Hunter Silvastorm
Biography
The Early Years.
Although Hunter Silvastorm was born in Montreal, Canada, he wasn't much more than an infant when his family moved to the western province of Alberta. Hunter’s father, the last of a vanishing breed of rugged, pioneering adventurers, set up a home in a valley surrounded by majestic mountains. The region is now known as Jasper National Park. There, tucked away in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies, Hunter gained a deep-rooted appreciation for the allure of the wilderness and the magnificence of nature.
Born with a rare eye disease that would, eventually, steal his sight, Hunter carried on his daily life as though everything was perfect. Circumstances were such that the loss of his eyesight was a very slow process and, for the most part, went unnoticed. The strange malady was not destined to be diagnosed until his late teens.
Growing up, Hunter was surrounded by a myriad of treasures, not the least of which were two loving parents, an older brother, Mort, and an eldest sister, Pearl. However, the treasure that occupied most of Hunter's time during the long winter nights was the huge collection of books that lined the shelves of one entire room.
By the time Hunter was 7 years old, he had devoured all 19 volumes of the Nancy Drew mysteries. Before turning 10, he had already become an ardent fan of such literary giants as Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, and the great Jack London.
The love affair between Hunter and his books was filled with passion and enthusiasm. Each adventure, each drama, each quip of humor motivated Hunter to read another novel. Then, shortly after his eleventh birthday, an incident occurred that would change the course of Hunter's life. He was reading a review of a best seller by a new author who had just made a splash on the literary scene. The review was a scathing attack on the style, message and tone of the author and book. The reviewer called the novel "A black eye on the morality of decent people!" Besides calling it "…garbage," the reviewer referred to the material as "…lascivious and salacious!" Hunter was only 11 years old at the time, and wasn’t sure what those words meant. However, once he looked them up in the dictionary, he gathered together his allowance and bought the book! As soon as it was in his possesion, young Hunter proceeded to read it at night, under his blanket with a flashlight. Not only that, but he managed to memorize every lascivious and salacious chapter in the book!
The best seller that is the subject of this incident, was Harold Robbin's breakout novel titled, A Stone for Danny Fisher. It was the novel that would refocus the literary view of Hunter Silvastorm's world. For the first time, he felt inspired to write one of his own. And write, he did. Two years later, and with only one chapter left to complete, Hunter had amassed more than 2000 pages written in longhand!
It was at that precise moment in time when Hunter and his family took a trip to Montreal to visit relatives. While there, they received word that a fire had consumed Hunter's house, burning it to the ground. Hunter's father was deeply troubled. After all, the house represented shelter for his family. Hunter's mother was in shock. Besides her home, she lost her furniture, her fine linens, and the hundreds of irreplaceable photographs of family life in the old country. For 13 year old Hunter, his overwhelming thought was the loss of his unfinished manuscript. Although the incident was devastating, Hunter has been quoted as saying, "At the time, it hurt like Hell. I remember cursing everything, including God and Nature. But that was many years ago. The thing that helped me get over the trauma was the passage of time, and the fact that I was becoming a better writer. Consequently, I soon realized that the burned manuscript was nothing more than pre-pubescent trash. If it were still around today, it might have some historical value. Come to think of it, it might also have some hysterical value!"
The Middle Years
By the time Hunter Silvastorm married, he was already blind in one eye and putting up with diminishing sight in the other. Ignoring the barriers, Hunter plowed ahead, trying to make the best of everything. His marriage produced three beautiful children. Beyond that, the union between Hunter and his first wife was a disaster. Rather than go into any of the sordid details, suffice it to say that Hunter's wife was not cut out for "Motherhood." When the children were very young, Hunter found himself in the role of a single parent, fully responsible for raising a son, Charles, and two daughters, Michele and Ilisa. Hunter's kids referred to him as the "Original Mr. Mom."
In an attempt to arrest his failing vision, Hunter went through a long series of surgical procedures. Even though the doctors were some of the best in the country, his eyesight continued to fail. Despite the disappointment, Hunter forged ahead, overcoming one obstacle after another, reaching a level of success that few sighted people ever attain. He penned more than 600 articles for various magazines, authored numerous short stories, and wrote a column for the Poughkeepsie Journal newspaper. At the same time, he was a very active member of his community. He served as President of his local fire company, Commissioner of the Fire District, an officer in the ambulance corps, Coach and Vice President of Little League, Santa Claus for the elementary schools and local toy drives, Master of Ceremonies for numerous pageants, functions and parades, and Chancellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias.
When Hunter's children were all teenagers, he married for the second time to a wonderful woman named Helen. She took on her role as wife and mother so perfectly, that the children all referred to her as "Mom." Life was good for the next dozen years. Then, as we all know, sometimes bad things can happen to good people. Helen's young life was snatched away by cancer. In a later interview, Hunter said, "It took me the better part of a year to regain my balance. But, I always appreciated that Helen had left me with ten thousand wonderful memories, each of which continues to bring a smile to my face."
Currently
Hunter Silvastorm decided to branch into his true love, the creation of novels that were the embodiment of suspense. His first foray into the genre produced the novel, A Matter of Privacy, a suspense thriller that revolves around the issue of our disappearing privacy. In the story, a young man invents a device that has the capability of totally intruding into everyone's private life. For an exciting synopsis, click on the above tab labeled, "Books." Today, the novel is available in bookstores everywhere, or online booksellers. Additionally personally autographed copies can be purchased directly from this website.
Hunter Silvastorm's new novel, another captivatingly suspenseful thriller titled The Coffee Bug, will be coming out in the first half of 2007. It’s a tale about a corporation that specializes in genetically engineering new life forms for the purpose of solving environmental problems. One critic wrote, "Mr. Silvastorm has created a cast of characters that almost jump off the page, and a plot that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat." A third novel is currently in the works.
Hunter Silvastorm is a frequent guest speaker at businesses, clubs, organizations, and schools. Additionally, he is often invited to be the guest lecturer aboard various cruise ships. (Click on his calendar for information and dates.) Although people enjoy hearing about the humorous adventures of a blind writer, other Silvastorm lectures are science-based. They are a light-hearted combination of humor and science from which his audiences come away with animated conversation, residual laughter, and food for thought. If you know anyone who is looking for someone like Hunter Silvastorm to address their audience, just click on the tab labedled "Guest Speaker."
In other current news, Hunter has been contacted by Hollywood. A well-known movie producer has expressed an interest in turning A Matter of Privacy into an exciting motion picture. Hunter is currently working on the screenplay.
The latest adventure in the life of Hunter Silvastorm is his foray into radio. September 13, 2006 saw the inauguration of an internet radio show titled "The World of Hunter Silvastorm." The program is a free-wheeling talk show in which Hunter delves into a wide variety of subject matter. Of course there is time set aside for the listening audience to call in. Those phone calls consistently produce a dialogue filled with interest, electric sparks , and great humor. For more information and how to "tune in," click on the tab labedled "Radio Show."
For more information on the latest exciting happenings, click on the tab labeled, "What's New."
These days, Hunter lives near the ocean in Southeast Florida with Judy, a beautifully elegant woman whose bright smile, sense of humor, and sincere goodness worked to win over Hunter's love.
Hunter's eldest daughter, Michele, is a long-time employee of the Sheriff's Department. She couples a natural vivaciousness with a bright smile and a hearty laugh. Quick to find the humor in any situation, she compliments it with a cleverness and wit that rivals the best.
Hunter's youngest daughter, Ilisa, a fireball of energy with a dynamic and unstoppable can-do attitude, is working on her masters degree in organizational psychology. Standing tall at only 4 foot 9 inches, Ilisa is a top-rated Officer in the Medical Service Corps of the United States Air Force. The young woman epitomizes the personality and character of someone destined for greatness.
Hunter's son Charles, an enthusiastic young man who shows brilliance in medicine, marathons, mathematics, computers, golf, science, literature and Texas Hold 'em, is truly a man for all seasons. He is a well-respected physician, and currently holds the title of Chief of the Department of Cardiac Diagnostics.
He is married to the beautiful and vibrant Michelle Gení, a world-class genius with the legs of a centerfold. Undoubtedly, she is the most complete specimen of a woman ever grown in the State of Wisconsin.
Together, she and Charles have produced Hunter's two grandchildren, Jared and Jason.
