David Liberto is a fantasy author and founder of Mustardseed Realms, an entertainment company dedicated to creating clean, family-friendly fantasy fiction. His work focuses on redemption narratives where virtue triumphs, exploring themes of second chances and moral transformation.
David's debut saga, the Teresan Saga, includes the BlueSteel Series: Return of the Lost Ones, Exile's Hope, DreadKing, and the first installment of the Royal Point Series, Reyuul's Redemption. His stories feature complex world-building with intricate magic systems and character-driven plots that examine whether even the darkest souls can find redemption.
When not writing, David works as a nurse practitioner in emergency medicine and urgent care. He actively engages his reader community through newsletters and exclusive content, building a vibrant world that invites readers to explore themes of honor, legacy, and the battle between light and darkness.
Visit David Liberto online
Reyuul’s Redemption
For 400 years, Joern was the monster in every prayer. The Scourge of Cordiae. The dark mage so feared that a god forged new weapons just to stop him. He razed cities with elemental fury, stole holy men for twisted experiments, and left kingdoms trembling at the mention of his name. His magic consumed him from the inside out—transforming his body into something as grotesque as the evil he'd become. Then something impossible happened. The monster confessed. Now Joern stands before the Royal Point, his power stripped away, his body broken and deformed. He's confessing his crimes to souls who suffered at his hand. The same clerics whose predecessors he tortured. The same kingdom he nearly destroyed. But confession isn't the same as redemption. Can a soul steeped in four centuries of darkness ever truly be saved? Can the people he terrorized ever forgive him? And what drove the most feared dark mage in history to suddenly seek the very light he spent lifetimes destroying? Some villains can't be redeemed. Joern is about to find out which kind he is.
- ISBN: B0FNLYY1QP
- Publisher: Mustardseed Realms, LLC
Interview with David Liberto 2026
When did you feel called to become an author?
Thankfully, I was very bored as a child without screens to limit the development of my imagination. I’ve been reading speculative fiction and dreaming up original stories and characters since elementary school with universes still orbiting my mind.
When it was time for college, I had to make a choice about my future and realized I wanted nothing more than to spend my life creating stories for others. Thus began the gauntlet of failures, delays, and life-changing events that ultimately pushed the dream aside. In 2019, I finally decided I needed to quit making excuses and regretting lost dreams. I finally buckled down with the discipline needed to be the hero I had always dreamed of as a kid.
What did you learn while writing this Reyuul’s Redemption?
Two things: Patience. It’s not enough for me to create a story. Readers deserve professional experience that may require 11 revisions (one of which had to be 20K words!).
Second, the story reinforced the life-changing value of a mentor and friend in our own redemption journey and how humble we must be to accept them and listen.
What is the toughest part of writing in your genre(fantasy)?
Attention. The story, characters, and art are so much fun! The wonderful challenge of planning stories and weaving plots rewards my efforts every day, but getting eyes on the books amidst the sea of talented fantasy writers became an unexpected hurdle. Thankfully, I enjoy learning how to overcome obstacles; that’s how I got the books written in the first place.
If someone were to look at your Google search history (all for research of course!), what types of things would we find?
I’m confident the CIA has an eye on me. Anyone looking at my google search history might wonder if I’m either a pastor or a torture specialist because the topics include anything from the steps to breaking addiction, healing your inner child, and leadership challenges TO vital points to hit with weapons, how to treat kidnapped victims, dragons, and combat tactics.
If you could have coffee with an author, dead or alive, whose work you admire, who would that be? What would you ask him or her?
My immediate reaction was J.R.R. Tolkien. I would first ask, “If you had known there would be so many derivatives of your work, so much influence across the world, what would you have changed in your stories? Would you have changed anything?"
What’s your go-to drink while writing?
I’m a boring water kind of guy, but I prefer cold water in glass without ice. Occasionally, when I really want to spice it up and celebrate finishing a manuscript, I might splurge and get a root beer.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Be patient. In patience, you will master yourself and your craft. Rushing only leads to problems and mistakes.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
I enjoy reading speculative fiction, exercising, cooking, and spending time with my family. I also must pray every day if I don’t want to become a villain in my stories.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I want to jump into the Suneater Series by Christopher Ruocchio next. The SPFBO list just came out, and I’m trying to find diamonds in the rough. Right now, I’m finishing a YA series starter by a friend, Gage Black and the Void Dragon that’s been fun.
What can we look forward to next?
I have two more books coming out this year! Each will finish a distinct series in Phase 1 of the saga I’m creating. The weight of the evolving character arcs made these the deepest and most rewarding books to write. It’s not just adventures; it’s a mission to portray hope for those who may be lost and searching for light in their lives. It’s a mission, and I love it. Thank you!
Thankfully, I was very bored as a child without screens to limit the development of my imagination. I’ve been reading speculative fiction and dreaming up original stories and characters since elementary school with universes still orbiting my mind.
When it was time for college, I had to make a choice about my future and realized I wanted nothing more than to spend my life creating stories for others. Thus began the gauntlet of failures, delays, and life-changing events that ultimately pushed the dream aside. In 2019, I finally decided I needed to quit making excuses and regretting lost dreams. I finally buckled down with the discipline needed to be the hero I had always dreamed of as a kid.
What did you learn while writing this Reyuul’s Redemption?
Two things: Patience. It’s not enough for me to create a story. Readers deserve professional experience that may require 11 revisions (one of which had to be 20K words!).
Second, the story reinforced the life-changing value of a mentor and friend in our own redemption journey and how humble we must be to accept them and listen.
What is the toughest part of writing in your genre(fantasy)?
Attention. The story, characters, and art are so much fun! The wonderful challenge of planning stories and weaving plots rewards my efforts every day, but getting eyes on the books amidst the sea of talented fantasy writers became an unexpected hurdle. Thankfully, I enjoy learning how to overcome obstacles; that’s how I got the books written in the first place.
If someone were to look at your Google search history (all for research of course!), what types of things would we find?
I’m confident the CIA has an eye on me. Anyone looking at my google search history might wonder if I’m either a pastor or a torture specialist because the topics include anything from the steps to breaking addiction, healing your inner child, and leadership challenges TO vital points to hit with weapons, how to treat kidnapped victims, dragons, and combat tactics.
If you could have coffee with an author, dead or alive, whose work you admire, who would that be? What would you ask him or her?
My immediate reaction was J.R.R. Tolkien. I would first ask, “If you had known there would be so many derivatives of your work, so much influence across the world, what would you have changed in your stories? Would you have changed anything?"
What’s your go-to drink while writing?
I’m a boring water kind of guy, but I prefer cold water in glass without ice. Occasionally, when I really want to spice it up and celebrate finishing a manuscript, I might splurge and get a root beer.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Be patient. In patience, you will master yourself and your craft. Rushing only leads to problems and mistakes.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
I enjoy reading speculative fiction, exercising, cooking, and spending time with my family. I also must pray every day if I don’t want to become a villain in my stories.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I want to jump into the Suneater Series by Christopher Ruocchio next. The SPFBO list just came out, and I’m trying to find diamonds in the rough. Right now, I’m finishing a YA series starter by a friend, Gage Black and the Void Dragon that’s been fun.
What can we look forward to next?
I have two more books coming out this year! Each will finish a distinct series in Phase 1 of the saga I’m creating. The weight of the evolving character arcs made these the deepest and most rewarding books to write. It’s not just adventures; it’s a mission to portray hope for those who may be lost and searching for light in their lives. It’s a mission, and I love it. Thank you!
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