While major publishing houses consolidate and contract their lists, a Fort Pierce writer has taken the opposite approach: building his own imprint from the ground up to publish what matters to him most. Stephen Mark Hickman runs Sunrise City Publishing Company, an independent venture that exists primarily to bring his own historical fiction to readers who want more than just period detail.
With three published novels already in circulation, Hickman writes for an audience that traditional publishers often struggle to categorize—readers who want the historical rigor of Jeff Shaara combined with the moral weight of Christian reflection. His books, including Shadows in Chancellorsville, Shadows at Little Bighorn, Shadows of a Mothers Heart, occupy a space between military history and faith-based fiction, examining how people navigate loss and find redemption in the hardest moments of American history.
Publishing on His Own Terms
Sunrise City Publishing represents a growing trend among established writers who choose independence over legacy gatekeepers. Using Amazon KDP for distribution, Hickman has built what he calls a consistent reader base without waiting for acquisitions meetings or editorial board approvals. His historical fiction novels reach readers aged 35 to 70—veterans, teachers, and lifelong learners who appreciate stories that treat faith and moral courage as central rather than peripheral concerns.
The author has also launched Why History Matters, a blog series exploring what contemporary readers can learn from historical events. It’s part of a broader strategy to position his work beyond the novel format, reaching audiences interested in Christian thought leadership and historical reflection with a modern perspective.
Expanding Beyond Solo Work
His plans include mentoring and publishing at least one emerging writer through Sunrise City, effectively opening the imprint to other voices. He’s also considering a podcast or video series offering short reflections on history, faith, and the writing process—content that would serve both readers and aspiring authors working in similar territory.
The long-term vision involves establishing a cohesive backlist under the Stephen Mark Hickman Collection banner, treating his body of work as a unified offering rather than disconnected titles. For readers drawn to faith-inspired historical storytelling, it’s a signal that this isn’t a hobby project—it’s a deliberate attempt to build something that lasts.
Independent publishing often gets framed as a fallback option. But for writers with a defined audience and a clear vision, it’s increasingly the preferred path. Hickman’s approach—grounded in historical accuracy and spiritual reflection—shows how a single author with a clear mission can build a sustainable publishing operation without asking permission from New York.
