Quick Facts about Rock Kitaro
Hometown: Tampa Bay, Florida
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Hobbies: Reading, Writing, and Working Out
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Favorite Visited Places: Philly, Manhattan, Las Vegas
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Favorite Book: God's Word, the Bible
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Favorite Music: Nu-metal, Big Bang, Punk Goes Pop, 90s jams, old-school Backstreet Boy fan
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Favorite Movie: Man of Steel (don't even @ me, bro)
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Favorite TV Shows: Sons of Anarchy, Smallville (early seasons), The Last Kingdom, Rome, Bloodhounds, The Gentlemen
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Favorite Anime: Case Closed, Death Note, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, Samurai Champloo
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Favorite Quote: "Black care rarely sits behind the rider whose pace is fast enough..." Pres. Theodore Roosevelt
Why I Write...
Ever since I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was daydream.
I could carry the same story in my head for months, even years — seeing the scenes, hearing the dialogue, feeling the moments play out like a movie only I could watch. Back then, I wished there was some way to show my brothers what I saw, what I heard, what I experienced.
That’s why I write.
I graduated with a degree in Film Production, which probably explains why my books tend to read and feel like movies. I see the camera angles. I hear the dialogue. I feel the rhythm of the scene. When I write action, romance, conflict, or quiet moments between characters, I’m not just arranging words on a page — I’m trying to capture the experience.
But more than anything — and this might ruffle some feathers — when I was a kid, I hated reading.
As an author, one of my biggest missions is to write stories for people who don’t think they like to read. I know that sounds counterproductive, but I believe there’s a huge group of people who were taught, somewhere along the way, that reading fiction is work. Like homework. Like the books we were forced to read in school.
Books don’t have to feel that way.
A novel can be a page-turner. It can have action, attitude, humor, romance, danger, and dialogue that sounds like real people speaking to each other. The words can carry the same intensity as the scene itself. And more than anything, the characters can feel alive if the writer is willing to embrace brutal honesty.
That’s how I approach fiction.
I say I “experience” my stories because I’m not afraid to let my characters go there. They don’t always react the way I want them to react. They react the way I believe real people would — with pride, fear, anger, loyalty, selfishness, courage, love, weakness, and everything in between.
At the end of the day, I believe the most important thing a fiction novel should do is simple:
It should entertain the reader.
Other Worlds by Rock Kitaro
While The Knights with No Lords: The One Called Gawain marks a major chapter in Rock Kitaro’s storytelling journey, it is only one part of a much larger creative universe. Across crime sagas, paranormal mysteries, psychological dramas, dark fantasy, and character-driven literary fiction, Rock’s work is built around flawed people, dangerous loyalties, moral consequence, and emotional conflicts that refuse to stay buried.
Beyond the works listed here, Rock has developed a growing archive of more than twenty original story concepts, never limited to one genre, one world, or one kind of hero. Some are fully written, some are actively being shaped, and many remain private until the right time. Together, they reflect a creative well that reaches far beyond any single book, series, or world.
The Pierce Syndicate
For readers drawn to the futuristic grit of Ghost in the Shell and the renegade outlaw energy of Cowboy Bebop, The Pierce Syndicate is a sprawling crime saga centered on power, family, violence, legacy, and survival. Set 200 years in the future, it dives into a ruthless underworld where the Godfather’s reign is coming to an end and everyone sees a dangerous opportunity. Various factions vie for power, while vigilantes step in to handle what the cops can’t.
This is a world where bullets aren’t enough, and cyborgs and super-soldier serums throw the battlefield out of balance. Loyalty is dangerous, bloodlines carry consequences, and every generation inherits the sins of the one before it. Built with cinematic intensity and an expanding cast of unforgettable figures like Braden Pierce, Eliza Christie, and Max the Whisper, the series explores the cost of empire-building in a world where love, revenge, and ambition are never clean.
The Slave Quarters
We’ve all seen stories about characters interacting with ghosts. But what about one where the main character is indebted to one? And worse — where that debt becomes tied to revenge?
Blending paranormal mystery, Southern atmosphere, and noir-inspired character work, The Slave Quarters follows morally ambiguous state detective Cloud Beaudry as he’s sent to investigate a string of killings taking place around the old, abandoned plantations scattered throughout Augusta, Georgia. This is a world where the dead are not silent and the past refuses to remain buried. With its mix of ghostly vengeance, crime investigation, and moral reckoning, the story explores history, guilt, justice, and the uneasy relationship between the living and the dead.
The Perennial War of Paramours
In order to join a secret society of women who hold the reins of power behind the scenes, every member must prove herself by killing the man she loves most in the world. And for two dangerous recruits, that may be a price they are not willing to pay.
A modern action thriller of love, betrayal, ego, and emotional warfare, The Perennial War of Paramours explores the destructive power of desire when ambition and ideology collide. Written with sharp emotional tension and a brutally honest view of relationships, the novel examines what happens when everything you believed was a lie — and when the people who claimed to support you were only using you to support their own agendas.
The Jealous
Currently in development, The Jealous is a dark fantasy concept exploring envy, obsession, beauty, power, and the poisonous hunger to possess what belongs to someone else. Designed as a grim and emotionally charged fantasy world, the story will examine how jealousy can become more than a feeling — it can become a force, a curse, and eventually, a kingdom of its own.
Untitled Jermaine Project
Also in development is a grounded, character-driven story centered on Jermaine, a young man whose life begins to change through unexpected mentorship, wisdom, and connection with the older adults at a community clubhouse. Warm, reflective, and deeply human, the project explores manhood, memory, community, generational guidance, and the quiet ways people are shaped by those who take the time to pour into them.
For rights inquiries, media opportunities, or professional interest in Rock Kitaro’s works, please use the contact form below.
Question 2 - If someone says, “I’m not really into King Arthur,” why should they still give this book a chance?
Question 3 - Who is Gawain in your version — and why should readers care about him?
Question 4 - Which character would you most want to have dinner with…and which one would you absolutely not trust alone in your house?
Question 5 - Morgan le Fay sounds dangerous. Is she a villain, a love interest, a victim, a mastermind…or all of the above?
Question 6 - Be honest — who causes the most trouble in this book?
Question 7 - If this book were a movie trailer, what would be the scene that makes people stop scrolling?
Question 8 - What kind of reader is going to have the most fun with this book?
Question 9 - What’s one thing in the book that might surprise people?
Question 10 - Finish this sentence: readers should pick up The Knights with No Lords if they want a story that makes them feel ________.
Answer - It’s Sons of Anarchy with swords and horses, where men fight like hell and take out the first rivals who try to hurt to their women.
Answer - I think a lot of people hear “King Arthur” and assume it is all gallantry, jousting, shining armor, and noble knights speaking in grand speeches.
But in the Knights with No Lords, it’s about a group of men who are really good with swords and they’re tired of living in a world with no trust, justice, or order. When the opportunity comes to end the raiding, corruption, and murder tearing their world apart, purpose and duty compel them to take that chance.
Answer - There are more Gawains in our world than Arthurs.
A lot of us have stubborn brothers who are more trouble than they’re worth. A lot of us are in love with women who aren’t good for us but we love them anyway.
A lot of us are blessed with strength, intelligence, and the potential to dominate and rule over everyone in our lives but we choose restraint and discipline instead. We hold ourselves back for the good of others even if it’s never appreciated or acknowledged.
In the Knights with No Lords, Gawain is faced with impossible choices. I can go on with this answer…but I’ll let readers see for themselves.
Answer – Probably Constantine.
He’s one of the less serious characters, but knows everything, has seen everything, and has enough respect from the others where I imagine there’s plenty of hilarious stories he’d like to share, especially about Morgan, or even Gaheris and Agravain when they were kids.
As for who I wouldn’t trust alone in my house? Gaheris. I absolutely would not trust that man anywhere near my wife. Even if nothing happened, he’s the kind of guy that leaves you wondering if your wife is still secretly thinking about him after he’s gone. Hahaha!
Answer – All of the above.
What makes Morgan a bit unique, and kinda what I respect the most about her… is that she’s very much a “I’ll handle it myself” kind of person.
When it comes to her abilities, her improvement, what she wants and her plans to get it, Morgan is not waiting for permission. I wrote a prequel to this book in 2016, three years before the events of “The Knights with No Lords,” and there, you really see how Morgan is a bit of a tragic fiery figure.
She grows up as a lady of the castle, prone to mischief and trickery, with two older sisters who are prettier, more popular, and easier for the world to accept. She very much has that attitude of, “if you feel like you have no place in this world, pick your chin up and make your place in this world.”
Answer – You already know. It’s Merlin.
He’s such an asshole, but you can’t help appreciating how well he stirs the pot. He does it with so much charisma that you want him to get hit…but you also want to thank him for pushing the characters out of their reluctance.
Answer – That question makes me smile, because a lot of these scenes came to me while I was listening to some banging rock track, running on the treadmill, and seeing the action play out like a movie trailer in my head.
There is a scene early on where Gawain grabs Merlin and yanks him over a table in the middle of a banquet. That one would probably stop people mid-scroll like: “Hold up. What is happening here?”
And there are a few others…but I don’t want to spoil anything.
Answer – Honestly, I hate answering these kinds of questions.
I could say, “fans of this show” or “fans of that movie,” but then I risk giving people the wrong preconceived notion of what to expect. So I’ll say this: read the first five pages.
If you aren’t smirking when Constantine says, “It’ll end as soon as you get your aim back,” then you may not have fun with this book.
Yes, it is fantasy. But it is not written with fake old-English dialogue or some unwritten rule about how characters in fantasy are “supposed” to speak. My name is Rock Kitaro. This book was written by Rock Kitaro. Not anyone else. I hope you have fun with it, no matter who you are.
Answer – It reads like you’re watching a movie. That’s always the first compliment people give when they read my books and I take that as, “mission complete.”
Answer – Like they are not wasting their time. Hahaha. Sorry if that sounds too blunt, but I mean it. I write to entertain people. I am not trying to tell readers what they are supposed to feel. If the book does make them feel something specific, I would honestly be more interested to hear that from them.
It reminds me of when I wrote a tribute about a middle school classmate who was killed in a head-on collision when she was in college. I wrote it because I respected and appreciated the brief moments I had with her. I had no idea her family would eventually read it and tell me how much they appreciated those stories.
When I say I had “no idea,” seriously, the love and gratitude they shared with me...Her name was Patricia Griffin of Augusta Georgia, and I hope no one ever forgets her name. So…to answer the question, I hope readers feel like buying The Knights with No Lords was the best money they ever spent on a book.
10 Entertaining Questions - The Spotlight Interview
Question 1 - Give us the elevator pitch: what is The Knights with No Lords in one sentence?
Question 2 - Why Gawain? Out of all the Arthurian figures, what drew you to him as the center of the story?
Question 3 - Your version of Gawain feels less like a shining knight and more like a young warrior carrying the weight of a kingdom. Was that always the vision?
Question 4 - This book has magic, romance, politics, war, brotherhood, betrayal, and action. What kind of reading experience were you trying to create?
Question 5 - Morgan le Fay is often portrayed as a villain or enchantress. What did you want to do differently with her?
Question 6 - The title is The Knights with No Lords. What does that phrase mean to you?
Question 7 - The book sounds like Arthurian legend, but it also feels gritty, emotional, and modern in its character drama. How did you balance myth with realism?
Question 8 - Which relationship in the book surprised you the most as you were writing?
Question 9 - What do you hope readers feel when they finish the book?
Question 10 - For readers who think they already know King Arthur, what would you tell them before they open this book?
For me, it's always been interesting to explore the journey that leads to greatness, more so than just starting with greatness and telling a story that's all about maintaining it. When I first conceived the characters of Gawain and Morgan, I was 23 and dealing with a lot of pressure when it comes to life after college and what's expected of me. I think I channeled a lot of the pressure into Gawain when it comes to being the eldest brother and carrying the promise that he'd always protect his family. I explain more about that in the "Inspirations" section of my "About the Book" page.
Because of all the Knights of the Round Table, I think Gawain's the most famous one with brothers who also become knights. They say, "write what you know..." lol, well...I know what it's like to have brothers whose personalities are so completely different than your own. Even though I was the middle child, I was always the biggest (and arguably the strongest) in my family. So, I was very protective of my brothers. No one put that burden on me. It's just one of those things. lol, the strong have to protect the weak, even when the weak keep running their mouths and causing problems.
I take that as a compliment...because deep down, I think that's what shining knights are supposed to do. They carry the weight of the kingdom. According to legends, Gawain was said to be the most chivalrous of all the knights. I think it's his sense of honor and duty that leads to that reputation. In my version, he doesn't have all the right answers, and deep down his violence and temper are always there just beneath the surface. But the more he's put in leadership positions where others depend on him, the more self-sacrificing he becomes for the good of the people. I think, deep down, I want to inspire all men to be more like that.
An entertaining one. I want readers to feel like they are stepping into a story that moves — something intense, cinematic, emotional, and alive. I know fantasy can sometimes come with unfair stereotypes, especially for people who do not consider themselves avid readers. Some people hear “knights,” “castles,” or “magic” and immediately think the story is not for them. I want The Knights with No Lords to challenge that. To me, this is not just a fantasy novel. In some ways, it feels more like a royal organized-crime story with swords and battlefields. The princes are the enforcers. The kingdoms are the territories. And what rules the world is not money, but honor, purpose, power, loyalty, and duty.
In The Knights with No Lords…Morgan makes sense. Other than being Arthur’s half-sister, I have not read many traditional versions where Morgan’s hatred is explained in a way that feels fully satisfying to me. And when it is explained… hate to say it, but sometimes the motives feel a little cartoony. It can feel like, “Well, that escalated quickly.”
I first came up with the title in 2009…over the years, I think it’s cool that you can hear it in two different ways. There’s the Knights with No Lords…and also, the Nights with No Lords. Both meanings point to the same idea: a world where no one is truly in charge. A world where authority belongs to whoever is strong enough to take it, while everyone else is left at their mercy. What does a world like that look like? What kind of people rise in that world? What is right or wrong? Who gets to decide? Those are the kinds of questions this story explores.
Honestly, I do not think I set out to “balance” them. That was never an agenda I had to force into the story. It is like when I was a teenager and my dad pointed out that I could do layups with both hands in basketball. I had no idea that was difficult or rare. I was not trying to do anything special. I just wanted to score, so I did what it took to score. That is how myth and realism worked for me in this book. The myth gives the story its scale. The realism comes from letting the characters react like real people — with pride, fear, anger, loyalty, jealousy, courage, and pain. I was not trying to make the legend “modern.” I was trying to make it feel alive.
My answer to that would spoil the book. It is a relationship Gawain has with another character, but I cannot say who. Obviously, it is not Morgan or his brothers. But this character inspires him and reminds him that there is still purity in a world where all he has known is ulterior motives, bloodshed, and politics.
Entertained and excited…the same way a gamer feels when he or she finished an engaging game that had them running through multiple levels with invested emotion. Definitely hungry for the next book but also… But I also hope they feel what I feel every time I finish writing a novel: that they grew up a little by experiencing something new and amazing.
I wouldn’t want to tell them what to think. King Arthur is a lot like Greek mythology. When people really love those stories, they usually already have their own ideas about the characters, the legends, and what everything means. I respect that. I would rather let the book speak for itself. But I will say this: The Knights with No Lords is not simply “another King Arthur book.” It is a Gawain book. It is about the generation before the Round Table became legend — when they were young, hot-blooded, dangerous, and still figuring out who they were willing to follow, who they were willing to fight, and what kind of world they were willing to build.
Behind the Legend: A Deeper Interview with Rock Kitaro
Question 1 - What made you want to tell a King Arthur story before Camelot existed?
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