True Stories & Essays by Anne E. Beall

Published in bioStories Literary Magazine. A letter to Nostalgia—where I explore how the past slips into our present: tender, sharp, and uninvited. It’s a reckoning with that bittersweet force that preserves what we’ve loved, reminds us of what we’ve lost… and teaches us what truly matters. 

When my husband retired, he had several celebrations. When I retired after 21 years of running a very successful business, there was silence. Why do women’s careers so often go uncelebrated? I wrote about why I think it happens — and what we can do better. This essay that has received thousands of views.

When I started Chicago Story Press Literary Journal, a friend told me I was crazy.

“You’ll make no money. It’s a ton of work, and it’ll take you away from your own writing. Are you sure about this?”

I was. And I don’t regret the decision for a second for many reasons...

Published in About Write Literary Magazine from OCWW (Off Campus Writer's Workshop). An essay about how compassion changes everything in one's writing. It's a powerful, but often overlooked tool for writers

Published in The Manifest Station Literary Magazine. A story about a morning run where a van seemed to be following me...

Read to see what happened in this situation and what I learned.

Published inThe Raven's Perch Literary Magazine. An essay about what happened when my sons asked me if I wanted to go skydiving. I just wasn't sure about that...

Image courtesy of GoDaddy

Published inThe Write Launch Literary Magazine. An essay about how the past and present are intertwined, how we live many lives, and how to carry our past experiences with grace. 

My story, featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, Angels & Messages from Heaven, recounts a profound encounter I experienced after my father's passing. This event deeply influenced my belief in life after death. 

Published in Talk Vomit Literary Magazine. After my father's passing, the boundaries between our worlds blurred just enough for an incredible experience. I hope my story brings comfort to those who have lost loved ones.

Published in Sad Girl Diaries Literary Magazine. A story about how our family coped with manic depression. Written to raise awareness about this terrible disease.

Published in You Might Need to Hear This Literary Journal. A story about what we realize about our parents over time.

Published in Minerva Rising Literary Journal. A deeply personal story that took me a long time to write.

Published in The Raven's Perch Literary Journal. A comical look at things that sometimes go awry when one has company.

Published in Grande Dame Literary Journal. A piece I wrote about the sobering realities we learned after someone in our family died.

Published in Beyond Words literary magazines. A story about navigating the online dating world and what happened when I tried it.