Amanda N. Butler

1, Tell us about you, and your writing (themes, influences, etc.)

I write poetry but I also have an interest in fiction. I brought those two loves together in my verse novel. My chapbooks of poetry tend to be more whimsical and mystical than my fictional poetry – my first chapbook with Dancing Girl Press, Tableau Vivant, is about flowers and the performance of acting the adult as an early twenty-something. My second chapbook, effercrescent, focuses on the moon and the feminine. My mini-chapbook with Origami Poems Project, How A Fairy Gets Her Wings, mixes new mythology on fairies with feeling enough confidence in yourself to grow and fly.

2, What are some of the ways in which you promote your work, and do you find these add, or eat into, your time writing?

I primarily use Twitter and Facebook to market my book (I almost always forget I have Instagram!) synthesized with my blog. When it’s just a quick share on social media, it’s not as time consuming as sitting down and writing out a full blog (and formatting it!). I usually try to write at least once every few days.

3, What projects are you working on at present?

I’m currently in the planning stage of the sequel to The Mermarium (one hint: wings!) and I’m writing a collection of poems about anxiety. I also want to write a collection about ballet. I have no shortage of projects at the moment!

4,What does poetry mean to you?

At the risk of sounding cliche, poetry is like air to me. I need to write poetry like I need to breathe. I’ve been writing poetry for almost 13 years and it’s a constant companion.

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