DANCER
AUTHOR
Ashley Amber doubles as a ballroom, jazz and contemporary dancer and a romcomdram author, currently on a journey of dance auditions and manuscript queries.
DANCING
I have 10+ years experience in ballroom dance, 2+ years experience in jazz at North Shore Music Theater, and 1 year experience in contemporary. Formerly an Arthur Murray trainee instructor and a student of Broadway choreographer Diane Laurenson.
Although I’ve been dancing my entire life, it wasn’t until 2006 that it became something I loved to do. Why? Because of High School Musical. Inspired by the brand new DCOM at 11 years old, I spent one afternoon teaching myself the choreography to “We’re All In This Together,” and when my family was impressed that I was able to learn it all within an hour, I realized this may be more than just a hobby.
After becoming a self-taught hip hop, breakdance, and ballroom dancer, I finally began ballroom lessons at 19, achieving first and second place scores in four competitions throughout 2015. The following year, I became a trainee instructor at Arthur Murray for a short period.
When I later became busy with other life things like making magic as a Disney cast member for five years and focusing on my writing, I admittedly pushed my love of dance aside until early 2023. Fed up with the writing job I had at the time and immensely inspired by a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat I saw the previous summer, I realized what I truly needed to be doing was dancing. So, I quit my writing job and began Musical Theater Jazz lessons at the North Shore Music Theater in Massachusetts.
I’ve now begun my journey auditioning for local performances and searching for representation. When I’m not in lessons, you can find me dancing, choreographing and hosting tutorials on Instagram, TikTok and Youtube!
DANCE REEL 2024
Dance,
even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
-Kurt Vonnegut
WRITING
My writing journey began when I wrote my first picture book at 9 years old that I entered in a Reading Rainbow contest, earning a certificate from LeVar Burton. Five years later, I rediscovered my love of writing at the age of 14. A+’s and AP English recommendations in school let me know a career in writing was a possibility, but it wasn’t until I was well into my 20s that I realized it was something I needed to be doing.
While still in my teens, I went from fanfiction to novels when I wrote and self-published my first novella titled ‘Masterpiece’ under a pen name at the age of 17; a story I would love to rework and republish someday!
My debut novelette The Flip Side of Sad was a story 10 years in the making that I finally decided to self-publish in 2021. Its sequel The Flip Side of Love was released a year later, with a third book in the series in the works!
I made my poetry debut in 2021 in the LGBTQIA+ anthology Deviant: Chronicles of Pride by Ink Feathers Publishing. My poem “Ace of Hearts” kicks off the Asexual Confessional section, showcasing the struggles of asexuality with some plays on words. I also had the honor of writing the back cover blurb for this anthology. Another poem on asexuality, “Feels Right,” is featured in the 2024 LGBTQIA+ anthology Collective Humanity by Collective Tales Publishing.
When I’m not working on my Flip Side Series, I’m querying my manuscript and am currently seeking literary representation for this LGBTQIA+ NA novel. A member of the community myself, I found it important to write a story showcasing every important aspect of an LGBTQIA+ person’s life and pulled inspiration from my own experiences and the bigoted comments I heard from people around me.
As for the writing I do to pay the bills, I work at SoapHub, where I publish articles daily on all things General Hospital, Days of Our Lives and more. I also write for MJ’s Big Blog, where I live-blog and recap reality shows like Dancing With The Stars, combining my two loves — writing and dancing — in what I considered a dream job opportunity when I first scored it back in 2021. I also offer magical freelance articles about Walt Disney World to The DIS, and previously worked as a Senior List Writer and Peer Mentor at Collider, where I wrote over 300 listicles.
Articles about General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, Bold and the Beautiful and Young and the Restless
2024-present
Catch me live-blogging shows like Dancing With The Stars, The Voice and more!
2021-present
A former cast member writing articles about all things Disney Parks!
2022-present
BOOKS
James Letta is the world's newest singing sensation. But for someone who always sings such happy music, he sure is sad. While on a promo tour for his new album, James has what he thinks is the hardest day of his career... until he has to relive it. A ghostly spirit decides to trap James inside his own album in order to make him learn the lessons of its lyrics, hoping she can help him get on the flip side of sad.
Everyone’s favorite singing sensation is back with a brand new song, in a brand new city… but this time, he’s got a girlfriend. James takes Spirit on the road with him where they kick off the first day of tour in London, England. But when a romantic end to the night turns a little too truthful and Spirit’s magic gets the brunt, Spirit sends them magically back to the start of the day; a day they must relive until they make a choice: Spirit’s powers, or their love?
Maybe you know, maybe you don't. Maybe you relate to one, maybe you relate to many. Maybe you're an ally... or maybe you are just deviant.
Let your pride flags fly high as you dive into this collection of poetry and prose from writers of every colour of the rainbow. In a celebration of discovery and acceptance, these writers share their experiences of intersectionality, (in)visibility, orientation, identity and so much more.
Through unique voices of queer authors and allies, this anthology explores the complexities of the human experience. We present tales of bravery, despair, and rejoicing; our short stories and poetry remind us that humanity’s sometimes dark, sometimes discouraging, journey towards empathy will ultimately lead to the realization that, at our core, we are all simply different hues on the human spectrum.
Better to write for
yourself and have
no public, than to
write for the
public and have
no self.
-Cyril Connolly
DANCE
WRITING
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Eastern US Dancesport Championships - 2015
2nd Place Beginner Rhythm
Heidi Slowinski Short Story Contest - 2020
2nd Place Winner
Yankee Classic - 2015
1st Place Beginner Smooth
Mass Dancesport Challenge - 2015
2nd Place Smooth
Commonwealth Classic - 2015
1st Place Rhythm
“Let The Games Begin” by AJR Music Video - 2015
Extra
That time People.com said my name!
TESTIMONIALS
about my dancing...
Can this be the type of person to populate TikTok?
Youtube subscriber
It's amazing to see someone who excels in both creative worlds.
Upgram
You are an inspiration to all those who feel they could never do such a thing.
Reels viewer
You’re kind of a big deal!
Bordo Ballroom
This takes a lot of courage to post dance videos!
Youtube subscriber
You’ve got some moves for sure.
@DavidArchie
TESTIMONIALS
about my writing...
Our editors were impressed by the creative character introductions to queer characters.
Q* Anthology for Queer Culture
I see your novel is self-titled because you’re a masterpiece!
Actor Nate Hartley
Love this article.
Thank you for writing it!
Adam F. Goldberg
(on Ashley's Collider.com article)
Amber's inventive story is bound to Flip any frown upside down for both young and old.
The Smart Cookie Philes
I am 60 years old and Ashley’s story brought tears to my eyes.
Beta Reader
Reader
She’s a
voice that gives.
ORGS I SUPPORT
and you should too!
Northeast Animal Shelter resides in Salem, MA and was first introduced to me as the shelter where I adopted my cat of 16 years.
As an avid animal lover and activist, I love supporting this shelter as much as I can, most notably with my big Christmastime dropoff with food, gifts and hand-cut blankets for the pets in need.
Crush Kids’ Cancer: Archie’s Angels became a top fundraising team for Stand Up 2 Cancer in 2008, and has since raised nearly $100k for SU2C.
As a childhood cancer survivor, I joined the Crush Kids Cancer team at 17, during which I was named the President of the team’s Kids Chapter.
After raising over $20k during my first summer fundraiser and attending the 2012 SU2C live broadcast in Los Angeles, I’ve continued keeping the team thriving despite the deletion of our official SU2C team page.
An awesome dude I know named Adam Met launched Planet Reimagined in 2020, a nonprofit focusing on sustainability and fighting the climate crisis.
I had the opportunity to work behind the scenes on fan-run raffle fundraisers for the organization in both 2021 and 2022, which collectively raised over $7k.
After gaining a strong interest in politics in my mid-20s, I became a HeadCount volunteer, registering voters in
New England.
From 2019-2021, I registered dozens - from first-time voters to those needing to update their voter info - at unique places like Prides, my first Jonas Brothers concert, and a historic carousel’s birthday party.
I discovered Carolina Waterfowl Rescue when they were in desperate need of clasps to save turtle shells and I just happened to have a bunch of extras that I was able to send their way.
I’ve since followed and supported their mission of saving the lives of wildlife.
CONTACT
For business inquiries in either dance or writing, email:
ashleyamberauthor@gmail.com