Freya Pickard
Author, Novelist, Poet
United KingdomBiography
Pushcart Prize nominee, Freya Pickard, is the quirky, unusual author of The Kaerling series, an epic fantasy set in the strange and wonderful world of Nirunen. A cancer survivor, she writes mainly dark fantasy tales and creates expressive poetry in order to leach the darkness from her soul. Her aim in life is to enchant, entertain and engage with readers through her writing. She finds her inspiration in the ocean, the moors, beautifully written books and vinyl music (particularly heavy metal and rock). She enjoys Hatha Yoga, Bhangra and Yogalates and in her spare time creates water colours and pastel drawings of the worlds in her head.
Books by Freya Pickard
Dead Man's Witness is a dark fantasy whodunnit! Lored has been tasked with finding evidence to clear the herb woman, Rue, of all the charges brought against her. The only trouble is, the evidence he's found incriminates the man who has charged Rue with murder... As the trial for Rue's life begins, the twins, Otta and Erl, need to stay out of the Kirridians' way and remain in obscurity in the Wild Wood.
This is an autobiographical e-book that charts Freya' development as a person and a poet from her early-20s to mid-forties. The poems are an inner reflection on how she feels about not having a boyfriend, finding her soul mate, dancing, working and, of course, writing. Some poems touch on the cancer that unexpectedly invaded her life just before her 42nd birthday. Using her powers of observation and description, Freya encapsulates moments, ideas and emotions.
Four companions drawn together on a quest not of their making. The twins, Otta and Erl, seek to retrieve the boy Derri from his kaerling family, whilst Tari is determined to rescue Lally who has been abducted by the kaerlings. Lored has promised the Zoratti that he will protect the sister that up until recently, he had never met. But catching up with the kaerlings proves to be anything but simple, and the companions discover that they can't completely trust each other.
A collection of poems inspired by myth and legend. Will you dare to walk on the fringes of fear or glance into the blank mirror? Are you brave enough to stand before the thunder god or receive the sun lord's gifts? Can you survive the bewitching ocean song or escape from zombie mushrooms? Drawing on her reading of Greek, Norse, Celtic and Biblical mythology, Freya explores the aspects of legend that appeal to her.
As Lored attempts to investigate the truth of the charges brought against Rue, the herb woman, Tari tries to hide her insecurities and doubts behind a facade of serenity. Lored and Tari must keep the twins' presence on the Isle of Kiros a secret, as the taku-kevir starts to question witnesses to events that happened over a year before. If Lored can't free the herb woman from prison, he and Otta (who is in hiding) won't be able to travel north to continue their pursuit of the kaerlings who have abducted Lally and Derri.
One woman's journey through cancer, chemotherapy and beyond. This is a poetic account of Freya Pickards horrendous experience of bowel cancer. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, she undergoes several major operations to remove the tumour and then endures 6 months of chemotherapy. Only after that can she begin to recover. In order to cope with what she was experiencing, Freya wrote notes and poems in her journal nearly every day.
Lored and his companions are on a rescue mission but first they have to endure a sea voyage. Lored and Otta are struck down with seasickness. Tari finds herself nursing a man she fears and a woman she hates. And Erl has worries of his own... Can the companions conceal Otta's kaerling heritage when they land on the Isle of Kiros? And, how will Lored find the herb woman who has the remedy he and Otta will need when they set sail again in pursuit of the kaerlings?
Sleeping Beauty with a twist! For once, Parsley's in the limelight as she and Dracomagan set out to rescue the son of Lord Thyme. But many things stand in Parsley's way; an impenetrable forest, a silent castle and a strange green orb... If Parsley and Dracomagan can't reach Lord Thyme's son soon, he may die or worse, become enslaved to an evil sorceress!
Five disparate people drawn together in pursuit of one goal. Their mission was simple – to rescue Lally and Derri from the evil kaerlings. But catching up with the kaerlings proves to be anything but simple, and the five companions discover that they can't completely trust each other. This is the seventh volume in the epic saga that is The Kaerling.
When Lored escapes from the Isle of Yrjo, he discovers his problems have only just started. On returning to his homeland, Lored is met with shocking news that turns his life upside down. His quest for the truth takes him to the hidden land of Zorat where he is given a new purpose in life; to find the sister he's never met.
Five disparate paths converge in the mountain city of Aura Vere. “I enjoyed reading Aura Vera immensely and look forward to the next installment!” J Poulter. Otta and Erl must face the kaerling, Jas, before they can ascend the long road to Aura Vere and find the child Derri once more. Lored, the taku-kevir, must seek out the sister he's never met in the Temple in Aura Vere, before the kaerlings find her.
This book contains 5 tales from the strange and dangerous world of Nirunen. Whether or not you've discovered The Kaerling series, this book is the perfect companion to read either before, during or after your explorations of The Kaerling. Discover how mermaids are born in The Ninth Wave. Experience the frustration of a disabled young man in Eran. Enjoy the double-edged blade of knowledge when Venisha discovers her trust destiny in The Butterfly Tree.
Set in the far north, in an ancient castle surrounded by mountains, this is the tale of Isu Magan, heir to Vintrig's Throne. Beset by evil enchantment and held hostage by snow and ice, Vintrig's Kingdom is protected by Princess Isu's virginity; she can never marry. Isu has learnt to accept her fate in life and concentrates her attention on taking the crown that is rightfully hers.
The twins, Otta and Erl, manage to escape from the Kaerlings in Aura Vere by hiding amongst the Suryans during their annual Exodus. Erl loves his new life with his new friends, but Otta struggles with an inexplicable dislike of her rescuers. Can harmony ever be restored in the twin's relationship? Why does Otta dislike the Suryans so much? And when will they reach the end of the Unicorn's Trail?
Ambassador is volume two of The Kaerling series. Otta and Erl have taken refuge with the boy, Derri, in Aura Vere, the capital city of their land. Trapped within the city walls while the winter snows cut off all routes in and out of Aura Vere, the twins and their ward need to survive. Mistaken for a kaerling, Otta has to pretend she is an Ambassador while Erl finds work with the despised Suryan.
Freya has always expressed herself through poetry, whether it's haiku or elfje or longer forms such as villanelle. She has invented her own form of poetry called "Freyan Verse" which, she says, is akin to creating a painting ... She loves poetry because it is so versatile and allows her to be real and express herself truly. This Is Me is Freya's first anthology, containing 3 volumes of poetry; Insides, My Mythology & This Is Me.
Silver Fire is the first volume in Freya Pickard's epic fantasy series, the Kaerling. Otta has been given a task by an invisible, yet powerful presence in the haunted shrine. Erl, her brother, has lost his memory whilst hunting. Banished from their village, the twins must learn to overcome the darker sides of their personalities, if they are going to survive. What is this strange trail that only Otta can sense?
Isu Magan, heir to Vintrig's Throne, has fallen in love with Sama Conn, a travelling musician. Fearing to lose her promised inheritance, Isu is unwilling to show her true feelings for the man she loves. Terrified of her Counsellor Jya, Isu is forced to meet with Sama in secret. Minah, Isu's servant, is happy to aid the princess in her secret dancing lessons with Sama, for Minah is in love with Trom, the drummer.