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It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Brooks Almy, author of An Accidental Pirate (the possibly true adventures of Fanny Campbell)

Author’s Bio: I was a very shy military child and went to many different schools. At 14, a teacher discovered I could sing and convinced me to be in the school talent show. I felt the extreme joy of being someone else and was hooked. I did my first professional show at 16 (Hello Dolly) and was a working actor for over 40 years, loving every minute.

 

I also discovered I have a real passion for teaching and had a thirty-year relationship with AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy), a performing arts university.  I traveled extensively, giving master classes in audition technique, acting for the camera and career preparation. I loved and still love my students.

 

Then, life intervened. I re-encountered my Italian soulmate after 30 years apart, got married at 60, recovered from cancer, went through my husbands’ cancer with him, and began a new life on a hilltop in Italy. After twelve wonderful years Covid hit, we were in isolation.  With extra time on my hands, my wonderful pirate came roaring onto the page and now I am a published author. What????

 

I describe myself as fierce, funny, friendly. Or kind, calm, creative. I also try to live by this quote: “Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." -Mark Twain.

 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?


Brooks Almy: In the early 80’s, I found a book on female pirates in a museum bookstore in San Francisco. Fanny only had one paragraph, but it stayed with me. And after the internet happened it became clear that she might or might not be real, but her original story, written in the 1800’s had inspired many women to disguise themselves as men, to fight in wars or to be in a male dominated profession.  My version of Fanny is a fierce, capable and proud 18-year-old, determined to forge her own path. She is a strong protagonist with a lot of heart.

 

DL: What is your writing process?


BA: Something, a news story or a passage in a book I am reading sparks a little idea. I sit with a notebook and write longhand and it just pours out of me. It is like the creative passage has opened and I don’t stop. My husband has come to me after 5 hours and said, you must stop now and eat!! 


I never edit while I write. I just write. Then I go back later, edit and check my research to make sure what I am writing about is accurate.  For example, I was looking up info on Cuba, since that is where Fanny is going, and I came across the story of the Taino. They were the indigenous people in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola etc. I ended up including Taino characters and lifestyle in the last chapters of my book and a Taino pirate on board the Bloody Rose.

 

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?


BA: I loved Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson), Shogun (James Clavell), Hawaii (James Michener) Captain Blood (Rafael Sabatini), Dragonfly in Amber (Diana Gabaldon). Also, the entire James Bond series (Ian Fleming).

 

DL: What was the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?


BA: Put the pen to the page and write. Tell your truth.

 

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests?


BA:  I will give you four: Andrea Camilleri, Yuval Harari, Jane Austen, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?


BA: Don’t be discouraged. Just keep forging ahead. Don’t listen to the haters. Rejection only means it wasn’t your turn yet, or that wasn’t the right situation for you. Some of the most successful writers had hundreds of rejections. Stephan King, JK Rowling, Dr. Seuss, and Hemmingway just to name a few.  And have a good team to help you with things you aren’t good at. I am good at research, but terrible at marketing.

 

DL: What do you like to do when you are not writing?


BA: Spend time with my husband and our beasts. Sit in front of the fire and cuddle.  Work in our garden, bake, read, listen to music, watch movies, travel all over. Eat focaccia and gelato.

 

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from An Accidental Pirate?


BA: Sure, here you go:

 

Book excerpt:


“Sit down, seaman. I have some questions,” Captain Thorne said sternly.

Fanny took a seat on the other side of the large carved desk.

“The most reasonable place to start is why. What made you dress up as a man and sign onto that scow, Mary of Leeds? That was asking for almost certain death.”

“Long story, sir. The shorter version is that my husband, Will, was captured by the Spanish and has been imprisoned in Cuba for over two years now. My only thought was to rescue him, and I could see no other way. I was not going to leave him there. The British government abandoned him and his men.”

221      “They do that, don’t they,” said Thorne bitterly. “And what was the plan?”

“No plan, sir. I am going to get to Cuba and figure it out there.  If this ship isn’t going south, I will have to find another one.”

“You are determined.”

“I love him, sir. He is my other half. The only man who saw me as I am and didn’t run away in fear.”

“I understand that. You are a formidable man and an even more imposing woman. I think I would like your Will very much.”

 

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?


BA: Book 2 of the Fanny Campbell series. Book 3 of a yet to be published children’s series about a curious sea lion and a cookbook for people who don’t know how and don’t want to learn.

 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?


BA: Readers can get more information here: 

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.


BA: Thank you!




 

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