About Allie (she/her)
Vancouver Island and its waters are the inspiration for almost everything I write. I feel humbled and fortunate to live here, and am always attempting to pursue reconciliation and a deeper understanding of how to dismantle colonialism both externally and internally.
(photo by Laura Paul)
I was born and raised on the stolen lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen), and other Coast Salish Peoples, also known as Vancouver and Delta B.C. I have lived in the town of Sooke on the land of the T’Sou-ke People since 2010, with the exception of three years in the Cayman Islands. I have two amazing children and a cute dog, and enjoy hiking, biking, wild water swimming (when I’m not too cold), paddleboarding, and sitting still, particularly in the woods.
I studied music formally from ages 3 to 22, receiving my ARCT diploma (Toronto) and Bachelor of Music (UVic) in Piano Performance. I also read thousands of books and filled dozens of journals along the way. My passion for music has had me involved in teaching, performing, choral accompanying, songwriting, chamber and orchestral music, and editing, and I have also enjoyed the proofreading and editing of words in various formats. Writing poetry is a more recent pursuit.
Publications &c:
i, nemophile — debut poetry collection released on 10 November 2023
Sea & Cedar Magazine, Summer 2021 and Summer 2023
runner-up in the 2022 Loud Coffee Press Haiku Contest
“Poetry Pause” by the League of Canadian Poets
editorial board member for the Collected Songs of Poldowski Volumes 1 and 2 by Hildegard Publishing Company
contributing editor for FOLKLIFE Magazine Volumes 5 and 6
honourable mention in the 2022 Delta Literary Arts Society Poetry Contest
Sooke Poetry Walk participating poet 2022
