r/PirateHole

I recently had the pleasure of moderating From Blackbeard to Netflix: Pirates in Modern Media at San Diego Comic-Con, and I've now uploaded the full panel for anyone interested in watching.

Joining me were pirate historians Dr. Rebecca Simon and Dr. Mark Hanna, Zach McGowan, who played Charles Vane on Black Sails, and director Lukas Ettlin, whose work includes both Black Sails and Netflix's One Piece.

We got into the history vs. mythology of pirates, how real pirates become fictional characters, the very different worlds of Black Sails, One Piece and Pirates of the Caribbean, and why pirate stories are still thriving more than 300 years after the Golden Age.

The response at Comic-Con was pretty amazing—the room filled to capacity and several hundred people waiting outside weren't able to get in. So I'm especially happy to finally be able to share the recording.

Full panel:
https://youtu.be/FIGCJXSrhrY

I'd be curious what the r/pirates crew thinks, particularly about the history-vs.-mythology discussion.

From the professional moron who brought you the Cat's Crows Nest, the Pirate Ship Longboard and the Craftlock™... I now bring you the ultimate treasure - a treasure chest that opens to reveal a barbecue!

Because when I build stupid things, I do them as properly as possible - the Barbecue has an air gap of at least 3cm all the way round, and the chest itself is lined with a welding blanket rated to 1,100°c, so the big hot metal thing won't set fire to the wooden box it's in.

Slats are not airtight in the lid of the chest, and there is a whopping great ventilation hole at the back, so the whole thing is safe to use - and close while cooking.

Chains hold the lid up, and a separate chain also lifts the lid of the barbecue as you lift the chest lid.

Let hope I don't burn the treasure...

EDIT: As a few of you have pointed out, yes, it's short. I plan to put it on a low table to actually cook on. But for photographical reasons, it looks better on the (yes, flammable) decking.

Hey! I am an author looking for a beta reader willing to tackle my novel, chapter by chapter: a tragic (and queer!) yet historically grounded take on the Golden Age of Piracy.

The story follows two rival pirates whose uneasy alliance deepens into a slow‑burn, dangerous intimacy as they navigate 18th‑century Caribbean waters, political betrayal, and the brutal realities of pirate life. When a mission goes wrong, both men are forced to confront their loyalties, their desires, and the consequences of living in a world where every pirate eventually hangs. It’s a character‑driven queer tragedy rooted in real maritime history, with heavy emphasis on tension, rivalry, and emotional stakes.

Content Warning: Adult themes.

I’m in no rush; any pace is fine :) No need for formal critique; honest impressions are more than enough! I’m also open to swapping critiques if that interests you!!

If this seems like something you'd be interested in reading, please DM me! I'll share the chapters through BetaBooks. Thank you!

(And no pressure to read the full manuscript; even a few chapters help a lot!)