A Brief Recounting of My First and Final Journey into the Hillsborough River Wilderness: An Old Florida Short Story

by Kip Koelsch

TAMPA, 1852A dropout of West Point, Armand Gillette is eager to leave the family pressures of New Orleans behind and lose himself in nature while surveying the Hillsborough River watershed. In a wilderness only recently vacated by Seminole holdouts, his mind drifts. The young man struggles with the tedium of his work and the looming shadow of a successful older brother. When he finally allows himself to revel in and connect to his surroundings, Armand discovers he is not alone--and that a dark power has protected these shadowy inhabitants and their forebearers for centuries.

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2023

About the author

Award-winning author Kip Koelsch got his start writing “books” with crayons in Mrs. Cook’s second grade class in Leonardo, NJ. Koelsch's love of dolphins started early as well--nurtured by The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, National Geographic Magazine and the family's trips to the beach at Anna Maria Island, Florida.

In all of his writing, Koelsch draws on his "variety of life experiences"--from time as a collegiate rowing coach to a stint as an adjunct professor in Environmental Studies and from adventure racing in Borneo to dragging a dolphin carcass behind his kayak while a marine mammal stranding network volunteer.

An on-again, off-again freelance magazine writer, Koelsch currently blogs about writing, critical thinking, outdoor adventure sports, paddling and his work in progress. He is working hard on the sequel to Wendall's Lullaby while occasionally scribbling random notes for other future fiction ideas.

Koelsch has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Media from Rutgers University in NJ and a Master’s Degree in Humanities and American Studies from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. In the past he has taught policy and culture-oriented Environmental Studies courses at Eckerd College, Ringling College of Art and Design, and the University of South Florida.

Currently, Koelsch resides in Dunedin, FL, with his wife and three cats.

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good supernatural short story. A better quality book cover would be good.

[Tanweer Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little story!

Koelsch captures in equal measure the wonder of nature and the terror of an unexpected transformation. This quick read is full of vivid descriptions and moments which truly make you catch your breath.

Part body-horror, and part wild adventure, this is a cracking short story with more than one twist.

A real surprise of a read. Definitely worth a look.