Fiction
Stories
From short stories to flash fiction to lesbian erotica, Rodriguez’s story writing runs the gamut. Often with a queer flair and always with a feminist lens, Rodriguez draws on the traditions of magical realism and fairy tales. She inventively explores and grapples with topics of race, faith, class, and gender roles. From her creation of a mountain town out-of-touch with the modern world who believe that to become god, you must kill and eat god…to superhero lesbian erotica that centers the pleasure and power of Women of Color. From queer retellings of The Little Mermaid and Little Red Riding Hood…to a wholly original queer creation myth. From a tale of a working class Latina pathologically obsessed with cleanliness…to a parallel society where young women must live together until they marry or dissolve.
Poetry
Poems
Rodriguez’s poetry is varied, but it always cuts to the bone. Her writing tackles the complexity of identity. From race to gender to sexuality. Rodriguez explores topics like addiction, toxic love, and domestic violence. In “Absolution”, she questions her Catholic upbringing. She sings a dirge to our planet in “Destroyer of Worlds”. And in “An Encounter in Downtown Vancouver, Canada”, she unflinchingly documents a hate crime she faced. Her work exudes an abiding sadness and a longing for a better world.Filmmaking
Stories Happen in Forests
Stories Happen in Forests is an award-winning short documentary featuring 12 people in the woods sharing their stories of personal connection to the forest. Stories is Rodriguez’s filmmaking and directorial debut. Watch the trailer here.
About
Amanda Rodriguez
Amanda Rodriguez is a queer, first generation Cuban-American and the Marketing Director for environmental nonprofit Dogwood Alliance in Asheville, NC. She holds an MFA from Queens University of Charlotte, NC. She is the published author of short stories, flash fiction, creative nonfiction, lesbian erotica, and poetry. She is also the first-time filmmaker of the award-winning short documentary Stories Happen in Forests.