late-1950s Alaska, before statehood
Plight of the Knauga
A novel by Mark K. Stewart
A cinematic literary adventure set in remote Alaska in 1957, on the edge of a hidden valley where the Knauga are legend, a forgotten part of the past, or something still unexplained.
Curiosity, Courage, and a Forgotten Valley
In 1957, twelve-year-old Max Stiewert arrives in a remote Alaskan valley to join his father. The winter is fierce, the wilderness is vast, and the men at camp warn him about strange figures moving among the trees.
They call them "Pig Men" — an outsider label born of fear. But Max learns they call themselves the Knauga.
Proposed book cover concept — provisional, subject to Mark’s adjustments.
Published by UnBreakable Publishing, a division of UnBreakable Enterprises, LLC
Follow the Trail of the Manuscript
1957 — The Arrival
A Remote Valley Before Statehood
Twelve-year-old Max Stiewert arrives in an isolated Alaskan valley to join his father at camp. The winter is fierce, spruce boughs bend under fresh powder, and warning whispers echo among the men.
Legend, Memory, or a Past Still Waiting to be Discovered?
The novel draws on the ancient question of giants in the land and asks whether old stories might preserve the memory of a forgotten people. This is the book’s premise and invitation to wonder — not a claim of verified archaeology.
Bring the Story to Your School or Library
Adult organizers can invite Mark K. Stewart to share the 1957 Alaskan setting, the story’s exploration of faith and legend, and the journey of writing the book.
This is an inquiry request, not a confirmed booking. No student-level data is collected.
About the author & the book
Four decades at sea
Mark spent four decades in the Merchant Marines before turning to fiction.
A life in the wilderness
An outdoorsman who enjoys camping and hiking, Mark writes from a love of remote places.
A second book
He is also the author of "A Pen . . . in the Hand of God," a collection of poems and epics.
An open question, not a claim
The Knauga are presented as legend, a forgotten part of the past, or something still unexplained — never as proven real.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Plight of the Knauga about?
- Plight of the Knauga is an Alaskan wilderness adventure about faith, courage, family, and the stories we may not be finished discovering. In 1957, twelve-year-old Max Stiewert arrives in a remote Alaskan valley, where the men at camp warn him about strange figures they call "Pig Men." Max learns they call themselves the Knauga, and as fear turns to friendship he begins to wonder whether they are monsters, a forgotten people, or a mystery older than the stories he has been told.
- When is Max's story set?
- Max arrives in Alaska in 1957 — late-1950s Alaska, before statehood (Alaska became a state in 1959). The story later follows Max back to Alaska forty-one years later. We will not state an exact return year until the timeline is confirmed.
- Who is Mark K. Stewart?
- Mark K. Stewart is the author of Plight of the Knauga. He was born in Houston, Texas, and spent four decades in the Merchant Marines. An outdoorsman who enjoys camping and hiking, he brings a love of wilderness and a faith-shaped imagination to his writing. He is also the author of "A Pen . . . in the Hand of God," a collection of poems and epics.
- Why do some characters say "Pig Men" while the people call themselves Knauga?
- "Pig Men" is a label the men at camp use — an outsider's word, born from fear and the strange shapes seen among the trees. It is not the figures' own name for themselves. Max learns they call themselves the Knauga, and that distinction is where the story's compassion begins.
- Does the story connect to the biblical account of giants?
- The story is inspired by the ancient question of giants in the land and asks whether old stories might preserve the memory of a forgotten people. This is the author's framing and the novel's premise — an invitation to wonder — not a claim of archaeology, historical proof, or evidence that the Knauga are real.
- How can I request a school or library visit?
- Adult organizers can submit a speaking inquiry through the Schools & Libraries page. The form requests organizer-level information only — no student names or student emails. Submitting an inquiry is a request, not a confirmed booking; a visit is not confirmed until Mark responds. No fee, date, or availability is promised until details are confirmed.
- How can I get book updates or preorder?
- You can join the reader-interest list to be notified about the book. The preorder button will go live only after an approved, tested checkout portal has been connected — until then, preorder is not yet available, and no price, publication date, format, or retailer link is listed.
Have another question? Visit the contact page or join the reader-interest list.