12 New Christmas Stories
Few rituals, religious or secular, inspire as many family traditions as Christmas. They inform us about the foods we eat, the songs we sing, and the stories we tell.
This collection of new Christmas stories represents new traditions waiting to take their honored place beside the tales of Charles Dickens, O. Henry, Hans Christian Andersen, and Louisa May Alcott. Oh, Scrooge and the Cratchits will always be with us. And The Magi will forever follow their ironic star. But there’s still plenty of room left on the bookshelf—for stories relevant to these millennia and the people who inhabit ‘the now.’
Within these pages, written by five talented modern authors, are fresh, gentle, heartfelt stories of Yuletide and the genuine Christmas spirit as it still exists in the twenty-first century.
We know the modern world seems to spin faster than ever before. That’s why we wrote our stories to be read during those rare but cherished breaks when the phone isn’t chirping, the to- do list isn’t shrieking, and the holiday agenda reveals a welcome gap.
All it takes is a ten-minute gap to read one of our stories and put the whole Christmas experience back into perspective. Yes, all you need is ten minutes to bring the Christmas spirit back
into your heart.
Reviews
“A delightful anthology, heartwarming, perfect for anyone who enjoys Christmas, making it a great book to cozy up with on a winter’s night. Five Stars!”
Thomas Anderson for Literary Titan, Editor in Chief
“This anthology proves that nice stories don’t have to be dull. Aptly named 12 New Christmas Stories, it comprises a dozen fresh tales presenting emotions and events associated with Christmases past and present…All (of the stories) are thought-provoking, short, easy to read, sweet, sad, and laugh-out-loud funny, with kindness and generosity as the prevailing themes…Quill says: If you want or need to have your heart warmed, treat yourself to 12 New Christmas Stories, any time of year—and pass the warmth around!”
Carolyn Haley for Feathered Quill
“With each author’s amazing gift of storytelling, readers learn just as much about the characters from the brief selections as they do from full-length novels. The narrators tell the stories as if they experienced every devastating, beautiful, and heartwarming detail.”
Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite
“A collection of Yuletide tales to put the readers in the mood for the holiday season…Each [story] effectively strikes upon timeless holiday values of togetherness, generosity, goodwill, and cheer. This collection…is perfect for fireside reading on a snowy night.”
“A glittering anthology that’ll make you wish Christmas was every day. Each of the five authors of 12 New Christmas Stories brings something inspiring and gentle to these holiday tales. Grow your heart three sizes, Mr. Grinch, with this heartwarming and emotional holiday anthology.”
Elizabeth Zender, Independent Book Review
Meet The Authors
Lee Allen Hill
Lee Allen Hill was a mediocre hippie folk singer when, in the early ’70s, he heard the Devil calling. Much to his shame, he became an advertising copywriter/idea man/creative director.
Thirty years later, Lee shed the world of commerce and renewed his hippie vows—he was born again! Since then, he has concentrated his efforts on writing entertaining short
stories.
He has several publishing credits—most notably a weekly slot at the late, lamented Page & Spine Writers’ Showcase.
Currently, Lee taps the keys anonymously somewhere in the wilds of Connecticut. His favorite colors include bourbon and pale ale.
Diane Kenel-Truelove
Diane Kenel-Truelove is a retired high school and college English, writing, and sociology instructor.
She resides in Traverse City, Michigan, where she loves to spend time with her husband, her two adult children, their spouses, and her beloved grandsons.
She is the author of At the Water’s Edge, a collection of short stories and free verse poetry.
Terry Broxson
Terry is retired after a career in management in both the non-profit and private sectors. He is a lifelong resident of Texas.
Terry is the author of Santa Claus: The Beginning.
Ann Mullen-Martin
Ann loves storytelling, and writing has been an escape and a hobby of hers for as long as she can remember. She has enjoyed having several articles published in magazines and
has written one full-length memoir, Dog on a Short Chain.
Writing does not make Ann’s living, but it does make her living more pleasant.
Jay Squires
Jay is an author, salesman, optimist, dreamer: May the four always cohabit and produce wondrous progeny. In the swirling pool of life, he is an unflushable floater.
Jay’s most recent work is the four-volume set of The Trining and The Greatest Short Stories I Have Ever Written.
About The Book
A Reading by Diane Kenel-Truelove -
The Magic of Santa’s Christmas Box
THE GENESIS OF 12 NEW CHRISTMAS STORIES
FanStory is an internet writer’s forum. It is a place for people interested in writing to explore and improve their talents for prose, poetry, script writing, and novels.
Each of the writers contributing stories to this volume met on the forum. An idea formed that an anthology of short stories from a few authors might be a fun project.
There are fiction and nonfiction stories.
Working with a group of creative writers is sort of like herding cats. However, “No writers were harmed in the book’s publishing process.”
We had an extended discussion about the title of this book. Ultimately, we decided to call it 12 New Christmas Stories, An Anthology. Simplicity in writing is a virtue.
Links of Interest:
https://www.fanstory.com
https://www.atmospherepress.com
https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/475619