Pirate Anthology: Jack Wells

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 Jack,

Why pirates?

I mean, why not? But, honestly, I grew up loving the old pirate tales, and watching films like The Goonies, where the child protagonists had to survive all sorts of pitfalls and traps in search of pirate treasure. I think young boys are especially drawn to swashbuckling adventures and that warped sense of brigand’s honor. There’s something appealing about the thought of leaving the rules and expectations far behind, living life on your own terms. And, aside from all that, as soon as I saw the cover of The Black Beacon Book of Pirates, I knew I wanted to be included.

Are there any pirate legends set where you live?

Sadly, no, as Utah is a landlocked state. There are plenty of tales regarding outlaws and rule-breakers, to be sure, but none of them involve the ocean.

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

Try to find a deserted island to call my home base! I’ve always been an introvert, and the older I get, the further from the masses I want to be. Of course, it would it be pretty awesome to have a ship under my command… to be able to point the prow in whichever direction and be like "sail that way!". But, at the end of the day, a nice secluded place to call home, with no roads or bridges leading to it, would be heavenly. A place to bury the treasure, kick up my sea legs, and have a hearty swig of rum.

Have you ever found treasure?

Kinda. When I was young, my friend Greg and I were really into playing like we were in the military. We’d dress up in fatigues, grab our toy guns, put on face paint, and go wage war in the woods near his home. There were some older boys that used to hang out in those woods after school as well, and we steered well clear of them. One day, however, we found their stash of beer, dirty magazines, heavy metal cassettes, and a couple of switchblades. Greg and I were too young to have any interest in beer or boobs, but we sure were excited to find, and pilfer, those knives and tapes. Not that our parents let us keep either, of course, but it was a cool victory while it lasted.

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

I work full-time in government, doing my best to unravel all the red tape while keeping our military folks safe. I also have children, who are my world, so I spend a lot of time doing things with them. My house is an older home, built in the 60s, so there’s plenty of projects that keep me busy, and I have so many other hobbies besides writing. It’s actually kind of amazing that I get any writing done at all !

Where can we find you online?

I don’t have a website, though I probably should start working on that eventually. I’m on Facebook as Jack Wells, and Instagram as Jack_Wells_Author. I’m not on X or TikTok, and probably won’t ever be, as I barely have enough time or energy for socials as it is.

Pirate Anthology: Karen Keeley

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 Karen,

Why pirates?

Yo-ho, me hearties and a bottle of rum! Along with adventure on the high seas and buried treasure, who doesn’t love pirate tales? When I saw the cover reveal for Pirate Tales, my first thought was, I really really want to be in this book, the cover is magical and captivating! Feeling very privileged to have made the grade, thank you!

Are there any pirate legends set where you live?

Not that I’m aware of. I am more than twelve-hundred kilometers from the ocean so if there were pirate legends to be had, I wouldn’t think they’d be anywhere near me.

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

I’d get me one swanky looking outfit with all the bells ‘n whistles—the white shirt, silk ‘n satin vest and leather britches (purple, my favourite colour), the knee-high boots, and a glorious pirate hat in addition to the cutlass and the flintlock pistols. Maybe a calico cat to keep me company.

Have you ever found treasure?

Just in books when I read amazing and wonderful stories.

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

I spend a lot of time carousing around in my imagination, listening to my imaginary friends. I say this with a smile. ~wink, wink~ Having made it to retirement, it’s wonderful to simply do whatever I want, whenever I want. I also make photobooks, gathering photos from special events like holiday travels, etc., time spent with family and friends, my own treasured memories captured in a picture book. I love the outdoors, getting back to nature. Whenever I am able to do so, I immerse myself in the ahhhhhhh moment. It’s just so flippin’ lovely to be out there, in a forest, in the mountains, somewhere near a river or a creek, soaking it all in. For me, it kind of reenergizes the ol’ batteries. If I’m really lucky and make it to the ocean, I love the sound of the seabirds overhead, the scent of the salty brine, the seaweed and barnacles.

Where can we find you online?

I have something of a quasi-website: www.karenmkeeley.blogspot.com

Pirate Anthology: DJ Tyrer

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 DJ,

Why pirates?

Pirates have a great deal of potential for exciting adventure and varied characters. My story, Sting of the Schorpioen, features some characters I created for an as-yet unwritten horror novel involving pirates and a mysterious island. Even though I have yet to write that novel, the pirates had their hooks into me and I ended up writing some stories featuring them, of which this was one. Quite probably, if I fail to get them to their destination, they’ll insist on my writing some more.

Are there any pirate legends set where you live?

Although Southend-on-Sea was once the location of Milton, once an important port on the Thames, and nearby Leigh-on-Sea long had naval connections, any pirates presumably sailed off elsewhere to seek plunder and didn’t leave any local legends. However, the area does have plenty of tales about smugglers, including legends of smuggler tunnels running beneath the city, including some said to be haunted.

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

Being a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, I would have to burst into song. Doubtless I would be as inept as the Pirates of Penzance and do poorly at the whole capturing ships and treasure, but at least it would be a merry experience.

Have you ever found treasure?

Sadly, no. There is probably some down in those smuggler tunnels, but the stories of what happens to those who enter them are enough to put me off searching. Still, a hoard would be quite handy, so if anyone has any old maps where X marks the spot, please do send them my way…

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

My hobbies include history, roleplaying, wargaming, and languages and conlanging, all of which come in useful for worldbuilding. I’m also the editor/publisher of the Atlantean Publishing small press, when I can find the time.

Where can we find you online?

You can find my website at https://djtyrer.blogspot.co.uk/ and my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DJTyrerwriter/