Q&A: Alexandria Author Discusses First Book, Balancing Work

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria-based attorney Jeremy Moss has taken on a second role as a published author. His first book, “The Life and Tryals of the Gentleman Pirate, Major Stede Bonnet,” will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Moss, a lawyer at Alexandria-based real estate investment and development firm Bonaventure, worked to publish the book for several years amid full-time work and raising a 4-year-old, 3-year-old and 9-month old with his wife, Katy. The book follows Stede Bonnet, a pirate from the Golden Age of Piracy whose story covers failed relationships, mid-life crisis and politics to murder and plunder, excessive drinking, isolation and despair. The book has already received three Amazon Hot New Release Awards in the categories of History of the Caribbean & West Indies, History of Central America, and Maritime History & Piracy.

To mark the publication of his first book, Moss participated in a Q&A with Patch on how the book idea originated, balancing writing with work and family life, and the best places to eat in Alexandria.

How did you get into writing and becoming a published author?

In a way, I’ve been writing my entire professional life. As an associate at a well-respected boutique law firm in Old Town Alexandria, I was trained that no document should be sent from the office (to a client, court or other party in negotiation) without careful review by at least one other attorney. We reviewed every bit of our work for tone, brevity and message. We researched every open issue, drilling down until we found the statute, contract provision or case citation that supported our position. The process took some getting used to, but produced high- quality work.

As a biographer, historian and writer, that training continues to pay off. Tone, brevity and message remain important. Humility, required to accept constructive feedback from editors and other reviewers, is also important. In my research, my philosophy is also unchanged – I seek the original source for quotes and information, whenever possible.

Thankfully, I’ve been able to translate those skills into a book that I’m proud of and am lucky to have found a publisher, Koehler Books, that believed in me and my work.

The book is a biography of the pirate Stede Bonnet, one of the more interesting figures of the Golden Age of Piracy. How did you decide on this genre and topic?

Before my middle son, Aidan, was born, I would spend weekend mornings with my oldest son, Silas (who was only one at the time), so that my then-pregnant wife, Katy, could rest.

On many of these early mornings we would find ourselves at a local library or coffee shop. On one particular morning, we ended up my favorite local coffee shop in Virginia Beach, Three Ships. Three Ships was the perfect place for a new father to take his young son. We would look at all the pictures on the wall, and I would describe the tall ships, whalers, and schooners.

On this visit, though, I picked a small book of local ghost stories. Flipping through its pages, I was particularly enchanted by stories of Blackbeard the pirate who shared a rich history with Virginia Beach. I was immediately hooked, and searched for more and more stories of Blackbeard and his compatriots.

On one hand, I was surprised by the small number of scholarly, historical works about pirates. I
expected hundreds would have been written over the three-hundred years since piracy’s Golden
Age. Instead, I found only dozens.

As I read about Blackbeard, I continued to come across references to a lesser-known compatriot, Major Stede Bonnet. Of all the notorious and well-known pirates who ravaged the coastal waters of early America and the Caribbean, Bonnet stood out as the least likely among them to be called to the pirate life.

Major Stede Bonnet “was a Gentleman of good Reputation” a “Master of a plentiful Fortune,”
and was given “the Advantage of a liberal Education.” But, Bonnet’s life in Barbados was not without trials and discontent. The call of the sea, and perhaps more significantly, the push of his family life (Bonnet suffered, according to one author, many “discomforts” in his “marital state”), cast Major Bonnet onto the unlikely and deliberate course toward piracy.

Ever since I heard Bonnet’s story, I wondered how and why he left a comfortable family life for one of danger and adventure. To answer that question, I researched every piece of information I could find about Bonnet, including his trial transcript, in an effort to figure out “how” and “why” Bonnet would do that. Ultimately, that question, “why” may remain unanswered, but Bonnet’s story is fascinating nonetheless – I hope to have done it justice.

What kind of work went into researching and writing the story?

Even with a sparse historical record for many pirates, collections of original source documents are beginning to make their way onto the Internet in scanned and translated form.

One of the most significant resources in studying the life of Major Stede Bonnet is Bonnet’s trial transcript, which still survives in published form today at the National Archives in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally republished in London in 1719 as The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, the court transcript was supplemented with a preface describing the capture of Bonnet and his ship, Revenge, along with several appendices containing witness depositions and statements used by the prosecution at trial.

Recently, the Library of Congress digitized The Tryals, making the transcript available online, in searchable format, for viewing or download. The Tryals is a unique resource, providing contemporaneous, first-hand accounts from several members of Bonnet’s crew, including Bonnet himself. Combined with genealogical sources from Barbados, letters from governors, ship captains and other colonial and English officials, and second-hand sources (like contemporary books from the time period of the golden age of piracy), much of Bonnet’s life can be pieced together.

In writing The Life and Tryals of the Gentleman Pirate, Major Stede Bonnet, my philosophy was to seek the original source, whenever possible. The book contains a number of quotes from these original sources, including long excerpts and significant portions of Bonnet’s trial transcripts. Some of the original sources were identified in other, modern works about Bonnet, his consort, and pirates generally.

Original sources, however, contained original language. In many instances, I revised punctuation, spelling, and in some cases, diction, of this original language to increase readability and comprehension for modern readers. At other times, however, original punctuation, spelling and diction have been left in its original form for emphasis and interest.

What has it been like balancing work on the book with your job at Bonaventure and family life?

Like many working parents, I have struggled with “balance.” My ambitions sometimes exceed my resources and finding the “sweet spot” has become a conscious part of each of my days. I’ve learned that managing my energy is much more important to me than managing my time. I’ve accepted that an 8-8-8 schedule (8 hours of work, 8 hours of sleep, and 8 hours of everything else) is not for me.

Especially since I, like many others, have been working from home (or as I jest, living at work) since March, my daily regimen has become much more fluid. I’ve had to adapt to a constantly varied work environment where there is little separation between my Bonaventure “family” and my actual family.

When I’m “fully charged,” I go full-speed-ahead, working hard all day, spending meaningful time with my family and writing late into the night after my kids are in bed – those days are rare. When I’m low on physical energy, I focus on my work, sitting at my desk (I use a standing desk 99 percent of the time), try to rest try to rest (to the extent one can do that with 3 boys under 5 years old) or take a short, slow walk to get some fresh air. When I’m low on mental energy, I try to unplug for a while, play with my kids or exercise. My emotional energy is refreshed by spending additional time with my wife or connecting with my neighbors, family and friends. Writing, on the other hand, has been a way to recoup “spiritual” energy – writing has provided an outlet for creativity and curiosity. Even when I’m physically or mentally tired, I still feel energized while researching and writing.

What do you like about living in Alexandria? What are your favorite restaurants or businesses?

Alexandria is an easy city to fall in love with. In addition to the history of Old Town and the family-friendly, Main Street feel of Del Ray, we love the availability of outdoor activities and fitness activities, public parks, and dining opportunities.

I have too many favorite restaurants to name in a single response, but some favorites include Rockland’s Barbecue and Grilling Company (try the three meat platter), Dos Amigos (especially the Dos Amigos Chicken Sandwich), Holy Cow (please bring the Tropic Thunder on as a full-time item), Vasos (love the Gyro), Taqueria el Poblano (try the Chile braised shredded beef L.A. Style Crispy Tacos and margaritas), Momo Sushi, and Pork Barrel BBQ (mainly for the burnt ends and a Port City Monumental IPA or two).

“The Life and Tryals of the Gentleman Pirate, Major Stede Bonnet” will be available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For more information, visit www.authorjeremymoss.com.