Dave Freer is a South African-born science fiction author writing mostly humorous or alternate history novels.
He was conscripted into the South African Defence Force and sent to the Angolan Border as a medic.
After attending university he became an ichthyologist. He then worked as research officer for the Western Cape commercial fishery. He managed a fish farm for a time but the farm was forced to close (through no fault of his own....) and he started to write.
Six years later, his first book (The Forlorn) was published by Baen Books.
An ardent rock-climber, he opened many routes near Morgan's Bay in the Eastern Cape (South Africa). He is also an accomplished chef and winetaster and also enjoys fly-fishing and diving.
For many years he lived near Mount West in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands with his wife, Barbara, and two sons, Paddy and James. In early 2010 he and his wife emigrated to Flinders Island, in the Australian state of Tasmania.
He has his own forum at Baen's Bar, and a website. He also blogs about "the Freer Family's adventures and misadventures emigrating to Flinders Island".
His literary agent in the United States is the OnyxHawk agency.
The Forlorn, September 1999, Baen Books, 0-671-57831-6Rats, Bats and Vats, September 2000, Baen Books, 0-671-31940-XPyramid Scheme, October 2001, Baen Books, 0-671-31839-XThe Shadow of the Lion, March 2002, Baen Books, 0-7434-3523-0This Rough Magic, December 2003, Baen Books, 0-7434-7149-0The Wizard of Karres, August 2004, Baen Books, 0-7434-8839-3The Rats, the Bats and the Ugly, September 2004, Baen Books, 0-7434-8846-6A Mankind Witch, July 2005, Baen Books, 0-7434-9913-1Pyramid Power, August 2007, Baen Books, 978-1-4165-2130-3Slow Train to Arcturus, October 2008, Baen Books, 978-1-4165-5585-8 Winner of the Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2008 for SF/F NovelDragon's Ring, October 2009, Baen Books, [1]
Novellas
A Lineman for the Country, appears in Ring of Fire, January 2004, Baen Books, 0-7434-7175-X