Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I served as a North Shore Rescue team member for twelve years and participated in over 700 search and rescue operations in mountain, wilderness, and urban environments under every sort of environmental condition. I shared a Canada 125 medal presented to the team for volunteer activities. In addition to enjoying hiking, nature studies, geocaching, and metal detecting, I have rafted the length of the Fraser River and worked on fire suppression crews in central British Columbia.
I have 30 years of experience in post-secondary education, primarily in Allied Health and Biology education programs teaching a variety of Human Anatomy and Physiology and basic Biology courses. I have served on the governance boards of the Canadian Association of Allied Health Programs and the North Shore Rescue Team Society. I have a doctorate in Zoology, the University of Texas at Austin and M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees (Zoology) from the University of British Columbia.
I have written one non-fiction book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book’s title is North Shore Rescue – If You Get Lost Today, Will Anyone Know?
I started collecting stories from North Shore Rescue team members as they related memories and perceptions of previous operations. Over time, I realized I had collected stories from the inception of the team in 1965 to the present day. These stories represent the oral history of the most experienced, best trained, and best-equipped search and rescue team in Canada. The history of the team is worth recording and circulating as none of these stories would be presented in news reports of the team. Some stories reflect life and death struggles, others are humorous, some generate disturbing thoughts, and some are politically incorrect.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None that I can think of. Write when time allows.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My interest in developing an oral history came from reading a set of oral history books by Barry Broadfoot. Some examples of his work are:
Ten Lost Years, 1929-1939: Memories of the Canadians Who Survived the Depression
The pioneer years, 1895-1914: Memories of settlers who opened the West
Years of Sorrow, Years of Shame: The Story of the Japanese Canadians in World War II
Next Year Country
The veterans’ years: Coming home from the war
What are you working on now?
I am attempting to write short Flash Fiction pieces.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://northshorerescuebook.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am such a relatively new author, I probably could not give other authors any advice. I am still learning how to write and publish.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I can’t recall who said this, but the comment “Writers write” has stuck with me.
What are you reading now?
Northern Stars – The Anthology of Canadian Science Fiction. 2017. Edited by David G. Hartwell and Glenn Grant.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More work on developing Flash Fiction writing skills.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
New Science Fiction books, a book on the natural history of desert islands, a book on desert island survival.
Author Websites and Profiles
Allen Billy Website
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