Author Description

A Collection of short stories and poems by members of the Key West Writers Guild. Every town, every city, every state, has its own Only in… examples. Key West overhears them all. In Sloppy Joe’s or Half Shell, on Higgs beach, at the lobby of Pier House or La Concha, on the sidewalk outside 5 Brothers with the morning crowd getting Cuban coffee, in Fausto’s deli, or the Hemingway House entrance, one will hear the refrains: “Only in Atlanta does it take an hour to drive two miles.” “Only in Buffalo is snowfall measured in feet instead of inches.” “Only in Cincy do you get seasonal depression from six months of gray skies.” “Only in Dallas do people suffer through ninety consecutive 100-degree days. “Only in (every small town in the country) does everyone know what you had for dinner.” Etc. Only in is usually a complaint, a why-you-left a place, or why-you’re-somewhere-else. Key West is that Somewhere Else. Only In isn’t why we’ve left, it’s why we’re here. Typical Only In Key West sayings include: “Only in Key West is there a bar at airport baggage claim serving alcohol in to-go cups.” “Only in Key West do we celebrate sunset every night.” Only in KW can you visit polydactyl cats at a famous writer’s historic house. “Only in Key West is Key Lime pie on every single restaurant menu.” “Only in Key West is there a self-declared republic complete with a king, a queen. and a fairy princess.” “Only in Key West do bookstores and bars both thrive on tourism.” “Only in Key West can you be closer to Cuba than a Walmart.” “Only in Key West does nobody ask why the chicken’s crossing the road.” The works in this collection reflect Key West’s Only In spirit. Stories that could only be told here, poems capturing the beauty and mood we just know, in our hearts and in the moment, are unique to this place. Some reflect answers only Key West offers, others the refuge only Key West promis