CALISTA'S PARADOX. A Novella, a Business Book on Leadership and Legacy - Elaine Stirling;Erik Åkesson

A page-turning novella joins forces with a compelling business book, exploring a mysterious entity that affects all of us. Think Dante meets Doctor Who in modern-day corporate!

The Novella

After a family tragedy, Calista, a young jewelry designer, inherits a 120-year-old family gemstone business. Faced with angry relatives and dire financial reports, she seeks the aid of a consultant. Rumpled and world-weary, his one area of expertise is a mysterious force called Legacy. Few people have heard of Legacy; no one can escape it. And now that these two have come together, Legacy is going to have its say.

The Business Book

Inspired by a highly acclaimed white paper, Part II of Calista's Paradox examines Legacy from multiple industries, including finance, healthcare, aviation, and military. Here, the many threads of Legacy woven through the novella come clear. In Part III, twenty contributing authors from eight nations and three continents share real life stories of Legacy and its far-reaching impact.

Reviews

"A moving story about courage, responsibility, and the art of reshaping a legacy. Calista's unexpected journey pushes her to limits she never thought possible... celebrates modern female leadership in all its facets."
- Hatice I., Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding

"Sharing perspectives and building something that actually adds insight. Feels especially valuable in a time where so much else is pulling in the opposite direction."
- Anders H., Chief Growth Officer, Assentiri

"The novella that opens this book genuinely captured my attention. As someone who typically reaches for non-fiction for learning and practical insights, I find it challenging to fully immerse in fictional storytelling. This time, however, I felt engaged and curious to continue reading, as I knew the story would ultimately connect to meaningful business knowledge."
- Lotta J., Business Consultant

The Authors

Erik Åkesson has a BSc in Nautical Science and a MSc in Finance. He started out working on merchant ships, then embarked on a 20-year career in trade floor banking. Later, Erik Co-founded a B2B SaaS fintech startup and entered tech consulting. On the side, he runs his own venture capital fund, Erik Ventures.

Elaine Stirling is the author of twelve novels, a collection of poetry, and a business book. A second generation Finnish Canadian, she spent her formative years in Central and South America where the magic is real, and the trees know your name. She lives near the shores of Lake Ontario.