 1pm and I’ve just finished breakfast. And I’m back in bed with books and maybe a movie. This is the deep rest I advocate to hard for. Sometimes we all need a no things day. #DeepRest

#FlashbackFriday to a day I stuck my feet in my beloved Murrumbidgee and felt it wash away some of the weight. #NatureHeals

The creatorium needed more light. It’s very atmospheric, which is perfect for a room in which atmosphere is key. Thanks @inspiredtowrite for the suggestion—I might need more…! #Creative #WritingLife #MakeSomething

This spot beside Ginninderra Creek is one of my magic places. I’ve seen it roaring with water, and I’ve seen it so low I can walk into the middle and sit on a rock. It’s seen me through joy, and through darkness. I knew I had to paint it.

My book is the Roy Kent of books (if you know, you know…) Places I have seen it: -Book Passion Belconnen -Booktopia -Readings -Waterstones -Amazon -Apple Books -Spotify -Libro -Libby Probably more too but I’m in a bit of a spin about it all!

RELEASE DAY! Animal Behaviour (2nd Ed) is out in the world in print, ebook, and audiobook. This is the final story in the book, and it’s one of the new ones. Just like in the first edition, I wanted to end on a note of hope…

Today on my Substack, it’s a hopeful story for a messy world. I also talk a little about my book (out tomorrow in orint, ebook, and audiobook), and what it means to me. Link in bio. Enjoy. #Hope #ShortStory #FlashFiction #BookRelease

I adore this story. The protagonist has had a tough run, but there’s so much hope and beauty left. It ends so sweetly. A story the world needs. Two days, people! Two days until it’s out there! Preorder now, links in bio.

Talismans—many of us have them. Those lucky objects we cling to. So there’s magic when someone reminds us of our own potential. Only a handful of days until this delightful story (and 29 others!) bounce out into the world.

Animal Behaviour is going to be an audiobook! I’m so excited! I’ll post again as soon as it’s live with links etc, but it should be available soon wherever you get your audiobooks!

In this story a woman is transformed by determination, commitment—and a piece of playground equipment. Only days to go… Snag a copy of the new edition of Animal Behaviour at the links in my bio or via your local bookstore.

Childhood friendships, workplace manipulations…when someone follows you into your dream career and undermines you at every turn, how do you find the strength to stand up to them?

IT’S ONLY A WEEK AWAY! And in this story, we look at how youth stings, but adulthood has its own bitter pills. If you haven’t preordered the second edition of Animal Behaviour, it’s not too late! Grab a copy at the link in my bio or via your local bookstore.

Today on my Substack I’m talking about sharing space when you feel vulnerable, with a poem I wrote about my experience. Check it out at the link in my bio or amandamwrites.substack.com #Poetry #WritingLife #SharingSpace #Vulnerable

Five stars, baby! FIVE STARS! Preorder your copy now at the links in my bio— 9 DAYS till the hot new edition hits the shelves! (Or your kindle!)

It’s SO EXCITING to see my book available for preorder on multiple platforms! This is what I’ve worked so hard for, and I’m so proud of myself for not giving up, and chasing my dreams. This, THIS is what being an artist is about: I’ve made something beautiful, and I want to share it with you.

Pressure around the way we look is something so many of us deal with. Are we ‘too much’? Do we look ‘appropriate’? This story jumps into one woman’s battle with her own appearance.

The stories in the section ‘On Land’ in Animal Behaviour (2nd edition) really are so diverse. Some have acquired a new resonance since I wrote them, pushing against the world as we live in it now. Being a writer sometimes makes you see things more deeply and in different ways.

This one calls out a two-faced liar and says ‘I see you’. Have you preordered yet? Snag a copy of the new edition of Animal Behaviour at the links in my bio or via your local bookstore.

It’s freezing here and I’ve just had a hot shower and put on my comfiest jammies and crawled into bed. I’m toasty and drowsy now and the dream machine is cranking up. Bliss. #WritingLife

This story raises an eyebrow at capitalist luxe, and then turns toward what’s really important. I love Laura; she’s a bit of a rebel and she knows what matters. The 2nd edition of Animal Behaviour is LIVE in TWO WEEKS! Get your preorders in now! Links in bio or order through your local bookstore.

Today on my Substack I’m talking about the single hack that helped me take a big step forward in my art practice. It’s really simple, but it strengthened an area I’ve always had trouble with. I’m delighted to be talking about my art as well as my writing here.

NEW STORY! How do we break free of what others envision for our lives? Can we shrug off the pressure to stay small and safe? In the third section of my book Animal Behaviour, we take to the skies.

Dive into the water and see how these facts about animals are really just mirrors to the messy complication that is human behaviour… The second edition of Animal Behaviour is LIVE in just over two weeks, get your preorders in now! Links in bio or order through your local bookstore.

NEW STORY! This is one of the new pieces that appears in the second edition of Animal Behaviour (and nowhere else!). It’s for every parent who’s doubted themselves, who’s paced the floor at 3am wondering what the heck they’re doing. You got this. Do whatever works for you and your baby.

Ah, my sweet bear. The story that launched a book. You can read this one now on my Substack, and if you like it, there’s a whole book full of stories like this one.

This story is for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re so deep in it they can’t get out. You can be your own hero. I see you, and I’m cheering for you. Snag a copy of the new edition of Animal Behaviour at the links in my bio or via your local bookstore.

I promised on Substack I’d give you a tour of my creatorium. Come on in! I didn’t clean up or style anything, because that wouldn’t have been real. For me, creativity is born of mess and results in mess.

Today on my Substack I’m talking anxhausterwhelm, the cyclic nature of creativity, and fighting the good fight against endless hustle. Read it at amandamwrites.substack.com #HustleCulture #RestIsSacred #Creativity #CreativeLife #AvoidBurnout

If you are in #Canberra and would like to get your paws on a copy of the new edition of Animal Behaviour, the excellent@bookpassionbelconnen are the only place in town to have a handful of copies that you can buy right now-ahead of the official release date!

The instinct to protect children is universal. Almost. This is another story that, in light of our changing world, is heavy with new meaning since I wrote it. Grab your copy of Animal Behaviour at the links in my bio or your local bookstore.

Imagine if we had the option to put our lives on hold until conditions were perfect. To not worry about whether we’re making the right choice, or get blindsided by something that’s happening whether we’re ready or not…

We get it. Cozzie livs. It’s not fun right now. But there are still things you can do to support authors if you’ve blown through your book budget already! - spread the word - boost on socials - hit up your library - review, review, review - actually tell us you love us!

A fun, sensual story with a bit of a dark twist at the end! Grab the second edition of Animal Behaviour in ebook or paperback at the links in my bio or preorder it from your fave indie bookstore. Coming June 30th.

Made a fancy graphic to show that my short fiction collection Animal Behaviour is available in both print AND ebook! It'll also be an audiobook (once I get over this horrendous cold of course). As an indie author I would LOVE it if you preordered a copy, if you're inclined to read literary fiction.

On my Substack today, you can read the story that bloomed into a book. This baby flash became my book, Animal Behaviour! Jump on at AmandaMWrites.substack.com and enjoy this one that’s very close to my heart. I will always love this bear.

This story features in the back cover blurb from Animal Behaviour. “A mother watches her son grow from a sweet child into a troubled adult…” Sometimes as children grow up, it’s not the way their parents hope.

Wildlings! You still have a few days to send us your submissions on the theme of REVOLUTION for our next issue of @feralpoetryandart.bsky.social. We can't wait to see your work!! feralpoetry.net/submissions/ #poetry #submissions

When the scales fall from your eyes, and you see someone for who they really are… A story about uncomfortable truths from the second Ed of Animal Behaviour. Coming June 30th - preorder now at the links in my bio. Or go to your local indie bookstore and show them some love!

New parenthood isn’t always easy. This story goes through the dark moments to look for the light. Only a month until the second edition of Animal Behaviour is released - preorder now at the links in my bio or at your local bookstore!

Out of the water and on land, into the second section of Animal Behaviour. This brand new story isn’t an easy read, but an important one given the state of the world we live in. What would you leave behind for the chance at a better life? What would you go through? This story asks for compassion.