Allen R. Wells is an accomplished author, engineer, and advocate for inclusion and representation in children’s literature. Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Allen discovered his passion for storytelling at a young age, inspired by his second-grade teacher who introduced him to journaling. This early spark fueled a lifelong journey to create impactful stories that empower young readers.
A graduate of Tennessee State University, Allen holds a degree in Architectural Engineering and has built a successful career as a mechanical design engineer specializing in building systems. He balances his engineering profession with his passion for writing, merging creativity and logic in every aspect of his work.
Allen’s literary focus is on creating safe, imaginative spaces for children and young adults, particularly those from underrepresented communities. His books celebrate diversity, foster empathy, and inspire readers to embrace their uniqueness. Some of his notable works include “It’s Pride, Baby!”, a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride for young readers, and “Danté Plays His Blues”, an inspiring story about a boy finding hope through music while facing housing insecurity.
When he’s not writing or designing, Allen enjoys exploring nature, traveling, and connecting with readers at events and workshops. Allen aims to empower young minds, one story at a time through his work.
The Journey: My Path to Publishing
My path to publishing has been anything but straightforward. It’s been full of waiting, revising, learning, and leaning on the right people at the right time. Writing has always been a part of me, but turning it into a career? That took patience, persistence, and community.
Over 13 years ago, when I joined the SCBWI Midsouth Region, I was stepping into a world I wanted to be part of but didn’t fully understand yet. Back then, SCBWI still communicated through the Listserv, and the first person to reach out to me was Alice Faye Duncan. I had no idea at the time how much that message would shape my journey. Alice the Great became more than a mentor—she became a friend, a big sister who always reminded me to keep going. From our prayer calls to writing check-ins to completely random conversations where we just talked about life, she’s
been there. Her presence in my journey made the road feel a little less lonely and much more possible.
But publishing isn’t just about knowing people—it’s about doing the work. I started querying agents in college, which made things tricky. Conferences and workshops weren’t always an option, so I had to be patient. I had my eye on Erin, my now-agent, for a while, but her agency was closed to submissions unless you met her at an industry event. So, I waited. And when the opportunity finally came through a Black Creators in Kid Lit session, I jumped on it.
Querying is often called a waiting game, but that doesn’t do it justice. It’s more like an obsessive refresh cycle. The second I hit send, my inbox became my most visited website—daily, hourly, by the minute. It took about four to five months between my initial query and the call, but that wasn’t just on my agent’s end. I took my time revising the additional manuscripts I sent over, making sure they were the best versions of themselves.
And then the Zoom call. I was nervous—blinking way too much nervous. I stumbled over my words, probably repeating myself more than necessary, and I swear I forgot how to breathe at one point. But Erin saw past all of that. She saw my passion for storytelling and the vision I had for my work, and—most importantly—she got it. That was the moment I knew I had found the right agent.
Publishing is a long game. There were moments of doubt, when I questioned whether my stories would ever find a home, but I held onto why I started in the first place.
Now, as a published author, I know the journey doesn’t stop once you get the deal—it just shifts. There’s always more to learn, more stories to tell, and more ways to uplift others the way Alice the Great and so many others have uplifted me. Publishing is unpredictable and full of twists, turns, and detours. But when you have a purpose, a community, and a deep love for storytelling, every step is worth it.
The Inspiration: Who/What Inspired Me
My inspiration as a writer comes straight from my childhood—the books I read, the ones I wished existed, and the stories I made up in my head when I couldn’t find myself on the page. Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, I was the quiet kid who paid attention to everything. I was always daydreaming, always wondering. The way the sun hit my bedroom walls in the morning? A story. The conversations I overheard at family gatherings? A whole novel. The little inside jokes and unspoken rules between kids on the playground? World-building. Even when I wasn’t writing things
down, I was always creating.
Books were my escape, adventure, and way of figuring out the world—but I also noticed when something was missing. I rarely saw Black kids like me, kids from the South, kids who didn’t have everything figured out, at the center of the stories I loved. I didn’t have the words for it then, but I felt it. And that feeling stuck with me.
By the time I was a teenager, I was drawn to books that weren’t just about adventure but about identity—stories that showed the messiness of growing up, the quiet struggles, the big questions. I loved the kind of books that made me feel something and think, Oh, so I’m not the only one who feels this way? Those books didn’t just entertain me; they made me feel seen. And once I realized how powerful that was, I knew I wanted to do the same for other kids one day.
That’s why I write now—for the kid I was and the kids out there today looking for themselves in stories. I want them to feel like they belong, their voices matter, and their experiences are worth putting on the page. Whether I’m writing about joy, identity, or those small, everyday moments that shape us, my goal is always to create stories that let young readers know they are seen, valued, and limitless.
The Process: How I Work
My engineering background definitely shapes my writing process. I’ve always liked structure—having a clear plan before diving in—so story frameworks like Freytag’s Pyramid and Save the Cat! help me map things out. They give me a solid foundation to build on, but I also leave space for discovery.
Before I start drafting, I break my story into key moments: the setup, the inciting incident, the midpoint shift, and the resolution. It’s a lot like problem-solving in engineering—figuring out how all the pieces fit together to create something that works. I like to think of my outline as a blueprint. It doesn’t have to be perfect from the start, but it gives me direction.
Once I start writing, I treat the first draft as a rough build like a prototype. Some parts will need tweaking, some might not work, and that’s okay. I revise with a problem-solving mindset, asking myself: What’s not working? Where’s the weak spot? How can I make this stronger? It’s a process of layering, refining, and making sure the pacing and emotional beats feel right.
At the end of the day, I see storytelling as a mix of creativity and structure—both an art and a science. Engineering taught me how to approach writing with strategy, but storytelling gives me the space to explore and play. That balance is what makes the process exciting every time.
THE BUZZ: Reviews and Media Links
It’s Pride, Baby!
“The radiant illustrations tell the story here, with Valle’s soft, blended spreads immersing readers in the celebration and spotlighting moments of connection big and small. Wells’ well-paced text works well with page turns, flowing with loving declarations for every moment of the day. Proud history meets present joy again and again with the refrain “It’s Pride, baby!” – Kirkus Reviews
“Wells’s story brings a community together to celebrate its uniqueness, individuality, and courage.” – School Library Journal
Dante Plays His Blues
“This is an exceptional work that deserves the widest possible audience; highly recommended for all collections.” – SLJ Reviews
“A tender story with a thoughtful message about coping and acceptance.”– Booklist Reviews
“A resonant tale of a boy dealing with change in his own way.” – Kirkus Reviews
Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark
“…an inspiring tribute to a woman who knew herself and followed her dreams.”- Booklist
“…pages bedazzled with comic book–style stars amplify the text’s snappy, often punning articulation of how passion’s “spark” can yield superhero-like powers.”– Publishers Weekly
“Inspirational fare for aspiring engineers and scientists.” – Kirkus Reviews
Visit Allen R. Wells
Website: https://www.allenwriteswell.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AllenWritesWell
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allen.wells.73
Wow – what an amazing journey into writing – having someone so amazing reach out from SCBWI. This was truly inspiring to read!