Sharing stories of Adversity & Diversity

What Type of Writer is Gregory?

Gregory G. Allen is not an author to be placed in a box and told he can only write in one specific genre. He is drawn to a multitude of themes that are displayed over many types of genres: Abandonment, Addiction, Autism, Divorce, Foster Care, Equality, Religion, & Sexuality to name a few.

How people 'cope with' and 'overcome from' adversity in their lives is the common thread. No matter if they are adult books that are controversial and for adult eyes only or calling on his background in children's theater and writing for young eyes - he wants to create stories that show how someone can persevere and use tenacity to make their own personal journey.

Q&A:

Q: What genre would you say you write in?

A: I'm sorry, I can't answer the question.

Q: This is an interview, we need an answer.

A: Anyone looking at this website will notice I do not write in one particular style.

Q: So if we say your name, one type of writing won't come to mind - like so many of the great writers out there?

A: Not unless those writers started out writing musicals and stage plays. Had a huge background in children's theater and loved to cover diverse themes from homosexuality to autism - writing for both adults and children. Is there a box I can check for that genre?

Q: I'm asking the questions here. Who is your favorite actor?

A: I have several, but one that comes to mind is Johnny Depp.

Q: Why?

A: He can't be classified in one genre. The guy always thinks out of the box and throws himself into every character (from adult roles to things for children...hey..another reason I like him so much)!

Q: Who do you admire as a writer?

A: I've shared many novelist and authors I really admire in interviews before, but for you - I'm going to say the guys from South Park.

Q: Are you kidding?

A: No. I like that they don't care about playing by the rules, yet produce really wonderful works of art.

Q: South Park is a work of art?

A: To many people it is. And have you seen their Tony Award winning musical? Talk about not playing by the rules.

Q: What is an overriding trait about you?

A: When I tell a story - in writing or directing, etc...I like to give the unexpected. A protagonist must do X....a story must always Y. I can't write that way. Nor have I ever directed or produced that way for the stage. I directed the musical "La Cage" set in New Orleans, changed the time period for the musical "I Do! I Do!" and created an environment for "Kiss of the Spider Woman" that was more like Guantanamo Bay since it was in the news at that time.

Q: And has that carried over into your writing?

A: Absolutely. In my books, the guy may not always get the girl and the addict may not always kick his habit - but you'll get a story where that protagonist will give all they got to overcome whatever obstacle may be in their way.

Q: Has Greg had to overcome many obstacles?

A: Greg just keeps going and reinventing himself over and over - perhaps that's why my genre's are all over the place when I write.

Q: You go back to that subject - does it bother you that you'll never be Stephen King and known for one thing?

A: Not at all. I love reading in many genres as well as writing. So if one book leans itself towards mystery - I'll go there. And if I need to do chick-lit - I have no problem calling up my inner 'chick'. We all have favorite places to shop or restaurants to eat in. Do we always buy the same clothes or same food when we return? Favorites can thrive in variety. :-)

Alina Oswald Author/Freelance Writer Says:

"We've learned to expect unconventional and maybe even taboo elements from Allen. He is fearless in choosing his characters and their stories in order to tackle unsafe topics and territories."

Spring 2012: Patchwork of Me

Patchwork of Me

A product of the foster care system, Sara Butler spends her early thirties hiding from her past while striving for a normal life with her small group of quirky friends in Arizona. Seeking treatment for an invisible rash and abnormal dreams, her therapist helps her unlock a heinous past that she is unsure she wants to open. To patch her life back together, she realizes she must travel across country to Maine to confront that past in order to plan for a future.

Available in print & eBook April 15, 2012

ISBN: 9780983604945 (paperback)

Format: Trade Paperback & eBook

Genre: Fiction (312 pages)

Publisher: ASD Publishing

Price: $13.99 / $4.99

"Patchwork of Me, Gregory G. Allen’s poignant new novel about a young women searching for her identity, captivated me! Masterfully drawn characters – a damaged female protagonist and her fascinating, wonderfully generous “gay mafia” friends – bring an edgy, heartbreaking reality to this gripping journey across the country and into the past. But it’s Allen’s wisdom and insight – the hopeful message that it is up to us to shape our life and our future – that truly makes this book special. With Patchwork of Me, Greg Allen has made my short list of favorite authors!"

– Terri Giuliano Long

Author of In Leah’s Wake

"A page-turning, thought provoking, and addictive tale. Allen’s vivid characters are rich and real and thoroughly enjoyable."

-Spencer Seidel

Author of Dead of Wynter

"This book is for anyone who treasures friendship, asks big questions, looks for the truth, or simply enjoys a great story."

-Pamela Milam, MA, LPC

Author of What Your Therapist Really Thinks About You

“It's a kaleidoscope of unexpected twists and turns, emotional and psychological. It's soul-searching; self-discovering, humorous and romantic ... it's a Patchwork of Me!”

-Arthur Wooten

Author of Birthday Pie

Interviews/Guest Blogs

Well With My Soul PBS Interview Steve Adubato One-on-One

Well With My Soul Sirius Out Q Radio The Morning Jolt with Larry Flick

Reading and Chat on Edin Road Radio

Well With My Soul & Proud Pants Main Street Magazine

Well With My Soul Next Magazine

Book Brahmin Author Feature Shelf Awareness

Author Spotlight Morgen Bailey Blog

Well With My Soul Sole Focus Blog

On Writing & Projects Author Kergan Edwards-Stout Blog

Well With My Soul Great Minds Think Aloud

Well With My Soul Divine Caroline

Well With My Soul Bibrary Book Lust

Well With My Soul Blogher

Well With My Soul Associated Content

Well With My Soul American Chronicle

Well With My Soul Bonnie Kaye's BlogRadio

Well With My Soul Literal Exposure

Well With My Soul Pump Up Your Book

Well With My Soul Review From Here

Well With My Soul Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

Well With My Soul The Writer’s Life

Well With My Soul Broowaha

Well With My Soul WebShow The Khiry Palmer Show

Well With My Soul Back of Book Reviews

On Writing & Inspiration Morgen Bailey Writing Blog

Proud Pants Terri Guiliano Long Blog

Proud Pants Hawthorne Gazette

Proud Pants Indie Books Blog

Proud Pants Montclair Patch

Proud Pants Bloomfield Life

Proud Pants 1st Author Interview

Guest Blogs

Guest Blogging Edin Road Press

Guest Blogging at Shine

Guest Blogging Feeling a Draft

Reviews/Events

Well With My Soul Alaskan Book Cafe

Well With My Soul Great Minds Think Aloud

Well With My Soul A&U Magazine

Well With My Soul Author Arthur Wooten Blog

Well With My Soul Out In Jersey Magazine

Well With My Soul Reviews by Amos Lassen

Well With My Soul Author Kergan Edwards-Stout

Well With My Soul Libdrone Books

Well With My Soul iMiraculous!

Well With My Soul Lilac Wolf & Stuff

Well With My Soul Big Al's Books and Pals

Well With My Soul Author David G. Hallman

Proud Pants Blogcritics

Proud Pants Author Scott Morgan

Proud Pants Kritters Ramblings

Proud Pants Life Is Short - Write it All Down

Proud Pants Author Jack A. Urquhart

Proud Pants Reviews by Amos Lassen

Proud Pants Treasure or Trash

Proud Pants The New Book Review

Proud Pants Its Just Me-Wendy

Proud Pants Wall-to-Wall Books

Proud Pants Book Vacations Reviews

Proud Pants Author Arthur Wooten's Blog

Proud Pants Author David G. Hallman

Events

Dec 21: Krimson & Klover 5:00-7:00 pm book signing · 3111 Cole Avenue #101 · Dallas, TX 75204 Dallas Observer Article

Dec 22: Denison Public Library · 300 West Gandy Street · Denison, TX 75020 1:00-2:30pm Reading & discussion

Nov 19: The Pride Center of New Jersey · 85 Raritan Avenue, Suite 100 · Highland Park, NJ 08904 3:00 - 5:00 pm Reading/Book Signing

Nov 12: words! Bookstore · 612 Cookman Ave · Asbury Park NJ 4:00-6:00 pm Reading from Well With My Soul and book signing

Nov 5: Giovanni's Room · 5 South 12th Street · Philadelphia PA 5:30-7:00 pm Reading from Well With My Soul and book signing

Oct 30: Music at the Mansion · Oakside Cultural Center · 240 Belleville Ave · Bloomfield, NJ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Oct 18: Well With My Soul Book Signing · Well Read Books · 425 Lafayette Avenue · Hawthorne, NJ · 973.949.3440 6:30 pm

Oct 13: Well With My Soul Release Party The Stonewall Inn · 53 Christopher Street · New York, NY 10014 6:00-8:00 pm

Awards

Well With My Soul is a finalist in the Literary Fiction category of The USA "Best Books 2011" Awards, sponsored by

USA Book News

Well With My Soul has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for Debut Novel

Well With My Soul has been short-listed as a finalist for the Indie Lit Awards

Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Super Hero with Autism

received the most votes in both rounds of the MeeGenuis Author Challenge. Winners will be announced March 7.

Chicken Boy & MeeGenius Challenge

Chicken Boy The Amazing Adventures of a Super Hero with Autism has made it through the FINAL ROUND of voting where once again I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support which led this book to getting the most votes from the public. After 400 manuscripts in round one became 13 edited/illustrated books in round two, the entire challenge comes to a close on March 7 when winners will be announced! Thanks so much to everyone who voted and shared the story.

Special thanks to Dennis Culver who cleverly illustrated the book.

February:

BaristaKids: Chicken Boy Makes the Final Round

Montclair Times Managing Director Named a Finalist

Hawthorne Gazette Hawthorne Man's Book in Contest

Dallas Oberserver Children's Inspired Stories

Writer on the Road Inspiration in the Eyes of my Godson

December:

Bloomfield Patch: Author Raises Autism Awareness With "Chicken Boy"

Nutley Sun: Opinion: Vote for children's book

BaristaKids: Story of "Chicken Boy"

What People are Saying About Chicken Boy!!!

"I'm completely behind Chicken Boy and believe it would be a great door opener to so many people who have misunderstood Autism." - Texas

"Important that "normal" kids understand how autistic children "see" every day life." - New Jersey

"Thank you for putting autism in the perspective that everyone can understand. Understanding leads to acceptance!"

"I think this book is not only enlightening for children but for many adults as well." - New York

"I work with, and advocate for, autistic children and their families. I wish I could hand this book to each new family as they tell me their son or daughter has just been diagnosed with Autism." - California

"Every teacher should be aware of this book & should read it in every class at every grade level. There are a lot of children now being mainstreamed in to regular classes & this would bring so much awareness." - New Jersey

"I work with autistic children and this story portrayed a deeper understanding of the special mind of a child with autism." - Illinois

"What a sweet touching yet true and funny way of appreciating and loving a child for who he is." - New York