This story follows a PhD student, Everly Hawthorne, on the day of her PhD dissertation defense. Join Everly through her nerve-wracking day, with a particular focus on her Tourette syndrome: a condition which she fears sharing with others, and goes to great lengths to keep hidden. Will Everly be able to continue concealing her disability when the spotlight's on her, as she presents her research? Is there a day when Everly could feel safe coming out about her disability? Read Nicholas Pellegrino's 2025 novel, "Concealed in the Spotlight," to find out!