David J. Mason, owner and founder of HMG ePublishing, LLC, is an award-winning author and digital publishing entrepreneur, who has been on the Internet since 1997 providing technological and telecommunication services. His curiosity for publishing curiosity began during the very early formation stages of the digital publishing industry when he converted one of his previously published traditional manuals into an electronic book.

A Civil War and Black history enthusiast, Mr. Mason researched Private Parson Sykes' military service and wrote The Self-Liberation of Parson Sykes based on his findings in September 2022. It is a documentary novel that describes their true self-liberation ordeal and actual events drawn from a variety of sources, including published materials and official military records. In the trilogy, the first novel profiles Parson’s evolution from enslavement and self-liberation by running away from the Williams’ farm. The second book, Enlistment in the Union Army, narrates Parson’s ordeal through the pathway of contraband to USCT soldier he took to gain his freedom. In the last book in the trilogy entitled, Parson Sykes Emancipated in Southampton County, the story ends with Parson accomplishing his mission and achieving his goal. Parson Sykes will buy property to farm, fight for human rights, and live by the self-determination principles he postulated.

Mr. Mason, a great-grandson of Parson Sykes was born and grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. He holds a Master of Science degree in chemistry from Hampton University in Virginia, a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Norfolk State University and is a graduate of the United States Army War College.