From Abuse Survivor to Literary Force: Amanda Perry’s Debut Book Sparks a Movement

What happens when a survivor refuses to stay silent? She writes. She reclaims. She changes lives.

That’s exactly what Amanda Perry — poet, survivor, and debut author — is doing with her upcoming release, Landscaping Lies on School Drive.

A name that may not have echoed loudly in literary circles a year ago, Amanda Perry is now capturing the attention of readers and advocates alike with a haunting yet healing collection of poetry rooted in personal trauma. But this isn’t just another poetry book. It’s a call to awareness. A message of survival. A blueprint for resilience.

“You are more than the hideous things you’ve overcome,” Perry writes — a phrase that has already begun to circulate widely on social media in response to early previews of her work.

The Story Behind the Book

Written during and after escaping an abusive marriage, Landscaping Lies on School Drive is a poetic memoir that chronicles Amanda’s emotional and physical journey as a mother navigating domestic violence.

The title itself is layered with symbolism: “School Drive” references the seemingly idyllic street where abuse was hidden behind a pristine lawn, while “Landscaping Lies” calls out the curated image her abuser projected to the world.

What makes this book stand out isn’t just its gut-punch honesty, but Amanda’s refusal to water down the truth. She names names. She describes scenes that are hard to read — but impossible to ignore.

“A lot of people write about abuse in vague metaphors,” she said in a recent interview. “I wanted people to understand exactly what happens behind closed doors. No sugarcoating.”

More Than a Book — A Movement in the Making

Amanda’s bravery has not only turned trauma into poetry — it’s mobilized a grassroots movement. Survivors have already begun messaging her privately after reading early features, sharing their own stories, and asking for guidance. In response, Amanda has become a vocal advocate, directing readers to local shelters, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and expressing plans to relaunch a nonprofit she once founded for her blind daughter.

She’s also working with Bookscape on a four-part spotlight series and has spoken about potentially hosting webinars on expressive writing for trauma recovery.

“I’m not just telling my story for me,” she says. “I’m telling it so others can finally tell theirs.”

A Rising Voice for the Voiceless

Amanda Perry’s name may still be new to many, but her message is timeless and urgently relevant. With domestic violence rates on the rise and social media often glamorizing picture-perfect lives, Landscaping Lies on School Drive reminds us that what we see isn’t always what’s real — and that survival isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning.