Welcome - 5Ws About the Author and Books

Hello reader,

Allen W. McLean is an author of speculative fiction, poetry and reviews.

He was born and raised in the Canadian suburbs of Brampton Ontario, and identifies as non-binary.

His wife April produces music and art as Electric Armchair; at her behest, Allen began sharing poetry on his book reviews and releases for the HaikuPrajna Collection, a library of his study notes for readers who will never consume the stories just as much as they are for those who have or want to.

Obsessed with forming stories since playing pretend as a child, his fiction today focuses on transcending one’s hindrances, with ideas from metaphysics, theology, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and is inspired by sci-fi, comics and manga.

Allen has released over a dozen books, and his Bite-sized Insights have been collected online, in print and in public libraries around the Toronto area.

Thank you for reading.

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@HaikuPrajna metaphysical stories, book reviews, mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry . @PrajnaOrTheElephant music . https://aprilandallen.square.site/haikuprajna 

@ElectricArmchair psychedelic music videos, art and poetry, available on all streaming platforms . https://aprilandallen.square.site/electricarmchair 

All readers subscribed by email on Patreon, Substack and Medium have access to a selection of Zines--visit to submit to our public poetry prompt and view more features! https://aprilandallen.square.site/social

. Old about page: https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/p/old-about-page-links.html

PS. This blog links to sites where readers can make purchases and where royalties are collected from one's membership; thank you for your support.

20260827 . HaikuPrajna . Brampton JAM at Parkscapes Chinguacousy Park

Artists in the park \ 

Music under the sunset \ 

Dinner and a show 

. HaikuPrajna . Brampton JAM at Parkscapes Chinguacousy Park 20260827

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Hello reader, 

Zine on YouTube! https://youtu.be/-aSB2TRdg1k

Artists in the park \ Music under the sunset \ Dinner and a show . HaikuPrajna . Brampton JAM at Parkscapes Chinguacousy Park 20260827

Mini zine available on APRILandALLEN's, YouTube, Patreon and Substack FREE FOR ALL READERS. https://aprilandallen.square.site/haikuprajna

VoD Archive of No Commentary Gameplay Livestreams available on YouTube at HaikuPrajna.

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. Write your own poem \ using this Zine as a prompt \ to take the Challenge!

. HaikuPrajna . The HaikuPrajna Challenge

. Digital . Mini-zine series with poetry and art

. Open to all humans . Purchase unnecessary to participate

. Accepting submissions for future releases

. Subscribe to get this with all past and future releases

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Parkscapes at Ching 20260827

. We attended the Brampton JAM performance during the last leg of the Parkscapes events hosted by the Brampton Arts Organization, and enjoyed the live improv storytelling and dancing, along with the watercolour table. They kept us fed with samosas (I took extra, so good), and what I think were vada (veg fritters) and kachori (pastry filled with maybe green peas). The Mayor even shared a few words, in spirit of art in the park!

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Brampton JAM 20260826

. So thankful for the opportunities to jam and meet new friends while rediscovering the joy of playing music with others, putting childhood music theory to good use, all while learning guitar. The incredible generosity we have experienced in the past month of writing is overwhelming. Thank you!

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BICZ 20260811

. Electric Armchair was given the space to perform at the latest BICZ meetup at City Side Cafe, between sessions of one-minute-long challenges drawing characters from memory. April had ordered a lemonade, while I enjoyed a foamy cappuccino and a warm brownie.

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Electric Armchair ft. Prajna or The Elephant LIVE @ City Side Cafe Brampton Farmers' Market Pt.2 . 20260829 

. First time gigging after our Brampton JAM sessions, laying down some rhythm guitar accompaniment and shoegazey pads. Thank you IG:citysidecafe__ for hosting us! Thank you to our friends for visiting and hanging out! Thank you everyone else for listening and for the unending support and love! We see you and are forever grateful. @electricarmchair @prajnaortheelephant 

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Gino's Pizza Yellow Avens 

. Ordered online, picked up in person, short wait, but appreciate the hot and fresh pizza, which came with generous toppings and great flavour; the dips were okay, as the pizza was already spicy and garlicky. Do recommend, we will visit again!

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Tour Dates 

. 20260912 . 10am-4pm . Mississauga Literary Festival @ Hazel McCallion Central Library, Mississauga Ontario (*** 11am-12:30pm . Author Showcase Live Reading and Q&A . Two Elephants In The Room @ 11:20am ***)

. 20260919 . 12pm-2pm . BICZ (Brampton Comics and Zines) @ The Rose Theatre’s Birthday

. 20260922 . 6pm-8pm . BICZ @ City Side Cafe (DEAR DIARY... Journal Comics)

. 20261003 . 10am-5pm . Cat Scratch Market @ City Side Cafe, Downtown Brampton Ontario

. 20261003 . 5pm-7pm . Brampton JAM @ The Canvas Creative Studio for Culture Days, Brampton Ontario (Live Improv Music)

. 20261113 . The Electric Exhibition @ City Side Cafe, Downtown Brampton Ontario 

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Thank you for reading,

Until next time!

Allen W. McLean

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Subscribe, share or leave a comment for more Bite-sized Insights to relieve your stress and suffering! APRILandALLEN's Handmade Art Works, Book Merch, and Clay Quirks . https://aprilandallen.square.site/

@HaikuPrajna metaphysical stories, book reviews, mindfulness meditation scifaiku and haiku poetry . @PrajnaOrTheElephant music . https://aprilandallen.square.site/haikuprajna 

@ElectricArmchair psychedelic music videos, art and poetry, available on all streaming platforms . https://aprilandallen.square.site/electricarmchair

All readers subscribed by email on Patreon, Substack and Medium have access to a selection of Zines--visit to submit to our public poetry prompt and view more features! https://aprilandallen.square.site/social  

These poems will be collected in future editions of the HaikuPrajna Collection.