There must be something in the soil!

Alice Walker, Flannery O’Connor, and Joel Chandler Harris’s stories span 150 years and 20 square miles in central Georgia, establishing the richest literary heritage in the state.

The achievements of these writers stem from their personal stories – their biographies. Each was born to a unique time and place and grew from the trials they endured. Despite their differences, each writers’ passion for the literary arts drove them to create the acclaimed works of literature that we know today.

Georgia Writers Museum encourages you to learn their unique stories, and understand their lives, perspectives, and the creative processes that inspired their masterpieces.

Amanda Vining photo

Amanda holds a BS in Biology from Georgia College & State University. She began her career as an educator with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. After leaving the DNR, Amanda became a formal educator with Baldwin County School System and Jasper County School System. Amanda began her museum career at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (MAS) in Macon, Georgia, where she served as Curator of Environmental Science
(2011-2020). While at MAS, Amanda developed a love for sharing the world around us with the many students who visited on school field trips. During her time as Curator of Environmental Science, Amanda launched a storytime
program for preschool children.

Since 2020, Amanda has been serving Georgia Writers Museum as a volunteer on the Education Committee. Amanda has brought her love of sharing stories with students by launching Peaches’ Reading Pasture. As Museum Manager, Amanda looks forward to serving the community and helping to inspire those within our community to put words to paper and share their stories.

Amanda was born and raised in nearby Shady Dale, Georgia. Her husband, Rodney, is a native of Eatonton, and they currently reside in Putnam County. They have three children.