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The Seamount Stories
"From Hawaii to California to Baja, The Seamount Stories rollick with adventure and romance. And Martello's flavorful imagination gives the fun depth. Afterwards, you'll be buzzed on poetry and hungry for fish tacos."
—Dave Morgan, Surf Writer
Tony Martello is a storyteller like no other—a family therapist by day and a masterful weaver of short fiction by night. He’s the creative force behind Flat Spell Tales, Under The Curtain, and Of Song & Stitches, with all three brought vividly to life on Audible. His evocative stories have found homes in renowned publications like October Hill Magazine, New English Review, Atherton Review, and Short Edition. When he’s not crafting compelling narratives, Tony enjoys life in scenic San Luis Obispo, CA with his wife and daughters.
—Dave Morgan, Surf Writer
Tony Martello is a storyteller like no other—a family therapist by day and a masterful weaver of short fiction by night. He’s the creative force behind Flat Spell Tales, Under The Curtain, and Of Song & Stitches, with all three brought vividly to life on Audible. His evocative stories have found homes in renowned publications like October Hill Magazine, New English Review, Atherton Review, and Short Edition. When he’s not crafting compelling narratives, Tony enjoys life in scenic San Luis Obispo, CA with his wife and daughters.
180 pages, Paperback
Published July 12, 2025
3 people are currently reading
545 people want to read
About the author
Tony Martello
20 books4 followersThe Seamount Stories by Tony Martello delivers a wave of emotional resonance and human insight through compact, vivid storytelling. The writing is cinematic and sensory—often likened to snapshots of life, lit with flickers of humor, depth, and wonder. Each story is self-contained, designed to be read in under 15 minutes, yet layered with meaning that lingers.
Key Characteristics of the Writing:
Concise and Poetic: Martello’s language is economical but lyrical, with bursts of poetic phrasing that bring emotional immediacy. His sentences breathe with rhythm—short, sharp beats followed by introspective swells.
Human and Humane: The tone is warm, observational, and unflinching. Characters are often flawed, searching, or momentarily lost—until something small but profound changes them.
Natural Imagery and Surf Culture: Many stories unfold in coastal settings, brimming with ocean metaphors, sand-salted air, and the quiet power of nature. Surfboards, seagulls, and saltwater serve as backdrops or metaphors for freedom, healing, or disorientation.
Themes of Connection and Recovery: Common threads include emotional healing, identity, memory, and moments of grace between strangers. The writing often feels therapeutic—gently encouraging readers to reflect, recover, or reawaken.
Modern, Yet Timeless: Though contemporary in setting, the themes and style evoke something enduring. Martello’s stories echo classic short fiction while reflecting modern dilemmas—burnout, isolation, and reconnection.
Style in One Line:
"Like a morning swell rising out of fog, Martello’s prose carries clarity, soul, and sudden lift."
Key Characteristics of the Writing:
Concise and Poetic: Martello’s language is economical but lyrical, with bursts of poetic phrasing that bring emotional immediacy. His sentences breathe with rhythm—short, sharp beats followed by introspective swells.
Human and Humane: The tone is warm, observational, and unflinching. Characters are often flawed, searching, or momentarily lost—until something small but profound changes them.
Natural Imagery and Surf Culture: Many stories unfold in coastal settings, brimming with ocean metaphors, sand-salted air, and the quiet power of nature. Surfboards, seagulls, and saltwater serve as backdrops or metaphors for freedom, healing, or disorientation.
Themes of Connection and Recovery: Common threads include emotional healing, identity, memory, and moments of grace between strangers. The writing often feels therapeutic—gently encouraging readers to reflect, recover, or reawaken.
Modern, Yet Timeless: Though contemporary in setting, the themes and style evoke something enduring. Martello’s stories echo classic short fiction while reflecting modern dilemmas—burnout, isolation, and reconnection.
Style in One Line:
"Like a morning swell rising out of fog, Martello’s prose carries clarity, soul, and sudden lift."
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 27, 2025
This was a book that I won in a giveaway. I tried reading it but I just couldn't get into it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review