Today on MASTERS OF HORROR we get to know a little bit more about an amazing and supremely interesting writer Amanda Leanne. According to her author profile on Amazon, she began reading at a very young age and has been writing since grade school. She is a prolific reader, book collector, and writer with an interest in all aspects of art including sewing, painting, sculpting, jewelry design, soapmaking, and various other hobbies.
After spending nearly a decade working on her degrees in forensic sciences, abnormal behavioral science, and neurological psychology with the prospect of joining the FBI ViCAP unit, Amanda's health took a turn for the worse.
Daily struggles with her medical issues hasn't stopped her from pursuing her childhood aspirations to become an author.
She currently lives with her spouse (Kris), her son, and their menagerie in the mountains of Northern Alabama.
Amanda writes non-fiction as well as fictional novels. Her non-fiction books and articles delve into topics such as medical conditions, true crime, psychology, and crafting.
Her fictional stories delve into horror, psychological, mystery, thrillers, eerie tales, science fiction, and paranormal worlds.
Here’s what one Amazon reviewer had to say about Amanda’s book, MIND THE MIRRORS, which is currently FREE on Amazon!
“As a fan of horror tales, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The stories were riveting, unsettling, and frightening, just the way horror stories born of nightmares ought to be. The commonplace becomes surreal as images are warped in time and space, and the story/nightmare settings are contemporary. Every time I read one story, I couldn’t put it down and right away I’d want to go on reading the next one. Very well-written and really grabs your attention.”
I grabbed my copy. Go and grab yours before Amanda comes to her senses and raises the price!
That’s what I love about meeting new writers. Not only are they supremely talented, but they each have a rich history full of hobbies and passions and talents. I mean, seriously…Forensics? Behavioural science? And soap making? Color me intrigued. Let’s get to know Amanda Leanne a little bit more…
Tell me a little about yourself.
I grew up in the rural swamplands of Florida and I now live in the southern end of the Appalachian mountains. I was originally on a career path as a forensic neuropsychologist until my health took a turn for the worse. Now I do art and writing from home when my health and disabilities allow.
Why write horror? What is it about writing terrifying scenes that excites you?
I learned to read at an exceptionally early age and my mother was a reader and had a lot of historical romance books and horror. I preferred the horror. I adored Poe and now own my families antique copy of the complete collections. I also was introduced to Stephen King in early elementary after burning through Stine and Pike's libraries. Ah. And Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. I had some really rough aspects to my childhood and my interest in true crime blossomed then as well. Honestly, people are much scarier than any monster I have read about, but being able to write about scary stuff, set that thrilling atmosphere and controlling that world was very cathartic. A way to unbottle my own demons.
What’s the scariest book you’ve read? And why?
Honestly, the scariest books I have read are nonfiction. I don't scare easy, but I would have to say that one of my more modern favorites (because I love the classics) would be House of Leaves.
What are you working on now? Is it a standalone? Part of a series?
I am actually working on two projects currently. The first is a trilogy, the Sanguine Saga, and it would be like Penny Dreadful meets Blade but then when a Lovecraftian twist. The other book is a collection of short stories that all start as true, and crazy, stories about where I grew up, but they take a horrifying twist. I would say it is more like Creepshow meets the Twilight Zone.
Where can we find you?
I want to thank the amazingly talented and multi-talented Amanda Leanne for hanging out with us today on MASTERS OF HORROR. As I mentioned her two most popular books MIND THE MIRRORS and SEVER THE CIRCLE which are two collections of terrifying short stories, are both available to read for FREE on Amazon.
Both books look amazing and you can’t beat the price, so what are you waiting for?
These interviews have been a labour of love. I love learning about the lives of fellow horror writers. Where they grew up? What jobs do they have while they create these amazing stories? What scares them? What’re they reading? What drives them to create the stories we all love to devour? So thanks again to Amanda for letting us peek behind the curtain on the life of an amazing talent!
If you are a horror writer who would like to be featured on MASTERS OF HORROR for some free publicity just click the link below, answer the 5 Questions as fully and completely as possible and soon, you too, will be a MASTER OF HORROR!