Starsmith, Rowan: - My "real life" name is Anne Bishop. As Anne, I am the author of one literary novel and seven non-fiction books, including one that has sold more than 30,000 copies in five countries. The fact that I share my name with at least three other published authors gives rise to occasional questions, but has not been a problem. When I decided to experiment with writing fantasy fiction, however, my name became an issue. As many readers of fantasy will know, Anne Bishop is a well known American fantasy writer with thirteen novels to her credit, including the well-known Black Jewels Trilogy. She has also copyrighted her/our name. I sometimes attend readings and take part in discussion about fiction writing in Second Life, a user-created virtual world where my name is Rowan Starsmith. So, when I decided to publish my experimental fantasy novel, I took Rowan Starsmith as my nom-de-plume. As Anne, I live in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. In summer, my partner and I garden and raise chickens. In winter, I write and edit. All year I spin and knit yarn.