Writing the Storm Out

This is a work of art by a student, inspired by my novel MELT



My name is Selene Castrovilla and I'm a writer. I knew I was a writer from the time I held a pencil. I sensed it was the thing that would save me and bring me comfort - and I clung to it.

I had a dark childhood, the only child of a bi-polar mother and heroin addict father. My Aunt Olga was loving, but she had other things going on in her life. 


This is my aunt, Olga Bloom, and me. She did her best to help me growing up. She created Bargemusic, a nonprofit concert hall. She showed me what passion and dedication could do. She died just before Hurricane Sandy.


Although I knew I was a writer, I lacked the confidence to write for a living until I had my second son. The conbination of experiencing this mutual unconditional love with my children and wanting to have something to show them I accomplished (and something to leave for them, reminding them how much I cared) prompted me to embark on a writing career.

My two sons, and me. I'm proud to have provided an example of due diligence and passion to them.


This is the first book I published, which I wanted my children to have as an accomplishment of mine.


I am a single mother. My son Michael credits me with giving him the the guidance and the passion to succeed in college. 

I have been successful, publishing seven books and two more coming. I am so grateful that my words have meant something to people, and helped them consider the world differently. (Please read about my work, including critical reviews, on my website: SeleneCastrovilla.com.)

I have donated much time to visiting schools in low-income neighborhoods, where they do not have the funds to pay for author visits. These include many New York City schools, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School in the ninth ward of New Orleans. This brings me great joy, to know that I've made an impact in young lives. 

A sign kids made for me for an elementary school visit.

These two posters (above and below) are among those made by students at the Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in response to reading MELT


Visiting NYC High School students during The Big Read 2016


A class I worked with at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School in New Orleans


I have also donated my time toward mentoring students who have contacted me about their writing. Again, this has made me so happy.

My book MELT was included in a high school curriculum, and many of the students contacted me about how the story hit them, and altered their lives. One student created a work of art inspired by a passage from MELT (pictured at the top.) I cannot express how much this means to me.

But my life has been punctuated with hard times, and right now I am struggling to keep my home and to keep writing. The thing many people don't realize is how little writers earn. Most of us are struggling. 

My particular struggle has swelled to the point where I find myself not knowing where to turn. I was a victim of Hurricane Sandy, and lost the first floor of my home. My total losses exceeded $200,000.  I received about $15,000 in total aid from a few sources: an artists grant of $5000, some small grants and the rest from dear friends. I appreciate every generous dollar, but the fact remains that I spent all the money I had and went into debt rebuilding my house. I received no Fema help because they gave me $1300 after Hurricane Irene, and then I was supposed to get flood insurance. But at the time of Irene I didn't own my home, and then my Aunt Olga died and my house was in probate, so I was told that I couldn't get flood insurance in my name. The executor didn't want to buy flood insurance, and told me to wait until I received the deed. Before that happened, we were hit by Hurricane Sandy. I was declared "non-compliant" and ineligible to receive any government aid. I was also not eligible for the $10,000 additional help from New York State, because it was only for people who capped out on Fema and needed more help. There was no provision for someone who received no help from Fema. Then New York Rising came, and assured me that I would be helped. I was all set to get $150,000. In fact, I received a check, but they said it was a mistake and took it back (this happened to many people at the time.) Then, instead of issuing me a new check, they said that because I was Fema non-compliant I was getting zero help from them. (This after I'd explained the problem to my case worker from the beginning, and she assured me that New York Rising had nothing to do with Fema.) Since then I've been writing to appeal, and even asked President Obama to pardon the Fema non-compliant victims of Hurricane Sandy, but I have heard nothing back.

As I write this, I still find it hard to believe that our government has just turned its back on me. I thought this country was about helping each other.




These pictures are all of times the water floods up to my house because there is no bulkhead to stop it. The rocks indicate where the water should stop, and where my property begins. (In the bottom picture you can see the end of the street where the aluminum is, to the left. The water is all the way to my deck.)


Now I'm in debt and on the brink of being unable to meet my payments. I tried to get a home equity loan but they said I don't have enough income to pay it back. I've applied for various teaching and tutoring jobs, and have had positive response, but at this moment have no viable income. 

What I'm asking for is the opportunity to keep writing and also complete the repairs on my sea wall. The government was also supposed to bulkhead the area, but has not - and water rises all the way to my deck frequently.

I would like the money to give me the time and funds to write and publish two memoirs: one about my experiences growing up with a bi-polar mother and heroin addict father (titled HAPPY DAYS) and the other a memoir about Hurricane Sandy (titled TOUGH LOVE FROM GOD.) I know these books will resound with readers and add something to this world.  I have also written two screenplays. I am always trying to produce work which will make a difference.

I have a book releasing June 21, and I need some funds to promote it. It is the sequel to MELT, which won six awards and has received much praise. Alas, being well-loved is not the same as being a financial success.

I have also started my own publishing house, Last Syllable Books, to support quality literature. I would use some of these funds to build this house as well.

Feel free to contact me privately regarding any of these things. I've already written so much - I don't want to elaborate any longer!

I'm asking for your support in helping me continue to write my work, which I know makes a difference in the world, and also for the chance to build a publishing house which will support other authors who have no home for their literature, and finally for the ability to complete the repairs near my property which will restore mine and my children's physical safety and mental well-being.

My son Michael just graduated with honors from The Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School. He received the Dean's Alumni Circle Award! He is now entering graduate school, embarking on a program in International Studies. I'm so proud he, too, will make a difference in this world.

My son Casey will be applying to colleges next year!


I will be so thankful to you, my dear friends, for your help. I know I keep a bright front on Facebook, and this is not fake, but I do not reveal the turmoil and uncertainty in my life. I have no choice but to do this now. Together we can continue to be the change the world needs so desperately: for love, not hate or fear, to prevail.