AMANDA | Writer, et cetera.

This website is a work in process, like its author.

Workshops | Talks |Advocacy

July 2025 workshop

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If I had millions of dollars, I would pay Amanda to teach that class to every person in the United States – She has magical knowledge in her; stuff our world desperately needs these days!!
Meredith A
Meredith AAuthor
I started to understand that what Amanda is teaching is not just for my writing but for my life.
Jayne S
Jayne S
That was two days of profound learning. Amanda came across as a passionate teacher and presenter, one who truly knows and lives what she’s talking about. She walks the walk, and I honor that. She had a profound impact, and I’ve been working so hard at feeling what’s going on inside, all the time, noticing, describing in my head. There is now a little Amanda voice on my shoulder telling me to stop and perceive. I feel as though the workshop only scratched the surface of this topic, and I need more. She impressed the heck out of me.
Lisa N
Lisa NPlaywright
I loved the class. It was tough but I'm glad I stuck it out because I learned SO MUCH, and it has me thinking about writing emotion in ways that I have never thought about. I'm excited to start applying this to my own work.
Rayna W
Rayna WTherapist
Amanda Stern understands something that so many writers miss: that emotions are physical, and in order to write about them, we must get physical ourselves. She has a deep reservoir of personal and professional experience in this space, which she brings to the session with compassion and curiosity. You will learn not only about writing but about yourself.
Megan R
Megan RWriter

BOOK AMANDA

Book Amanda for a speaking engagement or a reading, by contacting her speaking agent, Leslie Shipman

 

Praise for Amanda’s talks…

 

“Amanda’s speech yesterday was among the very best I have ever heard! Within a matter of a few minutes, I laughed several times and cried. Amanda spoke with warmth and vulnerability, strength and passion, wisdom and humility. She’s clearly a brilliant writer…I think she is nothing short of a miracle,” -Dr. Bill  Blank, Solomon Schechter High School in Westchester

 

“Amanda is not only a celebrated author and an authentically magical storyteller, but she is an exceptional person to speak to both your students and the adult audience.” -Pamela Harrington, Executive Director of Bring Change to Mind

 

“People were raving about [your speech]. I beg you to continue speaking no matter the anxiety it may bring you; people need to hear what you have to say. You have inspired me…” – Daniel L, high school student.

 

ONE SHEET

I speak at schools, to teachers, book clubs, psychiatrists in training, and at conferences. Click on the image below to read details.

Advocacy Work

  • Organizations

    Advisory Board Member, Bring Change to Mind (founded by Glenn Close) Collaborations, The Jed Foundation, Born This Way Foundation, and other mental health nonprofits

  • Schools

    Community Mental Health Speaking & Education • Presented to thousands across U.S. and Canada (ages 4–94) in schools, theaters, and health spaces • Institutions include: NYU, The New School, Landmark College, Los Angeles Public Library, Aquinas College

  • Presentations

    Specialized presentations on anxiety, identity, and neurodivergence • Classroom Artist: Direct service teaching anxiety-focused writing to youth and adolescents Workshop Leadership - Mental Health Focus • Creator and Instructor, "How to Write Complex Emotion" (Ongoing) • Somatic-based writing workshop focused on articulating inner lives with nuance • Serves writers, therapists, educators, and individuals navigating mental health • Helps participants express emotional truth without pathologizing