Elizabeth Stott

Born in Kent, I was an early fan of comics and Blyton, moving on to science fiction and Jackie with equal enthusiasm. I became an avid reader of eclectic, and, sometimes questionable, material.

I was torn between a career in art or science, but decided I was better at the science, so studied physics at university and worked in industry after graduating. When my daughter was born, I took a career break and started writing as a creative and intellectual outlet. I bought my first typewriter whilst my little daughter demolished the stationery counter in Boots. Some years later, I started writing seriously, after a creative writing course where I was encouraged to question what I read, and also to write poetry.

My main writing interests are in prose, and, in particular, short stories. My first collection, 'Familiar Possessions', was published by Northern Lights in 2002, and I have published both short fiction and poetry in various literary magazines and anthologies and in a Gulf-themed Kindle short story triplet, 'This Heat'. An ‘uncanny’ short story, 'Touch Me With Your Cold, Hard Fingers' was accepted by Nightjar Press in 2013 for one of its limited edition chapbooks, and was selected for Salt Publications’ 'Best British Horror 2014'. I don’t set out to write in genre, but my writing sometimes has dark edges, but it is all to do with contrast and perspective, and I like dark humour. I am interested in what motivates people and write about life rather than ideas, but like to mix things up. I am working on a darkly comic novel, some speculative material, short fiction and adding to my collected poems.

More about me on my blog: elizabethstott.wordpress.com

Credentials

Elizabeth Stott in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

Warrington, UK.

What do you love about short stories?

They are contained worlds, accessible in a few minutes, yet portable enough to take away and think about for a long time afterwards.

Do you write in other forms?

Poetry, novels, articles, blogs.

What distracts you from writing?

Other peoples' noise.

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

Cosmology, science in general, art, good food and wine, singing with a local women's choir.

What is your favourite book?

Tricky - I hate to choose a favourite book, so I will choose a short story, 'The Dead', by James Joyce, which is novelistic in its reach.

Who are your favourite writers?

Again, favourites are invidious. Modern writers I admire include Ishiguro, Kate Atkinson and Sebastian Barry.

Where is your dream location?

fireside. with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Could be a BBQ in summer!

What one item would you put into Room 101?

Tickboxes.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Read. Question what you read. Read what you don't want to read. Go out of your comfort zone in any way with reading and writing. Unbalance yourself!