Cape Coral author releases sweeping historical novel honoring the lost Calusa civilization
A powerful new historical novel rooted in Southwest Florida’s earliest history has arrived. Apocalypse of the Calusa, written by Cape Coral author Dawn Ray, brings to life the fierce and sophisticated Calusa — a seafaring people who once ruled the coast from Estero Bay to Pine Island Sound.
Set in the mid-1500s as Spanish forces land on Florida’s shores, the novel follows Calusa leader Chief Carlos, his shaman Lakoda, and a chorus of ancestral voices as they confront invasion, conversion efforts, and the unraveling of their world.
With scenes set in Bokeelia, Pine Island, and Mound Key, the story blends meticulous historical research with immersive storytelling, revealing a civilization of shell-mound cities, spiritual depth, and strategic brilliance.
“The Calusa shaped this region long before roads, bridges, or canals,” Ray said. “Their legacy is in our waterways, our islands, and even the names we still use today. This book is my way of honoring them and reminding Southwest Florida that this land remembers.”
A Story Rooted in Local History and Landscape
• Apocalypse of the Calusa digs beyond the surface of Florida’s past to explore:
• Indigenous resistance against Spanish colonization
• Rituals, ceremonies, and spiritual traditions of the Calusa
• The cultural world of Pine Island Sound before European settlement
• The clash between ancient coastal lifeways and European ambition.
Local readers will recognize references to waterways, islands, and archaeological sites that still shape the region today.
Book Launch & Community Events
The author will be organizing local signings, readings, and historical talks throughout Cape Coral, Pine Island, Fort Myers, and Estero. Events will highlight both the novel and the rich Indigenous history of Southwest Florida. Bookstores, museums, and historical organizations interested in hosting events are encouraged to reach out by emailing Ray at dawnrayauthor@gmail.com.
About the Author
Dawn Ray is a Cape Coral-based historical fiction author dedicated to preserving and reimagining Florida’s Indigenous history. Her work blends archival research, immersive narrative, and a deep love for the Gulf Coast landscape and its ancestral stories.
Availability
Apocalypse of the Calusa is now available in paperback and eBook on Amazon, with local retail partners to be announced.