Award-Winning Author, Writer-Editor, U.S. Navy Veteran, Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Anime Nerd, & Certified "Geek"
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“So, you’re the Enchanter I’ve heard so much about. You fought so hard for a kingdom of dust. I was going to offer you eternity, little Enchanter. Now, you’ll just be meat.”
The saga of Marcus Gideon, THE LAST MAGUS of Attlain, continues this June
Cover reveal of the third book in the saga of Marcus Gideon in THE LAST MAGUS: DEMON SONG, cover design by Anna-Lena Spies.
“They will know the name of Vasileesa Morozov and fear it, oh great one, for it will mean death!” Vasileesa nodded at the compliment bestowed upon her by the brute. Agrigar and the other demons howled as best as the monsters could to vocalize their feelings. Their voices harmonized into a song of death and despair as they united in her vision for the world’s future: a world of demons, a world of death.
The next chapter in the saga of Marcus Gideon, The Last Magus of Attlain is finally here. It has taken me a few years to write the third book in this series, as it takes a rather massive leap forward. Five years have passed since Gideon won the Helios Arcanum Magical Arts Competition, restoring the name of the Magus and winning the hand of Wren, First Princess of Attlain and the woman he loves. Together, they form the Silver Moon Guild and gather the best adventurers in Attlain together to recover the magical weapons of the Magus that were stolen by Ishtar. However, in the process, they discover a sinister plot that could endanger all of Attlain and threaten the world.
Interior art by Melissa Matthew
Marcus Gideon, THE LAST MAGUS of Attlain, has chosen his own path. Haunted by memories he cannot fully recall, Gideon is set on protecting his wife, Wren, and his son, Henri, using the strength of the Silver Moon Guild. For five years, they have tracked down the Magus’ stolen weapons across Attlain, pursuing the deadly assassins of Ishtar. Now, at the edge of the Iron Wasteland, Gideon faces a new and even greater threat to everything he loves dear.
In the haunted ruins of Nyx, the demon sorceress Vasileesa Morozov has found a way to escape the cursed island and plans to release a new demon horde. Nyx was once the center of civilization, but centuries ago, the Demon Spire erupted from its heart, spreading corruption and turning the city into a place of nightmares. The Demon Spire is not just a monument; it connects the demonic realm to the mortal world and gives power to those who seek its dark magic. Now that the demons are free from their prison, all of Attlain faces their relentless hunger.
Gideon and the Silver Moon Guild race across Attlain to discover the sorceress’s plans to create a new Demon Spire and bring chaos to the world. As they get closer to the truth, they uncover secrets that put Gideon’s family in grave danger and threaten to erase the legacy of the LAST MAGUS. Everything Gideon has fought for, including his own life, is at risk.
The book includes some incredible interior art by Melissa Matthew. Her artwork is really bringing each chapter to life to give a you a deep insight as what to expect as you dive into the story. It has been great to work with these talented artists to bring my story to the next level.
The Last Magus: Demon Song will will available this June 2026. Stay tune to all my social media for more updates on the book release.
With Spring comes festivals, and I’m not talking Cherry Blossoms here! I’m talking books, and Steampunk, and fantasy, and yes, I’m already thinking about Halloween! But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves… We’ve got a lot to cover between now and then, so I want to give you the rundown of where you can find me over the next few months!
Drop into Wonderland at the Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival, taking on the theme of the wonderfully mad Lewis Carroll, April 17-19, at the Wyndam Garden York in York, PA. The 4th annual Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival, where clockwork alchemy meets magical curiosity in a world inspired by Alice in Wonderland, provides a sensational weekend of fantastical frippery and marvelous mayhem! Along the way, you’ll find plenty of steampunk and fantasy books from this indie author! Visit telltalesteampunk.com for information on tickets, hotels, and other exclusive content.
Step beyond the ordinary and wander into a world where moss-covered paths, flickering wings, and ancient songs awaken the forest… Fae in the Forest: A Fairy Festival on Saturday, May 2, from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at Collective Spaces Farm in Nathalie, VA. I will be part of the Magical Marketplace until 5:00 pm with all my fantasy and steampunk books for readers alike. Fae in the Forest is a magical, all-ages Fairy Festival celebrating folklore, fantasy, and the living magic of nature itself. Nestled among the woods and fields of Collective Spaces Farm, this one-day immersive experience invites guests of all ages to don their finest fairy finery and join the revelry.
Prepare for a unique, fun atmosphere promoting steampunk and fantasy! The Steampunk Alchemy Fest on Saturday, June 6, at Vasa Park in Hackettstown, NJ, values creative fun, unique musical exploration, and live demonstrations. Pick up some award-winning indie books, from high-flying sky pirates to magic-powered machines in an unknown dystopia. Visit www.steampunkalchemyfest.com for information and tickets.
The countdown is on for my first visit to the Key City Steampunk Convention, taking place August 7-9, in Gettysburg, PA, at the Wyndham Gettysburg. I am thrilled to be a part of such an esteemed #steampunk convention for the very first time. Key City Steampunk has evolved into one of the most prominent steampunk festivals on the East Coast. Visit KeyCitySteampunk.com to enter the portal.
Even though #Halloween is months away, make plans to visit a spooky #steampunkfestival! I’ll be traveling to the Catskills in New York to take part in the Catskills Halloween Market & The Steampunk World’s Fair, October 23-25, at the Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, NY. It’s filled with a great haunted marketplace, plus steampunk oddities, and, best of all, it’s FREE! From daring steampunk sky pirates to magic-powered machines, you can find a great read in one of my award-winning fantasy novels. Take to the skies as CORSAIR AND THE SKY PIRATES fight corporate greed to stop a world war. Follow the journey of THE LAST MAGUS to see if A CLOCKWORK HEART means the difference between life and death. Get your signed copy of these fantastic books for your TBR pile! Visit catskillshalloween.com for information on attending this annual haunted market!
And this doesn’t include book signings, because I will have those at Barnes & Noble stores in the DMV, as well as at the Moravian Book Shop this July. So, stay tuned for more announcements!
Right off the bat, I want to put out a disclaimer that I do for all my fellow indie authors. WE ARE A COMMUNITY AND WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER! That means we read each other’s books, offer advice and critique when needed, and help with promotion and anything else. We are a community because we’ve all been through the same ringer. I am a reader, editor, and reviewer for all my fellow indie authors and they only need to reach out to me for my help and support.
Broken Wings is my first book from indie author Miloa Scape and after reading it, I definitely want to read more of her “Enchanting Skies” Series. I am an avid reader and writer of steampunk and fantasy so this book was right up my alley. I dove into this story, not knowing the lore, the world it was set in, nor the basis of the power of magineering but it makes me want to know MORE!
It has all the stylings of a good steampunk environment with clockwork mechanics and devices in everyday use, from the clockwork music box to the pneumatic messenger tube to the trolley, these evoked visions of a world of a simpler time. The magineering blends flawless into the mechanics of the world in a brilliant way to build conflict as one side refuse to combine science with magic. It’s classic and used here with the military as a foil to bring even more terrifying undertones.
Then there’s the connection between the father and daughter, between Alistair and Marty. Never were two people so far apart and yet so close. I breaks your heart to see a little girl have to grow up so quickly in order to save herself while keeping an eye out for her father, the general who wants to capture her, and looking for a long lost mother. It’s a lot to take in. Like I said, this story makes you want to read more of this series and I definitely will be. Miloa has intrigued me into diving into the world of the Enchanted Skies and I am definitely a fan.
When a city begins to fall, the truth rises.
On her tenth birthday, Marty Oakley expects comfort and celebration, not a city tearing itself apart. As Velarisca trembles and steam-powered defenses spiral out of control, Marty flees through chaos with her father, only to discover he is not who she believed him to be.
With the city collapsing around them, long-buried secrets surface and a hidden legacy awakens. Caught in a conspiracy stretching from the depths below to the skies above, Marty must face truths no child should ever carry, or lose everything she loves.
Broken Wings is a heartfelt steampunk fantasy prequel filled with wonder, danger, and unexpected adventure.
Miloa Scape is a speculative fiction author who has been making up stories for as long as she’s been allowed to sit quietly without attracting attention. She writes whimsical, cozy-epic tales that gleefully mash together fantasy, science fiction, and steampunk, with a deep love for found family and the unexpected twist. Backed by an engineering brain and years of gaming experience, Miloa builds immersive worlds that balance structure and wonder, where gears turn, wings take flight, and nothing behaves quite the way you expect. Her stories are known for their imaginative scope, cinematic flair, and gentle emotional sucker punches. When she’s not writing, Miloa is supervised by her three dogs, Sally, Joy, and Skye. Her best work happens late at night with instrumental music, a cup of red tea, and absolutely no daylight involved. Her debut project, Broken Wings, marks the beginning of a much larger adventure.
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold.” — Charles Dickens
March is roaring in for Indie Authors in the state of Virginia with two book festivals to kick off springtime. I’ll be heading down to Hampton Roads for these two events with all my award-winning fantasy and steampunk books in tow, available for new readers. From the shores of Forever Avalon to the halls of Camelot Cove with Gwen Iver, into the magical dystopia of The Last Magus, and flying through the skies with Corsair and the Sky Pirates, you’ll find your next adventure within the pages of my books.
Williamsburg is where history and literature intersect. The town’s charming colonial ambiance provides the perfect backdrop for the Festival. Experience an energizing event in a place that inspires creativity and honors tradition. At the Williamsburg Book Festival, our mission is to celebrate and support the art of literary composition while connecting authors with the reading public. Join us on March 7th for our annual family-friendly event that brings together a dynamic mix of authors, poets, speakers, illustrators, and publishers from Virginia and beyond. The 2026 festival will be held from 10 am to 4 pm at the William & Mary School of Education, offering a full day of literary discovery and connection. Visit www.williamsburgbookfestival.org for more information.
The 12th Annual Suffolk Virginia Authors Festival will take place at the Suffolk Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront (100 E Constance Road, Suffolk, Virginia) on Saturday, March 14, from 1-4pm! Whether you are an avid or casual reader, aspiring writer, or published author, you will find something entertaining and intriguing at the Suffolk Authors Festival. This one-day FREE festival showcases best-selling authors from all featured genres. Highlights of the event include author meet-and-greets, book signings, panel discussions, and sales. Visit suffolkvaauthorsfestival.com for a list of featured authors, festival headerliner, activities, and more.
This is just the start of my 2026 event season. Visit my Events page to check out all my upcoming events, including the new steampunk festivals I’ll be attending this year. It’s going to be a great year with some new books heading your way. Stay tuned!
So, I have a new fantasy story coming out this spring, but there’s a bit of a back story I want to share first before I tell you more about the book. It all began about two years ago, in December of 2024. I just got back from my vacation in Quebec, Canada. It was Christmas Eve, and I got a phone call from my brother. My Dad was in the hospital and he was not breathing on his own. I needed to get home to New Jersey ASAP. I drove from Alexandria, VA, to Phillipsburg, NJ, as fast as I could. Although it was Christmas Eve it was not a night of joy or celebration for me. Before the night was over, my father passed away. He was 88 years old.
For the next four months, I spent every other week traveling between Virginia and New Jersey, dealing with funeral arrangements, taking care of my mother, planning for her future care, etc. So, I was teleworking with my regular job during the day and spending my nights doing what any writer would do when sitting in a big empty house filled with memories, pain, sorrow, and guilt from more than fifty years of family life. I sat down at the kitchen table with my laptop and I started writing. I poured the emotions of those months into a story that had started to form into my head. I don’t know if it came from all the grief I was feeling or perhaps from the love of my family supporting me in that moment. I can honestly tell you there was a lot going on at that time, so it was probably a little of both. Needless to say, I poured my heart and soul into this book.
I don’t want to go into the story just yet. However, I can tell you that a major character in this novel was the father, and I think I saw a lot of my own father in the father figure within this story. My Dad was a U.S. Marine, serving two tours in Vietnam, raising a family, including his two sons who both served in the military (my brother was a Marine, and I served in the Navy). The father in my novel was a former military officer too, teaching his sons how to be soldiers in a time of war. He did it by example, through leadership, strength, love, discipline and hands-on training to make his sons better than him. I wanted to instill that same feeling I got from my father into these characters.
But behind it all, there is also a love story. This is a deep, soul-searching love that transcends time, distance, and separation. This part of the story imitated the many years I spent apart from my wife on deployment with the Navy. I think we spent more time away than together in our first ten years of marriage, and yet we’re still together after over forty years. We share a bond that’s so deep that a simple touch, a song, or a picture brings us together even though we’re miles apart. I also think of my parents, who were married for over sixty five years but spent time apart in overseas deployments, too. That kind of love is rare to carry on for so long. Its the inspiration I found to fill within the pages of my story.
The same goes for the villains behind the scenes. I normally use the standard fantasy trope villains in evil wizards, devious nobles, demons, goblins, etc., in my stories. You know, the regular fantasy villains you’ll find in any D&D campaign. However, this was my first time dipping my toe into a darker vibe, a more horror themed villain. I wanted to really dive into the darkness within my soul, maybe because I was in such a dark place when I wrote this story, so much so that I dipped into the shadows with vampires, ghouls, zombies, and other creatures of the night. These were the monsters of my childhood that haunted me, the ones my father was always there to protect me from. I think that’s why I chose them as the monsters of this story. It’s full blood and gore, something I’ve never done before but it seemed necessary for this story. I felt a lot of despair and loss and I wanted to evoke that in this story.
I don’t want to go into much more detail about the story just yet, except for the teaser image from the cover of the two MCs, the Blademancer and the Enchanter. Sorry, no more spoilers, not yet. A Maker of Magic, coming soon from Franklin Publishers, so stay tuned here for more information! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
You wouldn’t know it by looking at me, but my first book was published in 2009, and it looks nothing like it does today. Forever Avalon was published by James A. Rock Publishing in 2009. They were a vanity press (I didn’t know better at the time, so sue me) that actually went out of business a few years later. At the time, I was just excited to be a published author. My first book signing was at a Borders Books (yes, and they’re another company that went out of business, no coincidence there), and most of the books I sold that day went to family and friends. It was surreal at the time, and as I look at that picture, I have to wonder if I knew what the future held for me.
It’s been fifteen years, and in that time I’ve published 1o books, five self-published, five with Curious Corvid Publishing, with more to come. It’s been a roller coaster of money spent, money earned (more spent than earned), and running from event to festival to convention to try to make a name for myself. It’s one thing when you’re 48 years old (like I was in this picture), but I’m 63 this year. That’s a big difference.
I honestly don’t think you are ever prepared for magnitude of everything involved, from hiring editors, artists, beta readers and marketing experts along the way. Then there’s all the supplies needed, from bookmarks, signs, table runners, canopies (for outdoor events) as well as ensuring you have enough books from one event to the next. Finding those events year to year is another task that has grown in volume. I have to admit, the growth of the internet has made my life easier. I mean, in 2009, social media was still at its infancy. I didn’t start this website until around 2014. Everything has exploded for independent authors since then.
If I were already retired and able to do my “indie author” gig full-time, but that’s not the case. I’m still a few years away from that. If one of my books takes off, that might change things, but for now, I just keep plugging away. I have cut back on some of my events, focusing more on book festivals and steampunk/fantasy conventions instead of the larger comic/anime conventions that are too broad for indie authors like me. Additionally, thanks to my involvement with the Northern Virginia Writers Club, I’ve been able to get into bookstores in the DMV through the organization’s contacts. It makes it easier for an indie author trying to get a foot in the door at major book stores like Barnes & Noble. Check out my Events page for a complete listing of my 2026 book signings, festivals, and conventions.
Honestly, there is no big learning curve. I think every indie author needs to go through this to get their feet wet and understand the system so they know what to expect. It’s not easy being an independent author. There is no multi-million dollar contract, signing bonus, or living off your royalties like Stephen King. When you look at the history of authors and how they started, we’re in good company (in the long run). Let’s just see how it goes.
Happy New Year! 2026 is already filling up with a slew of book festivals and steampunk conventions!
2026 is approaching, and I am slowly scheduling my book signing events for the year. You can find me and my steampunk and fantasy books from Curious Corvid Publishing, plus some new releases!
Here’s a quick calendar of events for the new year! First up is Daydrift Books & Cafe in Crystal City, Arlington, VA, on January 3, 2026, from 12-3pm. Grab some great coffee and a new book for your TBR for the New Year.
In March, I have two book festivals scheduled. The Williamsburg Book Festival is moving to the College of William & Mary School of Education on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Williamsburg, VA, from 10am to 4pm. That’s followed by the 12th Annual Suffolk VA Authors Festival at the Hilton Garden Inn, March 14, 2026, in Suffolk, VA.
I have two Steampunk Conventions on the books for 2026, starting off with a trip down the rabbit hole and my return to the Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival at the Wyndham Garden York in York, PA, April 17-19, 2026. The 4th annual Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival, where clockwork alchemy meets magical curiosity in a world inspired by Alice in Wonderland, join us for a weekend of fantastical frippery and marvelous mayhem!
If that’s not enough steampunk mayhem for you, come back to the Keystone State in August for the Key City Steampunk Convention at the Wyndham Gettysburg in historic Gettysburg, VA, August 7-9, 2026. Key City Steampunk has evolved into one of the most prominent steampunk conventions on the East Coast.
Click the Event link in the menu to stay up to date on all my 2026 events as I add more book-signing dates to the calendar in the year ahead.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Holidays to all my readers, fellow indie authors, and any steampunk and fantasy fans out there. I wanted to extend to you all the best this holiday season, wishing you and yours the warmest wishes for a bright and Happy New Year.
I’m going to take a break from posting here so I can focus on finishing my latest WIP. I’m working on the final book in my steampunk fantasy series, The Last Magus. I’m 81,000 words in and nearly finished, so I hope to have my first draft done by the end of the month.
In the meantime, enjoy your holidays with family and friends. Maybe sit back and read a good book to pass the time, or even Buy a Book and give one as a gift. Check out all my steampunk and fantasy books and give the gift of adventure this holiday! You won’t disappoint when someone opens a book under the tree this year!
I got a couple of early Christmas gifts this week. First, the government shutdown ended so I am back to work in my regular full time job (yeah!) although I did take that time to really focus on my writing (more to come on that later). Second, Kirkus Reviews provided a top level book review of my steampunk historical fiction Corsair and the Sky Pirates. Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus. The magazine’s publisher, Kirkus Media, is headquartered in New York City. Kirkus Reviews confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fiction, nonfiction, and young readers’ literature.
I appreciate honest reviews that focuses on the story, not every little technical aspect that some reviewers nitpick at. It means they really took the time to read my book and understand what I was trying to convey in my story.
“The author envisions an epochal meeting in the late 19th century between visionary author Jules Verne and young inventor Nikola Tesla to pool their ideas and create mechanistic miracles made possible by an alien element (“Uriel”) found in fragments shed by a passing comet that provides a seemingly inexhaustible power source. Now, in 1907, a transformed Earth’s skies are crisscrossed by airships, and there are steam-power-armored warriors, cybernetic limbs, punch-card “Thinking Machines,” and other steam- and battery-based technological wonders. The ruthless and amoral Thomas Edison leads a cabal of industrial elites who want to rule the world absolutely—and possibly incite a global Great War between Germany, Britain, and France to bring this about. Opposing them are Tesla’s “Vernians,” among them a flying fleet of rogues tagged as “pirates” (though a Robin Hood comparison is more apt).”
Kirkus Review of Corsair and the Sky Pirates, Published November 17, 2026
Come out for my last two book signing events of 2025 to get some great gifts for the holidays!
November kicks off the holiday season, and with it, my last book signing events for 2025! This is an excellent opportunity to find some unique steampunk and fantasy holiday gifts for the book lover in your life. On Saturday, November 8, I will be at Barnes & Noble in the Shops at Stonewall in Gainesville, VA, from 12:00-3:00 p.m. I will be signing The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart and Corsair and the Sky Pirates. Stop by, say hello, and pick up a book if you’re so inclined. On Sunday, November 9, I will be attending my last 2nd Sundays Williamsburg from 11am to 4pm on the streets of historic Williamsburg, VA. You will find a variety of artisans, crafters, musicians, and food vendors filling the streets with holiday fare. I will have all my steampunk and fantasy books available for sale, so please stop by my tent, located on the corner of N Boundary and Prince George Street.
Come out for some steampunk excitement in 2026!
Now, for some good news! Looking ahead to 2026, I have already been accepted to two steampunk festivals that I am excited to attend. First up is the Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival, taking on the theme of the wonderfully mad Lewis Carroll, April 17-19, 2026, at the Wyndam Garden York in York, PA.
Welcome to the 4h annual Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival, where clockwork alchemy meets magical curiosity in a world inspired by Alice in Wonderland! This year, we’re trading ravens for rabbits and madness for marvels as we debut our brand-new location in York, Pennsylvania. Join us for a weekend of fantastical frippery and marvelous mayhem!
Next up is my first visit to the Key City Steampunk Convention, taking place August 7-9, 2026, in Gettysburg, PA, at the Wyndham Gettysburg. I am so excited to be a part of a new convention for the very first time, and I will be debuting a new book
The Key City Steampunk Convention is the yearly gathering of Steampunk enthusiasts. Beginning in 2016 in Frederick, Maryland, the convention has continued to grow and evolve into one of the most prominent events on the East Coast, with attendees traveling from far and wide to join in the festivities. Currently hosted at the Wyndham Gettysburg, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the event continues to feature award-winning makers and panels, vetted and unique vendors, workshops, and most importantly, the opportunity for those in the community to interact and share their love of all things Steampunk.
I have a few more events I’ve applied for that I’m still waiting for confirmation on in 2026, so more dates are to come. However, these two are a significant start for me. I will have more news coming down the road, but in the meantime, I hope you can join me at my last two book signing events for 2025. I would love to see you, talk shop, or just say hello.
Mark Piggott | Fantasy & Steampunk Author 