Set Sail with Stanley Wheeler: The Mind Behind Accidental Pirates
Pirates, dragons, and cannibals lurk in this must-read boys’ adventure!
Ahoy there, mateys! It’s time for even more pirate goodness! We’re very happy to introduce you to a right fine scalawag and our newest member of the boys book crew, Stanley Wheeler!
A prolific author, Stanley has written nearly a dozen novels (including the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series and the Justice series) and as many short stories.
Accidental Pirates is Stanley’s newest boys adventure book for Raconteur Press. Coming November 26th, this time-travel tale of pirates, dragons, and cannibals is already a #1 New Release on Amazon!
Stanley Wheeler’s writing positions have been many and varied—but he prefers the sitting position. He writes and lives in Idaho, the setting for some of his books. The American West, adventure, mystery, fantasy, and the vast canvas of history provide his inspiration.
He finds a strange pleasure in a well-turned phrase, but doesn’t usually remember such phrases long enough to get them written down; occasionally, they do turn up in his writing. Alexandre Dumas, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Brandon Sanderson, Edgar Allan Poe, Alan Dean Foster, Tony Hillerman, Louis L’Amour, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Mark Twain, Tolkien, and Shakespeare are among his favorite authors.
So tell us - what’s Stanley Wheeler like?
I could describe myself in very favorable terms, but there’s always someone ready with a second opinion.
Always true! Let’s start simple: where did you grow up?
Born and raised in Idaho, I’ve climbed the pyramids of Mexico, rambled about the halls and grounds of Versailles, and mourned the honored dead at Normandy. I grew up on a farm and often created adventure stories in my head while I worked. I also spent a lot of time with my grandpa, who always had a story from his boyhood to share.
You didn’t stay on the farm, though.
In my youth I discovered that I didn’t want a long-term relationship with crops and cows, so I sought education that would take me abroad. Eventually I graduated with a degree in Near Eastern Studies and had an opportunity to work in Washington D.C. I passed on the chance and went into law instead. In a life built on one bad decision after another, I thought I should cap that pyramid by sharing my writing affliction with the public.
What drew you into writing?
Although writing has been a long-term affliction for me, I didn’t start publishing until 2012 when I published a western novel I had written ten years earlier. I now have about a dozen novels and even more published short stories available. I’ve enjoyed acting in the community theater and in old time radio show plays. Writing novels surpasses the stage experience because I get to play all the characters—and I don’t have to memorize the lines. However, the kissing scenes are less satisfying.
How did you come up with the concept behind Accidental Pirates?
There was a call to write an adventure book for boys. I like adventure and I was a boy. I drew on my own youth and the stories I remembered, and used my grandsons for inspiration. It’s really a story for them.
When did you first come up with the idea behind your story?
I sat down to write and the ideas came. I did ask my grandsons if they preferred space pirates or sea pirates and whether they preferred humans or animals as characters. They chose human sea pirates and that’s what I wrote.
Where is the series going to go?
Chris and Kenny should have more adventures. I can see them returning to the Dragon Sea, as well as other exciting times and places.
What element of the story are you particularly proud of?
I like the relationship between the boys and how they face their insecurities, progressing gradually from scared, naïve boys to face danger and use their new skills to prevail in terrible circumstances.
Who inspires you?
My parents and grandparents and my children and grandchildren inspire me with how they face the frequently-trying circumstances of their individual lives, facing hardship and heartbreak to rise above the challenges and become better for it. Adventure stories are reflections on real life in many ways. Often, how we face the problem is more important than the ultimate resolution.
Pre-order Accidental Pirates today! If you would like to keep up to date with Stanley’s projects and travels, you can follow him on his website and his blog.