By Steffen Klenk
Ocean City High School graduate, Amanda Quain is an excelled writer, indie bookseller, and playwright. She and her family spent summers in Ocean City, before eventually moving to the area in the mid-2000s. She attended Ocean City High School, where she was involved in the marching band and theater productions. Quain graduated from OCHS in 2009 and went on to attend Cornell University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on communication and technology.
Upon completing college, she began working at a string of fascinating jobs, becoming a tavern wench, Segway tour guide and a practice patient for students in medicine. Quain described one of her first jobs as a character performer and attendant at Walt Disney World. “It’s certainly the most eye-catching of the jobs that I’ve had and the one that people are always most interested in.”
It was shortly afterwards that she landed a job at an indie bookstore, an experience she loves more than anything. “I have so many memories of growing up and going to smaller bookstores and being handed the perfect book.” Quain especially enjoys putting the right books into the hands of excited readers, an experience she says is more powerful than anything. “You can’t get that kind of personal connection anywhere else besides in the bookstore.”
Quain also stresses the importance of supporting indie bookstores and other retailers providing one-on-one personal service, an experience that is often not found with the click of a mouse or the swipe of a phone. “Anyone can go online and search for the top ten books of the year, but the book that’s for you, that’s going to change your life, may not be the number one bestseller.”
Quain has released a series of novels, each one retelling classic Jane Austen writings for young adult readers. Her first novel, ‘Accomplished’, was released four years ago and recounts Pride & Prejudice from the perspective of one of the characters in the book, Georgiana Darcy. This was followed by the release of “Ghosted” in 2023. The novel is a retelling of the 1818 Austen classic “Northanger Abbey.”
Quain’s latest novel, “Dashed”, has recently hit bookshelves across the country. Based on Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” this story follows the book’s main character, Margaret Dashwood, as she finds her own place in the world as she sets sail on an unexpected journey with her sister Marianne. “This is my most summery and fun book to date.”
Part of Amanda’s inspiration comes from her father, Bill Quain, an acclaimed motivational speaker and author of over two dozen books devoted to hospitality, business, life and success. “I always got to see writing as a field that you can get into and make a career out of.” Amanda says. While their styles of writing may be different, she points out some similarities. “I grew up around dialogue and books that sound like real life conversations.”
“I’m proud of her,” sayd Bill. “It’s great having another writer in the family.”
Amanda Quain will be at Sun Rose Words & Music (756 Asbury Ave. in Ocean City) for a book signing on Saturday, July 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Be sure to visit www.amandaquain.com for the latest information or to purchase signed copies of her most recent releases. “Dashed” is available for purchase at Sun Rose. You can also request a copy at your local library or wherever fine books are sold.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
