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 16+. Specialising in LGBTQIA+ groups, and workshops using myths, legends and fairy tales to explore issues.
I am the author of the Asexual Fairy Tales series, and Angelio series.
My main readership is in the 18-27 age bracket. My books sell in LGBTQIA+ bookshops around the country – and world – including the famous Gay’s the Word, London. I also host the Asexual Fairy Tales podcast. My short stories have appeared in many anthologies and magazines, and been performed by Liars’ League London on several occasions. I won the James White Award 2005.
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.
I am currently working on the next book in the Angelio series.
Example visits and workshops
A 2 hour workshop using medieval Breton werewolf story “Bisclavret” to explore issues of guilty secrets and silent victims.
A 1 hour workshop on How To Update Your Folklore, with quickfire writing exercises.
Talk with readings from Asexual Fairy Tales about how traditional tales helped me identify as asexual.
Talk with readings from Cage of Nightingales, introducing the Italian castrati of the 18th century as our LGBTQIA elders.
Bookshop signing visit with optional readings.
Work History
Places/events at which I have performed my work include: Ilkley Literature Festival Fringe, Leeds LGBT+ Literature Festival, Bradford Pride Festival, Centre for Folklore, Myth & Magic (Todmorden).
Author visits include: University of Huddersfield LGBTQ+ Society, Farsley Library Writers’ Group, SOUND (16-19 youth group) at Equity Partnership Bradford LGBTQ+, Hive LGBTQ+ youth group in Huddersfield, Rainbow Collective LGBTQ+ youth group in Leeds.
I have given numerous talks and workshops on fairy tale/mythology/fantasy themes at Swanwick Writers’ Summer School. I have also run workshops for: WUR Bradford, Out on the Page (virtual), Clayton Baptist Church, Arachne Press (virtual).
I was a (virtual) panel guest on Stonewall’s first ever Ace/Aro panel.
I was filmed by the BBC as part of their This Is Bradford project.
Own Voices Statement and Access Needs
I identify as asexual and greygender (she/they). I have lived with chronic depression/anxiety from the age of 16, and with fibromyalgia since 2016. I am probably neurodivergent (undiagnosed).
It is because of my health conditions that I have limited my visits to the local area and virtual events. I will consider visits outside the local area if overnight accommodation is provided. If being invited to a full day event, I would require rest breaks and a quiet room.
Terms and Conditions
My fees are in line with the Society of Authors recommendations, but I am willing to negotiate something affordable in the case of small charitable and community groups.
I have public indemnity insurance as part of my SoA membership. As a condition of this, I must not be left alone with children or vulnerable adults.
Authors visiting a school/college/university on an irregular “volunteer” basis are not required to have a DBS, but I do have an Enhanced Disclosure from a previous job.
Please consult the full SoA guidelines and Inklusion guide for authors speaking at events.
Testimonials
“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
“As a new writer, I found your talk very interesting and useful. Thank you.”
– Farsley Library Writers’ Group
“Elizabeth, primarily a writer of fantasy fiction who has published in both short story and novel form, led us through a wonderful workshop where we generated ideas of change and transformation through storytelling. Many thanks to Elizabeth for facilitating such a sensitive and thoughtful workshop – it was so good.”
– WUR Bradford
Praise for the Asexual Fairy Tales series
”What Elizabeth Hopkinson has done is brought aces to the forefront in these pieces of writing. It’s an incredible and necessary thing!”
– AVEN (Asexual Visibility & Education Network)”Asexual Myths & Tales is a fairy tale connoisseur’s delight. The stories are both fresh and familiar, delicately told, and filled with magic, romance, heartache and wonder.”
– Leife Shallcross. Author of The Beast’s Heart”We always have a huge demand for asexual themed books, but sadly there’s just not that many good titles around at the moment. Both Asexual Myths & Tales and Asexual Fairy Tales sell really well for us and we’ve had amazing feedback from our customers for both of them. We literally can’t wait to read the latest ace stories from Elizabeth.”
– Gay Pride Shop, Manchester“We are SO excited to hear of a new collection of Asexual Tales from Elizabeth – the first two have been a huge success for the bookshop. When there is so little asexual representation in print it’s really thrilling as booksellers to be able to offer brilliantly written and produced titles offering just that to our readers – we will always welcome more!”
Lighthouse – Edinburgh’s Radical BookshopPraise for Cage of Nightingales
“A beautiful historical fantasy that shows how rash judgements can not only be wrong, but life changing. The 18th century world Hopkinson builds is both beautiful and terrifying… Hopkinson is an expert in crafting magical realism in her works and this book is no exception.”
Lindsey Barger, Read With Lindsey Book Reviews”The historical fantasy world of this novel is brought to life with impeccable skill, making it vividly imaginable… Disability is portrayed in a way which is in keeping with the society of the time whilst still positive and nuanced. The intense feelings of the young characters as they grow and process significant traumas is depicted with authenticity and never sensationalised… A truly fascinating, often suspenseful and rewardingly complex narrative”.
Amazon reviewer