Some stories are too important to let time erase.
I’m pleased to share that WV News has published an article about my upcoming historical novel, November Rain: The River Came at Night, and the work underway to preserve the memories of the devastating November 1985 floods in West Virginia.
The article, published October 26, 2026, is titled “Former Rowlesburg resident writing novel about devastating 1985 flood.”
For me, this recognition carries a special meaning.
Rowlesburg, West Virginia, isn’t simply the setting for my book. It’s the town where I grew up, attended school, made lifelong friendships, and developed many of the memories that shaped the person I became.
In November 1985, I was serving in the United States Navy. I had returned home for a weekend visit, unaware that the rain falling around us would soon become part of one of the most devastating natural disasters in West Virginia history.
I left Rowlesburg before the worst of the flooding arrived. But the town I knew would never be quite the same.
More Than a Story About a Flood
When I began writing November Rain, I knew I didn’t want to create a simple account of rising water, damaged buildings, and destruction.
I wanted to tell the human stories.
The families who watched their homes disappear. The neighbors who helped one another. The children who struggled to understand what was happening. The people who returned afterward to face the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.
Over the past several months, I’ve been fortunate to hear from people willing to share their memories, photographs, and personal experiences.
Their contributions are helping me create something I hope will be more than a novel. I want it to become a lasting tribute to the people and communities affected by the flood.
Remembering a Special Teacher
One particularly meaningful part of the WV News article concerns my former English teacher, Mrs. Virginia Martin.
Mrs. Martin encouraged my interest in writing when I was a student at Rowlesburg High School. Decades later, essays she assigned to students following the flood have become an important part of this project.
Those essays provide a remarkable glimpse into how young people experienced the disaster and its aftermath.
It’s difficult to imagine a more meaningful connection between the teacher who encouraged me to write and the book I’m writing today.
Looking Toward Publication
November Rain: The River Came at Night is currently being developed for a tentative May 2027 release through Everward Press.
Plans include paperback, hardcover, and electronic editions, along with a limited Heritage Edition of 125 numbered and signed copies.
A book-launch event in Rowlesburg is also being planned.
There’s still considerable work ahead, but seeing this project receive attention from a West Virginia news organization is an encouraging milestone.
Most importantly, I hope the article reaches others who remember November 1985 and might have a story, photograph, or document they would like to share.
Read the WV News Article
I invite you to read the complete article:
Former Rowlesburg Resident Writing Novel About Devastating 1985 Flood
My sincere thanks to WV News for helping bring attention to this project.
And to everyone who has already shared a memory, offered encouragement, or contributed historical materials: thank you.
November Rain is a story I’m writing, but the history belongs to everyone who lived through it.
Some memories deserve to be preserved. Some stories deserve to be told.