Author: Jason Piggott
Writer, world-builder, and creator of The Eternal Colony universe

Image: Jason Piggott Photo by: JODY MANDER

Author Bio: Jason Piggott

Early Misconceptions

At eleven, Jason Piggott scored just ten out of fifty on a school-sponsored spelling test. He knew friends whose younger siblings scored higher than he did. What Jason lacked in common sense, he made up for with humour, pranks, and playing the role of class clown.

Fast forward to secondary school, where he faced an assignment: describe a picture of Peter Cushing using metaphors and similes. Once he forced himself to write, he poured his heart into what he believed was his best work. Instead, he was mocked in front of his classmates and told he hadn’t tried at all.

Friends, teachers, and even some family members often labelled him stupid—and he believed them all. This limiting belief lived inside him, unchallenged, throughout his early adulthood.

As a child, he enjoyed sports, though his efforts were unremarkable. Music? That was his true passion. However, with two left ears and fingers to clumsy for chords, he struggled to keep rhythm.

Yet, he possessed one talent to rule them all—imagination. Growing up in Southampton with just his mother and brother, armed with little more than paper and pens, he spent countless hours crafting characters and building worlds.

Drawing inspiration from movies like Star Wars and 1980s action cartoons, it’s no surprise that Jason pursued his passion, excelling effortlessly in a diploma in art and design. He dreamed of becoming a comic book artist, but with little confidence, that dream gradually faded.

A Flicker of Purpose

At nineteen, Jason became a father to a son, with a daughter arriving soon after. He found purpose and responsibility but still battled with self-doubt around others. Committed to providing for his family and never missing a shift, he embraced the role of the best kitchen assistant he could be.

Amid the endless flow of pots, pans, crockery, and cutlery, his imagination soared—traveling between galaxies, discovering strange creatures, and exploring forgotten worlds. Then one day, an inner voice whispered, “You can be more. You can achieve greatness.”

The Turning Point

Acting on this, he handed in his notice and switched careers to become a door-to-door salesperson—much to everyone’s shock. Now, he had no choice but to engage strangers, communicate the value of his product, and invest in his words. This moment became the turning point in his life.

His mentor and manager saw what many overlooked—his true potential. Jason achieved moderate success, not so much in sales, but in personal growth. During his travels between appointments, he listened to Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, and Jim Rohn through the tape player of his old car. Their teachings inspired him: the power of self-belief, the significance of setting clear goals, and cultivating a mindset geared toward success.

This was the moment Jason first envisioned the inciting event for his debut novel, Resurgence – The Eternal Colony™. It was the early 2000s, while driving along the A303 in Wiltshire en route to an appointment, his mind drifted—as it often did. With Stonehenge standing silently nearby, Jason imagined a catastrophic event unfolding on this busy stretch of road. Screeching tires, crashing vehicles, a fuel tanker erupting into a blazing inferno, and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Every scene played out like a disaster film—unlike anything the UK had ever seen before.

Living a full life but lacking the skill to translate his vision into words, Jason resigned himself to replaying his story endlessly in his mind. He attempted to expand scenes and develop the plot, but never committed anything to paper. The shadows of past failures continued to haunt him.

Yet, his passion for reading was sparked when his brother gifted him a Star Wars novel—Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson. Over the years, he immersed himself in every book within that thrilling universe before venturing into other genres. Deep inside, the seed of his own story lay dormant, patiently waiting for the right moment to take root and grow.

Dormant Seed

Jason returned to his stable catering job, not defeated but determined. Soon, he began training as a chef, driven by passion and a desire to express his creativity. He worked tirelessly to surpass expectations and quickly advanced to head chef, relishing the challenges and rewards of his career. Along the uneven path of life, his marriage ended, but he later found new love and embraced the role of a father figure to his stepchildren—a role he never had growing up.

Twenty years after imagining the inciting event, equipped with a handful of character ideas and a plot without a clear direction, Jason Piggott embarked on the toughest and longest challenge of his life. At first, a flood of vivid action scenes poured out, yet the pages felt lifeless. He wrestled with translating images into this unfamiliar language called English, resulting in many sleepless nights.

Juggling family responsibilities, managing a kitchen, and a part-time job delivering pizza, his characters evolved, the concept of aliens transformed into a species older than humanity, and the story slowly came to life. A year in, his partner announced she was pregnant; everything felt perfect.

A Warrior’s Arrival

Everything changed when a radiologist discovered an abnormality during a routine scan of his unborn child, turning his and his family’s world upside down. What should have been a joyful time was instead filled with months of anxiety. His son was born with a genetic condition called lymphatic malformation, affecting his tongue, left cheek, and neck. This led to multiple surgeries, including a tracheostomy to help him breathe and the placement of a feeding tube. The hospital stay felt like a gruelling seven-month sentence until they were finally able to bring their young warrior home.

From that point on, the family had to adjust their lives around this resilient child. Jason left his career to become his son’s primary caregiver, while his partner returned to work—a decision he never regrets and would never change. Now, he enjoys quality time with all his children and grandchildren, and he has the freedom to pursue his dream of finishing his book.

Finding His Voice

Along the way, Jason’s fear of writing transformed into a deep passion, despite numerous mistakes and setbacks. Like Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, he chipped away at his dream—slowly but steadily—driven by unwavering determination. He devoted thousands of hours to books and podcasts, including Helping Writers Become Authors and The Novel Marketing Podcast, mastering the skills needed to write, edit, and promote a compelling, character-driven cinematic story.

Their insights helped shape both him and his narrative into something he’s proud to share with the world. Were he to write a book about his journey as an author, it would be a gripping tale some might even call unbelievable. Jason Piggott still wrestles with self-doubt, but it now occupies only a small corner of his mind, as he has finally found his voice.

Creative Compass

Beyond writing, he is deeply committed to his family, supporting them in reaching their full potential. He finds solace in the countryside, drawing inspiration from England’s timeless landscapes. Music is integral to evoking emotion in his work, with bands like Twenty One Pilots and Deaf Havana holding a special place. Whether through curated digital playlists or the warm crackle of vinyl on his record player, music is as vital to his storytelling as the ink on the page.

“What is done is possible. Anything that is not done can become possible.” —Neo

For Fellow Writers on the Journey

If you’re venturing down the winding path of releasing a book, and feel a little lost, or overwhelmed, feel free to reach out—or explore these highly recommended resources that have helped shape my own journey:

• Helping Writers Become Authors
  Created by K.M. Weiland, this site is a treasure trove of storytelling wisdom. From deep dives into character arcs to episode-by-episode breakdowns of story structure, it’s ideal for writers who want to elevate their craft with clarity and precision.
• The Novel Marketing Podcast
  Hosted by Thomas Umstattd Jr., this podcast is a masterclass in book promotion and author platform building. Whether you’re indie or traditionally published, it offers practical, actionable advice on how to reach readers and grow your brand without losing your soul.

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Author Update — 13/08/25
Final preparations are underway for the launch of Resurgence -The Eternal Colony ™, Jason’s debut sci-fi novel. A direct follow-up short story is also in development.

Upcoming Events Section

No upcoming events just yet — but I’m available for interviews, podcasts, and signings. Feel free to reach out.

Exciting announcement coming soon!

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Get in touch with Jason Piggott

Prefer smoke signals? Carrier pigeons? Intergalactic binary? Let’s keep it simple — I’d love to hear from you.

Email: jason@shadowcolonymedia.com