User:Jmdeane1/Amanda Downum

Influences
Over the course of her writing career, Amanda Downum has been inspired by “books, movies, music, the news, boring road trips, and dreams”. Her three favorite contemporary authors and biggest influences are Barbara Hambly, Elizabeth Bear, and Caitlin R. Kiernan . According to Downum, her focus in fantasy should primarily be credited to her mother, who read the young Downum numerous fantasy novels, including Tolkien, Lewis, Le Guin, and L’engle. Later on in her life, Hurricane Katrina coupled with her experiences living in Asia inspired her to write the Drowning City, book one in her “Necromancer Chronicles” trilogy. The Hobbit, and particularly the character Sauron, known and referred to as the Necromancer, captivated her interest in the darker side of fantasy characters and helped inspire her Necromancer Chronicles.

Summary
Amanda Downum is an American fantasy author currently living in Austin, Texas. She was born on July 15th, 1979, in Virginia. She is most known for her necromancer chronicles: The Drowning City, The Bone Palace, and Kingdoms of Dust. Downum’s books consist of themes relating to identity, gender roles and sexuality, death, secrets and social stratification .. She was nominated for the James Tiptree, Jr. Award in 2010.

Early Life
Amanda Downum was born on 15 July 1979 into a middle-class family in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in the United States of America. Downum's parents would read Downum fantasy/science fiction authors such as: John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Ursula K. Le Guin and, Madeleine L'Engle. As Downum grew older, she formed a Goth persona from reading novels such as The Hobbit and Prince Caspian and reading H.P. Lovecraft’s horror novels. These authors/books have influenced Downum’s genre, fantasy fiction, since her early childhood. Downum wanted to be a writer at the age of six and her first attempt at writing a novel was in high school. Many of her present characters and events were created/drawn from her early unpublished writings and/or childhood memories. Amanda Downum graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in English Literature and a minor in German. During her time at college, Downum considered being a writer again when she found an Online Writing Workshop and realized that she could drastically improve her writing.

Personal Life
Amanda Downum is married to Joshua Hackett and they both reside in a home near Austin, Texas. She has traveled to Indonesia, and Micronesia and has spent time in Missouri, Arizona, California, and Colorado. Although Downum does not speak often on politics or religion in any of her blogs or interviews, some of the organizations and associations that are supported by her include The National Association to Protect Children, RAINN, Lambda, and Amnesty International. Among other things, Downum creates jewelry for her brand Still So Strange Studios ; her interests also include rock climbing and cooking.

Short Stories
Here's a list of Amanda Downum's short stories :

Summary
Amanda Downum first received recognition for her novel, The Drowning City, when it was shortlisted for the 2009 David Gemmell Morning Star award. Downum’s The Drowning City also received a nomination the following year, in 2010, for the David Gemmell Legend Award. In December of 2010, Downum’s second novel in the Necromancer Chronicles, The Bone Palace, was shortlisted for the James Tiptree, Jr. Award. Downum’s inclusion of significant positive explorations of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered characters, themes, and issues in The Bone Palace also helped her novel receive the 2011 nomination for the Gaylactic Spectrum Award.

Synthesis
Throughout Downum’s career she has received various awards from her fantasy novels. Downum first received recognition for her novel, The Drowning City, when it was shortlisted for the 2009 David Gemmell Morning Star award. This award celebrates new authors in the fantasy genre. Downum’s The Drowning City also received a nomination the following year, in 2010, for the David Gemmell Legend Award. The David Gemmell Legend award honors fantasy novels in the spirit of David Gemmell’s work. In December of 2010, Downum’s second novel in the Necromancer Chronicles, The Bone Palace, was shortlisted for the James Tiptree, Jr. Award, which is an annual literary prize for fantasy works that explore the roles of both women and men. Next, Downum’s The Bone Palace helped her receive the 2011 nomination for the Gaylactic Spectrum Award. This award is for her inclusion of positive explorations of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered characters, themes, and issues in her novel.

Summary
Amanda Downum was on the honor list as a nominee for the 2010 James Tiptree, Jr. Award (1) for The Bone Palace. Downum was accredited for forming a complicated plot that challenges 21st century Earth attitudes toward transfolk (2). Downum other novel, The Drowning City won the 2009 David Gemmell Morningstar award (3). Downum was also nominated for the David Gemmell Legend Award and the Morningstar, Best Newcomer Award as a debut novelist (4).

Synthesis
Amanda Downum novel The Bone Palace was featured on the honor list as a nominee for the 2010 James Tiptree, Jr. Award (1) while Downum other novel, The Drowning City won the 2009 David Gemmell Morningstar award (3). Downum was accredited for forming a complicated plot that challenges 21st century Earth attitudes toward transfolk in the Bone Palace (2). Downum was also nominated for the David Gemmell Legend Award and the Morningstar, Best Newcomer Award as a debut novelist (4).