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about me

Connoisseur of words • Collector of quirky, weird, and unique names and phrases...A novelist at heart

I eagerly anticipate the day when I win the Powerball and can devote myself fully to the life of writing primarily upmarket (aspiring to be literary) fiction featuring strong female leads. Till then...paying the bills involves jobs where I utilize my artistic, strategic thinking, and writing skills to advance good causes, people, issues, or legislation in the world.

I've had the good fortune to partner with amazing nonprofits, government agencies, political campaigns, religious organizations and community groups on many interesting projects.

I was a competitive figure skater with dreams (unrealized) of making the Olympics and after retiring, I absolutely loved coaching and nurturing others dreams.

I had the honor of being named to the 2005 Aspen Summer Words Writers program, and while it ultimately helped me reach my goal of having my first novel published, boy I really could have used a lot more mentoring along the way!

I started The Stories We Tell because I firmly reject the idea that writing must be a stressful, solitary vocation. I believe we can create a community of mentorship and support. I pledge to be your wise (& sassy) auntie who's done it the hard way and will help you with equal dollops of cheerleading and tough love coaching.

Published Books & Projects

Book cover for "Click" by Carrie Ann Alford with film reel and target imagery.

Click

Novel. Published 2006 by AuthorHouse


Shelby Maxwell is a photojournalist who accepts assignments all over the world for the adventure and glamour. Selfish and self-absorbed, she is bored and on the cusp of a midlife crisis. After her cousin is murdered, she must help catch the person who is going to pin the murder on her. 


She end up finding a path to growth and grace, becoming a kinder, more intelligent person in the face of adversity. 


This is a great beach read, written in the journalism style with short sentences & chapters.


Available in paperback & e-book at Amazon, and other retailers


Half face of a woman camouflaged in military gear and civilian appearance, symbolizing invisible veterans.

invisible veterans

I had the supreme honor of knowing Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas, a former Marine and advocate for women service members and veterans. 


I was thrilled when she asked me to write the Foreword to her incredible book Invisible Veterans: What Happens When Military Women Become Civilians Again for women veterans reentering the civilian world.


Find at Amazon, any retailer or through Bloomsbury Press

Three women sitting in a cozy room with plants and flowers.

articles & Other Projects

 "It's amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ~Harry Truman

I have been fortunate to be part of many writing projects over the years, most of which are government or corporate proprietary documents. But, here is a snapshot of some of my public-facing nonfiction work:


Open Doors: The Staff Speaks! YouTube video series

I conducted the interviews (photo left) in Kyiv, Ukraine at the Ukrainian Institute of Traumatherapy and working with my translator, Svetlana, created a video series to introduce the staff to UIT donors


Op-Ed in Military Times to Secretary-Elect Denis McDonough, January 2021


Thrive Global contributor, 2019-2021

At the invitation of Ariana Huffington, I contributed articles on wellness, mindfulness and positive habit stacking (articles no longer on their website)


Contributing writer & book reviewer for the pop culture websites Cloture Club and HollywoodJesus

End credits listing names and special thanks.

From 2016-2020, I had the honor of being the Virginia point person for the compelling documentary Thank You For Your Service (Creative Chaos, VMG)


I planned the private screening at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate; Sept. 2016 Washington, D.C. premier of the film; and participated in the panel discussions after many screenings. 

Upcoming Books & Projects

I am currently working on four new fiction book ideas 

that I am so excited about: 


  • And the Home of the Brave 
  • The Rest of the Story is So Much Better 
  • Learning to Write The Name I've Chosen 
  • Four 


Stay tuned for more details on these projects as I continue my journey in content creation as a novelist!

Vintage Underwood Five typewriter on a cluttered desk with books and a decorative container.

At The Gate Blog

It's back! My blog, started for Torii Coaching & Consulting and transformed into a series of articles for Thrive Global, is making a return. Check back soon for new articles on content creation, writing tips from novelist Carrie Ann Alford, positive habit stacking, mindfulness & wellness, gratitude, and more!

ContacT:

Please email Carrie Ann Alford at contact.caalford@gmail.com, and I will respond within 24 hours regarding any inquiries about content creation or my work as a novelist. Thank you!

Message me on WhatsApp

P.O. Box 832 • Alexandria, VA, 22313-0832 USA

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CAALFORD.COM • THESTORIESWETELL.US

P.O. BOX 832, ALX VA 22313

CAA@THESTORIESWETELL.US

Copyright © 2026 Carrie Ann Alford - All Rights Reserved. all photos were taken by and are the property of Carrie Ann Alford.

TSWT does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, gender or sexual orientation. We expect our clients to hold the same values.

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