About

"One Hour Reads" was created by Austin Huibers, who holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees in Psychology/Counseling and is a licensed LPC-MHSP (Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider). Austin currently works with children and adults in his community who are actively suicidal, homicidal or experiencing psychosis. With a background rooted in understanding the human mind, Austin combines clinical insight with creativity to craft stories that are entertaining, thought-provoking, and refreshingly weird.

 

Austin began writing short stories as a way to process the challenges of his work and use escapism in a positive way. Over time, this personal outlet grew into a platform for others to enjoy quick, meaningful stories that spark both imagination and conversation.

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Our mission is simple: to reduce doom scrolling by offering positive escapism through reading. Many of the stories draw from real-life clinical experiences, while others spring from wacky, imaginative ideas - most stories come with a focus on mental health and spark conversations about the unique human experiences people encounter every day.

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Each read is designed to be finished in an hour or less-perfect for busy readers who want meaningful escapes without the endless scrolling or the weight of a thousand-page novel. At the end of every story, you’ll find an "Author’s Thoughts" section where Austin briefly shares why he wrote each story and what inspired him. But remember-the real goal is conversation, and every story is open to interpretation. We hope you enjoy the stories and that they can provide escape from the stressors of daily life, even if just for a short time!

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"I'm just some guy writing down ideas that I think are fun, weird and creative. I have literally ZERO background in writing whatsoever. If it sparks debate and is relatable in any facet, I've done my job. Most of these are ideas from life stressors, mental health issues or odd encounters I've had in my life. Literally anyone can do this, and writing is what I love doing in my free time. If you have an idea pursue it, regardless of what others say, you never know where it'll lead you. Enjoy the unhinged ramblings!"

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-Austin Huibers