Pirate Anthology: Cameron Trost

The Black Beacon Book of Pirates is sure to shiver your timbers when it's published on Friday the 21st of June. The Kindle version is already available for pre-order at just $1.99 instead of $3.99 and you can add the anthology to your Goodreads "want to read" list today. In the meantime, to get you in the mood for a spot of swashbuckling, we’re interviewing the contributing authors.

Hi Cameron,

Why pirates?

In the history of criminal enterprise, pirates really are at the helm. There are so many great noir escapades featuring gangsters and Wild West adventures with outlaws riding into town, but nothing shivers your timbers like a swashbuckling pirate romp. The dangers of the high seas, the flamboyant language and dress, the prospect of hidden treasure, and the endless possibilities when it comes to trying to guess where the winds will take us. There's so much range when it comes to pirate tales... talking about range - look out! The canons are firing! 

Are there any pirate legends set where you live?

Brittany is rich in pirate tales. The corsaires of Saint-Malo, including René Duguay-Trouin and Robert Surcouf are famous around the world. Here where I live, on the Guérande peninsula, there are stories of piracy as well, including Alain Bouchart's taking of three ships of the coast of Belle-Ile in 1471. However, the greatest figure from Brittany, in my opinion, is that of Jeanne de Clisson, The Lioness of Brittany. She waged war against the French during the Hundred Years' War, capturing vessels and their riches. Her fighting force was known by her enemies as the Black Fleet.

If you were a pirate, what's the first thing you'd do?

Honestly, I'd try to make my way to the nearest port, shack up with a buxom maiden, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life as best I could with my feet planted on firm ground.

Have you ever found treasure?

I stumble across spare change every now and then. No Louis d'Or to date.

What do you do when you're not dreaming up tall tales?

I'm a heritage tour guide in the salt marshes of Guérande, Brittany. You know what they say, don't you? Salt always has been the true "white gold".

Where can readers contact you to tell you their timbers have been suitably shivered?

You can find me all over social media: https://linktr.ee/camerontrost but I'm most active on Facebook. I keep a Goodreads profile and have a website at https://camerontrost.com