Hey everyone,
Ian Tan here, lead editor and project coordinator of UnCensored Ink: A Banned Book Inspired Anthology, set to release this October 29. Here is the UnCensored Ink interview series to introduce you all to the incredible writers, as well as the local bookstores and libraries that gave them safe creative spaces. Hopefully you can put these incredible places on your to-visit list, and feel inspired to support your own local bookstore, library and indie authors.
Today, I am with Amy Nielsen from Florida. She spent twenty years as a youth librarian sharing her love of books with young readers. Daily immersion in story took root and she penned her YA debut, WORTH IT, behind her circulation desk. Amy is the proud parent to four humans, one pup, and has more grand pups than she can count. When she’s not reading or writing, Amy, her family, and at least two canine co-captains in mermaid life vests can be found boating the waters of Tampa Bay.
*Amy is also my co-editor, and she came up with the idea in the first place!
- You’ve written a fine piece for UnCensored Ink: a banned book anthology. Can you give us a synopsis? How did the idea for this piece come about?
I wrote two pieces for UnCensored Ink: Reading with His Daughter, and The New Librarian. Reading With His Daughter was inspired by where I live, Florida. Florida has the second largest senior population and has been ground zero for book bans and conspiracy theories. While the story is about books being banned, it is also about the relationship between an adult daughter and her aging father. The New Librarian is inspired by my experience being a librarian. I also included the titles of books written by several author friends, many of whom are in this anthology.
- Now, we would love to know you more! What do you enjoy doing in your free time, what is your favorite book quote, and how did you get into reading and writing?
I was a youth librarian for nearly twenty years. I’ve been around books my whole life. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family either playing board games, swimming or boating. Being in Florida means we spend a lot of time outdoors. My favorite book quote is from Kate Chopin’s The Awakening. “The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude.”
I began to start wanting to write because of the joy I saw books brought to others. It’s thrilling to know something I’ve written a reader has connected with, been entertained by or learned something. But more than anything I hope they feel something.
- Do you have a favorite local library or bookstore? Also can you remember bookstores and libraries from your childhood, if they are not the same as the ones now?
My favorite bookstore is The Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida. I don’t remember libraries from my childhood, but I recently got to take a Bucket List trip to DC and got to tour The Library of Congress.
My two daughters and I went and it was incredible to be in the largest library in the world. One thing that really stood out to me was their support of intellectual freedom. In the gift shop, I bought a coffee mug imprinted with what looks like a circulation card. I use it as a pen holder in my office. And I’m daily inspired by the work those at the Library of Congress do to support the right to read.
At the Library of Congress
My mug from the gift shop
- Tell us more about this bookstore/library. What do you love most about it?
The Oxford Exchange is a MUST destination to anyone in Tampa Bay. They have a curated collection of books, tons of signed copies and the bookstore is just gorgeous. They also have a restaurant, champagne bar, and more! They also support local literacy nonprofits.
I even got to meet and hang out with R.L. Stine there during a literary conference for Young Adults called YA By the Bay, hosted by Dominique Richardson and Sorbani Banerjee authors of the Everbeach Series. R.L. was the key note speaker and he was hilarious! But he also reminded me why writing for young adults is so important. Children learn by example. And when we write for them, we are teaching them that writing and reading have value.
R. L. Stine and I
- What do you have to say on the importance of sustaining bookstores and libraries?
As a former youth librarian I saw firsthand the impact of the right books on the right readers, it’s paramount. That’s why we created this anthology to bring awareness on the importance of intellectual freedom. Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected within the pages of a story.
- Do you have any projects that your current and future readers can look forward to?
Yes! Well, my young adult debut WORTH IT came out in May of 2024 and is currently available. In late August of 2024 the audio version was released. The story is about a homeless, pregnant teen who claws her way out of poverty to build a better life for her and her child. I am also working on a Romance with my daughters under the pen name, Amber Dawn Oakley. We are hoping to hit the query trenches at the end of this year. It’s been a joy writing with my adult daughters. We all three LOVE to read and this is something we’ve always wanted to do.
- Lastly, what platforms can we find you? (Social media and websites are all encouraged, this is to highlight and champion you guys)
The main place to find me, read my growing collection of short stories, and read several writing resources I’ve created for authors is at my website www.amynielsenauthor.com. I’m most active on Twitter at AmyNielsen06.
And that is Amy Nielsen wrapping up the last leg of our East Coast tour in Florida, everyone! If you’re anywhere near these wonderful bookstores and libraries along the East Coast, or if you’re planning to visit anytime soon, please consider dropping in on them. We created this interview series as a little way to show our support and appreciation for them. Let’s not take them for granted.
Okay stay posted till the next one, we’re swinging over to Alabama on our way to the Midwest!
Wild Ink Publishing 