Short story published

UNEXPECTED GIFTS

Stories of Change

Compiled by Storyhouse Works

“Sometimes, life glitches so that you can rewrite the code.”

— S.A. Grant

Unexpected Gifts is an anthology of sixteen short stories and essays, a reflection on midlife and its inflection points. With authors spanning seven countries, these “Stories of Change” explore some of life’s biggest questions through a variety of voices. Alongside successful writers and podcasters, we hear from a social worker, a psychologist, a widow, and a lawyer; a “single mom by choice” and a father honoring the loss of his son.

Also included is my short story

Tiny Socks and Vanishing Dopamine

A midlife story with a twist: raising a young son while navigating life with Parkinson’s disease. The piece explores diagnosis, fatherhood, marriage, memory, and meaning —with a touch of dry humor and a nod to Passover, as a metaphor for letting go of what no longer fits. It’s ultimately about noticing the silver linings of life.

By experiencing change through the eyes of others, we challenge our own choices and begin to lean into new possibilities.

Compiled by Storyhouse Works founder Hannah Huber, this special anthology features original portrait illustrations by Amsterdam artists, and will serve as an inspirational keepsake for generations to come.

Illustrations by Patricia Velasco, Anna Demina, and Tanja Bladt-Cohen

Cover concept by Hannah Huber, design by Cigdem Guven

Reel by David Enker

Editor: Kristin Anderson

Translators: Fatima Fazli-Vermeulen & Hannah Huber

Proofreader: Anna Trapmore

Released: June 2025

Text: English

Available to order as:

ISBN Paperback: 978-9-0834-7975-0 (€19,99)

ISBN Hardcover: 978-9-0834-7974-3 (€29,99)

ISBN eBook: 979-8-2312-4691-5 (€9,99) on Apple, Kobo, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kindle, and other platforms.

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