Let's build something that matters

I’ve built brands, businesses, and a creative life—now let’s do the same for you.

Whether you're launching something new, growing what you've started, or figuring out how to make your creative work sustainable, I bring real-world experience from the wild ride of entrepreneurship… plus the encouragement you need to keep going!

As a writer and seasoned small business owner, I'm available for creative project-based and ongoing consulting work with individuals, teams, and organizations who are building something meaningful.

Ally Kirkpatrick, Writer

Stories for connection and community

FREELANCE WRITING & EDITORIAL ASSIGNMENTS

I write across topics with a focus on personal essays, food and lifestyle features, profiles and interviews, and storytelling rooted in community and place. I love book reviews, too! 

My work has appeared in Edible DC, Roxane Gay’s The Audacity, and Guernica Magazine, and I bring both a literary background (MA from NYU) and hands-on business experience to every piece.

In addition to my freelance writing, I'm also currently at work on a literary memoir,
The Animal Within the Animal, which explores postpartum psychosis, recovery, and identity.

A person writing in a notebook with a orange pen on a wooden table, with a colorful mug and a small teal plate in the background.

Making time and place for creative connection

FACILITATED SPACES FOR READERS AND WRITERS

I create writing experiences that feel more like creative gatherings than traditional workshops—spaces where people can explore ideas, make connections, and leave feeling energized about their projects.

As a facilitator, I aim to create spaces that feel warm, encouraging, and thoughtfully held. I believe in meeting people where they are while gently guiding them toward deeper creative work. Having built community through my bookstore for seven years, I know how to hold space that feels both inspiring and grounded.

I host generative writing sessions that center reflection, connection, and creative momentum, and I’m available for custom workshops, book clubs, and speaking engagements that align with my work in creativity, entrepreneurship, and community building.

Book Shelves in Old Town Books, Small Book Store in Alexandria VA

Helping big-hearted ideas come to life

STRATEGIC SUPPORT FOR CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS

I’m a big believer in building the things you want to see in the world! So I love helping people turn "what if" into "what's next," whether that's launching a brick-and-mortar business, developing a creative brand, or figuring out how to grow sustainably without losing what makes your work special.

I've navigated funding, hiring, community building, and scaling while staying true to my mission. I offer 1:1 consulting, brand storytelling collaboration, and partnership on projects that need someone who gets both the creative vision and the business practicalities.

If you've got a project in mind and think we'd be a good fit, I'd love to hear from you. Let's see what we can build together.

Ally Kirkpatrick wearing an Old Town Books hat, beige checkered dress, and a staff badge standing in front of a bookshelf filled with colorful books.

I’m Ally, your guide and collaborator

Also: writer, multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, and creative business hype person.

What started it all? Well…

The short version: I quit my cushy job at NYU, cashed out my tiny retirement fund, took out a $40K loan, and opened a bookstore in six weeks. It was terrifying. It worked.

The longer version: I was a new mom working in higher education, commuting into the city every day, and by the time I got home, I was completely spent—no energy left for my family or my writing. I couldn't puzzle out how to be the mother and creative person I wanted to be within that structure. Starting a bookstore felt like a far-flung but interesting "getaway car" from that lifestyle, while still keeping me connected to the literary community I loved.

So I did something that felt completely crazy: I moved from New York to Virginia in October 2018 , developed the brand, hired a babysitter, attended booksellers conferences, and opened Old Town Books at the end of November. The pace was breakneck, the funding was tiny, and I didn't hire help until a while in. But once I brought on great staff, things leveled out—and seven years later, we've become that space for readers and writers to connect, a community anchor for the literary arts. (Also, a place where my love for fostering dogs regularly turns into sold-out puppy yoga classes. See what I mean about making the things you wish exist?!)

Across all of my ventures, I’ve seen time and time again that building something meaningful doesn't require perfect timing or unlimited resources—it requires clarity about what matters most and the willingness to take messy action.

Here’s what you can expect when we team up

Working with me feels supportive, energizing, and grounded.

I'm the person who sees what’s possible where others see problems. I'll help you think through the practical stuff (funding, timelines, next steps) while also holding space for the bigger vision that got you excited in the first place.

I ask good questions, offer real solutions, and remind you that building something meaningful is both completely doable and totally worth it.

My approach is part strategic thinking, part creative brainstorming, part "you've got this" hype. I offer affirmation and a sense of possibility, while also helping you stay focused on real progress.

  • From Sarah McCoy, New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely? and founder of the McCoy Grant

    "Out of the wide pool of submissions for the 2024 McCoy Grant, Ally’s writing was a standout. I saw both raw talent and a remarkable story. It was a privilege to name her as a McCoy Grant recipient and support her growth as a writer. Ally's memoir-in-progress Animal within the Animal was an innovative narrative focused on mental health, a topic that deserves far more discussion and understanding. In addition to her writing, Ally possess exceptional interpersonal skills and a tenacious work ethic as evidenced by her community involvement as a female entrepreneur and owner of Old Town Books in Alexandria, Virginia. Make space on the bookshelves, Ally’s work is destined to hold space on it.”

  • From Heather Oshaughnessy, Write Time Retreat Participant 

    “This was such a great jump start to get back to writing. It was lovely to be with a group of local creatives. Ally is a wonderful leader and attracts great people. I will return for more of these workshops if offered!”

  • From Emma Sirignano, Write Time Retreat Participant

    “Lovely creative morning with thoughtful prompts and a supportive atmosphere!”

Got something in mind?

I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’ve got a clear project in the works or just the seed of an idea, feel free to reach out. I’m always up for a good brainstorm and believe some of the best collaborations start with a simple conversation.