We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda E.K. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
A career in the arts is what makes me feel most alive. It was an inevitable path from the variety of creative pursuits I sought as a child and teenager. It feels impossible for me to just work a “job.” I need to be doing something that feeds my soul.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a fiction writer, erotica writer (with a published book called “The Risk it Takes to Bloom”), a memoirist, and a screenwriter. I’ve written, directed and produced twelve short films — three of which have won recognition at film festivals (Second Surface, The Supermarket, and The First Date). I co-founded a film production team called Glass Cactus with my creative partner, Jesse Livingston, which can be found on YouTube. Until the pandemic struck, I ran a literary magazine and small press in Denver, Colorado called Suspect Press for five years, which was the catalyst for launching many of my creative projects, as well as the three creative community groups I founded in Denver. I knew nothing about business when I set out, but taught myself everything I needed to know along the way, from website maintenance to accounting and ad sales.

Almost all of my work is influenced by my fundamentalist Christian upbringing. I was sheltered and restricted in many ways growing up, and that led to an explosion of curiosity and self-expression once I left the Church in my twenties.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Meow Wolf
Cheesman Park
Little India
Thin Man/St. Mark’s
Mutiny Information Cafe
The Corner Beet
Odyssey Italian
Kaladi Brothers Coffee
Milk Bar
RiNo Arts District
South Broadway
Wax Trax Records
Hiking in the foothills
The Alpine Coaster in Glenwood Springs
Kiki’s Japanese
Domo
Red Rocks

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My good friend and creative partner, Jesse Livingston, is entirely responsible for introducing me to my love of screenwriting and filmmaking, and he’s the one with whom I’ve written a TV pilot, developed a TV series, and created an award-winning short film.

Website: https://www.amandaekwriter.com

Instagram: @amanda.ek.writer

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaq9RAq5EhZXuZ5FjUEfoIQ/videos

Other: TikTok: @amandaek_creativecoach

Image Credits
My headshot credit goes to: Øttø

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.