Exit A Head: Short Stories, And The Stories Behind The Stories

by Dave Pasquantonio

There are stories — and there are the stories behind the stories.

This may look like any short story collection. And on the surface, it is, albeit a strange one. Writer and book editor Dave Pasquantonio presents twenty short stories that dip their toes in, and often dive deep into, the weird end of the pool.

Newspaper articles about a house for sale and a local diner give us inside information that no paper would ever print. A housefly takes on chanting spiders, an overly chatty dragonfly, and a car window in a nod to 1940s pulp novels as she chases down a sugary treat. A woman’s fragmented inner thoughts during a quick shower tell the story of her life. And Death is mightily frustrated when the higher-ups roll out a new program, forcing it to talk to humans before it collects their souls.

Then Dave talks about the writing lessons he learned while writing each story. Choosing the right point of view. Finding your writing rhythm. Adding flaws and weirdness to your characters. Nailing a story’s ending.

Not to worry if you’re here just to read the stories, however. Skip over those (boring?) author notes and stick around to see what has exited Dave’s head—the funny, the sad, the quirky and the bizarre. Even he was surprised — and he has to live with his head full-time.

(The paperback adds some lovely vintage illustrations that highlight each story but otherwise add no value, so you’re not missing much by sticking with the ebook. We’d add that the paperback is a great tool for swatting bugs, but after you read this, you’ll never again want to harm a housefly. We also recommend not using your Kindle as a killing device—but there could be a story there.)

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2025

Reviews

[Cavak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of every story within this book. The last minute twist was used a little too much in these short stories. A few of the narrators, especially the male ones or ones with the married couples, felt a bit samey to me. Sometimes the deliberately offbeat stories were hard to follow for me.

Yet I liked the solid variety and the crafting advice. That encouragement to keep writing, keep experimenting. That whole-hearted push to write whatever crosses your fancy, even if you happen to hate it by the end. Sometimes I need that kick in the butt to be reminded of that simple joy of creating and getting words onto the page. It helped that the example pieces followed his own words too. Sometimes when I read writing advice books with author examples, they don't always feel like they're in sync with their intended message. Appreciated that.

Exit a Head is a book that I can see myself coming back to when my self-esteem takes a dip or when the perfectionist tyrant returns in my head. I liked how joy was chosen over heavy criticism, and I liked that not every piece was a gem. It felt like a book that was compiled for the love of the creative process. Create and keep creating. Think differently, try differently. I can dig that.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story collection stands out for more than just its storytelling—it also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the author’s creative process. Interwoven between the stories are “writing lessons” from David Joseph: insights he gathered while crafting each piece. While optional, I found these lessons both fascinating and genuinely helpful—especially as someone who’s dabbled in short story writing and hopes to return to it someday.

The stories themselves are clever, diverse, and unexpectedly strange—in the best way. Most were incredibly engaging and fun to read, though a couple didn’t quite resonate with me. Still, the collection as a whole is a great reminder of the variety and depth short fiction can offer.

If you’re a fan of short stories—or a writer looking for creative fuel—this one’s definitely worth checking out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hm. My thoughts are mixed about this one. On one hand, some of the stories made me feel something, which means they achieved what they set out to do. On the other, only a little less than half did so. I found a lot of the stories to be pretty similar to what already exists, which wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't for the premise of the book. Dave P. promises unique, different, wildly fresh stories, and I have to say, this book fell a bit short for me. I did appreciate the author insights at the end of the book, but they all could've been more concise.

ARC reader.

[Sandra Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exit A Head is a quirky and imaginative short story collection that mixes humor, weirdness, and thoughtful moments in surprising ways. From a pulp-style housefly adventure to Death dealing with new “rules,” each tale offers something unexpected, and the author’s notes afterward give an interesting peek into the writing process. Some stories hit harder than others, but overall it’s a fun, creative, and unique read—perfect if you enjoy short fiction that’s a little offbeat and full of personality.

[Emily Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars - This book is a collection of short stories along with a description of how the story was written. He includes advice on how to approach writing from different viewpoints and genres. The stories themselves are entertaining. Each story has a “twist” or something unexpected that happens. Each of these stories bear this out. Some even have a bit of a “Black Mirror” or “Twilight Zone” feel.

I received a free copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Kathie Bennet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exit A Head: Short Stories, And The Stories Behind The Stories by Dave Pasquantonio is a quirky and inventive collection that blends imaginative storytelling with insightful reflections on the craft of writing. The stories range from humorous to strange to unexpectedly poignant, each offering a unique perspective and voice.

What makes the book stand out is the inclusion of behind the scenes commentary, giving readers a deeper look into the creative process.

Overall, it’s an entertaining and thoughtful read for both fiction lovers and aspiring writers.

[Grayfeather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the short stories although some of them kind of fell a little flat for me. I did skip over a lot of the author notes. I tend to like short stories without having an explanation of why they were written by the author. The stories were written well, and they live up to the title of the book that they are a little bit different than the usual short story.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant collection of stories which was such a wonderful read. Each one will take you on very different journeys so see where they will take you
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great collection