

Interior, Mission San Francisco de Borja Adac, Baja California. Photo by the author.
A DESERT
BETWEEN
TWO SEAS
Coming Sept 15, 2025, published by the University of Georgia Press

WINNER OF THE FLANNERY O'CONNOR AWARD FOR SHORT FICTION
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A. Muia is the author of A Desert Between Two Seas, a novel in linked stories set in 19th century Baja California, Mexico. The novel won the 2024 Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction and is forthcoming September 15, 2025 with the University of Georgia Press. Her stories and articles have appeared in literary journals across the U.S. Her work has been anthologized in the Orison Anthology, and nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
She facilitates writing workshops with youth in juvenile detention through Underground Writing, and co-founded New Earth Recovery, a nonprofit providing a residential program to those recovering from substance use disorder. For fourteen years she served as a chaplain in the Skagit County Jail, and for many years she worked as an advocate for Mexican immigrant farm workers in Skagit Valley, Washington.
She holds a degree in Spanish language, a master's in teaching English to speakers of other languages, a post-graduate certificate in Writing Literary Fiction from the University of Washington, and an MFA in creative writing from Seattle Pacific University.

A.MUIA
BOOK EVENTS
ELLIOTT BAY BOOKS, SEATTLE, WA | Monday, September 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm
1521 10th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122 | 206-624-6600
Join author Amy Muia for a book launch and signing as she shares stories of her research among mission ruins along the Camino Real in Baja California, Mexico, along with selected readings from her new novel, A Desert Between Two Seas. A free event. RSVP link coming soon.
VILLAGE BOOKS, BELLINGHAM, WA | Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 2:00 pm
1200 11th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 | 360-671-2626
Join author Amy Muia for a book launch and signing as she shares stories of her research among mission ruins along the Camino Real in Baja California, Mexico, along with selected readings from her new novel, A Desert Between Two Seas. $5.00 general admission, or free with book purchase. Click the button for tickets through Eventbrite.
MOUNT VERNON, WA CITY LIBRARY | Thursday October 16, 2025 at 5:30 pm
208 W Kincaid Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Join author Amy Muia for a book launch and signing as she shares stories of her research among mission ruins along the Camino Real in Baja California, Mexico, along with selected readings from her new novel, A Desert Between Two Seas. A free event. Books available for purchase, or pre-order at the links above.
CALVIN FESTIVAL OF FAITH AND WRITING | April 16-18, 2026
Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
Visiting fiction speaker. Topics TBA.
NORTHERN STATE HOSPITAL EVENTS
SEDRO-WOOLLEY MUSEUM | FOR THE LOVE OF NORTHERN STATE EVENT | Saturday June 7, 2025 at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm
727 Murdock St, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
Step into the headlines of history with Northern State Hospital researcher Amy Muia as she explores the most talked-about stories from the earliest days of the hospital in 1909 to its closing in 1973. Discover how news coverage reflected changing treatments and philosophies, uncover scandals both real and rumored, learn about notable patients and staff, and hear surprising stories that offer a rare glimpse into life at one of Washington's most renowned institutions. A free event. More info at https://www.sedro-woolleymuseum.org/
PUBLIC HISTORY DAY at NORTHERN STATE HOSPITAL | Saturday July 26, 2025 from 9:30-4:00
SWIFT Center (Northern State Hospital Campus)
A full day of events, including a presentation by Amy Muia on the general history of Northern State at 10:00 am, and guided tours of the former Colman women's ward. More information HERE.