Amanda Desiree's Blog, page 4
January 24, 2022
Amanda Desiree on "Discovered Wordsmiths" Podcast
In October of 2021, author S.A. Schneider invited me on his "Discovered Wordsmiths" podcast, which is devoted to first-time authors. The two-part interview, which covers my childhood horror influences and inspirations (Part 1) and my experiences editing and marketing the novel Smithy (Part 2), was released in early January.
Part One: https://www.discoveredwordsmiths.com/2022/01/04/episode-86a-amanda-trujillo/?amp
December 22, 2021
Smithy Recognized for Strong Female Characters
Inkshares's "Break the Bechdel" Syndicate, which recognizes strong female characters in fiction, has chosen Smithy as its December book of the month:
The "Bechdel Test" evaluates the number of female characters in a work and the quality of interaction among them. In order to pass, the work (e.g., movie, book, TV show, etc.) must have 1) at least two female characters; 2) they must have at least one conversation with each other; and 3) the conversation must be about something other than a man.
December 11, 2021
Smithy Supports Chimpanzee Sanctuaries
Smithy was largely inspired by the stories of research apes. Now proceeds from the sale of the book are going to help support former research chimps. Primarily Primates in San Antonio, TX is home to apes like April, who was used in Hepatitis B medical trials.
You can learn more about the organization and its animals and have the opportunity to contribute to them here:
November 10, 2021
Smithy featured on "Cheers, Dears" - November 10, 2021
Recently, I was invited to "Cheers, Dears," a literary podcast hosted by author S. Faxon. We discussed my novel Smithy, "The Twilight Zone," my early writing experiments, the tension between artistic intent and marketing in writing, and more:
October 31, 2021
Happy Halloween!
What better place to spend Halloween than in Newport, RI, where I've been able to revisit the Elms and Seaview Terrace (aka TV's Collinwood), the mansions that most inspired the setting of Smithy.
October 20, 2021
"Ghosts Are People Too"--A Halloween Haunt by Amanda Desiree
An essay I wrote for the Horror Writers' Association's annual "Halloween Haunts" blog was recently posted: https://horror.org/halloween-haunts-ghosts-are-people.../
Anyone who comments on the post or sends a reply to the email address listed in the post will be entered into a drawing to win a free digital copy of my book Smithy.
It's not necessary to be a member of the HWA in order to participate.
October 15, 2021
Author Appearance at North Torrance Library (October 2, 2021)
Earlier this month, I participated in my first live author event held at the North Torrance Library in Torrance, CA. This was the first in-person event within the Torrance library system since March, 2020. I spoke to members of the library's book club, which had selected Smithy as the book for the month of October, about my sources of inspiration, my research process for the book, and my journey to publication.
A huge thank you to librarian Steve Frame, the staff at North Torrance Library, and the audience!
September 16, 2021
Author Event in North Torrance (October 2, 2021)
Please join me at the North Torrance Library on Saturday, October 2nd at 3:00 for a discussion about Smithy, including a Q&A session.
The library is located at 3604 Artesia Blvd,, Torrance, CA 90504
Space is limited, so if you would like to attend, please contact senior librarian Steven Frame at (310) 323-7200 or sframe@torranceca.gov
September 11, 2021
From Seaview Terrace to Trevor Hall
Recently, Seaview Terrace, the Newport mansion that most influenced my vision of Trevor Hall, went up for sale. I've had the privilege of visiting this lovely house many times over the years and it's saddening to think those visits might be coming to an end.
Various articles reporting on the sale have included photos of the home's beautiful interiors: https://fun107.com/newport-seaview-te...
Here, I would like to highlight some of the specific features that I chose to incorporate into the setting of Smithy:
Top row from left to right: the oversized fireplaces, the whispering corridor, the carved angel ceiling
Bottom row from left to right: the fire escape, and the tower.
[image error][image error][image error][image error][image error]If you have $30 million to spare, all of this could be yours!
August 20, 2021
More Smithy Easter Eggs and Fun Facts
Here's some more behind the scenes trivia:
The scene with the Rolling Stones record was the first one I wrote for the book.
The inhabitants of the fictitious mansion Herbert Terrace are named after the owners of the Carey Mansion, a house that inspired Trevor Hall.
The night of the visit to the deserted wing of the house, November 13, 1974, is the same night Ronald DeFeo murdered his family in Amityville, NY.
Tour guide Mrs. Harding is named for my friend Leyla Harding, who passed away in 2017. She and I had visited the Elms together several years before.
Fictitious parapsychologist Wilbur Roland is based on William G. Roll, who specialized in poltergeist investigations.
Opposing Viewpoints: The Supernatural is based on a real book I read as a child. It did indeed contain a chapter called “Can Humans Communicate with the Spirit World?”
The fictitious book's editor, William Irish, is a pseudonym of the prolific suspense author Cornell Woolrich (The Bride Wore Black (1940), Rear Window (1942), Black Alibi (1942).
Armand Stokes, contributor to the fictitious book, is named after my favorite "Dark Shadows" character Prof. Timothy Eliot Stokes.
Harry Dingwall, another contributor to the fictitious book, is named after Harry Houdini and Eric Dingwall, skeptics of the supernatural. Dingwall also co-authored The Haunting of Borley Rectory--A Critical Survey of the Evidence (1956).
Fictitious author Klaus Kleiner is based on writer and ghost hunter Hans Holzer, who wrote numerous books about his investigations, including Ghost Hunter (1963), Murder in Amityville (1969), and Real Hauntings: America's True Ghost Stories (1995). Regis Philbin once participated in a televised ghost hunt with Holzer.
The newspaper byline Logan Swanson is a pseudonym of one of my favorite authors Richard Matheson (I am Legend (1954), A Stir of Echoes (1958), numerous "Twilight Zone" episodes, and more).
