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Ann Beattie
Ann Beattie is the author behind Prentice Hall Literature -- Platinum, a widely used educational resource. Her work focuses on literature and education.
The Best American Short Stories 2007
The Best American Short Stories 2007
- Pages
- 448
- Published
- 2007
- Language
- English
Synopsis
This collection showcases the best American short stories of 2007, curated by Stephen King. It features a diverse array of voices and narratives from acclaimed authors such as Louis Auchincloss, John Barth, Ann Beattie, and Alice Munro. Each story offers a unique glimpse into human experience, exploring various facets of life and emotion.
Genres
Frequently asked questions
What is The Best American Short Stories 2007?
The Best American Short Stories is an annual anthology series published by Houghton Mifflin, selecting what its guest editor considers the best American short fiction of the year. King served as guest editor for the 2007 edition, choosing 20 stories from a preliminary pool selected by series editor Heidi Pitlor.
What was notable about King's editorial selections?
King selected a populist and genre-inclusive slate that surprised some literary commentators. He included stories from Esquire and Playboy alongside The New Yorker, and was explicit in his introduction that he weighted readability and story as criteria alongside literary quality. His selections reflected his long-standing argument that entertainment and artistry are not opposed.
What did King say about short fiction in his introduction?
King's introduction criticized what he called the 'MFA workshop story'—fiction he felt had become self-referential, technically accomplished but emotionally inert. He argued that too much literary short fiction had abandoned story in favor of style, and that American readers had been educated to mistake obscurity for depth. The introduction was widely discussed and somewhat controversial in literary circles.