# Amanda Montei
*Author and Writing Instructor*

Amanda Montei is an acclaimed author, critic, editor, and writing instructor with over fifteen years of experience guiding writers toward finding their voices. With a PhD focusing on feminist literature and an MFA in writing, Amanda is known for her cross-genre work in prose, including both nonfiction and fiction, as well as for incisive cultural critiques that weave her personal experiences with pop culture and feminist theory.

She is the author most recently of "*TOUCHED OUT: Motherhood, Misogyny, Consent, and Control,"* praised for its raw examination of American motherhood, women's bodily autonomy, cultural coercion, and agency. She also runs the popular newsletter Mad Woman on Substack and co-hosts the podcast Dire Straights. Amanda's essays have appeared in The New York Times Opinion section, The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, Elle, Slate, Mother Tongue, Vox, HuffPost, Electric Literature, Literary Hub, The Believer, The Rumpus, Ms. Magazine, American Book Review, and others. Her work has also been featured at The Cut, Oprah Daily, Vogue, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and more.

Through her teaching, Amanda helps new and established writers develop their style and unique approach to genre and to hone their ideas for short- and long-form work. She also works with writers to create sustainable writing practices as they juggle other careers, life transitions, and parenthood. She has led numerous writing classes at the university level, including most recently through Stanford's Continuing Education creative writing program, and for a variety of literary organizations. Drawing on her own life and work, Amanda approaches teaching from a writer-centered perspective, offering clear, generative feedback grounded in care, community, and compassion, nurturing each writer's unique life and lens.

Learn more about Amanda Montei and her work by visiting her [website](https://www.amandamontei.com/), or follow her on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/amontei/?hl=en).

**Connect:** [Website](https://www.amandamontei.com/) · [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/amontei/?hl=en)

## Retreats led by Amanda Montei

### Awaken Your Writing and Your Life - Writing Retreat with Author Amanda Montei in Portugal
June 12 - 19, 2027 · Casével, Ribatejo, Portugal · $4,850
Instructors: Amanda Montei
[Details](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/retreat/awaken-your-writing-and-your-life-writing-retreat-author-amanda-montei-portugal) · [Book on uptrek.com →](https://uptrek.com/retreat/awaken-your-writing-and-your-life-writing-retreat-author-amanda-montei-portugal#book)

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**Last updated:** 2026-08-17