Storm Stories - Hurricane Ian: Stories of Survival, Heroism, and Humanity

Book Synopsis: Eighty victims of Hurricane Ian, whose lives changed the day the monster storm hit the southwest coast of Florida, tell their stories of survival, loss, heroism, humanity, and resilience. These first-person, true accounts of the most disastrous hurricane to hit Florida in eighty-seven years are heartfelt, sad, harrowing, uplifting, and sometimes even funny. Many are edited by Gulf Coast Writers Association authors, but some are left in the pure, raw voices of people in pain.

The collection of these stories is a labor of love for the GCWA. Our purpose is to give voice to everyday people, writers and non-writers alike, who experienced the traumatic storm and its protracted aftermath. Hurricane Ian inflicted damage on all levels of society, all ages, all backgrounds, and in a wide area of southwest Florida, so GCWA reached out to all. No story should be forgotten.

Robert N. Macomber, award-winning author of seventeen books, likens his refugee status amid the destruction of Pine Island to refugees he met during his travels to third-world countries. After reading these short narratives, poems, and longer stories, readers will have a new perspective about the fragility of our comfortable lives.

Leoma Lovegrove, internationally-known artist and Matlacha resident, created and donated the cover artwork in her unique and colorful style. Within the book, she tells her personal story of devastation.

Royalties received from the sale of Storm Stories will benefit Gulf Coast Writers Association, a non-profit organization, established in 1995. GCWA offers workshops, speakers, encouragement, camaraderie, a helping hand, marketing opportunities, and tips of the trade to writers at all levels. A portion of the royalties will be donated to The Cajun Navy, a volunteer, first-responder group which came to the rescue of Hurricane Ian victims and was mentioned in several of our stories. Visit our website at www.gulfwriters.org.