Cross into the spirit realm with this thrilling supernatural debut about sisterhood and female defiance inspired by lives of real teenage twin mediums in the 19th century.  

A Barnes & Noble YA Book Club Pick & an ALA Rise Feminist Book List Selection

“Unflinchingly addresses themes of gender and social inequity in 19th-century America against a vividly eerie setting.” —Publisher’s Weekly

“An impressive and eerie debut that will keep readers looking over their shoulders." — Kirkus Reviews

“By turns fun and terrifying, this suspenseful historical adventure hits all the sweet spots on sisterhood, the supernatural, and budding romance.” — School Library Journal

“Based on the author’s actual ancestors, this is a fun historical fantasy with an edge of creepy chiller”. — Booklist

Available now from Union Square & Co (Hachette) in print and audiobook from your local independent bookstore or retailers such as: Barnes & Noble (Exclusive YA Book Club Edition) | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound | BAM

A sweepingly romantic gothic mystery about a girl poised to inherit a famously haunted California mansion, and a stranger who arrives with a dark warning…

“Add a witchy house with elaborate secret passageways and we are all in. VERDICT: a phenomenal occult thriller.” —School Library Journal, STARRED Review

“A gripping supernatural thriller…light romance, moody gothic ambiance, and magical mystery. Highly recommended for those seeking an atmospheric page-turner.” — Kirkus Reviews

"Moody and atmospheric, this modern gothic tale…is packed with twists." —Publishers Weekly

Available now from Union Square & Co (Hachette) in print and audiobook from your local independent bookstore or retailers such as: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Bookshop |Books-A-Million|Libro-fm

 

Amanda Glaze is an author of acclaimed young adult fiction and an Emmy Award–winning film and television producer. Her debut, The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond, inspired by her real-life spirit medium ancestors, was selected as a Barnes & Noble YA Book Club Pick and honored by the American Library Association as a Rise Feminist Book List Selection. Her latest novel, The Lies of Alma Blackwell, draws on her fascination with the enigmatic Winchester Mystery House and was called a “cinematic” and “gripping supernatural thriller” by Kirkus Reviews. When not writing, Amanda works with youth writers as a creative writing mentor through organizations such as the Society of Young Inklings and WriteGirl.

News and Appearances

Find links to learn more about Amanda and her work. An up-to-date list of upcoming appearances, events, and workshops is also found here.

Featured
Meet the Peninsula-raised author of ‘The Lies of Alma Blackwell’
Meet the Peninsula-raised author of ‘The Lies of Alma Blackwell’

An interview Karla Kane from The Mountain View Voice about the mysterious local landmark that helped inspire the The Lies of Alma Blackwell and my career as a Hollywood film and television producer.

GIRLS’ LIFE Magazine Feature
GIRLS’ LIFE Magazine Feature

In GIRLS’ LIFE Magazine’s round-up piece: “Curate a Winter-Break Vibe, Get a Book” The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond is paired with the vibe: “You’re jamming out to Midnights (on vinyl ofc) while you color-code your bookshelf.”

The Lies of Alma Blackwell is a Paste Magazine Most Anticipated Title
The Lies of Alma Blackwell is a Paste Magazine Most Anticipated Title

PASTE Magazine features The Lies of Alma Blackwell in their roundup of the Most Anticipated YA Book of Summer 2024

Your Characters Will Always Tell You What They Need
Your Characters Will Always Tell You What They Need

Amanda’s interview with Writers Digest about the writing process behind The Lies of Alma Blackwell, and how your characters will always tell you what they need.

Drawing Inspiration from Secret Histories.
Drawing Inspiration from Secret Histories.

A guest post on BookCrushin about drawing story inspiration from the shadowed—and often forgotten or purposely obscured—corners of our history.

The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond is a Rise: Feminist Book Project Selection.
The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond is a Rise: Feminist Book Project Selection.

Rise: A Feminist Book Project is a nationally recognized American Library Association list celebrating exceptional feminist books for young readers that empower, challenge norms, and spark thoughtful conversations. I’m so honored and proud that my debut novel, The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond, was selected for the 2024 Rise: Feminist Book Project List list alongside such a wonderful group of titles.

Bookstore Events for The Lies of Alma Blackwell
Bookstore Events for The Lies of Alma Blackwell

To celebrate Alma’s release, I’ll be in conversation with the hilarious, USA Today bestselling author Susan Lee (Seoulmates & The Name Drop) at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego, the queen of YA horror and suspense herself Gretchen McNeil (Get Even, Ten) at The Ripped Bodice in Culver City, CA, and the bestselling, Michael L. Printz Award-winning author incredible human Nina LaCour (We Are Okay, Yerba Buena) , bestselling and Michael L. Printz Award-winning author at Linden Tree Books in the San Francisco Bay Area.

4 Tips for Writing Historical Fantasy Fiction
4 Tips for Writing Historical Fantasy Fiction

Amanda’s article for Writer’s Digest with writing tips and tools for writing historical fantasy novels. Plus, a little about the photograph that inspired her debut novel.

DEAR READER: The inspiration behind the book
DEAR READER: The inspiration behind the book

In my galley letter to early readers, I talk about the real-life Edie Bond (my great, great grandmother) and her twin sister Violet Bond, who inspired this story.

WRITING ROUTINE: How I Built a Writing Routine that Works For Me
WRITING ROUTINE: How I Built a Writing Routine that Works For Me

How I Built a Writing Routine That Works for Me