Visit my Buy My Books link to buy copies of my books from various online booksellers or come out to one of my Events to get a signed copy!

“No, the ancient laws laid down from the dawn of the Fae. The Pendragon ensures those laws are adhered to. Otherwise, there will be nothing but chaos. Then, the human world will be dragged into our conflict, and the result would mean the end of our way of life.”

Old Lady Viv from Gwen Iver & Pendragon’s Puzzle

Get Ready as the Gaithersburg Book Festival Kicks Off Summer Reading with your favorite authors

Checkout my Events page for all my upcoming book signing festivals and other in-person events!

Get ready for the 15th annual Gaithersburg Book Festival on Saturday, May 18, from 10 am to 6pm in Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg, MD. The Gaithersburg Book Festival is “a celebration of the written word and its power to enrich the human experience. Our mission is to foster an interest in reading, writing and literary conversation.” This is my first time to exhibit at the festival and I am looking forward to meeting and interacting with new readers.

Since its inception in 2010, the Festival has quickly become one of the nation’s top literary events, attracting hundreds of award-winning and best-selling authors, poets and songwriters from across the country to its beautiful park setting.

The event was conceived and introduced by Gaithersburg Mayor (then council member) Jud Ashman, with the support of the Mayor and City Council and the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee. The Festival is produced by a core committee comprised of city staff and a dedicated group of volunteers who donate their time and talent.

Funded in part by generous sponsors and supported by the City of Gaithersburg, the Festival offers programming for all ages, is free to attend and is open to everyone.

Find me with the other authors in the EXHIBITORS section!

Award-winning children’s, teen and young adult authors will take center stage at the Gaithersburg Book Festival celebrates 15 years of inspiring a love of reading and writing. The Festival’s Children’s Village will be the place where youngsters can meet their favorite authors – and discover new ones – during interactive presentations, readings and book signings. They also can take part in story times, activities and games, and expert-led workshops that encourage creativity.

Activities will include author appearances, discussions and book signings; writing workshops; a Children’s Village; onsite sales of new and used books; literary exhibitors and food, drink, ice cream and more. Admission is FREE, and free accessible shuttle service will be available from Shady Grove Metro and Lakeforest Mall. Visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org for more information.

Check out my Events page for a complete listing of all my book signing events, including the Moravian Book Shop and 2nd Sundays Williamsburg in June, where I will be debuting my new YA fantasy, Gwen Iver & Pendragon’s Puzzle.

Check out Buy My Books to pick out your next binge read!

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella, take flight in the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates, and the saga continues in The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel from Curious Corvid Publishing. His first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle, and The Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series are coming soon from Curious Corvid. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.

What a beautiful cover for my first YA fantasy

Gwen Iver & Pendragon’s Puzzle, coming soon from Curious Corvid Publishing.

All I can say is WOW! This cover took my breath away. It is exactly as I imagined it. Special bug THANK YOU to Emily’s World of Design for creating an awesome book cover for my first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver & Pendragon’s Puzzle.

It captures the essence of the story, from the teenage heroine to the small Michigan town on the shores of Lake Superior to the magic of the Pendragon itself. It is enthralling to look at it and not wonder about the story within the pages.

Camelot Cove is a quiet village on the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Most people know it as a fishing town, but this sleepy little community has a secret. Camelot Cove is the home of the Fae—magical beings from myth and legend. From mermaids, dryads, and centaurs to ogres, elves, and dwarves, the community is a mixture of humans and Fae. They were brought together in this out-of-the-way place by the wizard Merlin and the mysterious Lady of the Lake under the protection of the Pendragon. The power of the Pendragon has passed from generation to generation through the descendants of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. That power now waits to be passed to the next descendant to continue the legacy as the protector of the Fae.

Gwen Iver is a fifteen-year-old girl starting her first day of high school. Surrounded by friends and facing off against her rivals, including Morgan Moor and her infamous Dreadmoor Gang, Gwen’s idyllic life is about to be turned upside-down. She begins a journey into a magical world of infinite possibilities when she attempts to unlock Pendragon’s Puzzle.

Check back here for more updates on the release of Gwen Iver & Pendragon’s Puzzle. And to my fellow authors, check out Emily’s World of Design if you’re looking for your next book cover design!

Check out Buy My Books to pick out your next binge read!

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella, take flight in the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates, and the saga continues in The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel from Curious Corvid Publishing. His first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle, and The Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series are coming soon from Curious Corvid. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.

Cover Reveal for YA Fantasy Next Week

I have some great news to announce! I am another step closer toward the release of my first YA fantasy novel, Gwen Iver & Pendragon’s Puzzle. I submitted my last manuscript edits to my publisher, all the interior art, and the approved the cover design. I have to admit, its a great cover and I hate to hide it but the cover reveal will have to wait until next week. Keep watching here for the upcoming announcement and reveal.

Camelot Cove is a quiet village on the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Most people know it as a fishing town, but this sleepy little community has a secret. Camelot Cove is the home of the Fae—magical beings from myth and legend. From mermaids to dryads, centaurs to ogres, and elves to dwarves, the community is a mixture of humans and Fae. They were brought together in this out-of-the-way place by the wizard Merlin and the mysterious Lady of the Lake under the protection of the Pendragon. The power of the Pendragon has passed from generation to generation through the descendants of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. That power now waits to be passed to the next descendant to continue the legacy as the protector of the Fae.

Gwen Iver is a fifteen-year-old girl starting her first day of high school. Surrounded by friends and facing off against her rivals, including Morgan Moor and her infamous Dreadmoor Gang, Gwen’s idyllic life is about to be turned upside-down. She begins a journey into a magical world of infinite possibilities when she attempts to unlock Pendragon’s Puzzle.

As always, I hope you will take the opportunity to dive into my fantastic imagination and read my carefully woven stories of fantasy and steampunk adventures. Head over to Buy My Books if you want to read more or visit my Events page to meet me at an upcoming festival or convention, including the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 18, and the Moravian Book Shop, June 1! I hope to see you there!

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella, take flight in the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates, and the saga continues in The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel from Curious Corvid Publishing. His first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle, and The Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series are coming soon from Curious Corvid. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.

Chalk Up Another Book Award for The Last Magus and Corsair!

It’s been a great month for my brand. I know I’m committing one of the seven deadly sins, maybe two, but it is such a chest thumper when you get recognized by your peers. Getting a good review is one thing, but having other authors and publishers say your writing is that good, it gives me reason to smile.

My latest novel, The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel, won a Gold Medal in The Bookfest Spring 2024 Awards for Fantasy – Magic, Myths, and Legends. I have entered my novels in The BookFest awards over the past few years, but this is my first gold medal. It really is an honor for an independent author like me. I know I keep saying that but it’s true.

This is why I keep writing, keep publishing, even though I’m still a no-name independent author. I know that sounds harsh, but for many of us, this is the road we’re on. I will continue to fight and work to tell my stories, and being recognized by peers helps motivate me even more.

The other award goes to my steampunk adventure Corsair and the Sky Pirates, a finalist in the 2024 Book Excellence Awards! The Book Excellence Awards program is an international book awards competition dedicated to helping authors and publishers increase their credibility, visibility and book sales. Being named a finalist in this year’s awards was another gear added to the unwavering engine behind my first steampunk adventure. This is an amazing ride and I hope it keeps going.

None of this would have been possible without the continued support of my family and my publisher, Ravven White and Curious Corvid Publishing.

As always, I hope you will take the opportunity to dive into my fantastic imagination and read my carefully woven stories of fantasy and steampunk adventures. Head over to Buy My Books if you want to read more or visit my Events page to meet me at an upcoming festival or convention, including 2nd Sundays Williamsburg on April 14 and the Gaithersburg Book Festival, May 18! I hope to see you there!

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella, take flight in the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates, and the saga continues in The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel from Curious Corvid Publishing. His first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle, and The Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series are coming soon from Curious Corvid. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.

Step into fantasy as we unlock Pendragon’s Puzzle

I am a fantasy writer at heart. It will always be my first love when it comes to storytelling, as is the legend of King Arthur. The Arthurian legend is always the first fantasy story of magic in our world. My first novel, Forever Avalon, is based on that legend, as is my latest foray into fantasy, but this one is a YA fantasy.

Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle takes you to the town of Camelot Cove, a quiet village on the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Most people know Camelot Cove as a fishing town, but this sleepy little community has a secret. Camelot Cove is the home of the Fae—magical beings from myth and legend. From mermaids and centaurs to elves and dwarves, the community is a mixture of humans and Fae. They were brought together in this out-of-the-way place by Merlin and the Lady of the Lake under the protection of the Pendragon. The power of the Pendragon has passed from generation to generation as the guardian of the Fae for centuries. That power now waits to be passed to the next descendant of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. Gwen Iver is a fifteen-year-old girl starting her first day of high school. Surrounded by friends and facing off against her rivals, Gwen was about to begin a journey into a magical world of infinite possibilities when she unlocks Pendragon’s Puzzle.

AI generated images (clockwise) of Gwen Iver, Uncle Merle, Morgan Moor, and Triss Paul.

This is a story I wrote for my great nephews and nieces, the future readers of the next generation. I usually write more “adult” fare, not graphic but enough to keep my books out of the hands of young readers. I wanted to write something that would speak to their generation. So, I created a fictional town on the UP (as its called) of Michigan where the Fae reside in secret. It was fun to combine the Arthurian legend with the magical creatures of myth and legend and bring them into a modern setting. Yes, it does have a bit of a “storybook land” theme to it, but that’s what I love about it. It’s simple yet complex in its environment. I mean a witch running the candy shop, dwarves owning a tavern, and a dryad with a flower shop. It doesn’t get any better than that. Plus, it was a challenge to use names of the Knights of the Round Table for Gwen’s friends (G Wayne for Gawain, Maude Reddy for Mordred), but I wanted to try and give it that Arthurian kick. The first name that came to me was the main character, Gwen Iver for Guinevere. It just made perfect sense to me.

Right now, I am going through the edits provided by my editor, Anna Corbeaux, and collecting the chapter art from the art students at my alma mater, Phillipsburg High School (as previously mentioned on my page). This will be an amazing collaboration between an old writer and young artists in this book. The cover reveal will be soon, but for now, I’ll keep you guessing with weekly teases on my social media posts.

As always, I hope you will take the opportunity to dive into my fantastic imagination and read my carefully woven stories of fantasy and steampunk adventures. Head over to Buy My Books if you want to read more or visit my Events page to meet me at an upcoming festival or convention, , including April 6 at the Annapolis Comic-Con! I hope to see you there!

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella, take flight in the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates, and the saga continues in The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel from Curious Corvid PublishingThe Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series along with his first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle, are coming soon from Curious Corvid. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.

2024 Book Tour is underway and I am psyched to meet more readers this year

I am excited to kick off my 2024 book tour with my first event, the Williamsburg Book Festival in Historic Williamsburg, VA. This event was great, and I would highly recommend it to any authors living in or near Hampton Roads. We had a great reception, myriad genres for people to choose from, and a chance to network with other authors and publishers for future events. We’re talking about potential author events at festivals, new brewery and distillery events, and new book festivals. This is a great time to be an independent author trying to make a name for themselves. The opportunities are endless. You must find them and get your feet wet in the river of possibilities!

So, what’s next for me? Well, you can find all my upcoming events listed on my Events page, but if you decide not to follow the link, let me tell you about it. Next is Awesome-Con, the biggest comic-con for Washington, D.C. (next to the clowns in Congress) March 8-10. First, the guest line-up is impressive (Hayden Christensen, Rosario Dawson, and Charlie Cox, to name a few). Then, it’s three days of pure, unadulterated geekdom, cosplayers, celebrities, and vendors. You can find me on Author’s Lane, B-24, to pick up one of my many fantasy and steampunk books, signed, of course. Visit awesome-con.com for more information.

We kick off April with two events, including the Annapolis Comic-Con at the Byzantium Center on Saturday, April 6, from 10am to 4pm. This is my first time attending this event, but I have had a great experience with the Southern Maryland Comic-Cons. I love these small cons for their intimate surroundings and small-town vibe. Plus, as a Navy Veteran, I can’t help but love the idea of going into the home of the U.S. Naval Academy. Visit mdcomiccons.com for more information.

My other April event is the kick-off to spring at 2nd Sundays Williamsburg, on Sunday, April 14, from 11am to 5pm, celebrating 20 years of bringing arts and music to Historic Williamsburg, Va. This is my first date for the 2024 season on North Beauregard Street, but the people of Williamsburg and the many visitors to this colonial town never disappoint. This is the first of several 2nd Sunday events I will be participating in this year. Visit 2ndSundaysWilliamsburg.com for a list of all the vendors and more information.

As always, I hope you will take the opportunity to dive into my fantastic imagination and read my carefully woven stories of fantasy and steampunk adventures. Head over to Buy My Books if you want to read more or visit my Events page to meet me at an upcoming festival or convention!

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella, take flight in the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates, and the saga continues in The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel from Curious Corvid PublishingThe Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series along with his first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle, are coming soon from Curious Corvid. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.

Two peer reviews of Corsair and The Last Magus

Corsair and the Sky Pirates and The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel available from Curious Corvid Publishing.

I genuinely feel appreciated for the work I put into a book when I get peer reviews. These are people in my craft who understand what it means to be a writer and provides the necessary feedback that I want and need. Any independent author worth their salt will tell you how important it is to hear from both readers and peers.

The first one comes from bookexcellence.com for Corsair and the Sky Pirates. I submitted my steampunk novel to them last year and finally got some feedback from them.

“In the wake of an encounter between Tesla and Verne, meteor fragments from the celestial wanderer, Uriel, become the catalyst for a revolutionary energy source, replacing conventional combustion engines with the mesmerizing power of steam. Thus, a steampunk revolution is born, an industrial evolution propelled by the genius of these two visionaries. Yet, not all is utopian in this new age of progress. Thomas Edison’s ERP Corporation, fueled by ambition and influence, sought to capitalize on these advancements, ensuring that every marvel of modernity came at a price. While Tesla’s inventions were intended to alleviate the burdens of everyday life, Edison’s corporate juggernaut sought to exploit them for profit. Amidst this clash of ideals, one man emerged to represent the common folk. He took up the mantle of Tesla’s dream, dedicating his life to bringing the wonders of invention to the masses. His name echoed through the corridors of legend, his crew became synonymous with daring exploits, and his airship a breathtaking glimpse into the future. 

“This is the tale of Corsair and the Sky Pirates, a gripping saga of adventure, rebellion, and the relentless pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. As the skies above echo with the whirring gears and billowing steam of magnificent airships, Corsair leads a daring crew against the oppressive forces of Edison’s corporate tyranny.

“Piggott’s spellbinding tale offers an action-packed plotline woven through with moral dilemmas that add interest and emotion to the book. At its heart, this is a story of good vs. evil with intricate world-building that features a diverse cast of characters sure to resonate with a wide range of readers. In addition, the book is packed with tension right from the start. Piggott’s concise writing creates powerful scenes, leading to an immersive reader experience. His creative use of real-world characters (Verne, Tesla, Edison, etc.) enhances the overall storyline to craft a compelling world readers won’t want to leave. 

“A masterful book of steampunk fantasy perfect for any collector’s bookshelf, Corsair and the Sky Pirates explores the true meaning of how far one hero can go with the right friends at his side.” 

From bookexcellence.com

* * * *

The next review comes from a “brutally honest” book reviewer, Jennie Rosenblum. Jennie and I are from the same hometown of Phillipsburg, NJ, and have a mutual love for books—hers reading and mine writing. Jennie has always been honest in her reviews of my books and I always appreciate her support for the indie author community. She took the time over the Christmas holiday to read the next book in The Last Magus series, The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel.

“I could not wait to return to Gideon’s captivating world. It was pure delight as the familiar blend of adventure, magic, and vibrant characters filled the pages once more. In this installment of the series, Gideon starts by embarking on a compelling journey to the isolated city of Plodoro to fulfill his late master’s final wishes. And that’s just the beginning. He has to make it to the Helios competition and not only compete but win. Despite facing relentless moral dilemmas and external pressures, Gideon’s unwavering commitment to doing what’s right shines through.

“This series excels not only in its fantastical elements but also in its exploration of universal themes like duty, love, and the complexities of human (and sometimes non-human) nature. While each book stands on its own, offering a complete and immersive experience, the overarching narrative adds depth for returning readers. With its evocative storytelling and timeless moral resonance, Gideon’s saga continues to offer a captivating escape into a world of wonder and integrity.

“As always – the incredibly beautiful covers are the first draw!”

From Jennie Rosenblum, Jenniereads.com

As always, I hope you will take the opportunity to dive into my fantastic imagination and read my carefully woven stories of fantasy and steampunk adventures. Head over to Buy My Books if you want to read more or visit my Events page to meet me at an upcoming festival or convention!

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella, take flight in the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates, and the saga continues in The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel from Curious Corvid PublishingThe Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series along with his first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle, are coming soon from Curious Corvid. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.

Congratulations to The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel on its first book award

And the award goes to . . . Congratulations to THE LAST MAGUS: DRAGONFIRE AND STEEL, winner of the 2023 Firebird Book Awards – 4th Quarter: 1st Place for Book Cover (congratulations to cover artist Anna Lena Spies), 3rd place for Fantasy, and 1st place for Steampunk! Thank you Patricia Rullo and Speak-Up Talk Radio for the support of Indie Authors like me! Thank you Ravven White and Curious Corvid Publishing for being an awesome publisher! Check out all the winners at SpeakUpTalkRadio.com.

The Magus were legendary magic casters/warriors, able to cast spells and wield powerful magical weapons. They were the guardians of magic in Attlain but were cast out and feared for their power. Marcus Gideon was trained by The Last Magus, destined to restore the dignity of the order.

After graduating from the Basilon Magical Academy, Gideon sets off for his master’s homeland. Plodoro was an isolated city in the far north of the Skjem-Tur mountains. Surrounded by giants and blanketed in an endless winter, Gideon traveled to the far-flung region to fulfill a final request of his master and return a sacred weapon to his people. He must finish this task to return to his true love, Wren.

The First Princess of Attlain fell in love with Gideon during their time at Basilon. Now, to win her parents’ approval, Gideon must win the Helios Arcanum Magical Arts Festival. This celebration showcases the best magic casters in Attlain, and Gideon is the first Magus to compete in over a hundred years. As he fights for his life and reputation, a dark shadow looms over him as the Ulbrecht Domo―the Shadow Lord of Ishtar―has other plans for The Last Magus.

THE LAST MAGUS: DRAGONFIRE AND STEEL is available from Curious Corvid Publishing on Amazon and other online booksellers and the Curious Corvid Shop.

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella, take flight in the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates, and the saga continues in The Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel from Curious Corvid PublishingThe Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series along with his first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle, are coming soon from Curious Corvid. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.

AI-generated art is an excellent way for authors to express themselves and their characters

I know this is a taboo subject, especially among artists and publishers. AI has always been that forbidden area you only think about when you watch “The Terminator” for the thousandth time. However, it has become a new reality, especially for writing and art. You can get a term paper, short story, or even a complete manuscript by AI nowadays. Even some book contests ask if your cover art was created by an artist or AI, and the latter can get you disqualified.

I am against forgoing creativity for something computer-generated, but I have found it a great way to bring my characters to life. I don’t think there’s an author out there who wouldn’t want to see their book on the big screen or television. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime that most independent authors will never get. So, using AI to bring my characters into a realistic look helps me create my stories and visualize them in a way I could never do.

My son introduced me to an AI generator called perchance.org. It takes a fundamental character description and turns it into AI-generated art. I wanted to see how good it was, so I started playing with it to recreate the characters from my award-winning steampunk novel Corsair and the Sky Pirates from Curious Corvid Publishing. It took many tries to get used to how the algorithm worked, but I finally got the hang of it, and these are the results.

Corsair and the crew of the airship Galeru appeared as I imagined them. The steampunk stylings of the AI were a bit redundant, but when appropriately coaxed, it came through. It also imagined a perfect Nikola Tesla in his brave new steampunk world. I will admit I kept it in an anime style because that is my favorite art style for anything fantasy-related.

Tesla’s other sky pirate captains came out with their own unique flair. They are a mix of actual historical figures (Betsy Coleman, Pancho Villa, and Colonel Sam Cody) with a few of my creations. However, adding the unmistakable steampunk twist is a fun take on these infamous sky pirates.

Lastly, the villains of the story. It was easy to create a Thomas Edison in all his glory. Even the villainous shade Penelope Putnam came out beautiful and deadly through the AI program. But I must admit, I love how the program designed Duke McTavish. The Irish brawler looks perfectly menacing, as he should be.

I will admit this was an experiment for me to see how good AI-generated art can be. It is fun to play with but not something I will use regularly. I have many artists that I rely on for the artwork in my books. That is something I will continue to do no matter what. The potential of what AI can do is there, but it still takes the human imagination to bring those characters to life.

You can read the award-winning adventures of Corsair and the Sky Pirates by downloading or ordering my book at  Amazon or the  Curious Corvid Shop.

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella and the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates from Curious Corvid PublishingThe Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel and The Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series, are coming soon from Curious Corvid, along with his first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.

Supporting High School Art Programs with my NEW YA Fantasy in 2024

Before I get into my post, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year! I am about to embark on a Christmas vacation, my first in years, as my wife and I are off to Quebec, Canada, for a long overdue holiday. I will be absent from my social media and other online postings during my vacation, save for the occasional holiday selfie with Santa Claus. Now, on to other things . . .

Example of interior chapter art for Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle, designed by art students from Phillipsburg High School, Phillipsburg, NJ.

I had an idea that came to a beautiful fruition. In high school, I was an art student. I wanted to be a graphic artist, maybe the next Jack Kirby, but I could never get it perfect. I pursue other avenues, hence being a writer instead of an artist. However, I wanted to give back to my alma mater and the future artists currently studying there. That’s when it struck me like a lightning bolt.

I have a new book coming out in 2024, my first Young Adult (YA) fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle. I wrote this book because I have great nieces and nephews who are becoming avid readers, and I want to write something they can read without question of parental content (hence, no spicy content). So, after writing the book, I thought what better way to kick off my first YA series is by having more young adults create the art for the book.

During my visit to my alma mater, Phillipsburg High School in Phillipsburg, NJ, for their annual comic-con, I saw some exceptional talent on display. After speaking with the teachers, we devised a plan to have the students draw the interior chapter art for my new book. I recently visited the school, got to speak to the book club and English classes, and saw firsthand the fruits of their labors.

You can see a selection of some of the finished art above. These young men and women are incredibly talented, and I am proud to support them by publishing them. They will spend the next few months finishing up the rest of the art in preparation for an early summer release for Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle. Once I get parental permission, I will update this post with more images, photos, and all the students’ names.

Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle takes you to the town of Camelot Cove, a quiet village on the shores of Lake Superior in Upper Michigan. Most people know Camelot Cove as a fishing town, but this sleepy little community has a secret. Camelot Cove is the home of the Fae—magical beings from myth and legend. They were brought together in this out-of-the-way place by Merlin and the Lady of the Lake under the protection of the Pendragon. The power of the Pendragon has passed from generation to generation as the guardian of the Fae for centuries. That power now waits to be passed to the next descendant of King Arthur. She is Gwen Iver, a fifteen-year-old girl starting her first day of high school. Surrounded by friends and facing off against her rivals, Gwen was about to begin a journey into a magical world of infinite possibilities.

I wanted to give back to my hometown, my high school, and the students whose imagination and talent will carry on into the future. You should return the blessings to the community that raised you and molded you into who you are today. This is my way of passing the torch to the next generation of artists and dreamers.

Mark Piggott is an award-winning independent author of several fantasy/steampunk novels and short stories. A 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, his stories will take you from the shores of eternal Avalon to a dystopian steampunk future and other fantastic worlds as he weaves through a myriad of flights of fancy in his tales.

The Forever Avalon fantasy book series—including Forever Avalon, The Dark Tides, and The Outlander War—are available online at Amazon and other booksellers. His fantasy steampunk novel, The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart, is available through Lulu and other booksellers.

Cross over The River of Souls in a fantasy novella and the steampunk historical fiction, Corsair and the Sky Pirates from Curious Corvid PublishingThe Last Magus: Dragonfire and Steel and The Prometheus Engine: Book Four of the Forever Avalon Series, are coming soon from Curious Corvid, along with his first YA fantasy, Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle. Stay tuned for new fantastic stories from the imagination of Mark Piggott.