A published author since the 1980s, Allen is also well known as an editor, poet, writing tutor, critic and judge of literary competitions. He is the author or editor of 11 published books, the most recent of which is “Dreaming Spheres: Poems of the Solar System” written in collaboration with Sarah Doyle (PS Publishing 2014). His other books are the novel “The Planet Suite” (TTA Press, 1997); three short story collections; one book of non-fiction; and five anthologies as editor, including “The Elastic Book Of Numbers” (Elastic Press, 2005), for which he won the British Fantasy Society award for Best Anthology in 2006. Allen is the current judge for the British Fantasy Society’s annual short story competition. As a creative writing tutor, he runs five groups for adults across north London including Clockhouse London Writers. He is also co-host of Rhyme & Rhythm Jazz-Poetry Club at the Dugdale Theatre, Enfield.

Allen has a wealth of experience and expertise as a writer, poet, editor, tutor, judge and public performer. Allen also works as a professional creative writing tutor for adults. Allen currently has five regular groups running across north London. He has groups which are suitable for beginner writers, returning writers and those who want to achieve more success and satisfaction from their writing. These groups run at Alexandra Park Library, Enfield Town Library, The Bull Theatre Barnet and Central Library Islington. Over the course of a term, writers will work on fiction, poetry, flash fiction and non-fiction under Allen’s expert guidance. Many writers who have joined these groups have achieved their first publication and/or competition success since signing up. Writers from these groups have won or been highly placed in competitions including English Pen and Arvon “Made Up Words” competition; “Graffiti” magazine fiction competition; The Pre-Raphaelite Society poetry competition; “SAPL: 2012 – What A Year” poetry competition; “Playing Bingo” fiction competition; and “Words for the Wounded” competition. Writers have been published in print and online anthologies and magazines including “Hauntings” Edited by Hannah Kate (Hic Dragones Books), “Spokes” (Otely Word Feast Press), “Wordland” (Exaggerated Press), “Tube Flash at www.thecasket.co.uk; “Boscombe Revolution”, NUHA blogging site and publications from Kind of a Hurricane Press (USA) – “Tic Toc”, “A Touch of Saccharine”. The publication “Life is a Roller Coaster” from Kind of a Hurricane Press (2014) features writers from four of Allen’s groups. Allen also runs the successful group Clockhouse London Writers. Web address:

http://clockhouselondonwriters.wordpress.com/

Clockhouse London Writers is an advanced group with a particular focus on science fiction, fantasy, slipstream and horror. Since its inaugural meeting in October 2012, the group has achieved publication success in many prestigious venues as a direct result of work undertaken at meetings. These include but are not limited to: magazines and web-based publications “The British Fantasy Society Journal”, “Sein und Werden”, “Holdfast”, “Synaesthesia”, “Theaker’s Quarterly”, “The London Literary Project”, “Wordland” (Exaggerated Press), “Tube Flash at www.thecasket.co.uk, Kind of a Hurricane Press (USA) – “A Touch of Saccharine” and “Life is a Roller Coaster”; as well as the anthologies “Another 100 Horrors” edited by Kevin G. Bufton (Cruentus Libri Press); “No Monsters Allowed” (Edited by Alex Davis (Boo Books), “Hauntings” Edited by Hannah Kate (Hic Dragones Books), “Breaking the Rules” Edited by Alex Davis (Boo Books) and “The Alchemy Press Book of Pulp Heroes” Edited by Mike Chinn (Alchemy Press),

To enquire about or join one of Allen’s groups, please email Allen on: allenashley-writer@hotmail.co.uk