Award-Winning Author, Writer-Editor, U.S. Navy Veteran, Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Anime Nerd, & Certified "Geek"
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“Penny darling, do you remember what I taught you? What is the best tool for a Shade?” Penelope paused, reflecting for a moment before answering. “Patience, Maîtresse… Patience will lead you to the truth.”
Book reviews are not always “doom and gloom” nor are they “gold stars of high praise” either. It is usually a mixed bag of both good and bad, which I don’t mind. I take all criticism seriously and it helps me grow as an author. I like to think that my writing style has improved over the past 20 years from book to book.
This is evident in two of the most recent reviews I received for A Maker of Magic. The first came from Kirkus Reviews, an industry-trusted source for honest and accessible reviews since 1933 and has helped countless authors build credibility in the publishing realm ever since. Although it was a very positive review with a recommendation of “GET IT!” there were a few criticisms.
In Piggott’s fantasy novel, a family feud turns into an epic battle against evil.
As a child, Levi Richter, the son of Duke Richter, attends the Dawnstar magical battle academy as an Enchanter. Danielle Nichols, who doesn’t come from a noble family, is a Blademancer who combines magic and swordplay. Together, they fend off the bullying tactics of Lloyd Crittenden, son of Baron Leopold Crittenden, the nemesis of the Richter family. “I am your shield,” Levi vows on several occasions, and Danielle tells him, “I am your sword.” For years, the Baron tried to seize the Richter family mines, which contain Violet Amerlyte, a powerful element that can be used to fight against vampires, demons, and thralls of the underworld. Growing up, Levi forged inventive weapons to enhance his magical strengths. As an adult, his confidence finally allows him to stand toe-to-toe with the monsters of the underworld and with Lloyd Crittenden and his social-climbing father. The storyline tracks Levi’s destiny over the years and details his sometimes-melodramatic adult romance with Danielle (“The two lovers made love like an untamed raging fire”). Danielle serves as Commander of Drakmire, a frontline fortress close to the raging battle against the evil underworld creatures of Ebon Abyss, and she and Levi make a great team, but their romantic relationship follows overly familiar tropes. Piggott excels at worldbuilding and character description; he includes history, lore, explanations of social hierarchies, engaging magical powers, and epic battles. But although emotional events do occur, the overwrought, sentimental narration falls a bit flat, as when one character exclaims, “I will miss your tender touch, my darling husband” while a loved one is dying. That said, the narrative’s complexity and social-political themes more than compensate. Faith-based messaging sprinkled throughout reinforces the theme of the triumph of light over darkness.
A classic good-versus-evil plot with effective worldbuilding.
So, understand that I am not always comfortable with writing romance. It’s a necessary element in my stories, but not really my scene. So, yes, I tend to go “campy” and melodramatic, as Kirkus said. That’s just me, but I’m learning. As for the “overwrought, sentimental narration,” I explained in an earlier post that this novel was written right after my father died. Writing death scenes for this book really hit home, so I got a little sentimental. It couldn’t be helped.
The next book review comes from a trusted friend, Jennie Rosenblum. Jennie and I are from the same hometown and went to the same high school. She has provided great insight on my books, giving me honest reviews, both good and bad, and her review of A Maker of Magic is no exception. She posed her review on Goodreads and it tells me a few areas lacking in my book.
This fantasy had me thinking! What initially appeared to be an academy-style fantasy quickly evolved into something much more suited to an adult fantasy reader. The world-building was well done, creating an imaginative setting that drew me into the story. I would, however, have enjoyed a little more detail about how the characters traveled between places. Sometimes I enjoy the journey just as much as arriving in a new and interesting setting, and I would have liked to experience a bit more of that along the way.
I hope this is the beginning of a series because, while the story has the feel of a standalone with satisfying closure, that Epilogue leaves me wanting more. And please, do NOT read it until you reach the very end! Dani, the main female lead, seems to have a bit of a Gemini personality. I really enjoyed her but would like to see her character develop as the series continues. Levi, on the other hand, is an interesting juxtaposition, going from geek to surprisingly intelligent hero. And the magic, well, that was top-notch, with great explanations that even this non-magical reader could understand.
Mark Piggott has given readers a fantasy with plenty to think about, an engaging world, and characters who leave room for further exploration. And that Epilogue? Well, now I’m ready for the next book!
Looking back, I realize I didn’t go into Danielle’s story as much as I should have. I focused so much on Levi’s journey that I left her behind after their magical school days. I thought I balanced it out enough, but this has been a common criticism of A Maker of Magic across many reviews and interactions with readers. It’s definitely an area I need to work on.
In any case, this is how you support independent authors. This kind of feedback from readers and our peers makes us better writers to where we can produce good books for you. LOVE A BOOK, LEAVE A REVIEW!
I know I just released two new books a few weeks ago, but time waits for no man, especially an independent author. I have been overwhelmed by readers asking me one simple question… Where is the next book in the Corsair and the Sky Pirates series? Well, your wait is almost over!
I am putting the finishing touches on Corsair and the Temple of the Heavenly Chariot. Corsair and his intrepid crew of sky pirates continue their adventures in this pulse-pounding sequel. Airship battles fill the sky, daring escapes cut through the streets of London, and a deep dive into the forboding temple of the Heavenly Chariot.
In this story, you will meet some new sky pirates, including the mysterious Italian aviator Captain Francesco Pinedo and the master showman, Harry Houdini! I had fun bringing this historic character to life as one of Nikola Tesla’s sky pirates. Plus, you’ll find a few more historical figures joining the adventures with Corsair, including Harry Selfridge, gangster Jimmy Eastman, and the infamous Jack the Ripper.
In an age where steam hissed from brass fittings and the night skies were cut by the silent silhouettes of airships, a second Industrial Revolution was born from the mind of Nikola Tesla and the prophetic visions of Jules Verne. It was powered not by coal, but by the radiant blue meteor fragments of the comet Uriel, whose energy could boil water for a century without diminishing. These shards ignited not just engines, but the bitter war between Tesla and his rival, Thomas Edison—a conflict fought with patents and propaganda in drawing rooms, and by cannon fire in the clouds.
From this strife rose the sky pirates: captains of fast, armored dirigibles built for stealth and sudden violence, their hulls vanishing against the clouds. And among these rogues, one name was whispered with fear in corporate halls and cheered in dusty plazas: CORSAIR. Hated by empires and the ERP corporation, he was a hero to the oppressed. Though nominally in Tesla’s service, contesting Edison’s grip on global power, their war reached a strained détente when astronomical calculations confirmed the unthinkable: Uriel had shifted course.
Now on a collision path with Earth, its impact would flood cities and shatter continents. No longer privateers, Corsair and his fellow sky pirates scoured the globe for clues to avert the apocalypse. Their only hope lay in the Temple of the Heavenly Chariot—a myth recorded on Viking runestones, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Incan goldwork, said to house an ancient power capable of moving celestial bodies. Pursued by British dreadnoughts, ERP assassins, and psychotic Shades, Corsair races against time to unravel the temple’s secrets, unaware that the greatest danger waits not in the guns of his enemies, but in the betrayal of a trusted ally.
I will be doing a big cover reveal before Christmas, an early present for you from Sienna Arts (who did an amazing cover for me!) Stay tuned for more on its release in early 2027! Happy New Year!
Over 30 authors in one place with plenty of books available for readers alike! Come out TOMORROW to an #IndieAuthor Pop-Up at Marley Station Mall in Glen Burnie, MD, on Saturday, November. 7, from 12-4pm. Meet more than 30 independent and local authors from the DMV showcasing works across genres like romance, mystery, thriller, horror, fantasy, children’s literature, and more! It’s a great kickoff to the holiday season!
This is a great opportunity for readers to find new books for their TBR or even gifts for the holiday season. And like all events like this, you get them signed by the authors. It makes a great gift and even more so, you’re supporting local indie authors.
I have everything in my arsenal with plenty of award-winning books waiting for you. From the Arthurian legends of the Forever Avalon series, to the dystopian future of magic and machines in The Last Magus series, and the steampunk world of Corsair and the Sky Pirates. Plus, I’ll have my latest fantasy read, A Maker of Magic, on hand. This is an open invitation for you to come out and meet a wonderful group of indie authors.
Sometimes it takes a DEMON to fight against the DARKNESS… It’s LAUNCH DAY for my latest dark fantasy novel, A Dance of Darklings and Demons from Curious Corvid Publishing. This book was supposed to be released last year, but was delayed. I am so grateful to Ravven White and the entire team at CCP for pushing ahead and getting my book out this year.
This book is dedicated to my daughter, Ciera, who was going through a difficult time a few years back. She was facing some uncertainty in her religious beliefs. I prayed that she would find her way back to God, and as a writer, I said it through this story. It is a story of faith told through a heroes journey.
It is also my way of speaking up for our disabled veterans. The MC, Canaan Treyhawke, was injured in the line of duty, walking with a prosthetic leg but continuing to do his job as a Shadow Hunter. Most of our disabled veterans do the same thing for our country every day. This is my way of saying THANK YOU to my fellow veterans injured by war.
When darkness enveloped Ard, the people cried out across the stars for help, and the Titans answered their prayers. The banished gods bestowed the glittering gift of magic to Humans, Elves, Animalian, and Nephilim alike. But the darklings, creatures of shadow and death, poured out like oil from the Obsidian Cliffs. These creatures, all gnashing teeth and shifting gloom, sought to devour the light of magic for themselves.
As armies faltered and hope dimmed to a dying ember, the Titans themselves knelt in supplication before the great god Atua for help. He opened his hands and sent his most powerful weapon—the Alchemage.
These shadow hunters wielded not just magic, but the ether itself through alchemy, forging spells in crucibles of will and turning base elements into devastating power. But their victories were pyrrhic, paid for by their own souls. The very people they saved recoiled from them, branding them heretics and demons for turning away from the Titans. For a thousand years, this war of attrition ground on, a slow bleed against the world’s edge.
Canaan Treyhawke bled at the front lines beneath the Obsidian Mountains and lost his leg to war, but he fought on. He walks the grime-slicked streets of Perdition’s Point, a shadow hunter protecting a city that whispers “heretic” as he passes by. Canaan fights for his sister’s smile and the quiet safety of the woman he loves, and for a city that curses his name even as he strives to protect it. And now, he finds himself in the heart of a conspiracy that threatens to unravel the very fabric of Ard.
A shadow tamer—a mortal man twisted by his allegiance to the sinister Tower of Ibris—was on the hunt for the Progenitor. With this chaos tightening around him like a noose, Canaan must journey from the gilded spires of Signus Prime to the rain-slicked streets of the capital city of Adolphus. He must unmask the shadow tamer and sever this new threat before the darkness consumes everything.
It’s official! A Maker of Magic is now LIVE and available to purchase online! This project has been more than three years in the making, from writing, to editing, and finally, publishing. But finally, it’s LAUNCH DAY for my latest fantasy novel.
He cannot cast magic like other mages. He creates it. Levi Richter has spent his life turning a magical limitation into an extraordinary gift. When he discovers Mysterium, a rare ore capable of transforming enchanted weapons and armor, his invention could finally give Engressia an advantage in its endless war against the undead armies of the Ebon Abyss.
But such power comes at a deadly price. With enemies closing in on Stormwind and a ruthless conspiracy targeting his family, Levi must fight beside the formidable Blademancer Danielle Nichols and master the magic only he can forge. To save his kingdom, Levi must fulfill an ancient prophecy and become what the darkness fears most: A MAKER OF MAGIC!
Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered the book and to those ready to dive into the world of Engressia and the was between the light and the darkness. I especially want to thank Robby Reyes and Franklin Publishers for helping me out on this journey.
The book is now available to purchase at Amazon, but if you want a signed copy, come out to the Indie Author Pop-Up on Saturday, November 7, at the Marley Station Mall in Glen Burnie, MD. I will be there with 30+ Indie Authors to kick off the holiday season!
“While the Titans reigned in the heavens above Ard, Lilith ruled from Kehena below, thirsting for the blood of the innocent to satiate her desires. The Dark Lord sent the darklings out from the Tower of Ibris to devour the people in her name. The Titans asked the great god Atua to send help. He sent his acolyte, the Alchemage.” – From the Book of Ard
After nearly two years, I am finally able to announce upcoming release of my epic dark fantasy, A Dance of Darkling and Demons. I wrote this novel years ago, which I’ll get to in a moment, but due to things outside my control, it has been delayed. Finally, thanks to the dedicated work of Ravven White and Curious Corvid Publishing, its finally ready to release.
This book is a bit of a religious exploration for me. I was going through some personal issues involving God and other religious practices. My daughter converted to Norse Pagan and it hit me rather hard. I didn’t stop her, but I prayed she would find her way back to God. I wanted to reflect my own personal beliefs in my Lord and Savior, but as a fantasy writer, I needed to put it into a story. So, I used the concept behind one of my favorite Star Trek episodes to help tell my tale. Sounds strange, but hear me out.
The episode “Who Weeps for Adonais?” where a powerful being claiming to be the Greek god Apollo appears and demands that the crew of the Enterprise disembark onto his planet to worship him. I loved the idea of gods traveling across the stars, but I wanted to make them fantasy gods, not aliens, and I didn’t want to use Olympians. Instead, I used their parents, the Titans, as the central pantheon to my story. As for the one true God, I didn’t just want to use “God” or a name that we associate with God. Instead, I found the name Atua in the Maori language, which means God. In fact, a lot of the Maori traditions inspired the mythology behind this story, particularly with the Alchemages and their journey as warriors.
It was all starting to come together. This was a story about a world where the pantheon of Titans are worshiped by the people, yet one group of individuals worships who they call “the one true God,” Atua. They are persecuted as “demons” and “heretics” because of this belief. This religious persecution is the heart of my book, A Dance of Darkling and Demons.
When darkness enveloped Ard, the people cried out across the stars for help, and the Titans answered their prayers. The banished gods bestowed the glittering gift of magic to Humans, Elves, Animalian, and Nephilim alike. But the darklings, creatures of shadow and death, poured out like oil from the Obsidian Cliffs. These creatures, all gnashing teeth and shifting gloom, sought to devour the light of magic for themselves. As armies faltered and hope dimmed to a dying ember, the Titans themselves knelt in supplication before the great god Atua for help. He opened his hands and sent his most powerful weapon—the Alchemage.
These shadow hunters wielded not just magic, but the ether itself through alchemy, forging spells in crucibles of will and turning base elements into devastating power. But their victories were pyrrhic, paid for by their own souls. The very people they saved recoiled from them, branding them heretics and demons for turning away from the Titans. For a thousand years, this war of attrition ground on, a slow bleed against the world’s edge.
Canaan Treyhawke bled at the front lines beneath the Obsidian Mountains and lost his leg to war, but he fought on. He walks the grime-slicked streets of Perdition’s Point, a shadow hunter protecting a city that whispers “heretic” as he passes by. Canaan fights for his sister’s smile and the quiet safety of the woman he loves, and for a city that curses his name even as he strives to protect it. And now, he finds himself in the heart of a conspiracy that threatens to unravel the very fabric of Ard.
A shadow tamer—a mortal man twisted by his allegiance to the sinister Tower of Ibris—was on the hunt for the Progenitor. With this chaos tightening around him like a noose, Canaan must journey from the gilded spires of Signus Prime to the rain-slicked streets of the capital city of Adolphus. He must unmask the shadow tamer and sever this new threat before the darkness consumes everything.
The other thing I want to mention is the title, A Dance of Darkling and Demons. I know it sounds a little strange but to be honest, it’s exactly what I wanted. I thought an alliteration, the repetition of words, flowed so beautifully. The cover itself shows the deep religious undertones of the story, showing stained glass panels representing the four races of Ard—humans, elves, animalia, and the Nephilim. The center shows the dark goddess, Lilith, being captured and sent to the depths of Kehena by the Eye of Kronos. It shows the heart of the book in this vibrant cover. Plus, the interior art by Dennis Saputra really captures the essence of the Darkling monsters.
The Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival, has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 21, from 10am to 4pm at Riverfront Park in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival (FiBF) was born from a simple yet powerful reality: independent authors need a platform to showcase their work and connect with readers. Since 2016, the festival has grown tremendously, peaking at over 2,500 attendees in 2025. Now in its ninth year, FiBF continues to thrive, bringing together a diverse community of writers, readers, and professionals. With a steadfast commitment to supporting independent voices, the Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival has no plans to slow down.
Check out the 2026 Festival Map to find all the authors, publishers, and talented writers attending this year’s festival. Hint: I’m at N70, so please stop by and check out all the fantasy and steampunk books I have to offer! You can get your hands on a signed first copy of my latest dark fantasy, A Maker of Magic, releasing October 28.
Visit fredbookfest.com for all the festival information, including the Schedule of Events, to prepare you for the big event. I hope to see you there!
With a month to go until the release of A Maker of Magic, I received some great news from Literary Titan. They gave me the first editorial review of my new dark fantasy tale, and FIVE STARS, no less. I appreciate having my work independently reviewed and getting such praise from Literary Titan gives me the confidence as an independent author.
A Maker of Magic by Mark Piggott is an expansive military fantasy built around Levi Richter, a rare Enchanter who can create spells and magical weapons but struggles to cast magic conventionally. Alongside Danielle Nichols, the formidable Blademancer known as the Sword of the Lawgiver, Levi grows from a gifted student into an inventor, soldier, nobleman, and possible fulfillment of an ancient prophecy. The long war between Engressia and the undead Ebon Abyss gives the story its scale, while Levi’s loyalty to his family gives it a clear emotional center. At heart, it’s a heroic adventure about turning an unusual talent into a source of strength.
A Maker of Magic is a bighearted and action-heavy fantasy for readers who like detailed combat, magical craftsmanship, loyal companions, bold romance, and heroes willing to carry enormous responsibilities. Levi’s progression from underestimated Enchanter to genuine force of change is satisfying because his victories grow from curiosity, preparation, and devotion to others. The final revelation also casts the apparent triumph in a more complicated light and opens an intriguing path beyond this volume. It’s an energetic tale with the confident sweep of a saga that has more story left to tell.
You can read the entire review at Literary Titan or listen to it on their Spotify podcast. Honestly, listening to the review on a podcast gives the book a whole new meaning. Plus, check out the Author Interview I did with Literary Titan to promote my new release. A Maker of Magic is available for preorder on Amazon. The dark fantasy releases on October 28.
I am happy to announce that The Moonlit Black Cat Tavern, a collection of short stories set in a medieval “D&D” style fantasy tavern, is now available as an audiobook on Audible. Narrated by the wonderful Isobel Hamilton Adams, the tavern’s diverse, eccentric cast will entertain and excite you in this thrilling new audiobook.
Welcome to the Moonlit Black Cat Tavern, where humans, demi-humans, and monsters come together to laugh, drink, eat, sing, and find ways to get along. There’s no fighting, fussing, or killing. Only laughter, love, and companionship between the many races of Kralthorn and Ghelpher. On a stormy night, the Bradbury Witch pays an unexpected visit to the tavern and finds more than she bargained for. Follow her adventures within this strange lodging off the beaten path as she discovers more about this magical place.
Download your copy of The Moonlit Black Cat Tavern on Audible, step up to the bar, pour a drink, and enjoy the sights and sounds of this fun tavern.
If you need something magical and cozy for your TBR, today’s your day! I’m joining many other cozy fantasy authors in the Cozy Fantasy Free Book Blast. All books on the book blast site are free today, September 10, so you can fill your ereader with cozy fantasy, magical mysteries and fantastical adventures. Browse all the free books at cozyfantasybookblast.com.
