Amanda Bales

Amanda Bales is a Lecturer in Rhetoric and Creative Writing at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, within the Department of English (College of Liberal Arts & Sciences). She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (2008) and a B.A. in English and Theatre from Oklahoma State University (2003).

Her research interests focus on creative non-fiction, fiction writing, and critical examinations of carceral feminism, sexual violence against women, and legal constructs like the Alford plea. Currently, she is developing a novel expanding her story collection and a nonfiction manuscript addressing these societal issues.

Her published work includes Pekolah Stories (Cowboy Jamboree Press, 2021). Teaching responsibilities include rhetoric and creative writing courses. She resides in central Illinois with her dog Axton.