Blackburrow sucks, and I feel you there, but I'd still recommend braving it. Those gnoll fangs are leaps and bounds better exp than anything else you will find at those levels. ESPECIALLY the few just before you hit 9, when your spells are at their least effective and you're basically a ranger. Your melee begins to fall off but you don't have Tainted Breath yet so you're stuck paying 15 mana for a 14 damage nuke. Much better to be in a group during that level range IMO.
Also, i'd suggest Erud's Crossing at some point. Wisps are all white or below at 11, though I had plenty of success DoT kiting yellow cons at 10, just had to be careful of resists. Duo'ing with a necro or chanter is great there too. It's great cash (greater lightstones vendor for 4.5pp) with a merchant right there to sell to, and the zone is usually a ghost town so very little competition. Personally, I plan on dumping my Greater Lightstone fund into smithing banded, but YMMV
[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] Only downside is if you're solo and get aggro you can't handle, there's no zoneline to run to, but if you run laps around the island somebody will usually be happy to peel a wisp off you if there's at least one other person there.