Alison Gieschen is an award-winning author, sailor, and storyteller with a rich tapestry of experiences that shape her writing. After earning her degree in English/Writing from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Alison embarked on careers as a technical writer, teacher, and equestrian professional before pursuing her dream of sailing around the world.

A lifelong lover of horses, Alison spent 30 years running a successful horse farm, where she raised and trained an internationally competitive equestrian vaulting team. Her work with

horses and underprivileged children deeply influenced her understanding of the powerful connections between humans and animals, a theme that resonates throughout her writing.

Since 2017, Alison has been circumnavigating the globe on a 43’ sailboat with her husband, Daniel, immersing herself in the cultures and stories of over 40 countries across four continents. This life at sea has fueled her creativity, inspiring novels, children’s books, and blog posts that blend her love for adventure, nature, and the human spirit.

Alison’s works include Blue Ridge, a novel about a young woman’s journey to escape the ghosts of her past in the Blue Ridge Mountains; Heart of a Champion, the true story of her prized vaulting horse, a 2,000-pound draft horse, who heroically fought for his life after falling through the ice (excerpt published in Chicken Soup for the Horse Lovers Soul II); The Legend of Altor, a middle-grade fiction novel about a bullied young girl who discovers a magical talisman and learns to stand up for herself and others in peril; Julia’s Vaulting Dream, an early-grade chapter book introducing young readers to the sport of equestrian vaulting; and Riding the Waves of Reality: Tales of Turmoil and Triumph, an exciting tale detailing the adventures of her first five years of circumnavigation.

When not writing or exploring the ocean, Alison connects with her readers through her blog, sailing articles, and social media, sharing tales from her extraordinary journey.