Elizabeth Schechter was born in New York at some point in the past. She is officially old enough to know better, but refuses to grow up. She has been, at various points in her life, a jeweler, an artist, a counselor, a minister, a fitness instructor, a singer, counter-person in a coffee-shop, a lab tech, a research assistant, quarter-staff master, a daycare worker, a high school English teacher, a kindergarten teacher, a stay-at-home-mom, an editor and a writer. She firmly believes in the Heinlein adage that specialization is for insects, and is still working on the tinker, tailor, soldier and spy parts of the list.
Elizabeth started writing in grade school, mostly for her own amusement. Her first novel was written while a student at the Bronx High School of Science, where she was regularly accosted before class by her friends, who were looking for the next chapter. She still has that manuscript somewhere, and readily admits that it is absolute and complete crap, but one must start somewhere.
Writing got pushed to the sidelines for a good number of years, until Elizabeth got involved in a play-by-email role-playing game that was completely story driven. That game rekindled her love of writing, and she teamed up with another player to further explore the lives of their characters. That exploration turned into a planned series of novels, of which the first two are complete.
Once Elizabeth started writing again, she found that she couldn’t stop. A friend pointed out an open call for submissions for a Circlet anthology themed on the Tarot. She came up with an idea about a most interesting tarot reading that turned into “The Hand You’re Dealt,” her first short story sale.
Elizabeth Schechter has been called one of the top erotica and alternative sexuality writers in the world. Her writing credits include the award-winning steampunk erotic romance House of Sable Locks, the science fiction BDSM duology Tales from the Arena, and the Celtic fantasy Princes of Air. Her shorter work has appeared in anthologies edited by D.L King (Carnal Machines), Laura Antoniou (No Safewords), and Cecilia Tan (Jingle Balls; Like a Prince).
Elizabeth lives in Central Florida with her husband and son, and a most accepting circle of friends who are both very amused and very proud of the pervy, fetish writer in their midst.
Member:
I didn’t know you lived in Central Florida! We “snowbird” in Titusville every year! In fact, I belong to the STAR chapter.
and your first sentence made me laugh
Cool! Next winter we’ll have to meet up!
And I snowbird in Fort Myers! Laughed put loud at your bio!
Too funny! Thanks!
You are a woman after my own heart. When I started following my husband around the world as part of the US Foreign Service, I took on a variety of jobs–whatever was available. About eight years ago, I decided I had had enough of that. Since then, I have written a couple of kids books, written a blog reviewing kids books, created an international quilters group, become a distributor of Send Out Cards and am currently working on setting up an import business of handmade textiles from Thailand and Guatemala. My husband has started a collection of my business cards. I keep telling him that one day my ship will come in.
Hey, Elizabeth, your background has a familiar ring. Isn’t it interesting that so many authors have had numerous jobs and careers before finally being able to focus on writing? Perhaps that’s what gives us the experiences to invent numerous settings and situations, seen through the eyes of a wide variety of characters. Good luck with your latest story! (from a fellow–but far less experienced–RWA member) PS – The website I’ve entered below is being redesigned; should be Ready for Prime Time in February. Cheers!