Meet Amanda Bauch | Writer, Editor & Writing Coach

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

Hi Amanda, is there something you believe many others might not?
“Never work for free.”

During my career, I’ve heard variations of this guidance. Yet when I mentor people who are either starting their career or trying to pivot and into an industry different from their current line of work, I encourage them not to be afraid to give away their goods and/or services.

I know this is an unpopular opinion, but speaking from my own experience, volunteering my services has led to opportunities I might not have had otherwise. Let me share one example.

After I graduated with my master of fine arts in creative writing, I worked part-time at a tutoring center and as a college adjunct. I wanted to get a job as an editor, yet I didn’t have the requisite three to five years of experience to secure a role at a traditional publisher. (Yes, that whole “we want someone with experience but you can’t get experience without first having the job” catch-22.)

All these years later, I’ve forgotten how I stumbled upon the posting, but I found a literary journal seeking volunteer proofreaders. I applied, sent in my editing sample, and was accepted. I proofread the nonfiction pieces for each issue, and within a short time frame, I was “promoted” to assistant editor, overseeing the publication of the journal’s nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, as well as helping select the pieces we’d publish, supervising the other volunteer editors, and coordinating with interior and cover designers.

One of my fellow editors left the journal to take a role at a vendor that provided editorial and publishing services. A year or so later, he reached out to ask if I’d be interested in doing some proofreading for this vendor. I immediately said yes. This time, it was a paying gig. And down the road, the work I did for this vendor well positioned me to pursue my dream job as an editor at a Big Five publisher.

Can giving away your work be exploitive? Absolutely. Every industry has bad actors who are more than happy to take advantage of others. But to me, making a blanket statement and saying that no one should ever give away their talent deprives people of both autonomy and agency. Only you, as an individual, can determine whether you find value in working for free.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Until the day she died, my grandmother carried a poem I wrote. Safely tucked inside her wallet, my childish scrawls about the sea were merely the beginning of a lifelong love affair with the written word.

Many people out here do the kind of work I do, but I think a couple of things set me apart.

The first is that I come from a poor, uneducated family that never emphasized, reading, writing, or any other academic pursuits. Even so, I figured out from a young age that books were a portal not only to worlds beyond my wildest imaginings but also to a better future for myself. I knew that as long as I could read and write stories, no matter what happened in my life, I could find my way out of it. And that passion infuses everything I do, whether I’m ghostwriting a memoir, doing a developmental edit on a self-help book, or coaching a first-time author on their publishing path.

The other thing that sets me apart is that my life and personal experiences are extremely diverse. I’ve worked jobs as everything from a graveyard-shift Waffle House waitress to a senior editor at a Big Five publisher. I taught college-level writing for several years, authoring textbooks and designing online courses. I’ve edited anything you can imagine: children’s and young adult, cookbooks, memoirs, poetry collections, historical romance, self-help, PhD dissertations, textbooks—you name it. All of these experiences come to bear on the work I do with authors and on my own writing.

Has it always been easy? Definitely not. Even as recently as this year, I’ve wondered if I’m foolish to continue freelancing in an industry that can be volatile. However, having been on both sides of full-time and freelance publishing work, I know that at least for now, freelancing affords me the freedom and flexibility I need in my current season of life. All I can do is trust in myself and take it one year at a time.

And that’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way: operating from a place of abundance and generosity makes all the difference.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve lived all over the country—New York City, Jacksonville FL, Tulsa OK, and Fort Wayne IN, among other locations. But Nashville is my sweet spot. And not just because I grew up listening to country music and still remember lyrics from songs I haven’t heard in thirty-plus years. To me, this city is a perfect blend of small-town warmth and charm with urban amenities.

Nashville and the surrounding area have so much to offer that it’s hard to narrow down the must-see attractions! But I’ll keep myself on task by curating my top five destinations.

The first place is the Main Library of the Nashville Public Library system. Although I’ve visited every single location in the system, and each has its unique charm, this one is the best. For anyone who loves books and reading, you could easily spend the entire week here. From the model of the city in the children’s library and the puppet shows to the free concerts in the courtyard, this library has something for everyone. Especially after having worked in publishing and knowing how much love and labor goes into publishing one book, I can never walk into a library and not be in awe of all the time and energy millions of people spent to bring those incredible tomes into the world.

Then, an outdoor adventure: hiking at Beaman Park, along with a visit to their wonderful Nature Center, staffed by some of the kindest, most knowledgeable nature lovers in Nashville. If you have children or a dog, bring them along. They’ll delight in splashing in the creek along the bottom of the ravine.

Next, a show at the Ryman Auditorium. While Nashville has numerous amazing venues for live music, the history—and acoustics!—at the Ryman can’t be beat. Throw in the backstage tour, and you have a memory that will last forever.

Then we’d head outside again, to visit Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum. Wander the whole grounds and take time to walk through the mansion, including the art exhibits housed therein. If you’re visiting during the winter, you’re in luck because you can partake of their annual Holiday Lights exhibit, when the whole place is transformed into a magical display. Make sure to grab a hot adult drink and feast on some s’mores at the fire pits!

And finally, a tie for five: the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the National Museum of African American Music. Nashville isn’t called “Music City” for nothing, as country/western, R&B, gospel, and bluegrass all have deep roots here. Both of these museums are well curated and will thrill music lovers of any genre.

Bonus stop: Nudie’s Honky Tonk. People have strong opinions about the best honky tonk in Nashville, yet as someone who spent a childhood oohing and ahhing over the bedazzled Nudie’s suits donned by the likes of Porter Wagoner, Pasty Cline, and Elvis Presley, seeing such outfits on display while taking in some live music and chilling at Nashville’s longest bar is a treat.

For food options, at minimum we’d have to dine at the following (in no particular order): Jack’s Bar-B-Que, Golly G’s Ice Cream, The Café at Thistle Farms (plus their gift shop), Green Chili Indian restaurant, Thai Phooket II, River House, Sweezey’s for chicken wings, Rock ’n Dough for pizza, Elliston Place Soda Shop for breakfast and milkshakes, The Loveless Cafe for biscuits and fried chicken, and the Grilled Cheeserie for milkshakes and—what else?—grilled cheese.

No matter where you go or what you do, I always say that if you’re not having fun in Nashville, you’re doing it wrong!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I could fill an entire book with names of people and resources that have supported me on my journey. But the person who deserves the most credit is my husband. For over twenty years, he has been my biggest champion and has always believed in me, even when I’ve doubted myself.

Website: https://amandabauch.com