Interview with dark fantasy author Freya Pickard

Today’s special guest is dark fantasy author Freya Pickard to chat about her new novel Air Brother.

Bio:
Pushcart Prize nominee (2022), Freya Pickard, is the author of The Kaerling series which is a dark fantasy tale set in the strange, uncompromising world of Nirunen. 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. She has published over 20 books since 2016.

Welcome, Freya. Please tell us about your current release.
The object of the four companions’ quest is to rescue Derri, a kaerling boy who has been reclaimed by his family, as well as Lally, an acolyte of Aqua, who has been abducted and taken to the land of Jargoiden against her will.

Finally reaching the shores of Jargoiden, the four companions discover that following the kaerlings is not as straightforward as they had imagined. Not only is the scenery of Jargoiden foreign and alien to the travellers, the very inhabitants of the land seem intent on thwarting the companions’ progress…
When disaster strikes and they are separated, Tari and Erl take refuge in a pine forest in order to escape from the bandits pursuing them. Meanwhile, Lored and Otta must set aside their differences as they set out on a long, dark journey in the bowels of the earth.

Air Brother is book 5 of The Kaerling series. You don’t need to have read any of the other books in this series, as each book has been designed to be read as a standalone novel, as well as being read in conjunction with the rest of The Kaerling.

What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to explore what it was like to find yourself involved in a quest you hadn’t actually signed up for and what happens when you don’t necessarily like the people you’re travelling with. I don’t like formulaic writing and have developed my own style of quest telling that explores different aspects of the characters’ natures in each book.

Here is a short excerpt from Air Brother:

Erl was used to being taller than other Falnaboldians. But here he felt giant-like, towering above the short denizens of the Port. When Erl caught sight of the lean, grey clad man striding towards them, he stopped in astonishment.

          “What is it?” Tari asked, her brown eyes full of concern.

          “Quickly, here!” Erl pulled her into the shelter of a doorway.

          Otta paused, tilting her head in query.

          Erl swallowed hard watching the man stride along the road, a red-coloured bitch trotting briskly at his heels. He’d only seen the man once before. He could remember the scene vividly. He’d been with Mahesa, the Suryan leader, in The Red Pine in Aura Vere. The tall, severe-looking man had walked in with his hound and the thugs and ruffians in the tavern had fallen silent. The man’s hair wasn’t as short as it had been then, and he no longer carried a staff. But Erl recognised him and the hound with her odd, wedge-shaped face and lean body with a deep chest. The man wore a longsword strapped to his back, and his eyes, as he passed Erl were the same steel-grey that the lad remembered.

          Why are you afraid? Otta asked silently, picking up on his fear and identifying its source.

          “That is the King’s Assassin.”

          Tari’s hand clutched tightly around his bicep and she shuddered. Otta kept her eyes on the man, giving off an air of curiosity, rather than fear.

          “What is the King’s Assassin doing here?” Tari whispered.

          “Why do we hide from him?” Otta demanded, joining them in the doorway. “We are no threat to the rulers of Falna.”

What exciting project are you working on next?
I am currently working on book 6 of The Kaerling series!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I turned 17 and began writing fantasy novels for my friends at school.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I am a full-time writer. I get up at 6am and do 2 hours of marketing before breakfast. After breakfast I go for a 3-mile walk and then do a 1-hour workout (weight training or yoga or pilates or bhangra or improvisation). I cook my main meal from scratch and once I’ve eaten that I dedicate the afternoon to actual writing, whether it be new writing or drafts. I try and finish by 6pm in order to unwind and spend time with my soulmate.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I have a 10-day week; 6 days writing and then 4 days to do shopping/baking/cleaning/gardening etc.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An elf.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I love feedback on my books!

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