LIZ WILLIAMS: biography

Writing

My mother's a Gothic novelist, and my father was a part-time conjuror, so I didn't have a hope, really. I've been a science fiction fan since the age of ten, and started writing seriously about 4 years ago. Jack Vance's Planet of Adventure series was responsible, and I'm still a huge fan of Vance. Other favourites include Ursula Le Guin, Ray Bradbury, Mary Gentle, George R R Martin, C J Cherryh, Tanith Lee and Marion Zimmer Bradley.

The day job

I've spent most of my life in academic philosophy; I did a doctorate in epistemology of science at Cambridge. Philosophy does not pay well, however, and I'm too much of a hedonist to starve in a garret, so these days, I work in the field of educational consultancy, bringing students from Central Asia to study in Britain. My career also features a period of employment as a tarot reader on Brighton pier (it's good to know that one has some respectable work in one's resume). I also work as a volunteer for Brighton Women's Centre, and when I'm not doing all that, I'm writing (see above).

Milford SF Writer's Workshop

I'm also the secretary of the British version of the Milford SF Writer's workshop, held every year in a hotel in Devon. Check this out - if you're a writer, we'd love to have you. Fresh blood and all that...