James F. Kaserman

James F. Kaserman first learned of pirates in 1956 and became interested in the truth about pirates when doing research studies of government and business organizations, and concluded that pirate organizations had many similarities to the businesses of today and even served as a model for our modern day democracy. Jim believes that, like all illegal enterprises that have survived thousands of years, piracy is an ongoing institution and will exist so long as there is potential for greater economic reward to those who participate.

Following graduation from Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kent State University and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Dayton. He was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant from the United States Army. Jim was a teacher, coach, administrator for 36 years and spent ten successful years as an elected official. Jim is a former professional race car driver and still drives stock cars with the Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association.

Sarah Jane (Chenot) Kaserman was an educator for over thirty-five years and recently retired as a teacher of gifted students in the Lee County School District in Florida. Following graduation from North Canton Hoover High School in North Canton, Ohio, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in deaf education from Kent State University. A violinist and fiddle player, Sarah Jane likes to read, travel the country, and play old-time, folk, and bluegrass music. Sarah Jane and her grandfather’s fiddle, “Charley” can be found at all presentations the Kasermans put on regarding their series of pirate books.

Together, James and Sarah Jane have combined their years in education with the vision of writing multi-sensory books and have written many elementary Accelerated Reader books. They have written three pirate novels, Gasparilla Pirate Genius, The Legend of Gasparilla, A Tale for All Ages, and How the Pirates Saved Christmas. Each of these novels has won a number of awards. Their book, Pirates of Southwest Florida, Fact and Legend, is used in their teaching with the Florida Gulf Coast University’s Renaissance Academy.

They have been happily married since 1966 and are the parents of two sons, Richard and James, grandparents to James Hunter, Reed Samuel, and Haven Jade. They have lived in Fort Myers, Florida, since moving there from their native Ohio in 1985.