Allison Mitcham
When Allison Mitcham was a girl her mother, a writer, advised her against taking up writing as a career. Apparently, the advice didn't stick. Allison Mitcham now has 26 books to her name. Her work ranges from poetry, to fiction, to historical studies. She has even, in collaboration with her veterinarian daughter, written two books on goats.
For much of her work, Allison draws her inspiration from the maritime setting. Originally from Saskatchewan, she came to New Brunswick to do her Master's degree at UNB Fredericton. She completed her PhD at UNB as well, and taught literature for 20 years at University of Moncton. It is Sackville that she considers home though. She has lived in the town for 47 years and with her husband, Peter, has raised three children here.
Allison Mitcham retired from teaching in 1987, but her writing career has never stopped flourishing. She won the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor Award in 1994 for her book TAKU. Maritime Voices and Angels in the Snow were both published in 2000. A new novel, Strange Lights, is due to be released this fall, and she is currently at work on a children's book and a book of short stories.
Contrary to dissuading her children from taking up writing, Allison Mitcham shares her passion for writing with her family. Her husband, Peter, and her daughter Naomi have both contributed illustrations for Allison's books. Her son is a historical writer, who has just finished penning his first work. And, as mentioned above, her daughter the veterinarian can't even shake the literary bug.
Sackville is proud to count such an accomplished writer among its citizens, and we are relieved that Allison Mitcham didn't take her mother's advice.