Amanda McNeil (she/her)
@mcneilauthor.bsky.social
Author.
Fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, closed-door romance, horror).
Nonfiction as Amanda Nevius (book reviews, discussion guides, fashion).
Vintage-inspired notebook designer.
Queer. Sober.
Married.
linktr.ee/opinionsofawolf
Fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, closed-door romance, horror).
Nonfiction as Amanda Nevius (book reviews, discussion guides, fashion).
Vintage-inspired notebook designer.
Queer. Sober.
Married.
linktr.ee/opinionsofawolf
I just backed Books for a Better Year: Self-Care Tools & Tricks for 2026 on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/mic...
Books for a Better Year: Self-Care Tools & Tricks for 2026
Reads to meet the new year rested, resourced, healthy, and hopeful for what's ahead!
www.kickstarter.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I just backed Books for a Better Year: Self-Care Tools & Tricks for 2026 on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/mic...
That bittersweet sensation of finishing reading a print book you own only to realize it's one you definitely want to keep so your book hoard will not, in fact, decrease.
#booksky
#booksky
October 31, 2025 at 3:31 AM
That bittersweet sensation of finishing reading a print book you own only to realize it's one you definitely want to keep so your book hoard will not, in fact, decrease.
#booksky
#booksky
I just got my FIRST EVER poetry acceptance!!!
This has been a goal of mine for literal years.
Never give up.
This has been a goal of mine for literal years.
Never give up.
October 28, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I just got my FIRST EVER poetry acceptance!!!
This has been a goal of mine for literal years.
Never give up.
This has been a goal of mine for literal years.
Never give up.
This week, I’m sharing how what was supposed to be a quick DIY project — turning a too-big fall dress into a skirt — became a full-blown sewing adventure. 🧵🍂
🎧 Watch here: Upcycling a Dress into a Shirred Skirt for Fall
youtu.be/s7l7NffY7hc
#Crafting #Sewing #DIY #Upcycling #Podcast
🎧 Watch here: Upcycling a Dress into a Shirred Skirt for Fall
youtu.be/s7l7NffY7hc
#Crafting #Sewing #DIY #Upcycling #Podcast
Upcycling a Dress into a Shirred Skirt for Fall
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
youtu.be
October 8, 2025 at 8:55 PM
This week, I’m sharing how what was supposed to be a quick DIY project — turning a too-big fall dress into a skirt — became a full-blown sewing adventure. 🧵🍂
🎧 Watch here: Upcycling a Dress into a Shirred Skirt for Fall
youtu.be/s7l7NffY7hc
#Crafting #Sewing #DIY #Upcycling #Podcast
🎧 Watch here: Upcycling a Dress into a Shirred Skirt for Fall
youtu.be/s7l7NffY7hc
#Crafting #Sewing #DIY #Upcycling #Podcast
Only 68.7% of the world's population uses the internet. *The internet.*
65.7% of the world's population uses social media. (Shout out to that 3% on the internet but not on social media).
This statistic really surprised me.
#BookSky 📚💙 #digitaldetox #socialmedia
65.7% of the world's population uses social media. (Shout out to that 3% on the internet but not on social media).
This statistic really surprised me.
#BookSky 📚💙 #digitaldetox #socialmedia
October 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Only 68.7% of the world's population uses the internet. *The internet.*
65.7% of the world's population uses social media. (Shout out to that 3% on the internet but not on social media).
This statistic really surprised me.
#BookSky 📚💙 #digitaldetox #socialmedia
65.7% of the world's population uses social media. (Shout out to that 3% on the internet but not on social media).
This statistic really surprised me.
#BookSky 📚💙 #digitaldetox #socialmedia
Sometimes the world feels like a firehose aimed at your face. And we’re all under pressure to add to that flood. But this fall, I’m choosing something else.
One phrase that brings peace is better than a thousand words that have no use.
#Koan #CreativeLiving #RecoveryPosse #FallVibes #BookSky 📚💙
One phrase that brings peace is better than a thousand words that have no use.
#Koan #CreativeLiving #RecoveryPosse #FallVibes #BookSky 📚💙
October 1, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Sometimes the world feels like a firehose aimed at your face. And we’re all under pressure to add to that flood. But this fall, I’m choosing something else.
One phrase that brings peace is better than a thousand words that have no use.
#Koan #CreativeLiving #RecoveryPosse #FallVibes #BookSky 📚💙
One phrase that brings peace is better than a thousand words that have no use.
#Koan #CreativeLiving #RecoveryPosse #FallVibes #BookSky 📚💙
I’ve been slowly replacing doomscrolling with something better: crafts. 🪡🎨
This week it was coloring + cross stitch—and the difference in my mood has been huge.
#Crafting #DIY #MindfulLiving #CreativeHabits #BookSky 📚💙
This week it was coloring + cross stitch—and the difference in my mood has been huge.
#Crafting #DIY #MindfulLiving #CreativeHabits #BookSky 📚💙
September 20, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I’ve been slowly replacing doomscrolling with something better: crafts. 🪡🎨
This week it was coloring + cross stitch—and the difference in my mood has been huge.
#Crafting #DIY #MindfulLiving #CreativeHabits #BookSky 📚💙
This week it was coloring + cross stitch—and the difference in my mood has been huge.
#Crafting #DIY #MindfulLiving #CreativeHabits #BookSky 📚💙
👣 Bigfoot has arrived in the Tova Gallagher universe—
but not in Boston.
This week’s Acutely Amanda short story takes us to Leominster, MA, where cryptids walk among the pines. 🌲✨
🎧 Watch/listen here:
youtu.be/qQKKR5UDh7E
#urbanfantasy #specfic #Bigfoot #BookSky 📚💙
but not in Boston.
This week’s Acutely Amanda short story takes us to Leominster, MA, where cryptids walk among the pines. 🌲✨
🎧 Watch/listen here:
youtu.be/qQKKR5UDh7E
#urbanfantasy #specfic #Bigfoot #BookSky 📚💙
Bigfoot Speaks from Leominster Urban Fantasy Short Story
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
youtu.be
September 12, 2025 at 1:03 AM
👣 Bigfoot has arrived in the Tova Gallagher universe—
but not in Boston.
This week’s Acutely Amanda short story takes us to Leominster, MA, where cryptids walk among the pines. 🌲✨
🎧 Watch/listen here:
youtu.be/qQKKR5UDh7E
#urbanfantasy #specfic #Bigfoot #BookSky 📚💙
but not in Boston.
This week’s Acutely Amanda short story takes us to Leominster, MA, where cryptids walk among the pines. 🌲✨
🎧 Watch/listen here:
youtu.be/qQKKR5UDh7E
#urbanfantasy #specfic #Bigfoot #BookSky 📚💙
🌱 Planted my very first tree this week — meet Buddy, my Ginkgo biloba ‘Maidenhair Tree’! 🌳✨
The process was messy, grounding, and honestly kind of magical. Here’s why I chose Buddy 👇
#gardening #treeplanting #BookSky 📚💙
youtube.com/shorts/wdUG4...
The process was messy, grounding, and honestly kind of magical. Here’s why I chose Buddy 👇
#gardening #treeplanting #BookSky 📚💙
youtube.com/shorts/wdUG4...
Ginkgo biloba ‘Buddy’ Maidenhair Tree #treeplanting #diy #bethechange
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
youtube.com
September 6, 2025 at 4:09 PM
🌱 Planted my very first tree this week — meet Buddy, my Ginkgo biloba ‘Maidenhair Tree’! 🌳✨
The process was messy, grounding, and honestly kind of magical. Here’s why I chose Buddy 👇
#gardening #treeplanting #BookSky 📚💙
youtube.com/shorts/wdUG4...
The process was messy, grounding, and honestly kind of magical. Here’s why I chose Buddy 👇
#gardening #treeplanting #BookSky 📚💙
youtube.com/shorts/wdUG4...
🦷 I have dental anxiety. Here’s how I still make sure I take care of my teeth:
1️⃣ Tell the dental care team — they can suggest adjustments & work with me.
2️⃣ Request a dentist I know & trust.
(more 👇)
#DentalAnxiety #SelfCare #HealthTips #BookSky 📚💙
1️⃣ Tell the dental care team — they can suggest adjustments & work with me.
2️⃣ Request a dentist I know & trust.
(more 👇)
#DentalAnxiety #SelfCare #HealthTips #BookSky 📚💙
September 3, 2025 at 7:21 PM
🦷 I have dental anxiety. Here’s how I still make sure I take care of my teeth:
1️⃣ Tell the dental care team — they can suggest adjustments & work with me.
2️⃣ Request a dentist I know & trust.
(more 👇)
#DentalAnxiety #SelfCare #HealthTips #BookSky 📚💙
1️⃣ Tell the dental care team — they can suggest adjustments & work with me.
2️⃣ Request a dentist I know & trust.
(more 👇)
#DentalAnxiety #SelfCare #HealthTips #BookSky 📚💙
Craft aisles, paranoia, and one determined mom. 🛒🙏🔥
In this week’s short story, we step into the life of Tova Gallagher’s mother, who lives in an urban fantasy world and still manages to be considered one of the paranoid ones.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmuZ...
#BookSky 📚💙
In this week’s short story, we step into the life of Tova Gallagher’s mother, who lives in an urban fantasy world and still manages to be considered one of the paranoid ones.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmuZ...
#BookSky 📚💙
A One Woman Walmart Battle (Urban Fantasy Short Story)
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
www.youtube.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Craft aisles, paranoia, and one determined mom. 🛒🙏🔥
In this week’s short story, we step into the life of Tova Gallagher’s mother, who lives in an urban fantasy world and still manages to be considered one of the paranoid ones.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmuZ...
#BookSky 📚💙
In this week’s short story, we step into the life of Tova Gallagher’s mother, who lives in an urban fantasy world and still manages to be considered one of the paranoid ones.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmuZ...
#BookSky 📚💙
What happens when a vampire tends her garden under the moonlight? 🌕🌸🩸
Episode 3 of Acutely Amanda is here: What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight?
🎧 Watch/listen: youtu.be/k4lVjFln0qk?...
#BookSky 📚💙 #UrbanFantasy #Vampires #ShortStory #Podcast
Episode 3 of Acutely Amanda is here: What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight?
🎧 Watch/listen: youtu.be/k4lVjFln0qk?...
#BookSky 📚💙 #UrbanFantasy #Vampires #ShortStory #Podcast
What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight? (Urban Fantasy Short Story)
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
youtu.be
August 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
What happens when a vampire tends her garden under the moonlight? 🌕🌸🩸
Episode 3 of Acutely Amanda is here: What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight?
🎧 Watch/listen: youtu.be/k4lVjFln0qk?...
#BookSky 📚💙 #UrbanFantasy #Vampires #ShortStory #Podcast
Episode 3 of Acutely Amanda is here: What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight?
🎧 Watch/listen: youtu.be/k4lVjFln0qk?...
#BookSky 📚💙 #UrbanFantasy #Vampires #ShortStory #Podcast
Spilling secrets ☕🐺🌕
Crushed coffee cups. Nervous glances.
And one group no one really wants to talk about.
“A Weekly Group for a Monthly Problem” is an urban fantasy short story in 10 minutes.
🎧 Watch it: youtu.be/op6AInq9E3g?...
#BookSky 📚💙 #UrbanFantasy #ShortStory #WritingCommunity
Crushed coffee cups. Nervous glances.
And one group no one really wants to talk about.
“A Weekly Group for a Monthly Problem” is an urban fantasy short story in 10 minutes.
🎧 Watch it: youtu.be/op6AInq9E3g?...
#BookSky 📚💙 #UrbanFantasy #ShortStory #WritingCommunity
A Weekly Group for a Monthly Problem (Urban Fantasy Short Story)
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
youtu.be
August 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Spilling secrets ☕🐺🌕
Crushed coffee cups. Nervous glances.
And one group no one really wants to talk about.
“A Weekly Group for a Monthly Problem” is an urban fantasy short story in 10 minutes.
🎧 Watch it: youtu.be/op6AInq9E3g?...
#BookSky 📚💙 #UrbanFantasy #ShortStory #WritingCommunity
Crushed coffee cups. Nervous glances.
And one group no one really wants to talk about.
“A Weekly Group for a Monthly Problem” is an urban fantasy short story in 10 minutes.
🎧 Watch it: youtu.be/op6AInq9E3g?...
#BookSky 📚💙 #UrbanFantasy #ShortStory #WritingCommunity
When I read, I’m a million different people…
…and they all wrote meticulously detailed diaries at the most traumatic parts of their lives.
Yes, I thrifted some of my old Dear America faves. ✨📚
✋🏻 Raise your hand if these books traumatized you and you still devoured every single one.
…and they all wrote meticulously detailed diaries at the most traumatic parts of their lives.
Yes, I thrifted some of my old Dear America faves. ✨📚
✋🏻 Raise your hand if these books traumatized you and you still devoured every single one.
August 19, 2025 at 6:46 PM
When I read, I’m a million different people…
…and they all wrote meticulously detailed diaries at the most traumatic parts of their lives.
Yes, I thrifted some of my old Dear America faves. ✨📚
✋🏻 Raise your hand if these books traumatized you and you still devoured every single one.
…and they all wrote meticulously detailed diaries at the most traumatic parts of their lives.
Yes, I thrifted some of my old Dear America faves. ✨📚
✋🏻 Raise your hand if these books traumatized you and you still devoured every single one.
📺 New on my channel: a paranormal short story from the Tova Gallagher universe!
“Demon Training 101: A Short Story of Chaos on the Charles” follows a nephilim (half-human/half-demon) and his demon mentor as they cause trouble on the Charles River…
🎥 Watch here: youtu.be/gTsNb80WWDM?...
#BookSky 📚💙
“Demon Training 101: A Short Story of Chaos on the Charles” follows a nephilim (half-human/half-demon) and his demon mentor as they cause trouble on the Charles River…
🎥 Watch here: youtu.be/gTsNb80WWDM?...
#BookSky 📚💙
Demon Training 101: A Short Story of Chaos on the Charles
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
youtu.be
August 12, 2025 at 8:43 PM
📺 New on my channel: a paranormal short story from the Tova Gallagher universe!
“Demon Training 101: A Short Story of Chaos on the Charles” follows a nephilim (half-human/half-demon) and his demon mentor as they cause trouble on the Charles River…
🎥 Watch here: youtu.be/gTsNb80WWDM?...
#BookSky 📚💙
“Demon Training 101: A Short Story of Chaos on the Charles” follows a nephilim (half-human/half-demon) and his demon mentor as they cause trouble on the Charles River…
🎥 Watch here: youtu.be/gTsNb80WWDM?...
#BookSky 📚💙
What do sailors, hippies, and fish-shaped keychains have in common? 🧶🐟
This week on Acutely Amanda, I dive into macramé, make a fish, and explore how a simple craft became a global movement.
🎧 Watch here: youtu.be/V7mq9I_-KXU?...
#FiberArts #DIYCrafts #Macrame #CraftingHistory
This week on Acutely Amanda, I dive into macramé, make a fish, and explore how a simple craft became a global movement.
🎧 Watch here: youtu.be/V7mq9I_-KXU?...
#FiberArts #DIYCrafts #Macrame #CraftingHistory
Macraméing a Fish: How One Keychain Connects Me to Sailors and Hippies
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
youtu.be
August 5, 2025 at 6:51 PM
What do sailors, hippies, and fish-shaped keychains have in common? 🧶🐟
This week on Acutely Amanda, I dive into macramé, make a fish, and explore how a simple craft became a global movement.
🎧 Watch here: youtu.be/V7mq9I_-KXU?...
#FiberArts #DIYCrafts #Macrame #CraftingHistory
This week on Acutely Amanda, I dive into macramé, make a fish, and explore how a simple craft became a global movement.
🎧 Watch here: youtu.be/V7mq9I_-KXU?...
#FiberArts #DIYCrafts #Macrame #CraftingHistory
I thought I was writing an empowering main character.
But after I got sober, I realized I wasn’t.
So I rewrote the whole book.
Now it’s not just about saving yourself from zombies. It’s about saving yourself from addiction too.
#BookSky 📚💙 #zombienovel #recoveryreads
But after I got sober, I realized I wasn’t.
So I rewrote the whole book.
Now it’s not just about saving yourself from zombies. It’s about saving yourself from addiction too.
#BookSky 📚💙 #zombienovel #recoveryreads
July 30, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I thought I was writing an empowering main character.
But after I got sober, I realized I wasn’t.
So I rewrote the whole book.
Now it’s not just about saving yourself from zombies. It’s about saving yourself from addiction too.
#BookSky 📚💙 #zombienovel #recoveryreads
But after I got sober, I realized I wasn’t.
So I rewrote the whole book.
Now it’s not just about saving yourself from zombies. It’s about saving yourself from addiction too.
#BookSky 📚💙 #zombienovel #recoveryreads
✨ Need a 31-second break from reality?
I assembled a tiny Kirby blind box. Which one did I get?
📦💤💖
Find out here:
youtube.com/shorts/vG8HE...
#BookSky 📚💙 #MiniJoy #CozyVibes #Unboxing #BlindBox
I assembled a tiny Kirby blind box. Which one did I get?
📦💤💖
Find out here:
youtube.com/shorts/vG8HE...
#BookSky 📚💙 #MiniJoy #CozyVibes #Unboxing #BlindBox
Sleepy Kirby is here! 💤 New Acutely Amanda episode coming next week. #kirbyfan #blindbox #shorts
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
youtube.com
July 29, 2025 at 6:28 PM
✨ Need a 31-second break from reality?
I assembled a tiny Kirby blind box. Which one did I get?
📦💤💖
Find out here:
youtube.com/shorts/vG8HE...
#BookSky 📚💙 #MiniJoy #CozyVibes #Unboxing #BlindBox
I assembled a tiny Kirby blind box. Which one did I get?
📦💤💖
Find out here:
youtube.com/shorts/vG8HE...
#BookSky 📚💙 #MiniJoy #CozyVibes #Unboxing #BlindBox
Me, 2 pages into a new queer sci-fi book:
"I love life again. I've never been sad before in my life. Everything is fine. Happiness! I feel serotonin!"
📚🏳️🌈🛸
#BookSky 📚💙
"I love life again. I've never been sad before in my life. Everything is fine. Happiness! I feel serotonin!"
📚🏳️🌈🛸
#BookSky 📚💙
July 28, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Me, 2 pages into a new queer sci-fi book:
"I love life again. I've never been sad before in my life. Everything is fine. Happiness! I feel serotonin!"
📚🏳️🌈🛸
#BookSky 📚💙
"I love life again. I've never been sad before in my life. Everything is fine. Happiness! I feel serotonin!"
📚🏳️🌈🛸
#BookSky 📚💙
It’s nice to have married into a family of readers. 💙
My in-laws are in town, and I gifted my mother-in-law a book. She finished it in one day and immediately asked to go to the library for the sequel.
#BookSky 📚
My in-laws are in town, and I gifted my mother-in-law a book. She finished it in one day and immediately asked to go to the library for the sequel.
#BookSky 📚
July 25, 2025 at 11:10 PM
It’s nice to have married into a family of readers. 💙
My in-laws are in town, and I gifted my mother-in-law a book. She finished it in one day and immediately asked to go to the library for the sequel.
#BookSky 📚
My in-laws are in town, and I gifted my mother-in-law a book. She finished it in one day and immediately asked to go to the library for the sequel.
#BookSky 📚
I am begging lit journals etc… to stop posting “we’re hiring” when you are paying nothing!! The words you need are “seeking volunteers.”
July 24, 2025 at 5:09 AM
I am begging lit journals etc… to stop posting “we’re hiring” when you are paying nothing!! The words you need are “seeking volunteers.”
New episode! 🧶✨
This week on Acutely Amanda, I’m needle felting a tiny cactus landscape—with some monstera leaves thrown in 😄
🎧 Listen: youtu.be/Lp7zx_mtALw?...
#Crafting #NeedleFelting #Podcast #BookSky 💙📚
This week on Acutely Amanda, I’m needle felting a tiny cactus landscape—with some monstera leaves thrown in 😄
🎧 Listen: youtu.be/Lp7zx_mtALw?...
#Crafting #NeedleFelting #Podcast #BookSky 💙📚
Stabbing Wool Into Art: My First 2D Needle Felting Project
YouTube video by Acutely Amanda
youtu.be
July 23, 2025 at 3:42 AM
New episode! 🧶✨
This week on Acutely Amanda, I’m needle felting a tiny cactus landscape—with some monstera leaves thrown in 😄
🎧 Listen: youtu.be/Lp7zx_mtALw?...
#Crafting #NeedleFelting #Podcast #BookSky 💙📚
This week on Acutely Amanda, I’m needle felting a tiny cactus landscape—with some monstera leaves thrown in 😄
🎧 Listen: youtu.be/Lp7zx_mtALw?...
#Crafting #NeedleFelting #Podcast #BookSky 💙📚
I’ve noticed something interesting while reading thrillers lately…
Both of the last two I read created reading graphs like this 👇 (Generated using Bookly) #BookSky 💙📚
Both of the last two I read created reading graphs like this 👇 (Generated using Bookly) #BookSky 💙📚
July 21, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I’ve noticed something interesting while reading thrillers lately…
Both of the last two I read created reading graphs like this 👇 (Generated using Bookly) #BookSky 💙📚
Both of the last two I read created reading graphs like this 👇 (Generated using Bookly) #BookSky 💙📚