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Elizabeth Sandifer

Elizabeth Sandifer created Eruditorum Press. She’s not really sure why she did that, and she apologizes for the inconvenience. She currently writes Last War in Albion, a history of the magical war between Alan Moore and Grant Morrison. She used to write TARDIS Eruditorum, a history of Britain told through the lens of a ropey sci-fi series. She also wrote Neoreaction a Basilisk, writes comics these days, and has ADHD so will probably just randomly write some other shit sooner or later. Support Elizabeth on Patreon.

98 Comments

  1. mx_mond
    March 16, 2018 @ 4:26 pm

    I look forward to the new version of The Golden Thread in particular, and I’ll repurchase the currently only EP book I physically own, Recursive Occlusion.

    Really looking forward to TARDIS Eruditorum as well as that storming epic you’re writing.

    And as a person who also recently started questioning their gender identity, I wish you all the best on that new stage in your journey. I’m happy to continue to follow along as reader of Eruditorum Press.

    Reply

  2. Simon
    March 16, 2018 @ 4:29 pm

    Congratulations, Elizabeth.

    Reply

  3. Przemek
    March 16, 2018 @ 4:34 pm

    Thank you for this announcement. I’m happy that you can be open about who you are. I wish you all the best and I can’t wait for the new TARDIS Eruditorum.

    Reply

  4. 2odastream
    March 16, 2018 @ 4:39 pm

    FAG

    Reply

  5. Kazin
    March 16, 2018 @ 4:42 pm

    Wanted to put down my congratulations here in addition to what I already said on Twitter. I’m very happy for you!

    Reply

  6. Tamsyn
    March 16, 2018 @ 4:45 pm

    Not out myself enough yet to be able to direct glee at you via other social media, but as a long time reader of yours who started reading you before she realized she was trans, and is finally now transitioning herself – almost four weeks on estrogen! – congratulations, and thank you.

    Reply

  7. Jen A. Blue
    March 16, 2018 @ 4:49 pm

    Welcome to the world, Elizabeth!

    And welcome to the SORORAL Order of Psychochronographers! 😉

    suppresses urge to make a joke about how you’re copying me for once

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Sandifer
      March 16, 2018 @ 4:51 pm

      I still have the DMs that definitively settle this priority dispute anyway. 😛

      Reply

      • Jen A. Blue
        March 16, 2018 @ 5:59 pm

        If by that you mean they prove that I came out to you before you came out to me, then yes. =P

        Reply

        • Elizabeth Sandifer
          March 17, 2018 @ 5:36 pm

          And that I’d started hormones three months before you. 😛

          (Trans psychochronographic rivalries ftw)

          Reply

          • e
            March 20, 2018 @ 4:55 am

            I fucking love you and your work liz, congrats on living your life

  8. Jack
    March 16, 2018 @ 4:53 pm

    Whoa, congratulations! It must be especially stressful to come out when you’re in the public eye and have many published works out there under your deadname. Major respect.

    I assume that your ebooks will be delisted at the same time as the paper versions go out of print, then the new versions will go up? I should look into whether Amazon lets you permanently remove/hide books in your account, to avoid seeing duplicates.

    I’m also now trying to remember if/how often you misgender yourself in your previous essays, but I’m sure you’ve thought about that too.

    Reply

  9. Sean Dillon
    March 16, 2018 @ 4:55 pm

    Obviously congrats El. You have been an influence on my work for many years and I’m happy you’ve achieved your… becoming. A few minor questions:

    -Are the ebook versions going to update or are we going to have to rebuy those as well?
    -I know the interpretation you have of the song you used to build this up works wonderfully for the announcement and all, but why not Stranger? Would it have been too obvious?
    -Is the third podcast you mentioned on twitter going to be as Elizabeth or Dr. Sandifer?

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Sandifer
      March 16, 2018 @ 6:51 pm

      Not clear. We’ll see.

      I mean, the transest song on the album is If I Were You. Unspeaking worked as the countdown though.

      Third podcast will include an explanation at the start I think.

      Reply

  10. James R Wylder
    March 16, 2018 @ 5:08 pm

    I’m very happy for you, and glad you’re taking this step for yourself. <3

    I guess I’ll have to scrounge together some cash for a physical “Beauty” if I can. Might not be able to, but that’s how things go I suppose.

    Anyways, looking forward to the future work of Elizabeth Sandifer!

    Reply

  11. Scriptscribbles
    March 16, 2018 @ 5:08 pm

    Well done, Miss (or Mrs, Ms, whatever, I can never keep track of those)! Always a pleasure to read your work, maybe now I can finally use this opportunity to go get myself a book copy. I hope this new regeneration will serve you well.

    Reply

    • anna
      March 16, 2018 @ 11:41 pm

      The cheeky answer, of course, is that ‘Dr’ still applies.

      Reply

  12. CJM123
    March 16, 2018 @ 5:15 pm

    Congratulations El!

    Reply

  13. Ryan F
    March 16, 2018 @ 6:11 pm

    Long time lurker, first time poster, Kickstarter backer. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, except for your various writings.

    But I’d just like to offer you the very warmest of congratulations, and wish you all the very best for the future. Peace and love.

    Reply

  14. Frezno
    March 16, 2018 @ 6:15 pm

    Congrats!!!

    Reply

  15. Dave
    March 16, 2018 @ 6:33 pm

    What about Betty ?

    But seriously – good luck and well done. Best wishes.

    Reply

  16. Fraser
    March 16, 2018 @ 6:45 pm

    God, I really needed some great news like this today. I’m so delighted and happy for you. No one else has expanded my perspective and deprogrammed so much toxicity inside me quite as much as you and your writing. You’re just wonderful, and your work makes me feel less alone. Lots of love to you, Elizabeth Sandifer.

    Reply

  17. liminal fruitbat
    March 16, 2018 @ 6:46 pm

    Congratulations! Really glad to hear of the support you’ve received, and very excited about what you’ll be writing next.

    Reply

  18. Killer Moff
    March 16, 2018 @ 6:53 pm

    Keep writing quality stuff, and I’ll keep reading! Hope all is well with you going forward!

    Reply

  19. Dave
    March 16, 2018 @ 6:54 pm

    Congratulations! Huge fan of yours and eagerly looking forward to the new El Sandifer works

    Reply

  20. Kyle Edwards
    March 16, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

    Seeing all of the trans reposts over the last month or so on your Twitter has been hugely inspiring and informative — makes me feel a lot less scared, and a lot more prepared, for when I finally pull the trigger and out myself.

    Congratulations, Elizabeth. I wish you the very best. You are legitimately my favorite author, and I look forward to everything you have in store for us (which also means, of course, that I’m going to have to watch Hannibal now).

    Reply

  21. EmperorofChairs
    March 16, 2018 @ 7:04 pm

    Congratulations. I wish you all the best going forward, and I’m very glad you have a good support network. This site has given me a lot of thoughts and pleasure and I thoroughly enjoyed Neoreaction a Basilisk

    Reply

    • EmperorofChairs
      March 16, 2018 @ 7:10 pm

      Also I’d like to say your new haircut really suits you 10/10

      Reply

  22. John G. Wood
    March 16, 2018 @ 7:04 pm

    Congrats! I hope this makes a really positive difference to your life, and that you don’t have to deal with too many idiots. I look forward to seeing more of the same inspired madness in your writing we’ve always had here…

    Reply

  23. ACatinAHat
    March 16, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

    Just thought I’d take the opportunity to say congratulations

    Reply

  24. Neil
    March 16, 2018 @ 7:27 pm

    Hi Elizabeth…really appreciate yr work. Not the kinda theory I practice. But a kind of theory, for sure. The kind that inspires me and makes the world better. Thanking you…

    Reply

  25. Jane
    March 16, 2018 @ 7:27 pm

    Wishing you all the best, Elizabeth!

    Reply

  26. Champiness
    March 16, 2018 @ 7:49 pm

    Strangely the first bit of foreshadowing that sprang to mind for me wasn’t the Unspeaking countdown or any of the other planned stuff, it was just “oh, so THAT’S the clerical reason for the new editions”.
    I’m lucky because Guided is actually one of the few Sandifer works I already have in print (along with the reprint of Eruditorum 1 and the Conspiracy Zine edition of Basilisk, which I guess also just accrued some additional collectors-item value). I’ll have to make sure it stays safe in my room from now on.
    Congrats, of course.

    Reply

  27. Tymothi Loving
    March 16, 2018 @ 7:59 pm

    Congratulations, Elizabeth!

    Reply

  28. Tony Macklin
    March 16, 2018 @ 8:18 pm

    Congratulations El,
    Love, hugs and tea.
    Tony x

    Reply

  29. The Oncoming Hurricane
    March 16, 2018 @ 8:27 pm

    Congratulations again, and just to add to what I said on Twitter I’m really looking forward to seeing the kind of influences this will have on the Eruditorum!

    Reply

  30. BeatnikLady
    March 16, 2018 @ 9:02 pm

    All the best to you. One of my middle names is Elizabeth, so good choice! (After my grandmother, who went by ‘Beth’.) Looking forward to seeing a new Eruditorum from the start as well.

    Reply

  31. AECeyton
    March 16, 2018 @ 9:02 pm

    Amazing news. I wish you all the best Elizabeth.

    Reply

  32. AlfredJ
    March 16, 2018 @ 9:19 pm

    Hi Elizabeth, long time reader of your site, although I rarely post comments. Just wanted to say I’m very proud of you, which I hope doesn’t sound too weird (I am though, having to learn and accept yourself so deeply and then taking the step to be comfortable and happy being yourself in a world where a lot of people don’t understand that journey is, in my eyes at least, heroic. I mean that.

    If that’s too sappy or weird, let me just say I’m very happy for you. Very much looking forward to your future writings.

    Reply

  33. Janine
    March 16, 2018 @ 9:44 pm

    All the best, El (what about Betty…? Just a thought). I know you have a supportive network of readers, but still… I’d imagine such an announcement is much harder when you’ve got a public profile like yours, so I think we all admire the courage this took. Still, I have complete faith in your ability to deal with haters.

    After a look on your Twitter page, if this is appropriate, I’d just like to say that you look really lovely, too.

    Reply

  34. Kevin Carson
    March 16, 2018 @ 10:10 pm

    Congrats and best wishes!

    Reply

  35. ScarvesandCelery
    March 16, 2018 @ 10:49 pm

    Congratulations Elizabeth!

    Reply

  36. tankermottind
    March 16, 2018 @ 10:53 pm

    Shit, I just posted an article for my employer a couple of days ago that name-dropped you and “The All-Seeing Eye of Gamergate” by what is now your deadname. I had no idea of your impending transition (and I don’t use Twitter at all) but I feel bad anyway and will edit the article this evening. 🙁

    Congratulations on this, it must have been a huge struggle to reach this point, and I can no longer respect men who brag about their physical courage when the moral and emotional courage of women and other people they consider “weak” is so much greater. Best wishes for you as you make this change in your life!

    Reply

  37. Dylan
    March 16, 2018 @ 11:02 pm

    Congrats, El!

    Reply

  38. Richard
    March 16, 2018 @ 11:12 pm

    The depth and clarity with which you see the world inspires so many of us.
    Go strongly on, Elizabeth.

    Reply

  39. Matthew
    March 16, 2018 @ 11:26 pm

    4 years ago, a young right-wing dickbag stumbled upon a Doctor Who blog that, over time, would change his views on politics, society, media, and religion forever. That younger, stupider, more callous version of me would have reacted to this news in ways too toxic for me to stomach even trying to imagine. The current me, shaped as I have been by your work, reacted with the biggest smile I can remember having. Congratulations, Elizabeth. I wish you nothing but the best. You have brought me to the best version of my myself. I am forever thankful, and will forever lend my support. Oh, and the Unspeaking announcement on Twitter was bloody brilliant.

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Sandifer
      March 17, 2018 @ 5:40 pm

      Thank you so much for this. I teared up, in a good way. Seriously, on what was already a pretty freakin’ amazing day for me, reading this was one of the highlights. I’m touched and honored to know I’ve had this effect on the world. Thank you.

      Reply

  40. Nindokag
    March 16, 2018 @ 11:31 pm

    Congratulations, Elizabeth! It’s a brave thing to let this cruel world see your true self. Wishing you the best with your transition.

    Wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that Tardis Eruditorum made me a Doctor Who fan. This is my first time posting here but I’ve been lurking since 2016. When I stumbled onto Tardis Eruditorum and compulsively read the whole thing, I had never seen a single episode of the classic series. Now I’m, like… deep into missing episode reconstructions and Big Finish and it’s all your fault 😉

    This is to say that your writing has been a big part of my life over the last two years. (I backed T.E. vol 7 as well as Neoreaction a Basilisk on Kickstarter.)

    I’m very very excited to hear that the Eruditorum is starting up again. And this time I’ll be able to follow along as it covers an era I’ve actually seen all of!

    Reply

  41. Carlyle
    March 16, 2018 @ 11:56 pm

    Congratulations, El!

    Reply

  42. AuntyJack
    March 17, 2018 @ 12:27 am

    Congratulations and warmest wishes, El!

    Reply

  43. Josh
    March 17, 2018 @ 1:27 am

    Sincere respect and congratulations, El!

    Reply

  44. BenJ
    March 17, 2018 @ 3:33 am

    Congratulations, El. And thank you for amusing, informing, and sometimes challenging me over the years.

    Reply

  45. Tim B.
    March 17, 2018 @ 7:15 am

    Congratulations Elizabeth

    Reply

  46. David Faggiani
    March 17, 2018 @ 9:35 am

    “OK, why is that interesting?”

    🙂

    Reply

  47. Prole Hole
    March 17, 2018 @ 11:49 am

    Late to the party, as is my wont, but congrats also! Along with so many here, you’ve been a great influence on my own perspectives and writing, and I’m so happy for you that you’ve been able to do this.

    Reply

  48. Aylwin
    March 17, 2018 @ 1:47 pm

    Congratulations! (even more belatedly)

    Reply

  49. Amadeo
    March 17, 2018 @ 2:36 pm

    Congratulations, Elizabeth! As a (mostly) silent long time reader, your writing has been hugely important and inspirational for me. I wish you nothing but happiness in your future!

    Reply

  50. D.N.
    March 17, 2018 @ 3:21 pm

    All the best, Elizabeth. May the road rise up to meet you!

    Reply

  51. AntonB
    March 17, 2018 @ 4:44 pm

    Oh Brilliant!

    Congratulations Doctor El

    Reply

  52. Uther Dean
    March 17, 2018 @ 5:09 pm

    El, you’ve been inspiring me through your work for years by now but it still must be said that today you are a inspiration. It is such delight to see someone, whose work I respect so much, living and being their truth.

    Reply

  53. Laura
    March 17, 2018 @ 8:15 pm

    Congratulations, Elizabeth!

    Seen this coming for a while now – great to have you with us!

    Reply

  54. Colargol
    March 17, 2018 @ 8:43 pm

    So happy for you, Doctor El! You’ve been my guide in my Classic Series adventure (inspired by The Name of the Doctor in 2013). I was always thankful for your queer sensibility – and now I’m jealous of your Pertwee jackets.

    Reply

  55. Mac
    March 17, 2018 @ 10:09 pm

    Well hello, Elizabeth – El! I don’t know if “Nice to meet you” is exactly right – it suggests no continuity, which seems wrong – but perhaps “Nice to know you” is.

    Reply

  56. Jimmy
    March 17, 2018 @ 11:21 pm

    Brilliant!

    Reply

  57. Fujimoto
    March 18, 2018 @ 1:28 am

    Warmest and most sincere congratulations from a trans reader! That feeling of everything making sense at last is one of the giddiest and warming that I know, and I wish you the best!

    Reply

  58. Ian Mathers
    March 18, 2018 @ 2:56 am

    Another long-time reader and non-commenter, but how could I not come out of the woodwork to wish you congratulations and smile at the wonderful news? I am so glad you do have a readership where, as you say, you can be honest about this with little to no fear.

    Reply

  59. Ozyman.Jones
    March 18, 2018 @ 4:35 am

    Well done, and I wish you well in your continued personal journey. I cannot imagine the personal bravery this requires, and congratulate you on that. I have had one work colleague transition in the past, and though I was not too close to the process, I saw the travails and challenges she underwent in a predominantly male workplace (and industry). But also the triumphs.

    We have had small differences of opinion in some comments in the past. But variety is the spice of life and I have never had anything less than respect for your position and reasoning. This, of course, will not change.

    I look forward to the continuation of The Eruditorum with just as much enthusiasm as before.

    Reply

  60. Christopher Brown
    March 18, 2018 @ 8:46 am

    Congratulations Elizabeth 🙂 best wishes and thank you for your writing – before I discovered the Eruditorum I never realized how much my life was lacking such a no-bullshit, unashamedly radical, deeply personal lens on some of my favorite television, that proudly said everything I never had the vocabulary to say about politics and fiction while challenging and occasionally enraging me at the same time. Long may your work continue and I can’t wait to see what I’m sure will be a very fruitful coming-out journey reflected in it. The political is personal, after all 🙂

    Reply

  61. Christopher Sait
    March 18, 2018 @ 10:57 am

    Congratulations Dr Elizabeth Sandifer!

    I’ve spent the last few months making my way through the current era Who Eruditorum. The “Forest of the Dead/Silence in the Library” mega post has inspired me to finally dip my toes into classic Who, so I wanted to thank you for that.

    I’m looking forward to rewatching the Capaldi era with your posts. I’ll be sure to kick some money your way when funds are a little healthier.

    Congrats and thank you again.

    Reply

  62. Jason Lee
    March 18, 2018 @ 4:38 pm

    A gift on your new birthday …

    https://youtu.be/l-1vmjGMRe4

    (Doctor Who Peter Capaldi Question Cracks Him Up)

    Reply

  63. patman
    March 19, 2018 @ 12:43 am

    Hey, awesome! (I have to say that I was wondering about this, a little — I think you’ve made occasional, passing, somewhat cryptic references to being a trans person here and there, but the lack of follow up made it seem…a little confusing? A lot of none of my damn business? Something like that, anyway.) How long, I wonder, before a Google search for “El Sandifer” comes up with this site? Seems odd to keep looking up “Philip”…

    Reply

  64. Sean Daugherty
    March 19, 2018 @ 5:24 am

    Well, this is why I shouldn’t go offline for a weekend, I suppose. I saw the new TARDIS Eruditorum posts a few hours ago on Patreon, briefly wondered about the new icon portrait, and managed to completely miss the new name. It was only once I saw an unfamiliar name on my Twitter feed half an hour ago that I actually put everything together.

    My lateness and cluelessness notwithstanding, congratulations, El!

    Reply

  65. JFrancis
    March 19, 2018 @ 11:59 am

    Wonderful news and may I take this opportunity to say how envious I am of the ability to wear a velvet jacket that well?

    Reply

  66. Arkleseizure
    March 19, 2018 @ 7:42 pm

    I only found this excellent blog after its first completion and now have all six of the books so far on my Kindle. Unfortunately, I didn’t see the latest Kickstarter until after its completion, and so have nothing left to kick but myself.

    And I’m late here as well, but this time I thought better late than never. So congrats to you, El. You don’t know me, but I feel like I know you just a tiny bit, and I will try to be prompt in future.

    And now I really hope you cover Señor 105 because El Sandifer sounds like someone who might know him 🙂

    Reply

    • Arkleseizure
      March 19, 2018 @ 8:50 pm

      I’ve spent the last hour worrying that my last sentence might have been inappropriate. My apologies if it was.

      Reply

  67. Christa Mactíre
    March 19, 2018 @ 8:30 pm

    Congratulations, Elizabeth! I’m so happy and thrilled and excited and all sorts of other positive emotions! I’ve been following your work for a good few years now, and as a trans woman myself (and a big DW fan) I’m glad that our community can count such a well-spoken and fascinating writer amongst our ranks. I’ll happily re-buy the amended ebooks of Eruditorum should they come out, and everything else!

    All that’s left to say is, “Oh, brilliant!”

    Reply

  68. 5tephe
    March 19, 2018 @ 10:32 pm

    Congrats El!

    Reply

  69. David Bateman
    March 21, 2018 @ 7:19 am

    Just want to add my late congratulations to this, Elizabeth. Best wishes!

    Reply

  70. Steve
    March 21, 2018 @ 2:44 pm

    I’ve been reading Elizabeth for years and this is the first thing she’s written that I’ve supported and agreed with. (wink)

    Congrats and best wished.

    Reply

  71. Simon Blake
    March 22, 2018 @ 10:10 pm

    Frankly, Sir – ahem, I’m sorry – Madam, I’m all for dedication in fandom, but I think you’ve taken this Doctor Who obsession just a little far by actually regenerating into a woman just as the show (finally) does the same.

    Joking aside, while I can’t say I agree with everything you write (which is part of my motivation for reading it in the first place), it is never less than well structured, compelling and really interesting, and frequently more than just that and I look forward to your posts, even if only to cry “WHAT?”. Happy thoughts coming your way from this long-time reader/rarely a commenter.

    Reply

  72. Joel
    March 23, 2018 @ 6:22 pm

    Well, it would seem congratulations are in order to Dr. Elizabeth Sha… uh, Sandifer 🙂

    Reply

  73. RobW
    April 1, 2018 @ 10:52 pm

    Hey El, been a while since I visited the site but I’m a massive Whovian who loves your work on the series (especially the classic one). I own volumes 1 -4 and was contemplating buying 5 and 6 (and also looking to see if 7 has been published yet). I notice on amazon uk though that these are listed on there under an incorrect name. I don’t want to be in any way complicit in misgendering you, or institutional transphobia, so was wondering if you could give any dates for republishing, as am planning on embarking on a Who odyssey of my own and regard your work, along with Shearman/Hadoke as essential. Look forward to getting 5, 6 and 7 when (re)published. Fascinated also to see your essays on the alt-right as well – do you discuss brexit at all?

    Reply

  74. Daru
    April 11, 2018 @ 7:57 am

    Wow, well done Dr El and what a brave, beautiful journey to do publicly! So you have not only regenerated, but with the Eruditorum restarting it feels like the site is too. So happy for you.

    Reply

  75. Doctor Memory
    April 26, 2018 @ 12:22 am

    I was wondering why nothing had popped up on the RSS feed for your articles in a while — turns out you’d renamed the feed as well!

    You might want to ask whoever handles this — possibly yourself? — to set up your site’s webserver to rewrite and issue 302 redirects for the old URLs.

    In any case congratulations on the major step! 🙂

    Reply

  76. Rodolfo Piskorski
    May 21, 2018 @ 10:41 am

    I am fascinated by how trans people choose their names. Any stories behind Elizabeth?

    Reply

  77. J du Bois
    July 9, 2018 @ 6:35 pm

    I’ve not been on your blog for a while…time and tide got in the way. I made a comment once about the start of my transition back in the day on a post about one of The Doctor’s regenerations. It was a liberating and amazing thing to feel and start. Congratulations on your own journey and regeneration. Now I gotta get copies of the books from you! I know the pain of changing names on book covers. Much love and Slack to you!

    Reply

  78. Isaac
    September 27, 2018 @ 7:45 pm

    Congratulations! I know I’m a little late to the game, but I’m a big fan of the TARDIS Eruditorum blog and just found this post after getting back to my marathon of the show. Can’t wait to read the books themselves as they’re republished.

    Reply

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