African American Short Stories

“The People Could Fly,” the title story in Virginia Hamilton’s prize-winning American Black folktale collection, is a fantasy tale of the slaves who possessed the ancient magic words that enabled them to literally fly away to freedom. And it is a moving tale of those who did not have the opportunity to “fly” away, who remained slaves with only their imaginations to set them free as they told and retold this tale.

Imagine coming home to find a farewell note, an empty refrigerator, a disconnect notice from the electric company, and an eviction letter giving you 30 days to vacate the premises - all without a job to fall back on. Well, that's what happened to Africa Evans, a shy, insecure woman without a backup plan. From one bad choice to another, Africa leans on love as an escape from her dilemma. But for this girl from da hood, tough love may prove detrimental to her well-being.

With only two hundred dollars, Unique packed her suitcase and headed to New York City for a brand-new start. It's there that Unique meets big-time boxing promoter Kennard, and it is love at first sight.... After nine months of living in the lap of luxury with Kennard, skeletons from Unique's past show up, and it will cost her a cool million dollars to keep not only her relationship but her life.... Unique isn't about to lose it all. With the help of her best friend, she devises a major heist; to pull it off all she has to do is stay alive....

In episode five of Confessions of a Police Officer, Trent and Officer Justin Landon try to keep their rendezvous a secret but it's hard when they are both under the same roof as Officer Landon's live in girlfriend, Natalie. Will she find out about her boyfriend's proclivities or will be be successful maintaining their illicit affair. Take the bribe, and I’ll let you slide deep inside. I’m Officer Landon, a straight police officer who fantasizes about being with black men. I desire to be with them intimately and romantically, but I never indulge because I’m straight, shy, and have a ...

Nikki is tired of being single, childless, and unhappy. At thirty-five, she ready to start a family, and offers her best friend a chance to be her baby daddy. Her plan goes according to plan, however, what she didn’t expect was to catch feelings for him… The Proposal is a steamy BWWM interracial romance. This short story is 4,400 words and is for mature readers only.

Edited by National Book Award finalist Ibi Zoboi and featuring some of the most acclaimed best-selling black authors writing for teens today - Black Enough is an essential collection of captivating stories about what it’s like to be young and black in America. A selection of the Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Reading List.

Established by the leaders of the country's only successful slave revolt in the mid-19th century, Cross River still evokes the fierce rhythms of its founding. In lyrical prose and singular dialect, a saga beats forward that echoes the fables carried down for generations - like the screecher birds who swoop down for their periodic sacrifice, and the water women who lure men to wet deaths.

Returning to the city that inspired his first prize-winning book, Lost in the City, Jones has filled this new collection with people who call Washington, D.C., home. Yet it is not the city's power brokers that most concern him but rather its ordinary citizens.

In this first ever short story collection, New York Times bestselling author Francis Ray takes us on five steamy, sexy adventures. From a timid, dowdy duckling who turns into a confident, sexy swan which sends her into the arms of a handsome artist; to a bridesmaid’s explosive encounter with the best man; to an unproven actress who is being wooed to the stage by a handsome Broadway director.

In this nail biting sequel, we continue to run into more and more drama as everyone continues to un-wrap lie after lie and secret after secret in their lives. All Deon wants is peace and to live her life with her future husband to be Keven, but as always there are individuals that never want to see you happy. It seems that Deon just may get her peaceful ending; sometimes you should be careful of the words that come out your mouth. Keven is in a place in his life where he knows what and who he wants. Deon is the only one who holds his attention but we all know that God is truly the author of...

My Confession: “Just the thought of him makes me WET my bed every night.” My name is Pastor Fleming and I’m a straight man. I’m a man of faith and live by a strict moral code. Recently, my morals were put to the test when my church hired a young, handsome, and muscular assistant pastor by the name of David to help assist me with our growing ministry. That’s when the same-sex attraction that I thought I’d hidden so well, reared its ugly head again. It made my HARD job even HARDER than before. Things took an interesting turn for the worst when I began having vivid wet dreams about...

A wedding is usually an outstanding event and the stories collected here have the same bridal theme. Some are happy—some not so happy. Read these stories about couples at a very significant time in their life. Stories include: • Wedding Day Bliss • My Bachelorette Party • I Do, I Do • Wedding Sex Scandal • Marry Me—Or Else! • Wedding Bells • Blushing Bride And more…. Excerpt: He didn’t say anything. He grabbed my hand and led me out of the restaurant. We drove to his apartment. We both knew what was coming, but we both were very nervous. We were quiet during the trip. ...

Sabrina Anne runs a multi-billion dollar dating app. As the founder and CEO, she is used to death threats from angry customers, but never before did she think her life would actually be in danger. Deshaun Newton is an ex-Marine, harden security guard that has seen his fair share of battle. He’s not afraid of anything except telling his boss his true feelings. When ambushed by an unknown force, Deshaun’s feelings emerge for Sabrina. Protected by a man who loves her, Sabrina not only needs to survive but will discover if her feelings for Deshaun are real. Saved by Him is a quick 5k action...

In Holler, Child’s eleven brilliant stories, LaToya Watkins presses at the bruises of guilt, love, and circumstance. Each story introduces us to a character irrevocably shaped by place and reaching toward something—hope, reconciliation, freedom. In “Cutting Horse,” the appearance of a horse in a man’s suburban backyard places a former horse breeder in trouble with the police. In “Holler, Child,” a mother is forced into an impossible position when her son gets in a kind of trouble she knows too well from the other side.

Urban Books' popular Girls from da Hood series is back, bringing listeners more dramatic tales about the lives of some tough, resourceful women who can hold their own when things get rough on the streets. This time, Redd, Nikki-Michelle, and Erick S. Gray deliver the stories with their trademark flair. Like a hood-rich Bonnie and Clyde, Candy and Raynail have their hands on all of the drugs that run through the veins of Westwood. When Raynail is set up to take the fall for a crime he didn't commit, Candy goes on a mission to take down everyone involved.

Rebecca- is wealthy and lives between two worlds. The one that she has been raised in and the one that draws her. Her link to that world is her best friend Lateef. She is in a relationship that has been chosen for her by her family. She wants to be the good girl and make her family proud, but will she be able to satisfy them and still be herself. Cruise- is the last hope for his family's failing business. He wants to be his own man, but he also doesn't want to see all his family worked for lost. He is torn between the woman and life he wants and the one that will save his family name. ...

"Smart Erotica for Smart Readers." By New York Times, USA TODAY and #1 Erotica Bestseller Marata Eros Dara Nichols is a cougar on the prowl, ready to explore desires that ignite the imagination. In this steamy short story, written by the acclaimed Marata Eros, erotic circumstances lead Dara and her best friend Zoe into fantasies of epic proportions. What Readers are Saying: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ "HOT! HOT! HOTTT! ...vivid descriptions ... giving you everything..." ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ "She has done it again. ... Submissions sex has got to be the hottest thing..." ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ "God this ...

This collection is full of gritty stories of strong, spirited women who deal with everything from homicide and drugs to all sorts of turmoil - all while showing the men of the streets of Brooklyn that they are not afraid of anything. Perhaps the edgiest of all the Girls from da Hood books, this drama-filled installment follows a drug-fueled crime operation, which could put the girls and their extravagant lifestyles in permanent danger. But these girls from da hood are trying to find a way out of their troubles, by any means necessary.

Desa Rae Jenkins and her 20-something-year-old playmate are back with drama only the two of them can bring. Roc has been released from prison, and he's trying to show Desa Rae that his past life is well behind him, but his baby mama and his playa-hating uncle want Desa Rae out of the picture. Chyanne Johnson has tried to steer clear of drama since she was old enough to be out on her own. She's content with her mundane position at Atlanta's top marketing firm, but all of that changes when sexy CEO Aric McHale promotes her to be his executive assistant.

When Desa Rae Jenkins ended her tumultuous relationship with Roc, it seemed like the appropriate thing to do; but now she's second-guessing her decision. Roc moved away to Kansas City, leaving street life back in St. Louis up to the brothas who can handle it. He continues to live his life on the edge, though, and when he returns to St. Louis, Desa Rae shows up at his doorstep to reconcile. Roc is reluctant to go there with the one woman who ripped his heart from his chest.