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Richard Pickard

Richard has always loved spending time by the sea. Although he grew up in Hertfordshire, his grandparents live on the south coast in Sussex and Dorset where much of the inspiration for his stories has been found. Whether writing, sunbathing or sheltering from the rain with a mug of tea, the family beach hut in Bournemouth has always been one of his happiest places.

Richard’s debut novel, The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy, won the inaugural Chairman’s Choice prize as part of the Times/Chicken House children’s fiction competition in 2019. His love of storytelling started at a young age, through a passion for literature but also for cinema. Two of his greatest childhood influences were Roald Dahl and Tim Burton, who both possess a wickedly dark sense of humour.

Along with writing, some of Richard’s other interests include wild swimming in seas and rivers, scary movies, West End musicals and 90s pop culture. He is also a massive Eurovision fan, a Disney film nerd and someone who gets far too invested in The Oscars.

Richard has a degree in Film & Literature from the University of Warwick. Before becoming a writer he worked in public relations, for many years at Condé Nast as well as Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton. He now works as a film publicist, and lives with his partner in London.

When they spoke to New2theScene

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new2thescene says

Books by

Richard

Distributed by Gardeners

Son of the Sea

**A magical, wondrous novel by the author of The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy – about a boy who longs to swim, and a town with a mysterious past ...**

HIS FEET WERE THE FIRST CLUE ...

Casper dreams of swimming the Channel. Surely, he was born to use his webbed toes ... Instead, he's strictly forbidden to go near water.

When his parents have an unlucky accident, Casper is sent to stay with a grandmother he's never met - where he discovers his special tie to the sea ...

‍From the acclaimed author of The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy – winner of the Times/Chicken House Competition Chairman's Choice Award

Packed full of magical realism, humour, LGBTQ+ representation and a message of acceptance

Perfect for readers aged 9 and up

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Distributed by Gardeners

The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy

A fin-tastic tale of friendship and adventure, perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Edward Scissorhands!

Marina lives in Merlington, a fish-obsessed seaside town. Unfortunately, she doesn't care for fish; she loves telling stories.

Marina finds her best story yet when she explores the ruined, haunted pier: a boy called William with a head of tentacles and crab claws for hands. He has lived on the pier all his life, cared for by a fisherman who has since disappeared and who warned him always to remain hidden.

Together, the pair resolve to unravel the mystery of his past – but danger isn't far away...

The debut novel by Richard Pickard, winner of the Times/Chicken House Chairman's Choice Award 2019.

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New2theScene

Richard Pickard

Richard Pickard

When they spoke to New2theScene

new2thescene says

Books by

Richard

Son of the Sea

**A magical, wondrous novel by the author of The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy – about a boy who longs to swim, and a town with a mysterious past ...**

The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy

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