Elise Matthesen

Who is Elise Matthesen?

Elise Matthesen is an American essayist, journalist, poet, and fiction writer, and a crafter of art jewelry. For 13 years she was the companion of the late John M. Ford until his death in September 2006. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is a member of the First Universalist Church there.

Matthesen is an anorexia nervosa survivor as well as a speaker, facilitator, and activist on issues of body acceptance, bisexuality, polyamory, and issues of self-esteem.

In 2009 she was nominated for a World Fantasy Award Special Award - Non-Professional "for setting out to inspire and for serving as inspiration for works of poetry, fantasy, and SF over the last decade through her jewelry-making and her 'artist's challenges'". She has written for local GLBT magazine Lavender, is an active member of science fiction fandom, serving as chair of the 2009 Fourth Street Fantasy Convention.