Once Upon a Time:
A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home, Volume Two
By Samuel L. Blumenthal, Ph.D
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – “Stories have always been about us, a mirror in which we can see ourselves, our hopes, but especially our dilemmas. If you lean in and listen more closely, God will meet you there and help you find your way home,” says award-winning storyteller, Samuel Blumenthal, PhD.
His new release, Once upon a Time: A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home, Volume Two (Redemption Press), once again presents stories that show us our human condition with its failings and fears while illustrating gospel truths through the lens of God’s perfect love.
Raised in a Reform Jewish home, Blumenthal became a Christian at the age of forty-five by “God’s relentless redemptive grace.” He says it was miraculous that God brought him to faith and “even more miraculously delivered me from the greatest idolatry in my life.” He began to write, first working on his own story, and then he branched into short story form, which he recognized was able to effectively convey deep biblical truths while touching the heart. Blumenthal’s short story “Unless You Turn” won a Selah award * in May 2024.
The author and retired clinical psychologist says, “Over time, I have begun to wonder if people might learn more about the big questions in life, about God and His relentless pursuit of us, from fiction than they ever will from just ideas or even hearing your real story.”
Blumenthal’s work as a psychologist involved going beyond the surface to draw out the heart of the matter and this gives him a unique perspective on the inner workings of the mind and heart. He has translated that ability into stories that resonate with readers in specific ways. His stories continue to address the human experience of the longing to belong, loneliness, and despair, and seeing the real person inside others while providing a deep channel for God’s love and grace to flow through.
Once Upon a Time: A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home, Volume Two releases today on Amazon Kindle with promotional pricing through December 15. The print version will follow later in the month. The first volume, Once Upon a Time: A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home is available now from online booksellers and the publisher, Redemption Press. For more information about the books, visit https://samuelblumenthal.com.
*His short story, “Unless You Turn,” from A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home, Volume One, won third place in story at the Blue Ridge in May 2024.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samuel Blumenthal, PhD, is a retired clinical psychologist who grew up in a Reform Jewish home in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he still resides. The proud father of three grown sons and two daughters-in-law, he has five grandchildren. After coming to faith in Christ at forty-five, he looks for every opportunity to speak and write about the God who pursued him and lovingly carried him back home. He is a 2024 Selah award winner in short story and writes a twice-monthly newsletter on the meaning of story. This is his second published short story collection.
Suggested Interview Questions:
- Your first volume of short stories with the same title was released in July 2023 and just won a Selah award … and here is volume two already. Tell us a bit about the story that won the award.
- What has your experience in publishing been like?
- Do you get your material from your own life and experiences? Tell us about how you come up with short story ideas.
- I’m intrigued by your statement “I have begun to wonder if people might learn more about the big questions in life, about God and His relentless pursuit of us, from fiction than they ever will from just ideas or even hearing your real story.” Why do you think this is so?
- You have had a long-term memoir writing project of your own. Is there a chance you will pursue that again?
- What’s next? Do you plan to continue writing in the short story format?
- Tell us a bit about how you get the word out on your books and what your hope is for them.