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 19 published books, the most recent of which is “Journey to the Centre of the Onion” (Eibonvale Press, 2023). Other notable works include: “Dreaming Spheres: Poems of the Solar System” written in collaboration with Sarah Doyle (PS Publishing 2014); the novel “The Planet Suite” (TTA Press, 1997; revised and reprinted Eibonvale Press, 2016); three short story collections; one book of non-fiction; and ten 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 was the sole judge for the British Fantasy Society’s annual short story competition from 2012-2019. He was President of the British Fantasy Society for two years. He was co-host with Sarah Doyle of Rhyme & Rhythm Jazz-Poetry Club at the Dugdale Theatre, Enfield, which ran from 2013-2016. As a creative writing tutor, he runs two in-person groups for adults across north London and the online science fiction and fantasy group Clockhouse London Writers.

Allen has a wealth of experience and expertise as a writer, poet, editor, tutor, literary judge and public performer. Allen also works as a professional creative writing tutor for adults. Allen currently has two regular in-person groups running in north London. These groups are suitable for beginner writers, returning writers and those who want to achieve more success and satisfaction from their writing. These groups are Bowes Spark Writers and Enfield Town Library group. 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” (Otley Word Feast Press), “Wordland” (Exaggerated Press), “Tube Flash at www.thecasket.co.uk, “Boscombe Revolution”, “BFS Horizons” (British Fantasy Society publication), “The World of Myth”, 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 at that time. “Pause for Paws issue 18” (2025) features writers from Bowes Spark Writers. Allen also runs the successful online SFF 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”, “The World of Myth”, “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). Writers from Clockhouse have been reprinted in “The Best of British SF” anthologies from NewCon Press and have been favourably reviewed in “The Morning Star” and “The Sun”. One current member is a recipient of a Saboteur Award.

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