Creation of Daeri

Zimtam was called from the stars and the moon

The strength of Isinga was placed in him

And Isinga saw he needed a mate

One who would race in the wind beside him

One to be mother of all Daeri.

So mighty Isinga turned to the sea

That which he tamed before light was born

From the vast ocean depths he called her

Formed her from the white rolling surge

Birthing her from the wave that was ninth

Filling her with the strength of the sea

Clothing her in the pale, sighing foam

Named her Laoka, white running water.

© Freya Pickard 2019

Foaming Wave photograph by Freya Pickard

If you enjoy poetry like this, you can read more in My Mythology and This Is Me. And if you enjoy watching video poetry, see this poem at Creation of Daeri.

This is “goodbye” until September – I hope to pop online as and when I can, but can’t guarantee when I’ll be around due to the nature of my work! Thank you for reading – I look forward to catching up with you all again in the autumn.

For those of you who enjoy my poetry, I have scheduled some posts over at Pure Haiku which explore themes and characters from The Kaerling series. These will start appearing from 9th May onwards.

And don’t forget to read these reviews about The Kaerling series at Cheryl Holloway’s blog and The Wobbly Dum Dum Tree!

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Sensual lips …

Otta turned her eyes back to Jas. He had the high cheekbones and angular eyes just like the kaerlings Dia travelled with, but his eyes were blue and his jaw strong. There was an arrogance about his face that enhanced his features and once more Otta felt strongly attracted to him. He lay back down on the bed and Otta ran her eyes over the firm pectorals and biceps as he crossed his arms and stared at the ceiling again. Otta wondered why he didn’t look at Dia directly and then realised she was part of a thought and Jas could not see anything, just hear Dia’s voice.

Well, I am honoured. He grinned, curling his lip derisively, revealing even, white teeth.

He had sensual lips, Otta thought, and wondered what it would feel like to be kissed by them. Nagaru nudged her sharply.

Pay attention, he whispered softly.

I need the use of your special talent.

Jas chuckled quietly and ran his hands through his short, dark hair. Are you asking for help? Dia of the House of Amethyst never needs help!

Jas is one of the Kaerlings

Otta colour by Suzanne

This is an extract from An Ancient Song, Volume Three of The Kaerling. Otta finds herself in several dangerous situations as the tale progresses. Available at Amazon UK, Amazon US, iBooks, Nook, Kobo and many other online stores. Have you seen the video about it at YouTube!

Don’t forget that the first volume of The Kaerling, Silver Fire, is a FREE download!

© Freya Pickard 2019

Rumour begins …

grey

smudged horizon

slanting sunlight glows

softens this harsh, dangerous

landscape

© Freya Pickard 2019

This is just one of my poems describing the mystical landscape of Dartmoor. In my newsletters this year, I’m exploring the terrain, mood and life of this unique moor in south-west England. I’ve used both haiku and elfje to depict the different aspects of Dartmoor which still haunts me …

Clippings March 2019

And it’s not just free poetry you can read in my newsletter! This month, a new story begins, beautifully illustrated by artist Elisa Choi!

Her Majesty, Queen Dracomagan the First was seated on her throne. Perhaps seated was too broad a term to use. She was sprawled on the uncomfortable chair, legs stuck out on the top step, arms hanging loosely over the sides. Her crown was wonky and her long hair tumbled untidily around her face …

And, if you like to get a peek inside a writer’s real life, I’m also writing about how I run a busy Bed & Breakfast in the summer months! Want to read more?

Just sign up to receive my free Newsletter at dragonscaleclippings@gmail.com with “Request Clippings” in the subject line.

Clippings June 2019

© Freya Pickard 2019

Myth & Legend

Future Wars – Part Three

solitary eye

untangles myth and legend

thought and memory

© Freya Pickard 2019

Want to find out what’s happened in parts one and two of Future Wars? Find out in My Mythology and This is Me! Watch the video about My Mythology at YouTube!

Available at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Apple, Nook, Kobo and other online stores.

War Colours painting by Freya Pickard

 

Rumour …

Last year, The Attar of Chervil concluded the tale that began in The Essence of Thyme. Despite the darkness of the story, it more or less ended happily ever after.

Now, a new story begins. This one is set sometime after The Attar of Chervil when Lady Parsley has fallen out of love with Tym and fallen in love with Sir Larfalot.

But my Newsletter doesn’t just contain an episode of a free short story. It also showcases some of my unpublished poetry. This year I’m exploring the terrain of Dartmoor; wild, dangerous yet incredibly beautiful.

And, for those of my readers who enjoy a glimpse into an author’s real life, I’m talking about what life is really like for people who run a small B&B …

Up at 0530 to eat our own breakfast and prepare cooked breakfasts for up to 15 people. Serve breakfast from 0830. Start clearing the Dining Room at 0930 whilst giving guests advice on places to visit that day…

 

I also feature the artwork of Elisa Ang Choi and Jonathon B. Hoyt on the front covers of the zine.

“I’ve just finished reading the latest issue of Clippings, I enjoyed the last episode of the story so much and in particular the elfje poems which really spoke to me in terms of imagery and colour!” Claudia M

Want to read more? Simply email me at dragonscaleclippings@gmail.com with “Request Clippings” in the subject line and I’ll send you my Newsletter every quarter.

© Freya Pickard 2019

EPod Interview – Bill Engleson

Here is the first in my EPod Interview series for 2019! New to my blog and haven’t come across one yet? Check out the back story at Escape Pod Emulations.

OK, who do we have inside this particular meteorite-pocked capsule? The paint’s all chipped and worn away – the person inside must have been in the escape pod for a long while … Ah! Here we go – the door’s open. Hmm, interesting smell – oysters and anchovies? Hello! Who’s this? Welcome back to civilisation, Bill! What items did you take with you?

1. Out of the millions of books I might take, my choice would be George Orwell’s first book, Down and Out in Paris and London. In another time, I would have been a wanderer …
2. A can of anchovies… just in case an anchovie-less pizza floats by.
3. A case of red wine, any kind, or, if that doesn’t quite fit the formula, at least one bottle.
4. A cane. I am probably going to need it at some point.
5. A container of fresh oysters… always loved oysters, raw or cooked.

Bill Engleson is the author of 2 books, one of which, Like a Child to Home, is about Social Work. Bill has a beautifully presented website at Engleson.ca and if you want to “meet” the author himself, check out this short video at YouTube.

Bill is a retired social worker living the country life and waiting for the expected power failure that always comes.

If you’re on Twitter, Bill can be followed at @billmelaterplea and you can discover more about his other book at Silver Bow Publishing!

Want to get some exposure for your book or artwork? Visit Escape Pod Emulations and contact me with the requested information!

© Freya Pickard 2019

Dragonscale Leggings – paperback!

Dragonscale Leggings is a dangerous book to read.

Why? Because if you don’t have a sense of humour, hate strong female leads and don’t like fantasy worlds, you’ll be wasting your time reading it.

But, if you love all of the above, you may well find this novel a very enjoyable read! I don’t like writing about stereotypes and in this book I write about “characters that are of the classic fantasy-typical stereotype, (that) are never stereotypical” (E Leaper). I also write a “parody of the fantasy genre … lampooning its conventions and tropes” (Troy).

This is chick-lit in a fantasy world. Think Alice in Wonderland meets Bridget Jones’ Diary. Come and adventure with Dracomagan and her trusty stallion, Tygar, as they travel through the Otherworld, trying to find her memory, evade Merlin and keep on the right side of the law.

This novel is now available once more as a paperback! This is the second edition in paperback and has been tweaked and improved. And of course it now has the updated cover to match the e-book version!

It’s available at Amazon UK & Amazon US and the video about my quirky heroine can be found at YouTube!

© Freya Pickard 2018