Alison Louise Kennedy (born 22 October 1965 in Dundee) is a Scottish writer of novels, short stories and non-fiction. She is known for a characteristically dark tone, a blending of realism and fantasy, and for her serious approach to her work. She contributes columns and reviews to UK and European newspapers including the fictional diary of her pet parrot named Charlie.

Kennedy currently lives in Glasgow and is an Associate Professor in Creative Writing with University of Warwick, having previously taught creative writing at the University of St Andrews.

Kennedy performs as a stand-up comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe, comedy clubs and literary festivals. She is principally associated with The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh. In 2007, she won a Lannan Literary Award, was awarded an honorary DLitt degree from the University of Glasgow, and her novel of that year Day was named Costa Book of the Year in the Costa Book Awards. In 2007 she won the Austrian State Prize for European Literature. In 2009, she donated the short story Vanish to Oxfam's 'Ox-Tales' project, four collections of UK stories written by 38 authors. Her story was published in the 'Air' collection.