William Pickrel

William Pickrel is an award-winning author, foster care advocate, and family-centered storyteller whose writing blends emotional realism, faith, suspense, hope, and heart. From spiritually charged psychological thrillers to uplifting children's adventures, his stories explore the unseen struggles, quiet victories, and life-changing moments that shape who we become. His novel The Rings won the 2026 Christian Book Excellence Award for Christian Fiction Literature.

Married to his wife since August 27, 1983, Bill is the father of 11 children and grandfather of 18 grandchildren. Since 1995, he has served as a resource parent in the Maryland foster care system, developing a deep passion for children facing emotional, physical, developmental, and special-needs challenges. Those real-life experiences deeply influence the emotional authenticity found throughout his writing.

Bill is the creator of the Unseen Truth series, emotionally immersive spiritual suspense novels exploring isolation, deception, faith, redemption, and the unseen battles taking place beneath ordinary life. He is also the author of the Smidge books, a heartwarming children's series inspired by his real-life dog, Smidge. Drawing from everyday family experiences, humorous moments, and real events lovingly woven into imaginative storytelling, the Smidge stories are designed to encourage courage, kindness, character, family connection, and meaningful life lessons for young readers.

Alongside writing, Bill and his family have operated TLCByTheLake Poodles and Doodles for more than 20 years, raising companion dogs with a strong focus on care, family connection, and service.

Whether writing suspense-filled thrillers or meaningful stories for children, Bill's work is driven by one central belief: even in darkness, hope is never truly lost.