About

Dr Elizabeth Guy is a full time writer. She has been reading, writing and teaching literature for the past 30 years. She was awarded a PhD from the University of Sydney (The Poetics of the Nation State) in 2001.

Elizabeth commenced her schooling at St Joseph’s Primary in her hometown of Narrabeen, then attended Mater Maria College, Warriewood for junior high and finally became a boarder at St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar for her remaining senior years. In her undergraduate years she studied English Literature and Modern History at Macquarie University and completed an Honours followed by a Masters at Sydney University before commencing her PhD.

Elizabeth has taught at tertiary and secondary levels in Sydney, New South Wales and in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. She has also studied and tutored at the University of Stirling, Scotland, the University of the South Pacific, Fiji and the University of Santiago, Chile. Prior to moving to work and trek in South America, Elizabeth travelled extensively throughout the USA and Canada, writing, reading and learning Spanish.

Elizabeth believes that Art belongs to all of us and that making it accessible is important. She was influenced by the books of Betty Churcher (the former director of the National Gallery) where painting was explained by someone who loved Art and believed it was worthy of sharing with others. Moreover, her reading is eclectic, still circling in on the writings of the mid 20th century Americans, or the 19th century Russians or English classics or German moderns or the unforgettable South Americans and always returning to Australian writers, both contemporary and historical.

Elizabeth is fascinated by the conversation that writing sets up with the reader. She is also inspired by individuals, whether textual or real, who forge their own path in times of great uncertainty and despite the vertiginous risks.

Elizabeth has written a non fiction reader’s guide to understanding poetry: The Alchemy of Poetry, published by the American publishing house Dreaming Big Publications. Her first novel, Take Ink & Weep, is currently in production with her publisher. Elizabeth is now finalising her second novel Abandoned by God. Both these historical fictions are set in Russia. The first novel explores the poetic lives of the great Silver Age poets during Russia’s engagement in World War 1; and the second, tells the story of the young assassins active during the early days of the Russian Revolution that ultimately shaped the face of history.

Outside of writing, Elizabeth is an accomplished long distance walker. She has passionate interests in the Arts and ongoing travels to Russia. For part of the week she lives in Sydney’s inner city with Mithridatis, a little grey tabby found under a house in Dubbo, and her good looking husband. For the rest of the time she writes in a family home in the Blue Mountains where her daughter and son in law often stay.