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Jan Allison Biography

Thought I better get round to writing a bit about myself.

I'm married and live on the Isle of Man

My poetry journey began in November 2013 after my husband was diagnosed with cancer. The first poem I wrote was called was Splendid Isolation. This was written after we returned to the Isle of Man after his surgery in England. I felt so alone and vulnerable in the accommodation - all I really needed was someone to talk to face to face and maybe have a hug! I posted a few poems on a friends facebook page - mainly humerous poems . An on-line friend Jenny Brewer saw my poems and kept telling me to join here. It took about 3 weeks of her asking me if i had joined to pluck up the courage to finally post and 'Just Desserts' was the first poem I posted here - it is based on a true experience! Since then my life has been a whirl. In Jared Pickett's collaboration I teamed up with Darren Watson and we wrote together collaboratively as JaDazzle United.

I adore penguins - the animals not the biscuits!
Loveeeee tall men with greying hair
I love baking/cooking
I like to potter in the garden - need more time to commit to it but have an aged mother who needs me more than my garden does
Adore most types of music - will give anything a listen
Best ever gig - Knebworth 1986 when 'Queen' headlined

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A giggle a day ... Exciting news

Blog Posted by Jan Allison: 1/20/2024 6:58:00 AM

Hi Soupers

I have some exciting news to share

On Tuesday I was interviewed by Howard Caine at Manx Radio about my poetry journey and also to publicise my ‘A giggle a day ...can chase the blues away’ poetry book. It was great fun to chat about my poetry style for the book, which Howard described as ‘Saucy Seaside Humour.’ The interview forms part of a podcast for a programme called ‘Spotlight’ My interview is about 10 minutes into the show, there may be part 2 next week as my piece is about 8 minutes long and a lot more was recorded. I am indebted to Howard Caine at Manx radio for permitting me to post the link in a blog.

https://www.manxradio.com/podcasts/spotlight/episode/spotlight-17-january-2024

A newspaper article is also in the pipeline!

The book is selling well both on Amazon UK and USA and is available in both paperback and kindle formats. Since 10^th Janaury I have sold 40 books locally – many people are asking for extra copies for friends and family. So I have another 20 more ordered.

Hugs Jan

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Linda Alice Fowler

January 23, 2024 at 3:38 PM

Hi Jan. I went to the podcast and skipped halfway till you came on - what a great interview! You did so well! Congratulations on your successes and future book release! :)

January 24, 2024 at 3:47 PM

Thanks for the lovely comment Linda:-) And if I can self publish a book then anyone can! :-) hugs Jan xx

Constance La France

January 23, 2024 at 11:35 AM

Jan, congratulations on the success of your book, Constance

Constance La France

January 23, 2024 at 11:46 AM

I liked your voice too... lovely !

January 23, 2024 at 11:39 AM

Thanks so much Constance, I've had my first sale in Canada now , the book is selling well at home and I've had to order another batch as people are purchasing books as gifts:-) I'm waiting to hear if another part of the podcast will be broadcast as Howard only used a section of what we recorded:-) hugs Jan xx

Regina Mcintosh

January 22, 2024 at 1:46 AM

Amazing. Congratulations sweet friend. God bless you on your writing journey and publishing journey. Much love, Gina

January 22, 2024 at 6:00 AM

Thanks so much Regina, I have had notification I've just sold my first copy in Canada and another one in the USA yesterday (it takes a few days for the info to show on the booksales page) I have 4 more copies to take to the coffee shop tomorrow as people are buying one and then requesting additional copies to give as gifts, in fact one friend got one for herself, read the first few pages and sent it to her brother for his 70th birthday! I was always led to believe poetry books don't sell, and it has never been about money, i self published to say I DID IT, and i am so so so proud my silly humour book has been so well received:-) hugs jan xx

January 21, 2024 at 12:20 PM

I enjoyed hearing the interview from the “Queen of Poop.” Too funny! It was nice to hear the sound of your voice. I bet you will sell many! Glad you found your niche!

January 21, 2024 at 1:39 PM

Thanks Kim, I'm confident in front of the microphone and Howard is so friendly and loves scatological humour so it was a perfect combination lol:-) hugs jan x

January 21, 2024 at 11:45 AM

Sorry I’m only seeing your blog now Jan, I don’t read them very much, I’m totally delighted your book has been received so well since publishing, I had a listen on the link you provided, and I must say I’m very impressed, you were eloquent, natural, and totally unfazed by your moment in the spotlight, I wish you all the best with a #2 on the way, that doesn’t sound right, but you know what I mean lol! Cheers David

January 21, 2024 at 1:38 PM

lol David yes, I've not missed the opportunity that #2 is perfect for my next book of toilet humour lol:-) hugs Jan xx

January 21, 2024 at 5:34 AM

Jan , I am so happy for you! That is indeed so very exciting! Looking forward to hearing you!

January 21, 2024 at 6:40 AM

I hope you enjoy the pod cast - some on line friends in the Uk say I sound 'posh' lol:-) My best friend Chris says she is so proud of me - comments like make me so thrilled - i have come a long way as a total novice to poetry - i had never even heard of haiku let alone written them and had several published in haiku journals but to have my own poetry book is something I never ever would have dreamed of:-) hugs Jan xx

January 21, 2024 at 5:26 AM

Congratulations, Jan! That is so exciting! I will try to listen a little later today! Looking forward to it! xx

January 21, 2024 at 6:37 AM

Thanks so much Kim, it has been an amazing experience - who would have thought that I as a total newbie to poetry 10 years ago would end up publishing a book and working on #2.:-) hugs jan xx

January 21, 2024 at 12:26 AM

Awesome,,you deserve it. Loved hearing the podcast. Hugs your way

January 21, 2024 at 6:34 AM

thanks so much Eve, i know you have self published on Amazon too, it is so exciting when you get the first proof copy in your hands, it was like a new baby, I kept looking at it and holding it lol , but like a baby it 'grew and changed' into the book that I finally published:-) hugs Jan xx

January 20, 2024 at 4:11 PM

Im so proud and so happy for you Jan!! You have so many talents, writing and speaking etc… I wish you continued success with this book and the ones to come. Well done my friend!!!

January 21, 2024 at 6:32 AM

Aww thanks Mark, its so wonderful to have published via Amazon - I ldidn't look into how much it would cost to self publish on the Island after i found out the postage costs to send a book to the USA it would cost £23.23 $29.51 by post and £47.79 $60.71 by courier!

Andrea Dietrich

January 20, 2024 at 4:09 PM

So I went and fast forwarded to your part, Jan. SO COOL to hear your English accent. You really do not even sound to me as I had imagined (I mean the tone of your voice. I was thinking you would even SOUND funny. haha). I've heard Constance's voice too and maybe its the accent that makes me surprised. Both of you have a wonderful speaking voice. I remember your Just Dessert poem that you recited. So long ago, huh? Big congrats on your success

January 21, 2024 at 6:28 AM

Thanks so much Andrea, its been a long time since i did my hospital radio show and at one time I did look at becoming a radio show host for real! hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

January 20, 2024 at 3:54 PM

what wonderful success you are having. I still intend to buy the book. I just need to get hold of an Amazon card because I don't dare use my own bank card online . Twice I had my identity stolen this past year or two. Let me go see the interview now!!

January 22, 2024 at 6:02 AM

Thanks Andrea, from my own experience I do find Amazon is a very secure site indeed but you are wise to be cautious:-) hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

January 21, 2024 at 3:07 PM

I will get an Amazon card prepaid soon. I really do want to order your book.

January 21, 2024 at 6:26 AM

Oh gee Andrea its scary how accounts can be hacked, we have been lucky so far but I know of others who have had thousands taken from their bank account. Hugs Jan xx

January 20, 2024 at 12:33 PM

Jan, as one of your BFFs, I am beyond proud of the way you followed through with getting your poems published. We often talked about it in the last few years and now it's come to fruition... and very successful! Listening to you speak so confidently and read your poem with proper emotions had me smiling, Chick. I can think of no better way to applaud you than to write a limerick....Jan, our Queen of Poop has a sexy voice... Crowned as Limerick Queen, she is our choice...But oh my lordy... Some are quite bawdy...Book sales are good ~ she's getting a Rolls Royce!

January 20, 2024 at 4:34 PM

You do you, and never mind everyone else.

January 20, 2024 at 1:31 PM

I've got to thank my mockers and blockers Lin because it just made me determined to write even more poop, earlier this year I saw sarky comments about people who write poop - well I'm flushed with the success of a giggle a day and be pre warned my next book is on toilet humour lol:-) hugs jan xx

January 20, 2024 at 1:12 PM

The credit is yours, Jan. I'll post the limerick for you. But you know, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. I'd bet even your naysayers who chastised you for writing 'poop poetry' read some of your posts. I hope they giggled.

January 20, 2024 at 12:54 PM

Aww Lin your support both on and off soup means the world to me, I can only say a massive thank you:-) You should post that limerick on soup - deserves poem of the year or make it into a collab lol lol - when I started the book process I thought only an idiot would do a challenge of 366 poems in a first self publication but i did it with your help and the book was done for one reason and one reason only - to say I DID IT, it has never been about money as I was told people don't buy poetry books - pah what twaddle ...but then again perhaps my humour book may just buck the trend, Maybe in a few years time I will be able to run to a dinky toy model of a rolls royce lol. :-) hugs Jan xx

Christina Bowring

January 20, 2024 at 12:08 PM

So pleased for you sweetie - and your friends here are very proud of you! That’s a great interview. I agree with Craig- you handled that interview very, very well and your recital was polished. I can hear a slight accent and I love it. Your voice is so soft and gentle with immaculate diction. I think you could have your own radio show with your own guests! Lovely to finally hear your voice. I thought it was a lovely touch to mention Soup and a special nod to Lin. Well done and keep going …. You deserve it. Big congratulatory hugs from me xx :):)

January 20, 2024 at 12:30 PM

Thanks so much Christina, when we lived in the UK I had my own hospital radio show so I'm relaxed in front of the microphone but being interviewed was a totally different ball game, Howard put me at my ease and as we share a similar scatalogical sense of humour it was really fun to do and he is so charming and easy to talk to. I won't know until next week if he had time to edit for part 2. Lin has been with me every step of the way during this project, Her editing advice has been invaluable as was her support along with Tom Mark Tania and Art and Jack Horne and also Terry Flood (for his publishing advice) especially during some very challenging times recently when my hubby's cancer returned

Natasha L Scragg

January 20, 2024 at 11:41 AM

Awe, wow! Huge congrats Jan!! This such an amazing achievement. Must look out for your book on Amazon. :-D

January 20, 2024 at 11:59 AM

Thanks so much Natasha:-) be warned the humour is somewhat risque lol but the book does carry a warning on both the front and back covers and if you find it on Amazon via a laptop there are 'sample poems' for 6 pages and about 12 pages of titles so you can see exactly what sort of humour the poems contain, I appreciate my style isn't for everyone but the feedback I have had has been amazing:-) hugs Jan xx

January 20, 2024 at 10:33 AM

Wow Jan - I must advise those who read this to copy and paste and listen to the interview! You're more than a talented writer Jan, your performance art for recitation is excellent as well - I LOVE your British accent, it's charming - all the best to you my dear - well deserved!!

January 20, 2024 at 10:49 AM

Wow, thanks so much Craig that is praise indeed! There were no retakes for the recording, although it was edited and if time allows there will be part 2 next week as there was a lot of chat and 2 more poems from the book, the 3 were poems chosen by Howard so they were suitable for broadcasting:-) The 'Just Desserts' poem is very special as it was the first one I posted on soup as I wanted to be known for my humour, and I can recite it off by heart. Not only is it a true story but I performed it at a charity event in November 2016 on stage in front of 600 people including my mum lol. Not bad for a poop poet who hated poetry at school and had never been on stage in her life :-) hugs jan x

January 20, 2024 at 10:37 AM

By-the-by...very few poets who recite their poems do it justice, where your readings are professional quality!

Anne-Lise Andresen

January 20, 2024 at 7:13 AM

- So exciting... congratulations, Jan !!!! - hugs

January 20, 2024 at 7:30 AM

I would never have dreamed i would write poetry as i loathed it at school - how my husband's cancer has changed my life and now I have a book and am working on a second one on toilet humour lol - proof a leopard can change its spots lol

January 20, 2024 at 7:12 AM

Big congratulations to you Jan, it's only because of you that I learnt the limerick form. Tom

January 20, 2024 at 7:29 AM

aww thanks Tom, I'm so glad i inspired you to write them, I learned the form from Roy Jerden on the site:-) hugs jan xx

January 20, 2024 at 7:02 AM

Jan, congratulations, so excited for you! I have so much respect and admiration, it was a huge step and a great accomplishment and what a great interview! I learned how to write limericks from you, the best! Hugs

January 20, 2024 at 7:28 AM

Thanks Tania, I know you have purchased the book and enjoying the humour which of course isn't to everyone's taste hence the warning on the front and back cover and the sample poems on amazon make it perfectly clear of that the content of the book is a little risque. Incidentally, I learned to write the limerick style from Roy Jerden - Isn't it wonderful how we can inspire other poets to have fun and write limericks and your contests always get my creative juices flowing - you know me so well, I just can't resist writing the limerick form :-) hugs Jan xx

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