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Free Book Friday May 3: In Conversation With – Mark Piggot

Indie April might be over, but you can still see all the interviews and check out the books, although some prices may have changed.

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In Conversation With: Mark Piggot

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author Mark Piggot. Can I offer you anything to drink?

An Old Fashion Whiskey if you’ve got it, otherwise coffee will do.

Why not both. It’s early and/or late enough!
Are you glad you joined the Navy before the movie Top Gun came out?

Actually, I was influenced by another great Navy movie, The Final Countdown, where the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz was sent back in time before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Great cast and great sci-fi movie with awesome flight deck action before Top Gun.

I don’t remember that movie but I do remember The Philadelphia Experiment. The movie and the myth. Or was it a myth…?
What’s the coolest thing about serving on an aircraft carrier?

Flight operations was always fun to watch, especially from “Vulture’s Row” (an open area just above the bridge) where sailors could watch flight ops. But to me, being able to visit all the different foreign countries at port calls was the best. I saw everything from the fjords of Norway to the cliffs of Dover and the desert of UAE and the Suez Canal. It was incredible.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Originally, back in my high school days (70s), I wanted to be a comic book artist, the next Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, but I didn’t have the artistic talent I needed. So, I switched to writing, putting all my creativity and imagination into storytelling instead. I started to learn my craft as a Navy Journalist, writing mostly news and feature stories about sailors and events. I didn’t write my first novel until 2001, and it took me eight years to get it published.

What book got you interested in steampunk?

Jules Verne captivated me with “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “Mysterious Island” both in books and movies. It was his novels that led me to H.G. Wells “War of the Worlds” and others, but in a more modern sense, “Boneshaker” and “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” keep my interest going. I just love the idea of bringing modern technology to the Victorian era, powered by steam or magic. It’s exciting to both read and create my own.

How do we explain to readers unfamiliar with the genre why or how technology stalled at Victorian era levels?

From a historical perspective, you really need to go in depth into the feud between Tesla and Edison. I think that it was the reason for the indifference in technology during that time period. If they would have come together as colleagues, rather than adversaries, the world might have been different.

Favourite piece of steampunk technology that you have invented?

One of the devices I created in my steampunk novel “Corsair and the Sky Pirates” is the Radiographic Frequency Modulator or RFM. By attaching it to an electrical grid, like inside and airship the sky pirates are attempting to heist, it visualize everyone and everything on board in the goggles like an internal radar using the electrical impulses to see. It was so much fun to create that.

You look like a ComiCon kinda guy. Am I right?

I didn’t start attending comic-cons until I became an author. I dress up in my steampunk attire to attract readers to my table. It helps bring out my genre to the masses in a way that they can relate to. It also helps attract those that are new to the genre.

You grew up in New Jersrey. What is the one stereotype you feel is apt and one that needs to just go away?

“What exit do you live?” or “The armpit of America” are the ones I hate the most. I know NJ gets bashed a lot, but it was a great place to grow up. I spent my summers at the Jersey Shore or tubing down the Delware River, hiking up the Delaware Water Gap or walking on the Boardwalk along Seaside Heights. It was my childhood home.

Let’s switch gears and talk about music. Do you have any favorite bands?

I am an 80s geek, grew up on original MTV and mega concerts. I saw Journey, Bryan Adams, John Mellencamp and The Tubes at one of those concerts. It was great. I am a big fan of the British Invasion like Queen, Duran Duran, Def Leppard and such, but my “go to” band is Asia (Heat of the Moment, Only Time Will Tell, Don’t Cry, to name a few songs). I saw them live and their music has stuck with me all these years. I could listen to them anytime.

Are you ready for the lightning round?

Let’s do it!

Did you enjoy the movie, Wild Wild West?
TV Series was better than the movie.
Favorite outdoor activity?
Shopping at flea markets.
Food you like but others might think is just weird?
Calamari
Favorite city?
London
One item on your bucket list?
Visit the Christmas Markets of Europe
Farthest from home you have been?
Dubai, UAE.
Scariest animal you have encountered?
Water Mocassin

This has been a pleasure. Thanks for chatting. Any links you want to share?

My website is authormarkpiggott.com and my publisher website is http://www.curiouscorvidpublishing.com.Looking for more reviewers who want to receive an advance copy of my latest book!

ARC sign up here!The story behind Free Book Friday:

I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?

Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. Therein lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.

Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.

Free books and a prize? Whoo-Hoo!

Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnel

StoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other’s audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!

Since my newsletter goes out bi-weekly, I offer book promos on those dates, so here are what’s running right now:

Review Copies (These are free!)

Review copies: Like reviewing books? Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/