Amanda Lovelace is an American poet who rose to fame through her poetry posted to Tumblr and Instagram. Her works have feminist themes, often focusing on modern interpretations of traditional tales. She is the author of the women are some kind of magic series, including the Goodreads Choice Award-winning the princess saves herself in this one and women are some kind of magic.[1][2]
Amanda Lovelace | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1991 |
| Occupation | poet |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Kean University (B.A.) |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Notable works |
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| Notable awards |
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| Spouse | Parker Lee |
| Website | |
| amandalovelace | |
Personal life
editLovelace was born on November 13, 1991.[3] Lovelace graduated with a BA in English and a minor in sociology from Kean University in May 2017.[4] In 2017, she also married fellow poet Parker Lee. She identifies as queer and is a practicing witch.[4] She and Lee live in New Jersey with their three cats.
Works
editLovelace initially self-published her first work, the princess saves herself in this one, with CreateSpace in 2016, but its success caught the attention of the traditional publishing industry. The collection was ultimately picked up in 2017 by the American publisher Andrews McMeel, who published her subsequent works as well.[5] the princess saves herself in this one is autobiographical and deals with her experiences growing up.[6]
The third volume, the mermaid’s voice returns in this one was released in 2019,[7] and was listed on American Booksellers Association's "Indie Poetry Bestseller List".[8] the mermaid's voice returns in this one was less well received than the previous title and was criticized for feeling stretched out and underwhelming.[9]
According to Lovelace, this series aims "to show the rich inner lives of women with a focus on our hidden everyday struggles."[10] Many of Lovelace's works deal with topics such as sexual abuse, trauma, and healing.[11][12] Although the witch doesn’t burn in this one "speaks so explicitly to our current moment," the volume was actually completed before the revival of the #MeToo movement.[10] Despite that, Lovelace notes that, "witch is still very much my #MeToo book. It will also not be the last one.”[10] She has listed Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and The Handmaid's Tale as influences.
Lovelace has rejected the label Instapoet, as she originally began posting her work to Tumblr, and only began publishing her work on Instagram after her first works had been published in print.[13] Lovelace views criticism of Instapoets as a form of snobbery, associating the term as a way to set them apart from "real poets."[14]
Lovelace also wrote Things That H(a)unt duology. The first installment, to make monsters out of girls, came out in 2018. The text "explores the memory of being in an abusive relationship" and "poses the eternal question: Can you heal once you’ve been marked by a monster?"[15]
Bibliography
editwomen are some kind of magic
edit- the princess saves herself in this one (2016)
- the witch doesn't burn in this one (2018)
- the mermaid's voice returns in this one (2019)
- slay those dragons: a journal for writing your own story (2019)
the things that h(a)unt
edit- to make monsters out of girls (2018)
- to drink coffee with a ghost (2019)
you are your own fairy tale
edit- break your glass slippers (2020)
- shine your icy crown (2021)
- unlock your storybook heart (2022)
Standalone works
edit- flower crowns and fearsome things (2021)
- believe in your own magic: a 45-card oracle deck & guidebook (2020)
Anthologized works
edit- [Dis]Connected: Poems & Stories of Connection and Otherwise (2018), edited by Michelle Halket[16]
- His Hideous Heart: Thirteen of Edgar Allan Poe's Most Unsettling Tales Reimagined (2019), edited by Dahlia Adler
- Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy (2020), edited by Kelly Jensen
- Every Body Shines: Sixteen Stories About Living Fabulously Fat (2021), edited by Cassandra Newbould
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Griffin, Sakara (April 12, 2018). "Another spin on the princess fairy tale". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "It's time for you to give poetry another chance". Everett, Washington: HeraldNet. April 10, 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ Lovelace, Amanda. "First Sprinkle Of Stardust". substack.com. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ a b says, Robert Newman (2017-04-25). "Spotlight On: Amanda Lovelace". The College Juice. Archived from the original on 2019-04-09. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
- ^ "Interview with Amanda Lovelace". Retrieved 2019-04-09.
- ^ Buckman, Meghan (2017-12-12). "Fairy tale faux: a review of Amanda Lovelace's recent novel". The Oak Leaf. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ Eng, Miranda (26 March 2019). ""the mermaid's voice returns in this one" Has No Unique Voice of its Own". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "The Indie Poetry Bestseller List". the American Booksellers Association. 2019-05-01. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ "Amanda Lovelace's 'the mermaid's voice returns in this one' Falls Flat". Study Breaks. 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ a b c Miller, E. Ce. "Your Favorite Insta Poet Just Released A New Collection About Female Anger & It's A Must-Read". Bustle. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "The Poetry of Protest in 'the witch doesn't burn in this one'". Study Breaks. 2019-02-12. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ "All the Poetry That's Fit to Print". The New York Times. 2018-04-26. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ Epstein, Rachel (2018-05-03). "The Rise of Instagram Poets". Marie Claire. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ Leszkiewicz, Anna (8 March 2019). "Generation Poet". New Statesman.
- ^ "to make monsters out of girls". publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
- ^ Takács, Bogi (2018-06-02). "BookCon 2018: Social Media Poetry Explosion". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 2020-01-10. Retrieved 2020-02-14.