An Author's Dozen: Thirteen Short Stories

by Christopher Amato

"Wry, wise, and full of heart. Amato's collection is a master class in short story fiction." -Niamh McAnally, author of Following Sunshine

When ordinary lives meet extraordinary moments, magic happens.

Take a journey through An Author's Dozen where vivid characters share their compelling adventures. Each of the thirteen tales offers a unique glimpse into the human experience, making the collection a treasure trove for anyone who loves the art of storytelling.

Fall in love with Ralph, a far-ahead-of-her-time woman, who broke the rules to succeed in a man's world. Her story inspires those who dare to defy conventions and carve their own paths. Ponder the power of love from a man as he navigates a busy market in Sicily. Driven by the echoes of his heart, he refuses to forget the past. Delve into the dark surrealism of a woman's obsession with a mysterious painting, revealing an unsettling truth within the canvas. Marvel over one man's understanding of life after death as it challenges perceptions of mortality and what lies beyond the final breath. These stories and others will resonate long after you finish.

Offering a taste of various genres and themes, Christopher Amato is back with this literary feast, a celebration of the enduring power of the short story.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Adult

173 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2026

Reviews

[MoonlightCupOfCocoa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Black Rose Writing and Netgalley for the advance review copy. As always all opinions shared here are 100% my own.

I love short story collections. They're a chance to get a glimpse at an author's inner world and learn more about what stands out to them. 'An Author's Dozen' by Christopher Amato is exactly that. Thirteen short stories by the author across time and space. While I will write mini-reviews for each of the stories (while being mindful of spoilers), as a whole I will say I appreciated the author's grasp of the characters. Despite most of the stories being too short to truly let the characters shine or stretch their muscles, while in the moment, I caught myself admiring how the author captures their mannerisms and voice. They may not all be likeable but they're all very realistic.

All of the stories feel as if you're dropped in the middle of an ongoing life. Some are more pleasant than others but you, the reader, get to witness an important formative moment of the protagonist's. While most of them didn't engage me as much as I had hoped, I enjoyed reading them in the moment and I feel I'll recall them from time to time..

1. And Her Name Was Ralph: I felt that this is the one story that could've benefited from more 'showing' than telling. The idea and the titular character were very interesting but I felt we didn't get to know her much as it the focus was more on the narration.

2. Our Red Fish: This was a heartaching little story that caught me off guard and lingered with me after finishing it about the protagonist's strong urge to purchase a small red fish and save its life.

3. The Hero: A glimpse into the inner turmoil of an officer long considered a hero for the wrong reasons. While the story didn't engage me much, I still was curious to see how things will wrap up.

4. Between Night and Day: My second favourite story in the collection. Strong gothic vibes, an interesting concept and an exploration of how much an artists pours of themselves into their work and the strong hold art can have on both artist and admirer.

5. The Shopkeeper's Daughter: A tragic historical fiction story about young star-crossed lovers that I enjoyed while it lasted even if it got harder to read towards the end.

6. Casol's Voyage: A strange story about a protagonist lost in space. Triggered my claustrophobia quite a bit!

7. Memories: Another tragic story that was difficult to read about the consequences of our choices and our haunting memories. When one moment destroys our lives, are we capable to move on and forgive those who wronged us?

8. Stained-Glass Lives: When a man returns back to Italy after more than forty years, he is reunited with his first love but discovers he might have left more in Italy than he ever thought he did. It was interesting and I do think it could've benefited from being a full novella vs a short story.

9: The Continuum: I think this was my favourite story in the collection. The characters and the situation were vivid and it definitely hooked me. What happens when, on his walk through the cemetery one day, the protagonist is greeted by someone they don't know but clearly knows them?

10. The Creme de la creme: A tribute to dogs and animal love. It was a cute if uneventful little story.

11. Billy Ditches Goes to Vegas: To be honest ... I hate this protagonist so much I was so annoyed at his change of luck. Not sure what that says about me, haha.

12. A Secret Project: I felt like I didn't enjoy this one as much as I thought I would. A middle-aged scientist, who long kept to himself and struggles in human connections, invents a 'life altering' product. While working with his newly hired marketing manager, he faces his own shortcomings. I felt like the character's self-awareness and sudden admission of their pitfalls and survival instincts a bit sudden and out of character for what we knew about him.

13. Dreams Before Bedtime: A haunting painful story about losing one's identity while battling with Alzheimer and other memory loss illnesses.

You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)

[A Mac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual Rating 2.5

This work is a collection of 13 short stories by author Christopher Amato. The collection doesn't have a unifying theme, and the genres are varied.

I haven't read anything else by this author, but I noticed a few things about the writing style from these stories that I didn't prefer. There are a lot of similes used throughout the stories, and in my opinion they were overused. The stories were all told using the first person perspective, and the tone was so similar in all of them that no matter the age or gender or situation of the protagonist, they all sounded the same. The characters also generally felt quite flat, which contributed to the bland and consistent tone.

I rated each of the stories individually. with most of the tales falling between 2 and 3 stars. My favorite story was "Between Day and Night" (4 stars), which was a spooky tale, and while feeling familiar was still quite creative.

While I do tend to enjoy short story collections, I didn't love this one. If you tend to enjoy this author's other works, you may enjoy this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Patti Liszkay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Christopher Amato’s novels are in for a treat with his newest work, An Author’s Dozen.
Thirteen stories make up this cleverly titled and highly enjoyable assortment of short fiction
offering something for every taste, with twists, turns, and surprises aplenty. The stories are
brought to life with an array of engaging characters, among them a six foot tall high-powered go-
getter named Ralph who happens to be a woman; a man moved by the sight of a fish in a
village market place to ponder God and existence; a young artist for whom a piece of artwork
holds an eerie attraction; a police officer drowning in guilt; a man who runs into an old lover
along with something else from his past; and a brilliant but reclusive biochemist working on a
mysterious project that he believes will be a momentous breakthrough for humankind.
Ranging from the thought-provoking, to the moving to the spine-tingling, the stories in “An
Author’s Dozen” are tight, quick-moving, neatly wrapped up, and oh, so satisfying. Five stars!

[joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Author’s Dozen is a remarkable collection of thirteen short stories that spans multiple time periods and introduces readers to an unforgettable cast of rich, multi-dimensional characters, including standouts like Ralph Drumheller, Livia, and Charles Stone. They remain vivid long after the final page, each bringing depth, emotion, and humanity to their stories.

Christopher Amato masterfully balances humor and heartbreak, crafting narratives that are sometimes funny, sometimes deeply emotional, but always completely engrossing. Every story feels distinct while still contributing to a larger exploration of impossible decisions, grief, joy, resilience, and what it truly means to be human.

What makes this collection especially compelling is its emotional honesty. The characters face difficult choices and life-altering moments with authenticity, drawing readers into their struggles and triumphs. Amato’s storytelling keeps the pages turning, making the book difficult to put down once started.

[Niamh McAnally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Amato’s new collection of short stories is an absolute gem. Each piece takes you somewhere unexpected. Just when you think you know where it’s going the story shifts—sometimes subtly, sometimes sharply—and you're reminded that life rarely goes in straight lines.
Amato shows he has a true understanding of people across time and continents—our contradictions, blind spots, and quiet hopes. He writes like someone who's been paying attention in life. I love his sense of humor and how he uses it to lift even the heavier moments. I enjoyed each and every story: the variety of characters, plots, and settings. My absolute favorite is Continuum. It’s one of those pieces you carry with you, that quietly shifts how you see your own days. Not in a grand, preachy way. Just a nudge. A small rearranging of how you move through the world.
A delightful book worthy of its place on your favorite bookshelf. I received an advance copy of this book and all my comments are my own opinion.

[JGB · Rating 5 out of 5]

**An Author's Dozen: Thirteen Short Stories by Christopher Amato** is a standout collection that showcases exceptional creativity and storytelling craft.

Amato’s imagination shines through diverse tales that blend genres and tones, taking ordinary characters and thrusting them into extraordinary moments. From a trailblazing woman named Ralph who defied conventions, to a man pondering love in a bustling Sicilian market, each story feels fresh and vividly drawn.

The **diversity** keeps things engaging — you’ll laugh at the sharp, dry humor, feel genuine emotional tugs in the more poignant pieces, and savor unexpected twists throughout. Amato’s witty prose and keen observations make the stories fly by.

This book pulls you in from the first page and refuses to let go. I kept saying “just one more,” and by the end, I wanted thirteen more. Witty, wise, heartfelt, and thoroughly entertaining — a true master class in short fiction. Highly recommended!

[Onceuponaplace · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Author’s Dozen is a collection I found myself moving through quickly and almost instinctively, drawn in by how easy it is to slip into each new story and world. What stood out to me most is Amato’s clear attentiveness to people, their contradictions and the small ways they try to make sense of their lives, handled with a light touch that never feels overworked.
The lack of a single unifying theme didn’t bother me. Some stories landed more strongly than others, but even the lighter ones carried a certain wit and ease that made them enjoyable in the moment. “Continuum” was the one that lingered most for me afterwards, gently shifting how I think about ordinary time without turning it into something heavy or preachy. The writing itself is clean and quietly sharp, and while not every piece stayed with me equally, the overall reading experience felt genuinely enjoyable and easy to return to in memory.

[Sherry Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved short stories since the day I read my first O. Henry story in high school and was thrilled to dig into Christopher Amato's collection. It did not disappoint. This baker's dozen of mini novels is well written and incredibly entertaining. I was pulled in by the first story about Ralph, Amato's scrappy, far-ahead-of-her-times grandmother, who broke society's rules to succeed in a man's world. Then, I teared up at the loss and heartbreaking decision Livia faced in the aftermath of Vesuvius' destruction. Later, I thrilled at the journey undertaken by Casol as he traveled to another universe, and cried at the futility and irreversibly sad end of Turner McNally's life. Amato left me craving more. Five stars for thirteen stories!!
I read this delightful book as an ARC (advanced reader copy), and it is my honest assessment. Sherry Hobbs, author of three books.

[Hanah Kirkwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I enjoyed the story "And Her Name Was Ralph." The rest of the stories felt very flat and didn't keep me hooked. They were all told in the same voice and didn't stand out on their own. I also just didn't really enjoy the stories themselves.

In the story "Our Red Fish" he writes, "Lord, I know you're God and I'm not, and I'm not saying you screwed up, but wasn't there a better way to fashion this world without all the suffering?" What an incredibly blasphemous thing to say. God designed a perfect world without suffering. We caused and continue to cause the suffering of this world. The world God created was perfect and we had all our wants and needs met. Then, He gave us a choice. We decided to eat the fruit. We decided to bring suffering into this world.

[jassie lily]

Although this collection of short stories doesn’t exist within one unifying theme, this variety might have been what let me read the entirety of it happily almost in one sitting. Christopher Amato’s writing is easily-digested, but not simple to a fault. I enjoyed how effortlessly the reader is introduced to characters, settings, and contexts that arrive at the start of each short story. While concise, there is still opportunity to become familiar with each leading character, understand their relationships and motivations, and observe their development (or, humorously, their lack thereof). Amato’s writing is witty, entertaining and engaging, and I believe many will enjoy the diversity and creativity of ‘An Author’s Dozen’. My endless gratitude to NetGalley and Christopher Amato for early access to ‘An Author’s Dozen’.

[KATIE MEYERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Author’s Dozen: Thirteen Short Stories is a thoughtful and engaging collection that showcases the versatility and depth of Christopher Amato’s storytelling. Each story offers a unique perspective, creating a diverse yet cohesive reading experience.
What makes the collection stand out is its range. From emotionally grounded narratives to more reflective and surreal pieces, the stories explore different facets of the human experience while maintaining a consistent sense of voice and purpose.
The characters feel vivid and relatable, and the themes linger beyond each story’s conclusion, encouraging reflection and connection.
A rewarding read for fans of short fiction who appreciate variety, depth, and strong storytelling craft.

[Paul Jantzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much appreciated arc version of AN AUTHOR’S DOZEN. Writing short stories could be compared to making a nice port wine reduction sauce where everything has to be reduced and thickened. Christopher Amato has cooked up a series of short tales thick with plot, smooth with prose and reduced just enough that it is packed with flavor. The art of reduction must have all those elements, regardless if it’s a sauce or a short story.

Amato brings sharp and poignant prose with a heavy meaning to some of his stories, while others are light-hearted and whimsical with a red fish. There’s a little for everyone here and out of the thirteen I’m certain you can find a favorite or three.

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An Author’s Dozen" is exactly what the title promises—a varied, generous collection that proves profound truths are best revealed inside short stories.

Christopher Amato moves comfortably from romance to surrealism to the metaphysical, but what ties the collection together is his focus on ordinary people colliding with pivotal moments. “Stained Glass Lives” lingered with me for its unexpected romantic reunion in Italy, while “A Secret Project” reminded me that I still have a soft spot for well-timed middle school humor.

Amato's work is a literary sampler platter, and there’s enough range here that every reader will find at least a few that are worth coming back for seconds!

[Lucille Guarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Author's Dozen offers a mixed compilation of short stories that run the gamut of characters, from those full of idealism to those floating in reflection. From the poignancy of "My Red Fish" to the eerie quality of "Between Night and Day," from a life of hidden truths in "The Shopkeeper's Daughter" to the man who is no longer resigned to just go along in life in "Billy Ditches Goes to Vegas," each slice-of-life story offers a realistic and interesting portrayal. Author Amato's writing is smooth and direct, his characters relatable in a variety of circumstances, creating an enjoyable reading experience with some surprising twists and turns along the way.

[HER Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC copy. This was such a fun journey. I love Amato's writing style and it is always impressive to create an all encompassing story in the space of 20 or so pages. I always find it hard to rate a compilation of stories as your ability to bond with the characters is very different. However, not one of these stories was boring in the slightest, and a good number of them really had me hooked and invested. Such an excellent pallet cleanser that explores poverty, feminism, space, time, health, love, guilt, regret, success and so much more. Having these topics presented in such a condensed way is really satisfying.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed some of these stories, particularly those that celebrated human connection. I did think they were a bit too disparate in tone, theme and characterisation, though. The writing style, whilst quite readable, felt like a transcript of someone sitting in a cafe and telling anecdotes. I thought this made the storytelling a little simplistic and hindered some of the stories’ power. Some of them ended a bit abruptly, too.
Overall, an enjoyable though unmemorable collection of stories.

2-stars = it was okay

[⁕*⁎ katherine ⁎*⁕ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

2.75

An Author's Dozen is a cute little collection of 13 stories that are short and easy to read. There is no specific genre or theme to the stories.

To be totally honest, there was nothing wrong with this book. I just didn't find myself interested at all. if it wasn't for the fact I had it as an ARC I most likely would have put this book down. I did like the fact that the stories varied and he explored different topics.

Read good books, drink coffee
Katherine <3

[Sarah Nakawatase · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a collection of tales! Christopher Amato masterfully crafts thirteen short stories spanning many genres, each story completely different from the last.

The character development and steady build within each piece set the stage perfectly for the shocking twists that send the narratives in unexpected directions. Amato definitely delivers with the surprises!

I received an advance reader copy, and this is my honest assessment.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Author's Dozen serves up a little of everything, like appetizers that leave you wanting more. Each story feels like it holds a novel just out of reach. I enjoyed this Advance Reader copy and have provided an honest review.

[Samantha Hatcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy stories for when you don't have a lot of time to read, but want to take a few moments to get lost in a book. While the stories are short, they make you think deeply about what the author is trying to convey in his brief prose.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic set of short stories. Each one was told really well and had some impeccable plotting to it. 5 stars. thanks so much for the ARC, Black Rose Writing and Netgalley.

[Laura Pulaski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Christopher Amato's collection of short stories is like sampling a bit of everything at your favorite buffet. Each story is a unique blend of plot, timeline, and list of characters that will leave the reader wishing for more. Two thumbs up for this five-star collection you'll want to read again and again. I was honored to read an ARC and the opinion of this review is my own.
-LeeAnne James, Award-winning author of The Thin Blue Line series