Elizabeth Barrette (aka Ysabetwordsmith) works as a writer and editor in central Illinois. She writes articles, essays, short stories, reviews, interviews, poetry, and more. Her main fields include speculative fiction, gender studies, and alternative religions. Her books are Prismatica: Science Fiction Poetry Spanning the Spectrum, From Nature's Patient Hands: A Collection of Poetry, and Composing Magic: How to Create Magical Spells, Rituals, Blessings, Chants, and Prayers. She served as Managing Editor of PanGaia magazine for 7 years and Dean of Studies at the Grey School of Wizardry for 4 years. She currently serves on the Canon Board at Torn World, approving art and writing. She enjoys presenting panels and workshops at conventions and festivals. She has eagerly observed the rise of electronic publication and online writing and art, including cyberfunded creativity, and hopes to continue working with this cutting edge of culture. She enjoys suspension-of-disbelief bungee-jumping and spelunking in other people's reality tunnels.
Favourite Visual Artist
Michael Whelan, Janny Wurts, Larry Elmore
Favourite Movies
Titan A.E., Treasure Planet, The Avengers, Terminator
Favourite TV Shows
Sherlock, True Blood, Star Trek, Firefly
Favourite Bands / Musical Artists
Elvendrums, Emerald Rose, Leslie Fish, Tom Smith
Favourite Books
The Lord of the Rings, Dragonflight, A Civil Campaign, Webster's Dictionary, The Book of Forms
Favourite Writers
J.R.R. Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, Lois McMaster Bujold, Alan Dean Foster, Langston Hughes, Lorna Dee Cervantes, John Fire Lame Deer
Tools of the Trade
Paper and pencil, computer with MS Word
Other Interests
Poetry, fiction, nonfiction; speculative fiction, gender studies, alternative spirituality, nature studies; crowdfunding and networking