After serving eight years as a children’s librarian, I now split my time between home with my energetic child and teaching music at her preschool. I dabble in the rich Appalachian culture that surrounds me, including ballad and shape note singing, contra dancing, and hiking through the Blue Ridge Mountains. When the day is done and the child fast asleep, I turn to my first love and catharsis: writing young adult and middle grade novels, and character-driven picture books.

I hold an MFA in Children’s Literature from Hollins University, a BA in Creative Writing from Brevard College, and a Certificate in Irish Studies from University College Cork. I have a passion for reimagining myths (mainly Celtic) for today’s young readers, as well as incorporating modern-day Appalachia into my stories. My middle grade play The Baseball King is available at YouthPLAYS for purchase or perusal.

~amelia denyven ross