Allen Tilley

Allen Tilley is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of North Florida, where he taught for 35 years. He grew up in Paducah, KY. After completing his BA at Vanderbilt University he served as an officer in the US Navy, seeing duty in Viet Nam. He received his PhD in Medieval and Renaissance English literature from the University of Iowa in 1972. At the University of North Florida he chaired the English department for nine years. He was awarded the University Outstanding Teaching Award and was named Distinguished Professor.

Allen's academic publishing field is narrative theory. He developed a comprehensive theory of plot meant to account for all narratives, both fictional and nonfictional. His last book on the topic, An Introduction to Plot in the Modes of Experience (2009), should most usefully be read first. The earlier books are Plot Snakes and the Dynamics of Narrative Experience (1992) and Plots of Time: An Inquiry into History, Myth, and Meaning (1995).

For about 25 years Allen was the Tenzo (cook) for the Jacksonville Zen Sangha, where he was given the dharma name of Zojo ('Keeper of the Dharma Treasury'). That experience led to Hungry Zen: Vegetarian Meals in Under an Hour (2009). His non-vegetarian recipes, including family traditions, are collected in Back Porch Feasts (2012), which provides low carb versions of most recipes except desserts. A vegan for the past several years, he has collected his recipes for his largely vegan family in Vegan Offerings (2022).

Allen is active in environmental groups. Since 2004 he has prepared a biweekly online news list on global warming, the Global Warming Study Group (GWSG). He and his wife live in Jacksonville, Florida, close to their two children and their families.