Alison Wells Author

Head Above Water – Writing, Headspace, Creativity, Verve

Head Above Water Blog – Writing, Headspace, Creativity, Verve

  • Head Above Water Blog: My Debut short story collection Random Acts of Optimism released September 2023!

    Fantastic news: September publication of my debut short story collection! Readers of the Head above Water blog will have followed my story since 2009 of writing endeavours, resilience and persistence, shortlists and near misses. I have written alongside raising a family, challenging circumstances, a new job in public libraries and a Masters by night in

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  • The Writer’s Eye, Short story opps and more

    I’m talking about observance, ideas and the special qualities that individual writers can bring to our sense and story making of this world. As regards writing, finding stories, I do not believe in waiting for the muse, life is out there, stories are everywhere. Creativity often comes about purely by the juxtaposition of material or

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  • Are you looking for something in our Fiction store? (YES! YES I AM!)

    Are you looking for something in our Fiction store? the email asks. Actually I’m doing everything I can to stop looking in your fiction store because there are so many books I want to read that I’ll soon own enough books to build a house of books and the walls will hold me up and

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  • Diana Bletter: The fascinating story of The Mom Who Took Off on Her Motorcycle

    I like to share on this blog stories of how people strive and find ways of achieving their writing goals over time. During January when I posted on creative and mental resilience I came in contact with many likeminded people who are oriented towards findiing energy and creative resourcefullness in their lives. One of these

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  • Crannóg 32 – a new story in this great independent publisher’s new anthology

    Crannóg is a well regarded and renowned literary magazine in Ireland that recently celebrated its 10th year. Established by writers Tony O’ Dwyer and Geraldine Burkes’ publishing house Words on the Street, Crannóg provides publication opportunities to International authors of short fiction and poetry. Crannóg 32 launches tomorrow night March 1st upstairs at the Crane

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  • The Joy of Self-publishing and Creative Sparks

    Today I’m talking to Diana Bletter on her blog about Putting Joy and Energy in Our Lives, specifically I wanted to share why self-publishing Housewife with a Half-Life – a heartwarming book I believe in –  was a joyful and optimistic step and how I hope to maintain this joy and energy in my work

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  • Housewife saves the universe for free

    I’m delighted to have received a mention on the RTE Tubridy radio show this morning by Vanessa O’ Loughlin of Writing.ie. As she explained my book HOUSEWIFE WITH A HALF-LIFE will be free for just today and tomorrow Feb 19th – 20th Amazon US Amazon UK Eat Pray Love meets Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy!

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  • Strange tales of love and desire

    Given the week that’s in it I thought I’d mention these tales of love and desire. It doesn’t come naturally to shout out about my stories but I’m proud of these and some of them have been published in reputable places and longlisted in major competitions and I’d be happy to have you read them.

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  • Free e-book sample of 14 Middle Grade Books!

    I’m pleased to pass on news of a free book promotion and competition organised by Sally Harris,author of the fab Diary of a Penguin Napper. WIN A KINDLE FIRE (Value of $159!) WIN A $10 AMAZON GIFTCARD! WIN GREAT MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS! Download this e-book, find the secret phrase, and enter it into the contest

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  • Heart Potato

      ‘Oh yes,’ said Fairly Dave. ‘It’s commonly known that there’s too much obesity among tellies hanging round looking at couch potatoes – although they are very interesting. It’s not that often you find a potato in the shape of a couch – not since the supermarkets conspired in that ‘campaign for beautiful vegetables’. And

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  • 10,000 ideas for a story

    As many of you know I decided in January to write 31 posts (with the help of some brilliant guest posters) on creative and mental resilience. Well what has happened is that with the particular orientation and outlook that that endeavour gave me I have developed more of an eye and awareness for interesting articles,

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Welcome to my Head above Water blog! I’m Alison, writer, mother and public librarian with a background in Communication Studies and Psychology. I have a particular interest in creative resilience, motivation and how nature and wonder can restore us. In my day job I run book clubs and creative events for children and adults.

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