by PortiaLily Taylor
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made…” ~ Robert N. Rose
A Brigantine Sails from the Writer’s Dreams into the Pages of Her First Novel
by PortiaLily Taylor
The sailing ships that crossed oceans in olden times have always fascinated me. How were they built to travel thousands of miles with what we would now consider the most rudimentary resources? Who comprised their crews and how did they learn to navigate the seas and maintain their floating fortresses? How did passengers survive the long voyages, and what motivated them to take the risk in the first place?
My many questions led to much reading and research. I especially appreciated what I learned from a series of old Time-Life books, The Seafarers, bought at a used bookstore. At the same time, I began to read novels that revolved around nautical adventures like books by Patrick O’Brien and Alexander Kent. Of course, the world of pirates stirred an additional interest. I began to read about pirates of the past in both fiction and nonfiction including Pirates: Scourge of the Seas by John Reeve Carpenter. I also included middle grade novels in my reading such as Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series by Brian Jacques, and Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor by Paul Dowswell.
Continuing my reading and research, I discovered the best sailing vessel for a crew of pirates was a brigantine. They were fast and easily maneuverable, so their choice was an easy one for pirates who needed to get in and out of even shallow waters quickly. Although they were smaller than “ships of the line,” brigantines carried cannons and other weapons that could be used in battle. In fact, the term “brigantine” originated because pirates who sailed them in the 16th century were often referred to as sea brigands.
Sailing on a Brigantine Called the Red Jacket
I had written nonfiction pursuant to my careers in law and academics. But fiction always held my heart. So, I decided to begin my journey into fiction by writing a middle grade book dedicated to my son. And I could think of no better setting for my story than on a place born in my dreams and research—one of those amazing tall ships helmed by a crew of pirates. After all, my son once had to undergo eyepatch therapy for his amblyopia (lazy eye) that made him look like the cutest, stereotypical pirate. Unfortunately, school bullies disagreed, and they targeted him because of his thick glasses and eyepatch.
So, I wanted to create a fantasy world where a boy like my son could be a hero for the very reasons he was bullied in the real world. That was the seed of an idea that years later became the impetus for my middle grade novel Captain Con and the Red Jacket.
In my book, 12-year-old Nick is taunted for wearing thick-lensed glasses and an eyepatch to correct his “lazy eye,” the term for amblyopia he despises. While being chased by neighborhood bullies, Nick crashes into a tree and wakes into a vivid, pirate‑ruled world. Here he’s no longer an awkward seventh grader but The Other, a prophesied hero aboard a brigantine manned by Captain Con and his pirate crew. Soon, Nick joins a quest to escape the ruthless Baron von Mal and find the pirates’ “one true homeport.” This quest is the key to saving their world and sending Nick back to his own. Sea battles, storms, and daring escapes push the boy and his pirate friends to their limits, but their greatest test is learning to believe in themselves—and in each other.
The sailing ship in Nick’s story becomes its own character. And, since every good character needs a good name, I named the brigantine the Red Jacket since Captain Con wears a vibrant red jacket at important times from announcing the details of their final journey to leading his pirate crew in battle. Thus, began my writing of Captain Con and the Red Jacket, the novel dedicated to my son.
But to bring the Red Jacket out of the pages filled with characters and adventures from my imagination and into the real world, I needed a publishing company that would support and encourage my work. I was fortunate to find such a company!
From My Dreams into My Novel and Out to the World
Lawley Publishing is an award-winning company where imagination comes to life through beautifully illustrated books that inspire, educate, and entertain children everywhere. Their authors create stories that unlock children’s creativity and help them dream bigger than ever before.
As one of their authors, I might add that Lawley supports and encourages not only the dreams of its young readers, but the dreams of its authors as well. Thanks to Lawley, a brigantine sailing the seas with its crew of pirate “good guys” isn’t only a thing of my dreams because Captain Con and the Red Jacket will soon be a reality. At the recent Tucson Festival of Books, Lawley presented the novel, which will officially launch on October 20, 2026!
Working with Lawley has been a wonderful journey. Lara Law and Carrie Turley, its founders, have been so supportive. Lawley Editor Debbie Moyes was incredible to work with. Michelle Savoia was the perfect illustrator to bring the Red Jacket and its characters to life.
I hope you will join Nick, Captain Con, and the brave pirate crew of the Red Jacket in their many adventures. The novel will be available for purchase on October 20th from Lawley through its website at https://www.lawleypublishing.com/ as well as through bookstores and online retailers like Amazon.com, Bookshop.org, and BarnesandNoble.com.
For more information, you can contact me at PortiaLilyTaylor@gmail.com.
© 2026 Christine Taylor
TITLE IMAGE: A Naval Brigantine in a Calm Sea by John Cleveley the Elder (circa 1712 – 1777), National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Macpherson Collection
PortiaLily Taylor 