American Short Fiction

In his introduction, guest editor S. A. Cosby observes that writing short stories is “a special skill that combines brevity with wit and cleverness and the hint of the existential malaise that imbues crime fiction with its gravitas.” The stories in this collection overflow with gravitas in the most unexpected ways: a cryptic note left on a windshield, a murder for hire meets a game of Mouse Trap, a swipe right on a dating app goes horribly wrong.

On a snowy Christmas Eve in an unnamed American city, the archangel Michael wanders the streets. He is alone and hungry, his clothes tattered, and when he sees his face reflected in a store window, it is that of a young African American boy. Who will offer him food and shelter and who will turn him away? And when he becomes a blonde, freckle-faced child, is his fate different?

Summer has an invitation to ‘Black America’s Wedding of the Decade’ and wouldn’t miss it for the world. Deuce Scaife is finally marrying his college sweetheart Zora Diallo (an outcome that was never in doubt, by the way, except maybe to the two people getting married) and since there’ll be celebrities all over the event, it’s in an expensive, remote location and all very hush-hush.

Protector is a Steamy Possessive Billionaire Stalker Interracial Short Romance Kenya: I was just trying to survive—juggling bills, camming on OnlySpice, and keeping my real life and online persona separate. Then he showed up—ruthless, rich, and ready to burn down my world just to make me his. Ian: I watched her through the screen for months—sweet, filthy, all mine in my head before she even knew my name. The moment I saw her in danger, I stepped out of the shadows... and dragged her into my world, where I could finally touch what I’d only dreamed of being mine. Sensual, Dark & ...

Sapphire Wright has been dealt a bad hand. A week before Valentine’s, her fiancé kicks her out into the freezing cold. Two cold lonely nights she spends in front of Chandler’s Hotel. One night, her life changes in the blink of an eye. Lincoln ‘Linc’ Chandler stumbles upon Sapphire when he gets back in town from a business meeting. One look at the beautiful creation before him, and he knew he needed to help. In a short time, the two fall for each other. In this steamy, passion-filled tale, two souls will be snatched and connected. **Disclaimer** This is a short story!

Anthony Bourdain chases the fumigation truck in Bergen County, New Jersey. Dave Eggers tells it straight: Illinois is Number 1. Louise Erdrich loses her bikini top in North Dakota. Jonathan Franzen gets waylaid by New York's publicist...and personal attorney...and historian...and geologist. John Hodgman explains why there is no such thing as a "Massachusettsean."

The greatest short story writers strive to achieve a single, dramatic effect, a feature which the early masters of this genre perfected. Although the short story came from Europe, it was reborn in America and reached a pinnacle of superb form on these shores by the turn of the 20th century. In so many of our best writers, we hear echoes of a pioneer ethos that sustains the heart of a great literature. Here are 12 of America's best.

New York Times Notable Book author Charles Yu wrote the best-selling novel How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe. In his stunning, often humorous, collection Sorry Please Thank You, Yu draws on pop culture and science to make incisive observations about society - and offer touching insight into the human condition. In two of Yu’s remarkable stories, he focuses on a big-box-store night-shift employee with girl trouble and a company that outsources grief for profit.

From the award-winning author of Chemistry comes a sharp and poignant short story that follows a young medical student working in clinical research and grappling with the realities of a future in her chosen field.

Zuri Baker is a plus beauty who hides behind the camera. At the age of thirty she has had only two sexual encounters. Tired of wasting her time and giving her body she throws herself into her work until… King “Killa” Carter is a boss who stays out they way and stacks his bread. He can have any woman he wants, but is very selective when it comes to women. One night out with his cousin he lays eyes on a very beautiful woman. He’s not called King for nothing. King gives Zuri more than she ever expected. Hot and steamy passion leaves them both speechless and wanting more.

Michelle Carter is ready for a new stage in her life. She is a resident at a prestigious Miami hospital, and her path to becoming a doctor has required many sacrifices, including a failed relationship. Though to be honest, her ex was a jerk, and now Michelle isn't looking for a new guy anyway. She's concentrating on fulfilling her dream of being a doctor, and nothing else matters. Except somehow, bad luck follows her, and she manages to get into huge trouble at the new job. Lex Makarov is a painfully handsome local billionaire, a son of a Russian oligarch and his only heir. He isn't used to...

Today’s fans of science fiction and fantasy have an appetite for stories that address a wide variety of voices, perspectives, and styles. There is an openness to experiment and pushing boundaries, combined with the classic desire to hear about spaceships and dragons, future technology and ancient magic, and the places where they intersect. With a diverse selection of stories chosen by series editor John Joseph Adams and Diana Gabaldon, The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 explores the ever-expanding and changing world of SFF today.

In Kenya, when a young American man falls in love with the sophisticated daughter of an African chief, their marriage is strong. But tradition will soon put their union to the supreme test. Gripping and soulful, A Woman's Worth is a tale of cultural divisions, emotional wounds, and a love that struggles to transcend them.

Lost in the Crowd: Quincy and Hunter (A Westbrook High Series Short, Book #4) Quincy finally has the results of the DNA test, but now Hunter is avoiding him, ignoring his calls, disconnecting her social media, and putting him on Do Not Disturb. Quincy isn’t giving up without a fight—he's determined to get the answers he needs. He’s not ready to let go of their relationship just yet, which is why he's still keeping her secret. But wait until he discovers that Hunter has been hiding another secret that will blow his mind! Dive into this gripping tale of determination, secrets, and ...

In a gritty tale of loyalty, betrayal, and survival on Detroit's streets, Blood Ties and Street Lies follows the volatile relationship between Detroit Black and his father, Johnny, a powerful yet aging figure in the city's underground. While recovering from surgery, Johnny tests his son’s loyalty, only to uncover a painful truth: Detroit Black has been dipping into his father’s stash and pocketing the profits. Author: True Story

A collection of the year’s best short stories, selected by Pulitzer Prize winner Andrew Sean Greer and series editor Heidi Pitlor.

At twenty-nine years the beautiful Deja Rayne has only been in three serious relationships. With her last two relationships leaving her brokenhearted, Deja never imagined herself dating, or engaged to a drug dealer. After months of being pursued, Deja could no longer say no, to Prime irresistible sex appeal or his bad boy charm. Now three years, and a baby later Deja is starting to regret her decision. Prime is spending less time with his family, and more time in the streets. What Prime doesn’t know breaking Deja's heart comes with deadly consequences. She promised herself if Prime is in ...

Major Key Publishing presents a collection of four short phenomenal stories written by six extraordinary authors that will blow your mind. Each story is filled with a combination of bad boys, sex, drugs, lust, and love-- but not necessarily in that order. All is fair in love and war, and many of these characters are determined to fight until the end just to get their own version of a happily ever after.

Is it really just a question of faith? In the wake of a devastating fire that claims her husband and shatters her dreams, Abbilene faces the harsh scrutiny of her small mill town. Reeling from her loss, she discovers her late husband's betrayals and a shocking stipulation in his will: to adopt his son, a child from a secret affair, now in a San Francisco orphanage. Tucker Manning, the town's Sheriff and Abbilene's lifelong friend, is tasked with uncovering the truth behind the deadly explosion. Amidst the rubble and whispers, Tucker stands as Abbilene's loyal ally, even as doubt shadows his...

“Call me Miss B*tch. Yes, I screw married men, so what? I love my life. I worked damn hard to get to where I am. I’m a lawyer in a huge law firm and I pay my own bills, besides the ones they pay. Yes, I enjoy what I do and who I do.” Tracy is single and living her best life in California. Coming from a small town in South Carolina, it’s a welcomed change of scenery. It’s also an escape from her past. She is no longer the small town girl with a broken heart; she’s the corporate attorney with several players on her team. Rich, successful players at that. Though her life is ...