Hello! I’m Sandy Ernest Allen.
I’m a queer and trans journalist and author, based in the rural Catskills Mountains of upstate New York.
My writing and speaking work tends to focus on gender and on mental health.
Especially if you’re new to me & my work, check out these Starter Packs with recommended pieces of mine, depending on your interests …
Essays & Features
I’ve written both reported and personal pieces for many publications, including Esquire, Eater, Cosmopolitan, The Believer, The Cut, Them (where I used to write a column called “Between the Binary”), and BuzzFeed News (RIP, where I was formerly a Features Editor). Visit this page to see my full clips.
Audio
I’ve contributed my own reported piece to big shows like This American Life and 99% Invisible (including a reported deep-dive on the future of bathroom design). I’ve appeared on many more podcasts, including Slate’s Dear Prudence and Cancel Me, Daddy. I also made my own podcast, Mad Chat, which you can learn all about here.
Book
My debut book is a critically-acclaimed work of literary nonfiction called A Kind of Mirraculas Paradise: A True Story about Schizophrenia (Scribner). It examines our mental health care paradigm and its history, by telling the story of the life of my late Uncle Bob. Read notes from its fans here.
Work with Me
I’m available to speak and to consult with media and mental health professionals. Please visit those pages to learn more.