Award-winning author of historical fantasy and fairy tales with asexual, nonbinary LGBTQIA+ and disability/chronic illness/mental health representation. I offer talks, readings and workshops to age 13+. My main readership is in the 18-27 age bracket.
I am the author of the Asexual Fairy Tales series, and Angelio series and over 100 published short stories. I have won the James White Award, been a joint winner of the Liars’ League/National Gallery “Inspiration” Competition, and Masquerade of Finches was shortlisted for the inaugural Tempest Prize.
I live in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and will undertake visits within the Yorkshire/East Lancashire area, as well as virtual workshops, readings and panel interviews.
Book me for:
- Secondary schools, colleges and universities
- LGBTQIA+ youth groups and student societies
- Libraries
- Book Festivals
- Book Groups
- Bookshops
- Panels
- Conventions
- Writers’ Groups
For schools visits, I prefer to keep to the Bradford and Halifax areas. For other visits, I will consider the rest of Yorkshire and Lancashire (see access needs below).
I have experience of being interviewed numerous times by BCB Community Radio, and once by the BBC as part of their This Is Bradford project.
Some previous talks and workshops
– a day visit to a Bradford primary school with my illustrator Anna Hopkinson
– readings and Q&A as part of a panel at a Manchester bookshop with the British Fantasy Society
– a cosy fantasy workshop at Swanwick Writers’ Summer School
– “Massaged to Death by Mermaids: Merfolk of the World and LGBTQIA+ Identity” at two fan conventions and virtually for Todmorden Folklore Centre
– a workshop on representation in folklore with LGBTQIA youth groups in Leeds and Huddersfield
– a talk to a student LGBTQIA Society about Asexual Fairy Tales, with readings
“Elizabeth is a skilled facilitator who blends just enough teaching to provide content with creative exercises which stimulated us to create worlds about which I wanted to write”.- Swanwick Writers’ Summer School
”I really enjoyed the reading! Being an asexual myself I’m really glad you wrote this book! I hope you continue writing!”- University of Huddersfield LGBTQ+ Society”
”Really interesting – had insightful discussions and learned a lot about old fairy tale tropes. Got good book recs – thank you!”- Alphabet Collective, Leeds
Own Voices Statement & Access Needs
I identify as asexual, and my pronouns are she/they. I have lived with chronic depression/anxiety from the age of 16, and with fibromyalgia since 2016.
My prefererence is for a single talk or workshop. If I’m being invited to a full day event, I will require rest breaks and a quiet room. If the visit is outside West Yorkshire and starts first thing in the morning or finishes in the evening, I will require overnight accommodation. I am very happy to do virtual events.
Please consult my Access Needs form for full details. (Supplied at time of booking).
Terms & Conditions
My fees are in line with the Society of Authors recommendations, but I am willing to waive it in the case of small charitable or community groups with limited resources. I would, however, ask that you cover my transport fees and consider buying one of my books.
I have a full DBS and Public Liability Insurance through the Society of Authors.
Asexual Fairy Tales
Once upon a time, our ancestors told tales of glass coffins and marble statues; of eunuchs and androgynes; of chaste romances, miraculous childbirth and bodily transformations. ..
A refreshing collection of enchanting fairy tales that reflect the spectrum of human sexuality.
The Asexual Fairy Tales trilogy of books is a collection of fairy tales, myths and legends from around the world, which can be read as having asexual representation. These were the stories that resonated with me, before I knew I was asexual. Alongside retellings of these tales are my own, original fairy tales, using traditional motifs. Tales include: Pygmalion and Galatea, The Little Mermaid Speaks, Comapnions of the Grail, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, Bisclavret, Snow White and Rose Red, Children of Wax, Attis and the Priests of Cybele, The Glass Lawyer, The Wife with the Flying Head, The Marzipan Husband.
Asexual Fairy Tales is my bestselling book, and the one I get the most feedback about. I have had other aces say it makes them feel seen and hopeful. Two readers have written to tell me they have tried writing their own asexual fairy tales in response.
It is also starting to be used in academic contexts. One young person told me it helped them pass their GCSEs during lockdown, as a teacher suggested they use it for their personal project. Another person wrote to tell me they came across it during research for their postgraduate thesis.
The Asexual Fairy Tales books and their spin-off Legends from Lindisfarne were all illustrated by my daughter Anna Hopkinson, so there is a possibility in some cases of doing an author-illustrator event.
”What Elizabeth has done has brought aces to the forefront in these pieces of writing. It’s an incredible and necessary thing.” – AVEN (Asexual Visibility and Education Network)
Angelio Series
Two boys. One meek, one rebellious. Both discover a power that will set them free…or sever them.
When Tammo meets Carlo, their lives change forever. With the Archangel’s help, they are granted the power to fulfil each other’s deepest desires—but every gift demands a price.
As music opens doors to a glittering world beyond the Cage, the bond between them is tested by ambition, longing, and the fragile promises they have made. And their choices will shape not just their futures, but that of Celestina—a young aristocrat who will become entwined in their lives in ways neither of them can foresee.
Cage of Nightingales is a story of found family, and queer identity—featuring a tender portrayal of an asexual, nonbinary eunuch at its heart.
A YA/NA series of historical fantasy novels with asexual, nonbinary and disability representation. Carlo is both asexual and nonbinary. Celestina is a paraplegic wheelchair user. Tammo has bodily and vocal scarring. And there are other disabled characters, such as the dwarf laundry maid/seamstress Fenice.
Masquerade of Finches (Angelio #2) was shortlisted for the inaugural Tempest Prize (Northern Writers Awards).
The world of Angelio is fictional, but is based on the lives of the historical castrati – operatic superstars with post-surgery bodies, who saw themselves as a third gender and were forbidden to marry. Modern-day singers they could be compared with include Samuel Mariño (Venezuelan male soprano opera singer), Nemo (Eurovision 2024 winner) and JJ (Eurovision 2025 winner).
”Compelling thoughout and very accomplished”- Patience Agbabi