Short Stories
Year's Time
As the decades pass, Andrew finds comfort in visiting his deceased father in a recurring lucid dream.
The Happiest Place on Earth
Elías struggles to find joy since his accident. After his father receives free tickets to a theme park, he and his little brother enter the Happiest Place on Earth, where chance and opportunity at last intersect to offer Elías hope for financial independence. He dives into a unique underground economy and his entrepreneurship is rewarded.
Farmer Bob's Hat
An aging farmer's new puppy is behaving like no dog he's ever seen before.
The Lullaby Lady
A mother lost in memories sings lullabies to her baby boy, unaware that the man by her side is that very child, now grown and grieving.
this story possesses you
You are the shaman Pathana, and this story will possess you...
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This story appears in anthology as:
Strassberg, Adam. "this story possesses you." The Dragon's Hoard 2. Edited by Carol Hightshoe, WolfSinger Publications, June 18, 2024, pp. 1-5.
(Anthology available for purchase online)
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Fiafia Fights the Fatties
Fiafia lights a cherished lamp from her grandmother and the ‘aitu’ spirit grants her wishes for a ‘normal’ body size…​​​​
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This story appears in anthology as:
Strassberg, Adam. "Fiafia Fights the Fatties." Dragon Gems: Summer 2023. Edited by Steven Radecki, Water Dragon Publishing, July 28, 2023, pp. 266-291.
(Anthology available for purchase online)
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Apple Pi
Martin and Mari roll a twenty-sided die to help with all their decisions...
This story has been reprinted, with 5 appended discussion questions, in the September 2024 edition of After Dinner Conversation Magazine, a monthly periodical of ethical and philosophical short stories, named Top 10 "Best Lit Mags of 2023" by Chill Subs.
The Last Temptation of Harold
The ancient demon Harborym possesses eighteen-year-old Harold at the Burning Man festival, but struggles to tempt a Millennial mind
The Doctor Behind the Curtain
Psychiatrist Dr. Falsh plays chess daily with his patient Mr. Ams as the lines blur between doctor and patient….
The King of Stories
A man spends his life enthroned in front of an enormous television, ruling over a vast selection of channels.
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(This story won runner-up for fiction in Please See Me magazine's 4th Annual Mental Health Awareness Writing Contest.)
The Day Before the Wedding
Flash Fiction in which Alice and Frank strive for a good enough and strong enough marriage.​
The Kerchief
Bodie escapes into the fantasy of Dungeons and Dragons but then is called to be the hero in the real world when when he discovers Jennifer, the most popular girl in school, crying in the library.
The Brewbot 9000
Sanjay is a senior engineer passionate about robots and coffee and his creation, the Brewbot 9000, teaches him the value of kindness and connection in his otherwise logical world.