Why should I conform to stereotype?

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.

She goes about her business with a blatant disregard for the rules of the day and with a witty sarcasm that often had me laughing out loud. E Baxter

Written as a journal, there is humour and imagination, an original take on dragons, a fiercely independent female lead, and a playful twist on Arthurian legend. Fans of Gilbert and Sullivan will even get to sing along in places… F J Franklin

The tale only costs £2.40 / $3.00 at most online stores and the video about it can be found at YouTube.

© Freya Pickard 2017

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A riddle, a silent castle and a green globe …

The Essence of Thyme was my first e-publication!

It is a short story about Dracomagan and her friend Parsley. In truth, it’s a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty, but with a twist. Well, quite a feminist-y twist really!

So, if you don’t like strong female characters or fantasy and don’t have a sense of humour, please DON’T buy this book!

However, you like a good laugh, enjoy tales set in a realistic, yet fantastical setting and love strong female warriors, this may be the story for you!

Travel with Dracomagan and Parsley into a forest where the thorns accept only blood as the passport to safe passage. Discover a silent castle filled with petrified statues. Agonise with Parsley over the best way to wake the handsome man asleep in the four-poster bed. And hear Dracomagan talk her way out of a compromising situation…

This is such a delightful series to read. Essence of Thyme is quirky, fun, and imaginative, and Dracomagan and Parsley are a duo to be reckoned with, potato peeler and all! Great job! K Johnston

The tale only costs 99p / 99c at most online stores and the video about it can be found at YouTube.

© Freya Pickard 2017

Silent Speech of Metallic Ocean

Dreaming and parallel universes … These were the themes of the poem and short story that were given as my May Rewards for my Patreon supporters.

If you missed out on these rewards, don’t worry! If you pledge your support for me at Patreon before 1st June, you will be able to access the June Rewards.

In June, my supporters will receive a previously unpublished tanka/lantune sequence about constellations and new worlds and/or a previously unpublished story about twins who are in danger of their lives and have to communicate telepathically in order to survive …

I am using my short stories and poems as rewards because I want people who support me to get a glimpse into the worlds I have created. For just $1 or more month, you will be able to read an unpublished poem. For just $5 or more a month, you will be able to read an unpublished short story of at least 2,000 words. Other rewards include sneak previews of book covers and launch videos as well free sample chapters of forthcoming books.

See you at Patreon soon!

© Freya Pickard 2017

Have you seen the videos I’ve made about my writing! Check them out at YouTube

Freya’s Paperbacks

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know that last year I published 5 books!

All of them are available as e-books but two of them are also available as paperbacks!

I much prefer a paperback to an e-book. I do a lot of my proof reading of my own manuscripts on my Kindle, so reading an e-book for me is like working. Reading a paperback is a luxury!

Vintrig’s Kingdom is the first in my Isu Magan series. When Isu Magan, heir to Vintrig’s Throne, finds the journal of a vanished Scriber, her perceptions of history and the truth are challenged. A growing distrust of her loyal and powerful Counsellor, initiates rebellious and frightening thoughts within her heart. Adding to this disruption of her ordered life, Isu finds herself attracted to the itinerant musician, Sama Conn.

The Rusalka Ritual is a collection of short stories all of which have Dracomagan (from Dragonscale Leggings) in them at some point. Five tales set in fantastic locations; an arid canyon, a smoke-wreathed ale house, a moonlit sea, a haunted inn and a golf course. Five tales encompassing human emotion; expectations disappointed, self-sacrificing love for the unlovable, will power that overcomes dark enchantment, bravery in the face of evil and fear of the unknown in hum-drum life. Five narrative voices ranging from a young child, a redeemed murderer, a strong-willed young woman, damsels awaiting rescue and a retired banker haunted by death …

More about information as well as links to the promotion videos, can be found at My Books.

Voting Update

A HUGE thank you to everyone who voted for my book cover, The Rusalka Ritual, in The Ultimate Fantasy Book Cover Competition!

I’ve never done this kind of thing before, so I am really encouraged that readers of this blog have been voting for me!

Stage Two of the contest will take place between 31st March and 7th April. This is where the top ten book covers go for a 2nd round of voting at UFB.

I’m in the process of moving house today, so I have no idea if I have made the top ten or not! If I have, thank you once again for voting for me.

And if it hasn’t made the top ten, I still want to thank you all for voting for me! At least I had a positive experience in the first round!

Find out more about my book at The Rusalka Ritual & Other Stories.

Much love Freya xxx

© Freya Pickard 2017

Have you seen the videos I’ve made about my writing! Check them out at YouTube

Please Vote For Me!

I’ve never asked anyone to do this before!

I’ve entered The Rusalka Ritual & Other Stories for the Ultimate Fantasy Book Cover Competition. You can view the entries and vote at UFB.

All I’m asking is that you VOTE for my book cover – it’s on the left hand side and it’s Number Seven. You have only 1 Vote so please, please, please use it for voting for The Rusalka Ritual & Other Stories!

And, if you could share the link with all your contacts also, I would be forever endebted to you! Thank you SO much!

Voting closes on 29th March 2017. Find out more about The Rusalka Ritual & Other Stories.

Much love Freya xxx

© Freya Pickard 2017

Have you seen the videos I’ve made about my writing! Check them out at YouTube

Vintrig’s Kingdom – just 99c

VINTRIG’S KINGDOM is currently reduced in price!

On all sites, except Amazon US, it is priced at either 99p or 99c. Amazon US, as usual (!) will only reduce the price to $1.23.

But the reduction won’t last long! So snap it up before the price returns to $4.99. And, I will probably never ever reduce the price of this novel so low again!

When Isu Magan, heir to Vintrig’s Throne, finds the journal of a vanished Scriber, her perceptions of history and the truth are challenged. A growing distrust of her loyal and powerful Counsellor, initiates rebellious and frightening thoughts within her heart. Adding to this disruption of her ordered life, Isu finds herself attracted to the itinerant musician, Sama Conn.

Available at Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Kobo

There are 2 videos to watch this time! There’s a short black and white film of me talking about the novel and why I wrote it at About Vintrig’s Kingdom and there’s also a technicolor film of me reading an extract from the book at Vintrig’s Kingdom Extract.