Have a booklover in the family? Eager to find a new book to read? Signed by the author?
I’ll have my latest release, Forged By Betrayal and Blood, in paperback, and in a beautiful hardback.
Do your booklovers love dragons? Then I will have a limited number of the most amazing fantasy anthology with foiled cover, sprayed edges, beautiful artwork and 18 dragon-themed stories. The ideal present for your bookdragon hoarder!
Come and meet over twenty indie authors, all with tales to share and books to talk about. Everyone welcome.
Already bought my book and want it signed? Then I’m happy to sign your book for you.
If there is a specific book you want, then please let me know, so I make sure I bring enough copies and can reserve one for you, as now I have 16 books, I am limited by the number of books I can fit in my car!
Hope to see you there.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
I am so thrilled to announce that Forged By Betrayal and Blood, the first book in the dark epic fantasy Celestial Throne Series won a SILVER MEDAL in the 2026 Global Book Awards.
If you are looking for a gritty, dark fantasy with themes of betrayal and how that shapes you, then join Vael and Disari on their journey to overcome every obstacle put in their way. Is it worth forgiving the one man who destroyed your life to save the world. Would you?
The 2026 Global Book Awards for Self-Published Authors.
The Global Awards aim to discover new talent as well as recognize fine examples of self-published books. As such, we hope they will give self-published authors the recognition they deserve, whether that is in their writing creativity, or in the way they have marketed their books to attract new readers.
In this modern age of self-publishing, books need to be appraised not only by their content and writing style, but also by the way they present and market themselves to the prospective buyer, whether that is in the good ratings it has on important stores like Amazon, its book cover and description, or the number of reviews it has collected. They must also appeal to new readers so part of the evaluation included a survey asking avid readers to select the top 5 books they enjoyed the most.
The awards are grouped by category (or genre) and divided into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Award Finalists.
Vael Tor Arne, commonly known as the Butcher of Leif, has spent the last ten years roaming the wilds of Surosha. Disgraced and outcast, he is not welcome anywhere, not even in his own home.
Never managing to rise above the rank of lieutenant in the Emperor’s army, Vael does his best to protect his men against the taint that follows him. Should the opportunity ever arise, he would gladly kill Emperor Talon Shaleri the Deranged, the man who ruined his life.
The Celestial Throne lacks its dragon, its protector, and the empire is suffering as the new emperor struggles to retain control. The emperor is weak, in power and in health. He needs to right a wrong, now he has the power to do so, before he can focus on saving his empire. But righting that wrong may not be so simple, and the man he needs to forgive him is the one man who hates him.
Dogged by persistent Farsolian warriors, who can’t decide if they want to capture or kill them, Vael and his men battle to survive. With no hope of help, Vael must avoid the war bands and the emperor’s generals long enough to choose a side. Will the Farsolian uprising be his salvation or will the Emperor finally sign his death warrant?
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
I am so thrilled to announce that Forged By Betrayal and Blood, the first book in the dark epic fantasy Celestial Throne Series is a finalist in the 2026 Global Book Awards.
The 2026 Global Book Awards for Self-Published Authors.
The Global Awards aim to discover new talent as well as recognize fine examples of self-published books. As such, we hope they will give self-published authors the recognition they deserve, whether that is in their writing creativity, or in the way they have marketed their books to attract new readers.
In this modern age of self-publishing, books need to be appraised not only by their content and writing style, but also by the way they present and market themselves to the prospective buyer, whether that is in the good ratings it has on important stores like Amazon, its book cover and description, or the number of reviews it has collected. They must also appeal to new readers so part of the evaluation included a survey asking avid readers to select the top 5 books they enjoyed the most.
The awards are grouped by category (or genre) and divided into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Award Finalists.
Vael Tor Arne, commonly known as the Butcher of Leif, has spent the last ten years roaming the wilds of Surosha. Disgraced and outcast, he is not welcome anywhere, not even in his own home.
Never managing to rise above the rank of lieutenant in the Emperor’s army, Vael does his best to protect his men against the taint that follows him. Should the opportunity ever arise, he would gladly kill Emperor Talon Shaleri the Deranged, the man who ruined his life.
The Celestial Throne lacks its dragon, its protector, and the empire is suffering as the new emperor struggles to retain control. The emperor is weak, in power and in health. He needs to right a wrong, now he has the power to do so, before he can focus on saving his empire. But righting that wrong may not be so simple, and the man he needs to forgive him is the one man who hates him.
Dogged by persistent Farsolian warriors, who can’t decide if they want to capture or kill them, Vael and his men battle to survive. With no hope of help, Vael must avoid the war bands and the emperor’s generals long enough to choose a side. Will the Farsolian uprising be his salvation or will the Emperor finally sign his death warrant?
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
It’s time to meet Fantasy author, Mark Piggott. I’m excited to talk to Mark about his latest book which is currently on preorder.
Helen: Welcome, Mark. Thank you for joining me today. I am so excited to chat about your new book.
Mark: My latest release is a dark fantasy called A MAKER OF MAGIC. A world divided by light and darkness. In the north, Engressia is a lush, fertile land filled with life. In the south, the Ebon Abyss is a dead zone filled with unimaginable horrors shrouded in total darkness. The only separation between the two is a stretch of land known as the Twilight Crossing. Here, a battle between the living and the dead has been going on for centuries. As forces within Engressia conspire with the Blood Countess to bring down the kingdom from within, a prophecy with the means to end the war comes to pass. From within the heart of Engressia, a destined duo are born, united to lead the fight against the undead horde: the Blademancer and the Enchanter.
Helen: This is quite a different style to your Avalon covers, how did you come up with the cover design?
Mark : The cover shows my love for anime style of art and to focus on the two main characters, the Blademancer and the Enchanter. I thought an anime style of art would fit the story and the styling of the characters. The blood moon represents the undead horde of the Ebon Abyss.
Helen: I like the mix of anime and dark fantasy, though it does have a DnD feel to it as well. What made you write this particular book?
Mark: My father passed away on Christmas Eve of 2023. In the months that followed, I spent every other week in my parents house, taking care of my mother and making necessary arrangements while teleworking my regular job. At night, while I sat in that empty house, I think the combination of grief and the sheer emptiness brought this story to life. I wrote it in the three months I was traveling back and forth. I never wrote horror before but I was a big fan of the classic movie monsters as a kid. I think being back in my old home brought those old feelings to surface. I wrote a strong father and mother in the story to emulate my parents. It was a difficult story to write but I needed to do it.
Helen: I found writing to be cathartic as well after such a loss. You typically write Steampunk but you also have a love of fantasy, don’t you?
Mark: I write both fantasy and steampunk. Fantasy has always been a passion of mine. I played D&D in my youth and my early days as a Navy Sailor. It helped to pass the time on long deployments. I also think the world building and character creation helped me in creating the many worlds found within my books. I also write steampunk because of my love for Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. I’ve always loved seeing modern technology in Victorian times and now I have a chance to create my own stories. I love history and being able to combine historical characters with my own in a steampunk historical fiction is fun to write.
Helen: You were obviously in training to be a writer while you were in the Navy! Who is your favourite character from your book?
Mark: I honestly have to say its Duke Jurgen Richter, the Duke of Stormwind and father of Levi Richter, the Enchanter. I emulated my own father in him, a strong military man whose love and devotion for family and country exceeded all. My father was a 22-year veteran of the Marine Corps who did two tours in Vietnam. He inspired me to my own military career in the Navy. I owe everything to my father and I hoped I instilled some of that into Jurgen and how he raised Levi to be the man he became in my story.
Helen: That is such a wonderful tribute to your father. Thank you so much for joining me today. I wish you all the best with your new release. Just to finish, what is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
Mark: Talking with young readers who want to be writers is the best thing imaginable. Knowing that my journey as an author and my stories inspired them is the best feeling in the world. I get to talk to these future authors and help them on their journey is an amazing feeling.
About the Author – Mark Piggott
A native of Phillipsburg, N.J., Mark Piggott enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1982, beginning a 23-year career. He served on four aircraft carriers and various duty stations as a Navy Journalist before he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He retired from active duty in 2006. He currently works as a writer-editor for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mark and his wife, Georgiene, live in Alexandria, Virginia. They have three children.
His first novel, Forever Avalon, was published in 2009. Since then, he has independently published over ten fantasy and steampunk novels, both self-published and through the small press publisher, Curious Corvid Publishing of Geneva, Ohio. Over the years, Mark has won several book awards for his flights of fantasy, including the 2022 AMG Indie Book Awards Grand Prize for Fiction (for The Last Magus: A Clockwork Heart), 2024 finalist for the Golden Wizard Children’s Book of the Year and Canadian Book Club Awards (Gwen Iver and Pendragon’s Puzzle), 2025 NYC Big Book Award and Literary Titan Book Award (Corsair and the Sky Pirates), and The BookFest Book Awards, First Place for Fantasy—Magic, Myths, and Legends (The Last Magus: Dragonfire & Steel).
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Reviewed: July 26th, 2026 Released: November 4th, 2025 Genre: Cozy Fantasy
Doctor Ross Rose has trained and worked for years to be the best human doctor to dragonkind that he can be. Now he’s leaving behind the comforts of the city and its society for the backwoods town of Vale’s Keep to be the dragon doctor to its winged residents. But Ross isn’t used to the ways of country life and is pretty sure he doesn’t fit in.
After taking on a crippled dragon to be his assistant, developing a distinct fondness for his housekeeper, Cecily, and running afoul of the most influential people in town when he accuses them of neglecting their dragons, Ross knows he’s in trouble. Everything gets worse when his genius sister runs away from his parents and ends up on his doorstep. He must navigate these new challenges and stand his ground against all those who want him out of the way.
Because Ross didn’t just come to Vale’s Keep to help dragons. He came here to find a magical flower that might just save his sister’s life. And he’s not going to give up that easily.
A Dance of Scales is the next book in the Dragons of Amontyr cozy standalone series. It features found family, standing up for what’s right, and, of course, dragons as far as the eye can see. This series can be read in any order.
Reviewed: July 26th, 2026 Released: May13th, 2025 Genre: Cozy Fantasy
Kayleigh Espinosa wanted nothing so much as to be a courier, running messages through the streets of her home, tracing her maps with her own two feet. But on her first day, her hopes are dashed when the Courier Guild’s newest transport dragon chooses her to be his rider. Only, Zapyros isn’t the usual transport dragon. He’s a wardancer, bred for combat and transferred into the Guild after losing his last rider. Now, Kayleigh must figure out what it means for to be a courier and a dragon rider.
When her training master takes a particular dislike to both Kayleigh and Zapyros, she takes matters into her own hands to be the best courier the Guild has ever seen. Facing dangerous flocks of dragons and lightning-filled storms, being a courier is more perilous than she thought. With new friends and a dragon at her side, Kayleigh takes to the skies in the Great Race, the Guild’s most anticipated competition. And she intends to win.
The Wingswept Sky is the first book in the Dragons of Amontyr cozy fantasy series. It features a neurodivergent main character, found family, and of course, dragons delivering the post.
Where: Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury, BS35 2AQ
FREE Entry after 11am
Bookish Raffle prizes to be won!
Have a booklover in the family? Eager to find a new book to read? Signed by the author?
I’ll have my latest release, Forged By Betrayal and Blood, in paperback, and in a beautiful hardback.
Do your booklovers love dragons? Then I will have a limited number of the most amazing fantasy anthology with foiled cover, sprayed edges, beautiful artwork and 18 dragon-themed stories. The ideal present for your bookdragon hoarder!
Come and meet over twenty indie authors, all with tales to share and books to talk about. Everyone welcome.
Already bought my book and want it signed? Then I’m happy to sign your book for you.
If there is a specific book you want, then please let me know, so I make sure I bring enough copies and can reserve one for you, as now I have 16 books, I am limited by the number of books I can fit in my car!
Hope to see you there.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
It’s time to meet Epic Fantasy author, Rebecca Harding,
Helen: Welcome to my blog, Rebecca. I’m very excited to chat to you about your book The Element of Gold which released in January of this year. Tell us a little about your book.
Rebecca: My current book is called The Element of Gold which is book 1 in the Goldstone series. It’s an epic fantasy about the quest for gold and what people are willing to sacrifice for power and wealth. However, it’s ultimately about finding our inner power and magic that exists within all of us – we all have an innate power to heal, grow and be conscious of the amazing life that we all are. The Element of Gold was inspired by The Lord of the Rings, A Game of Thrones, and there are also some elements of Gulliver’s Travels that appear in some chapters as well, so it’s a blend of epic fantasy with some extraordinary, whimsical moments that keep things interesting!
Helen: And your cover? Navy and gold go so well together. What were your thoughts behind the design?
Rebecca: I knew early on that I wanted the cover to be simple and that the Golden Egg would be the focus of the cover. I suppose the Golden Egg is sort of the main character — although there are multiple characters all with their own POVs, all the events unfold around the Golden Egg. So I wanted the Golden Egg to be the star of the cover!
Helen: Writing can be a bit addictive, I know I’m always plotting new stories. What are you currently working on?
Rebecca: My current WIP is the next book in the Goldstone series, so please keep a look out for its release probably sometime next year (although as writers, we know that the release date is often a large dose of wishful thinking!)
Helen: Best laid plans and all that! At least being Independently published we can set our own deadlines. I know this is a difficult question, but who is the favourite character you have written?
Rebecca: My favourite — don’t tell my other characters because they’ll probably give me insufferable writer’s block for the next book — but it’s probably Kyra.
Helen: So if your main character could tell us why to read your book, what would they say?
Rebecca: It’s hard to pinpoint a ‘main’ character in The Element of Gold, as I enjoyed creating several characters with their own spirits and journeys, but Kyra would say ‘read this book if you’re on a journey of reclaiming your power – in whatever way that looks like to you, this book will remind you about your incredible strength!’
Helen: Thank you so much for spending time with me today. I wish you all the best with your books. Just to finish, what is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received that you would share with other writers?
Rebecca: However you need to write your book — if that means writing at 2am, writing in a notebook, or writing upside down while riding a bicycle! — it doesn’t matter, just write the book! Put your perfectionist mind to the side and just allow the creativity to flow without judging it. The critic can return later when it’s time to edit, but don’t allow it to stop you from finishing your book — because it’s not just words on a page, it’s your voice and your unique journey.
About the Author – Rebecca Harding
Rebecca Harding is a fantasy author whose writing blends a deep love for the natural world with ancient philosophy and rich spirituality. Born in Hertfordshire, England, she spent her formative years exploring local woodlands and questioning the mysteries of existence — passions that naturally wove themselves into her storytelling.
Her debut novel, The Element of Gold, marks the beginning of her journey as a world-builder, exploring complex themes of inner power, elemental forces, and the unseen threads that connect all living things. When she isn’t writing or getting lost in philosophical debates, Rebecca can usually be found hiking, meditating, or looking for magic in the everyday.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Book Two, Bound by Scale and Blossom is on pre order. Tentative release date, December 2026.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series, the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series or my brand new Celestial Throne series.Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Oathsworn, the prequel novella to the SoulMist series, and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
Reviewed: July 3rd, 2026 Released: April 11th, 2026 Genre: Cozy Fantasy
Sometimes, the world doesn’t need a hero. Sometimes it needs a caretaker.
Despite being called the Cloud-Maker, Nuvem’s rain spells almost never work. He lives quietly on a garden-raft along the Whisperbend River, helping where he can, and trying not to believe the whispers that say he simply isn’t very good at magic. Then the rain begins.
After Nuvem uncovers an ancient relic in the marshlands, the river rises. Strange winged Watchers take to the skies, and secrets buried beneath the bog begin to stir. The people of Silverfern Hollow adapt with cheer and warmth, but something old has awakened, and it seems to be following him. Why does the rain answer Nuvem now, when it never did before? Why do the spirits of the river watch his every step? And why do forgotten voices call him Keeper?
At his side are Ludovic, a merchant and scholar who sees worth where Nuvem sees only doubt, and Andy, his sharp-tongued axolotl familiar. Together, they set out into the marshlands in search of answers. There, among mushroom circles and lost villages caught between moments, he understands that magic does not always come from power. Sometimes, it comes from care.
Helen Garraway 