Photo credit: Rachel McCalley
Photo credit: Rachel McCalley

Short Bio

Isabel Bandeira grew up surrounded by trees and lakes in Southern New Jersey, right on the edge of the Pine Barrens. Her summers were always spent in Portugal, where the cathedrals, castles, and ancient tombs only fed her fairy tale obsession. Between all those influences and her serious glitter addiction, it wasn’t a surprise when she started writing stories of her own.

In her free time between writing and her day job as a Mechanical Engineer who designs and develops medical devices, she reads, dances, figure skates, and knits.

Isabel lives in New Jersey with her little black cat, too many books, and a closetful of vintage hats. 

 

 

 

 

And the loooooong bulleted list of random facts:

  • I'm a Mechanical Engineer who designs medical devices.
    • That means I occasionally work with cadavers. (My twitter feed does get a little weird on cadaver lab days.  Oddly enough, I never lose followers on those days...)
    • I have multiple patents in the US and outside the US for implants and instruments. Yes, it feels as cool as it sounds.
  • I dance. Though I wasn't allowed to take classes as a kid, I started taking ballet at 19 and only gave up dancing en pointe (on my toes) a few years ago, after an achilles tendon rupture took away a lot of my heel lift...
  • ... and after almost a year of surgery, casting, and physical therapy for my achilles, I took some figure skating classes and fell in love. I've been skating since 2006.
  • I fenced in college (foil and epee.) On a men's team, because there weren't enough women to form a women's team. I rocked some EPIC bruises.
  • I picked up Olympic recurve archery after falling head over heels in love with the sport while researching it for Bookishly Ever After. 
  • I love to travel. From India to Canada, I've been chasing my dreams one country at a time.

 

 

At the Taj Mahal
  • I admit that I might have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with Canada. That might be Lucy Maud Montgomery's fault (she's my favorite author) Or the chocolate. Or the existence of many outdoor rinks and the Rideau Canal. Or Tim Hortons. Possibly the culture and people, too.
In Prince Edward Island, Canada. Birthplace of LM Montgomery!
  • I'm a proud New Jerseyan of Portuguese descent and spend a lot of time in Portugal, hanging out around castles and roman ruins 
  • I have waaaaaay too many vintage hats. And I love them all.

One of my babies, a lovely New Look platter hat!!

Member: SCBWI
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Unless noted, text and images Copyright © 2011–2016 Isabel Bandeira. Do not copy or redistribute without permission.