Stephen Mark Hickman has quietly built a body of work that bridges two audiences rarely served by the same pen: readers hungry for carefully researched American historical fiction and those seeking faith-based stories that grapple with loss, grace, and redemption.
Operating out of Fort Pierce, Florida, Hickman founded Sunrise City Publishing Company, an independent imprint that has released three full-length novels, including Shadows in Chancellorsville, Shadows at Little Bighorn, and Shadows of a Mothers Heart. All titles are available through Amazon KDP, where Hickman has established a consistent presence among readers drawn to authors like Jeff Shaara and Charles Martin.
More Than Battlefield Drama
What distinguishes Hickman’s work is not just historical accuracy, but the spiritual and emotional weight he brings to pivotal American moments. His historical fiction novels explore how individuals confronted tragedy and sought meaning in the aftermath of war and personal upheaval. It’s history told through the lens of moral courage and human endurance.
His audience skews older—primarily ages 35 to 70—and includes lifelong learners, veterans, educators, and readers interested in Christian thought leadership. These are people who appreciate stories that don’t shy away from hard questions about faith, sacrifice, and purpose.
Hickman also writes Why History Matters, an ongoing reflective blog series that examines moral and cultural lessons embedded in historical events. The series appeals to readers interested in men’s discipleship studies and Christian reflection with a contemporary voice.
Expanding the Imprint
Looking ahead, Hickman plans to mentor or publish one emerging writer through his imprint and launch a podcast or video series offering short reflections on history, faith, and the writer’s journey. He’s also working to reposition his backlist titles as a unified “Stephen Mark Hickman Collection,” reinforcing the identity of his independent press.
Preserving Memory, Honoring Sacrifice
At the core of Hickman’s work is a simple but resonant philosophy: history isn’t just something to study—it’s something to live by. His stories seek to preserve memory and honor the sacrifices of those who came before, while offering readers a way to connect their own struggles with timeless questions of faith and meaning.
For readers who want more than escapism from their historical storytelling, Hickman offers something rarer: a narrative that asks what we owe the past, and what it still has to teach us.