Tidemarsh University Press, Author Spotlight - Jackson Forelle
- Peat's Beat
- May 3
- 2 min read
When Jackson Forelle isn't too busy suing us, he apparently spends some time writing as well. He recently published his book, The Streaker, which quickly shot to the number one spot at Tidemarsh University Press.
The Book was also recently awarded the 2025 Molinos De Viento Book Award—“celebrating the author who charges in boldly, lance ready, and brilliantly misses the point”
The Streaker chronicles the journey of Rye Smyth, a disillusioned (and likely concussed) philosophy professor who inherits a run-down scallop boat and sets off through the Caribbean. A modern-day Diogenes, Rye is determined to live a simple, dog-like existence as he seeks kindred spirits in the tropics. He’s also set on writing an all-important book he is certain will change the world.
Rye somehow successfully recruits his beer-drinkin’, weed-smokin’ childhood friend, Stems, to captain the vessel on this quixotic journey. Things really get interesting when Rye and Stems meet up with surfers Kaia and Nori in the Bahamas. The confident and adventurous couple become de facto guides for Rye and his friend, pulling them into island life, unexpected detours, and a kaleidoscope of memorable characters.
A legal subplot simmers throughout, centered on the true ownership of the scallop boat. It opens the door to some of the book’s most entertaining moments—comical anecdotes about practicing law in a small coastal Virginia community. While The Streaker is Mr. Forelle’s debut novel, he brings over twenty-five years of legal experience in Virginia to the page.
If you are interested in reading his book, you can find it here:
As we mentioned earlier, we are all too familiar with Jackson Forelle's work primarily based on
his multiple lawsuits against Tidemarsh alleging sexual harassment by a few of our faculty members. Below is a summary of his biography, which we pulled from his firm's website.
Jackson Forelle, Esq. is a trial lawyer, writer, and self-awarded 11th-dan Kendo master. Born and raised on the marshy shores of Yorktown, Virginia, Forelle is legendary for never leaving home without his sword—much to the chagrin of bailiffs throughout Hampton Roads.
He lives and litigates by the ancient principle of sutemi: to win a battle, one must fight as though already dead—and still be prepared to die a second time, but in a tailored suit. This doctrine, along with top-shelf tequila, guides him through depositions, cross-examinations, and particularly stubborn bouts of writer’s block.
A double alumnus of Tidemarsh University, Forelle holds degrees in both engineering and law—a combination that allows him to both build bridges and burn them with expertise and precision. For over twenty-five years, he has fought in the courtroom trenches across Tidewater, handling everything from admiralty law to sexual harassment and personal injury cases. He also takes pride in empowering local adult entertainers through pro bono legal representation—because everyone deserves a good defense, but especially those in high heels.
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