FAITH NEWS SERVICE – United States—July 24, 2023
Breakthrough Author, Sam Blumenthal is thrilled to announce something fresh and exciting for all you book lovers out there! It’s long been known that we humans are wired for stories. Christine Hennebury couldn’t have put it better in Point of View on cbc.ca, “Stories let us share information in a way that creates an emotional connection. They help us to understand that information and each other, and it makes the information memorable. Because stories create an emotional connection, we can gain a deeper understanding of other people’s experiences.”[1]
Now, imagine this: Sam Blumenthal, a retired clinical psychologist with a Ph.D., has taken this wisdom to heart and decided to switch gears from writing a non-fiction account of his life to crafting a collection of short stories. He says, “A short story is like a parable, just one idea, told however you choose—be it a fairy tale, science fiction, or someone’s everyday life.”
Born in a Reform Jewish home in the South and finding faith in Christ in mid-life, Sam began to wonder if fiction might be a more powerful tool for exploring life’s biggest questions about God and His unending pursuit of us.
The result? A captivating new book from Redemption Press called “Once Upon a Time: A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home.” Sam sees writing as an “act of faith” and believes that these Christian stories can illuminate gospel truths in a unique way. He shares, “I believe that the gospel, especially the call to sanctify ourselves, can be best understood when seen through the lens of a four-chapter story—creation, fall, redemption, restoration.”
With his thirty years of experience as a psychoanalytically-oriented psychologist, Sam brings a unique perspective on the human mind and heart. He hopes readers will see that the gospel, God, and the Kingdom of God are present in every moment of life if we just take a moment to look.
He added, “Stories have always been about us, reflecting our hopes, dreams, and greatest dilemmas. Since the dawn of man, stories have been filled with meaning, much of which has gone unnoticed. But if you’re willing to slow down and listen more closely, stories will meet you where you need them and guide you home where you’ll be healthy and whole.”
Sam Blumenthal’s book, “Once Upon a Time: A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home.” will be available to download for free for five days through July 29, 2023. “Once Upon a Time” has launched with rave reviews. Here’s what just a couple reviewers have said:
Tom M
5 Stars – A Timely Collection of Stories and Messages
“This book is a collection of 12 stories, each with different characters and themes, but all with life lessons from which everyone can benefit. Every story stands on its own, and yet I found myself having an emotional response to all of them. The characters in all of these stories are both well defined and well developed, so as the reader I felt I understood how the storylines came about and how the plots were resolved. I’m definitely looking forward to the author’s next work.”
Doug
5 Stars – This book is for EVERYONE
“These short stories speak about the things that REALLY matter. The stories drew me in and the messages are so necessary and based in the ultimate truth. Blumenthal captures the essence of what we all need to hear, or be reminded of, in these times. This book should be required reading for EVERYONE. Buy one for yourself and some to gift to those you care about.”
For More Information
Samuel Blumenthal is a retired clinical psychologist who grew up in a Reform Jewish home in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he still resides. The proud father of three grown sons and two daughters-in-law, he has five grandchildren. After coming to faith in Christ at forty-five, he looks for every opportunity to speak and write about the God who pursued him with His love. Once Upon a Time: A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home is his first book.
For more information or interviews, contact Samuel Blumenthal at www.samuelblumenthal.com/contact.
Suggested Interview Questions
- You are a Jewish-background believer. How did you come to know Christ as savior?
- How do you think your work background and education as a psychologist gives you insight into human behavior that’s helpful for character development?
- At what point did you become interested in expressing gospel truths through the short story medium?
- What’s your path to publishing? Did you study writing or learn on your own?
- Before writing the short stories, you were working on a biography of your life. What’s the status of that project?
- Did you find yourself reworking parts of your own life story into any of the stories in Once Upon a Time?
- How did you decide on the title Once Upon a Time: A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home?
- Why do you think there are not more Christian short stories published?
- What is your hope that the truths found in the short stories will ultimately accomplish?
[1] Christine Hennebury, Point of View, Newfoundland & Labrador, “Storytelling is Not Just Entertainment. It’s a Fundamental Part of Being Human,” Mar 29, 2020, cbc.ca.
