Hi, I’m Aly.

I'm a writer, editor, trauma-informed facilitator, and former touring songwriter.

When I was 21, I was offered my first paid gig. At the time, I'd only written two songs, and the gig called for two hours. 

I took it anyway. 
 
I got offered another gig. And then another. I dropped out of college and moved Austin to build a career as a singer-songwriter. Over ten years, I played over 900 shows in every bar, theatre and glorified McDonalds that offered drink tickets and stage time. I taught myself to play the guitar, piano, ukulele, and vihuela.  Booked tours in ten countries and crashed on more floors and couches than my mother would care to know.

I also co-produced and released three albums - most recently, Hungry Ghost (2017). Every album was launched independently, funded by the fans and friends I made on the road (you know who you are). My music has been featured on NPR, Interview, Paste Magazine, The Village Voice, and USAToday,  among others. 

A few years back, I started writing stories. I earned my BA in Creative Writing from The New School and transitioned from playing music to crafting essays, and eventually, helping trauma survivors heal at The Crime Victims Treatment Center, a wonderful NYC-based nonprofit. My writing got published in places like The New York Times, The Modern Love Podcast, Narratively, and The Brooklyn Rail.

Now I’m wrapping up my MFA in Creative Nonfiction at Queens College, teaching writing, and finishing a collection of essays about relationships, recovery, and the backroads to healing. This newsletter is where many of those essays will appear first.

Why subscribe?

By subscribing, you’ll be supporting my original work. Many of these I’ve spent months, weeks, sometimes even years refining and editing. They’re stories about mental health, trauma recovery—and if you’re the nosy type, about my explorations into BDSM, polyamory, and sobriety. I could sell these stories, but instead of waiting for a magazine editor on high to decide they’re worthy, I’m sharing them directly with you. My most curated, personal stories will be subscriber-only, so upgrade to a paid subscription here:

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