About Amy

I was born in Bronxville, New York, and spent my childhood summers by the ocean in Wainscott (Town of East Hampton), New York. In 1981, my husband Ed and I moved to East Hampton on a one-year "sabbatical" from our New York City law jobs and fell in love with its relatively quiet year-round life. Forty years later, we still live in East Hampton (though much has changed here). Our two sons, who grew up in East Hampton's beautiful natural surroundings, now live in two different cities. Recently, Ed and I welcomed Fred, a hound mix rescue puppy from Georgia, into our household. Showing intense interest in my writing, Fred has become my "Freditor" but sometimes chews over my sentences so thoroughly that there's nothing left.

After graduating from high school, I deferred my admission to Connecticut College and spent a school year at the fledgling University of the New World in Haute-Nendaz, Switzerland. Founded by an NYU professor, it was to be an educational utopia. Although the school didn't survive the year, just living in Europe at 18 was an invaluable education.

I graduated from Boston University with a degree in political science and then from New York Law School with a Juris Doctor. I practiced law (rather unhappily but with no regrets) for 22 years, first in New York City and then in East Hampton. At 48, I finally found the courage to change careers and become a (very happy) seventh grade social studies teacher. A longtime meditator (thanks to my brother Harold, who urged me to start TM) and avid reader, I also love to body surf and bike. 

On July 10, 2010, I was mowed down by a pickup truck in the middle of a pedestrian crosswalk. Although I can't quite say I'm grateful for the accident, it propelled me on a remarkable emotional journey for which I am very grateful and led to the fulfillment of my lifelong dream to write. On the Ledge is my first book.