Ger∂ur Kristny was born in 1970 and brought up in Reykjavík. She won the Icelandic Literature Awards in 2010 for her book of poetry Bló∂hófnir (Bloodhoof) which is based on an ancient Nordic Myth, told in the Eddic poem Skírnismál about the attempt of the Nordic fertility god Freyr to fetch the poet's namesake Ger∂ur Gymisdóttir from her far away home as his bride. Ger∂ur Kristny has published collections of poetry and short stories, novels, books for children and a biography for which she recieved the Icelandic Journalism Award in 2005. Other awards for her work include the Icelandic Children's Choice Award in 2003, The Halldór Laxness Literary Award in 2004 and The West-Nordic Children's Literature Award in 2010. Ger∂ur Kristny lives in Reykjavík but travels regularly around the world to present her work, giving readings in places like Kampala, Java, New York, Maastricht and Colgata.