Amanda wanted to be Indiana Jones as a kid, but realized in college that she doesn't like dirt. Or running. Or stealing artifacts from indigenous people. She got the history degree anyway.

Since then, she has spent many years as a volunteer for various political organizations, including as an abortion clinic patient escort, Planned Parenthood of Virginia Young Professionals Board member, and the ACLU of Virginia. She currently serves with her local chapter of the Democratic Party and does weekly features highlighting candidates running for state and local offices across the country. Before doing political and history work, Amanda spent 10 years in book media as the Executive Editor of Book Riot and a few (awful) years in big tech. She lives in Virginia with her family and Rottweiler, Petunia.