High Five with Amanda Montell

The author of Wordslut and Cultish is back with a new book and a sneak peek at five things she can't stop overthinking about.

Each month, I ask an author I love to share five recommendations they have for other writers, whatever is the wind beneath their wings when they sit down to write. This month I reached out to author

Amanda Montell

whose third book, THE AGE OF MAGICAL OVERTHINKING, is on sale April 9 — and available for preorder in the meantime. It’s a gorgeous book about modern day delusion, thought spirals and obsession, a favorite topic over here at The Spark. So without further ado I’m handing the metaphorical microphone over to Amanda.

1. All Fours by Miranda July

I can’t possibly summarize my feelings about this book in three sentences. I am in awe of Miranda July's mind, which seems to exist in a reality just 10 or 11 degrees off from our own. The novel deals with themes of aging and desire—it comes out in May (I got my hands on a precious galley), and you can preorder here!

2. Jensen McRae music

I have been listening to this pop artist’s discography on an infinite loop for about three months now. Her song “My Ego Dies at the End” is a wise and anthemic banger. Better yet, Jensen loves to read!!! It shows in her songwriting.

3. Overthink podcast

This pod’s hosts are two brilliant young philosophers, who apply their scholarship to everyday life in a way that is nuanced, thought-provoking, and unique in the podcast landscape. Dr. Ellie is a Simone de Beauvoir scholar, who will be appearing on an episode of my forthcoming Magical Overthinkers pod titled “Overthinking About Monogamy,” so be sure to keep your ears peeled for that :)

4. English Factory Matching Sets

I'm wearing a bunch of this brand's stuff on my book tour! It’s well made and comfy for the price. Would highly recommend if the dark academia-meets-coquette aesthetic appeals to you!

5. Tomei Nohito YouTube channel

My partner Casey and I have been mesmerized lately by these soothing videos of a Japanese baker concocting surreal jell-o cakes that resemble outer space or clouds or under-the-seascapes. (The videos hit especially hard after an edible, just saying.)

Photo by Kaitlyn Mikayla

Upcoming Courses…

The “Write” of Spring

This 4-week workshop is designed to plant the seeds for the story you’ve been meaning to tell. We’ll kick off Wednesday, April 10th from 3-5pm ET. If you want to take this class, but you need an evening time slot, message me. I have a waitlist for my evening class and I’ll let you know when it launches.

Writing Rage

There are so many reasons to be angry, from the political - The patriarchy! Reproductive rights! Climate change! - to the personal. In this two-hour class, we’ll learn how to channel that rage into something productive. We’ll look at some of the best writers (alive and dead) to see how they have turned their rage into writing that is raw, real and radical. Writers like Jade Sharma, Lyz Lenz, Megan Stielstra, and Amanda Montei will inspire us to let our inner lion roar. You will walk away from this one day class with the nuts and bolts of an essay in progress. Thursday, May 2nd, 4-6 pm ET.

The Secrets to Pitching Essays That Get Published

Writers need to pitch editors to get their work noticed, but the skills needed to pitch an essay or article are vastly different than those needed to write one. In this class you'll have the exclusive opportunity to talk with editors from major outlets about what works and what doesn't when it comes to pitching. Our all-star panel will include: Denne Michele Norris, editor in chief of Electric Literature; Noah Michelson head of Huffington Post Personal, Christina Amoroso Editorial Director of Bustle; and Patia Braithwaite, senior staff editor at The New York Times Well. Monday, May 6th, 3:30-5pm ET.