Amy Milton, who earned a graduate degree from UMSL in 2013, made the alternative newsweekly’s annual Best of St. Louis issue this fall for proving “that nothing is funnier than honesty.” (Photo courtesy of Amy Milton)

Amy Milton is a fiction writer, a University of Missouri–St. Louis alumna and a stand-up comic. She’s also one of 75 reasons that the Riverfront Times loves St. Louis.

This past week, the publication praised Milton’s comedic work – particularly her one-woman show “GOOD” – in its annual Best Of St. Louis issue. “Because Amy Milton Proves That Nothing Is Funnier Than Honesty,” the headline read.

The RFT’s Thomas Crone described Milton’s show, which she performed recently at St. Lou Fringe, as “a darkly funny, first-person reflection” on topics including cults, drugs and family stress. “You know, the fun stuff,” he quipped.

“Though Milton is understated in her delivery, her material digs deep – very deep – and touches on the complicated family dynamics that most audience members can appreciate, even if Milton’s family takes things to the next level,” Crone wrote. “Telling those stories honestly can be a trick.”

Earning her MFA in creative writing from UMSL in 2013, Milton first moved to St. Louis in order to pursue that degree in 2010.

“I had workshops with some very intelligent and talented people, and reading their work and receiving their feedback made me see my bad habits and strive to work harder,” she told UMSL Daily, looking back on the impact of her studies at UMSL. “The most important thing I took from the program was the value of emotional honesty, which I’ve tried to bring to my comedy writing.”

She discussed with Crone the overlap between her fiction writing and what works on the comedy stage. To read the Riverfront Times piece, which also makes mention of several of Milton’s upcoming appearances around town this fall, click here.