ELIZABETH SMITHER has published twelve collections of poetry, as well as novels and short stories. She was the first woman to become Te Mata poet laureate (2001-3). Her laureate collection, Red Shoes, has just been published by Godwit and a novel, The Sea Between Us will be published by Penguin in May. Her poetry collections include the prize-winning A Pattern of Marching (New Zealand Book Award for Poetry, 1990) and The Lark Quartet (Montana New Zealand Book Award for Poetry, 2000). Like the previous editor, Iain Sharp, she works as a librarian.

Elizabeth’s interests include cricket (she would secretly like to be a lady cricket commentator), travel (she has just been to Paris), spending time with friends, wine and conversation, film, theatre, and sporadic essays at gardening.