Dave Freer is an ichthyologist turned author who lives on Flinders Island (between mainland Australia and Tasmania) with his wife, four dogs, four cats, and two sons. He is the author of A Mankind Witch and the Dragon's Ring series, and coauthor, with Eric Flint, of The Sorceress of Karres, Pyramid Scheme, and Slow Train to Arcturus, with Mercedes Lackey and Eric Flint, of The Shadow of the Lion, This Rough Magic, The Wizard of Karres, Much Fall of Blood, and Burdens of the Dead.