Author, former teacher, and educator at the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution.

Author, former teacher, and educator at the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution.

Author, former teacher, and educator at the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution.

Author, former teacher, and educator at the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution.

Balsamic Moon

Balsamic Moon explores the journeys and losses that survivors endure, the courage and persistence required to come through them.

Balsamic Moon explores the journeys and losses that survivors endure, the courage and persistence required to come through them.

Balsamic Moon

Balsamic Moon explores the journeys and losses that survivors endure, the courage and persistence required to come through them.

Short Stories

Short Stories

Short Stories

Short Stories

Being Like That

Being Like That

Being Like That

Outside, the dew on the tall grass soaked my sneakers, and the smell of cedar, pine, and earth was strong. We followed the trail to the shore––a tunnel of branches, needles, and leaves. Beads of water sparkled, dangling from above––crystals on spiderweb chandeliers–– some splatting on our heads, while holes .."

Outside, the dew on the tall grass soaked my sneakers, and the smell of cedar, pine, and earth was strong. We followed the trail to the shore––a tunnel of branches, needles, and leaves. Beads of water sparkled, dangling from above––crystals on spiderweb chandeliers–– some splatting on our heads, while holes .."

Outside, the dew on the tall grass soaked my sneakers, and the smell of cedar, pine, and earth was strong. We followed the trail to the shore––a tunnel of branches, needles, and leaves. Beads of water sparkled, dangling from above––crystals on spiderweb chandeliers–– some splatting on our heads, while holes .."

Double Date

Double Date

Double Date

She set the bowl of steaming hot soup in front of him and handed him a spoon. As his hand grazed hers, he noticed several star-shaped tattoos on her forearm, which seemed to him incongruous. She projected such innocence and freshness, as though she’d come from someplace in the heartland, like Blooming .."

She set the bowl of steaming hot soup in front of him and handed him a spoon. As his hand grazed hers, he noticed several star-shaped tattoos on her forearm, which seemed to him incongruous. She projected such innocence and freshness, as though she’d come from someplace in the heartland, like Blooming .."

She set the bowl of steaming hot soup in front of him and handed him a spoon. As his hand grazed hers, he noticed several star-shaped tattoos on her forearm, which seemed to him incongruous. She projected such innocence and freshness, as though she’d come from someplace in the heartland, like Blooming .."

The Outing

The Outing

The Outing

Café Pierre looked like an old country cottage, with French doors that opened onto the sidewalk. Jayson walked toward it, telling himself to continue past if he felt uncomfortable. He had assumed the bar would be clandestine; like speakeasies he’d seen in movies. He never suspected that it would be quaint, or so public .."

Café Pierre looked like an old country cottage, with French doors that opened onto the sidewalk. Jayson walked toward it, telling himself to continue past if he felt uncomfortable. He had assumed the bar would be clandestine; like speakeasies he’d seen in movies. He never suspected that it would be quaint, or so public .."

Café Pierre looked like an old country cottage, with French doors that opened onto the sidewalk. Jayson walked toward it, telling himself to continue past if he felt uncomfortable. He had assumed the bar would be clandestine; like speakeasies he’d seen in movies. He never suspected that it would be quaint, or so public .."

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Social Media

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© 2026 Alan Gartenhaus

© 2026 Alan Gartenhaus

© 2026 Alan Gartenhaus