Here twenty-one interviews (eighteen with contemporary writers and three with scholars of the short story) reveal the demanding and exhilarating requirements the short story imposes upon its practitioners. Although amateurs delight in writing stories, form proves to demand a master touch, like that of the interviewees.

'Rich. . . eclectic. . . a feast' Telegraph This landmark collection brings together forty writers that reflect over a hundred years of Italy's vibrant and diverse short story tradition, from the birth of the modern nation to the end of the twentieth century. Poets, journalists, visual artists, musicians, editors, critics, teachers, scientists, politicians, translators: the writers that inhabit these pages represent a dynamic cross section of Italian society, their powerful voices resonating through regional landscapes, private passions and dramatic political events. This wide-ranging selection curated by Jhumpa Lahiri includes well known authors such as Italo Calvino, Elsa Morante and Luigi Pirandello alongside many captivating new discoveries. More than a third of the stories featured in this volume have been translated into English for the first time, several of them by Lahiri herself.

Speaking with the Angel is a collection of short stories, edited by Nick Hornby Hear the Prime Minister explain to the House why he did a runner from Greenford Park service station and hitched a lift with a fifteen-year-old girl, as imagined by Robert Harris. Listen to someone who has a small hostile creature in his room, as told by Roddy Doyle. Twelve voices, twelve completely new stories, narrated by twelve different characters. And all written by twelve of the most exciting and popular writers around: Robert Harris, Melissa Bank, Giles Smith, Patrick Marber, Colin Frith, Zadie Smith, Dave Eggers, Helen Fielding, Roddy Doyle, Irvine Welsh, John O'Farrell and Nick Hornby himself. This sparkling collection has been put together by bestselling novelist Nick Hornby, who also contributes an Introduction about TreeHouse, an organisation that offers a unique and pioneering approach to the education of children with autism. £1 will go to TreeHouse with every copy sold of Speaking with the Angel.

Marvelously original, Speaking Up for Each Other has 25 short stories by young writers that are sure to entertain the readers of all ages and genres. These stories will have a very specific appeal to preteens who generally don't find short story books that are fitting for their age. The twenty five stories included in this book have a rich variety of themes and situations ranging from a helpless girl living in fear of her own family to a robot contemplating what's best for its employer.

Are you able to capture a thought and challenge it? We grow up with a set of beliefs and values, influenced by the society we grow up in. This collection of fictional stories invites you to explore your ideas and challenge your mind. Set in colonized India, a young woman befriended by a soldier from England, contemplates running away with him in order to seek freedom. Is it possible that she can succeed? Abused and mistreated, living in the Viceroy's house leads to Sharda feeling like there is no escape, but an unfortunate event changes everything on a hunting trip. A young boy, taken prisoner along with his grandfather, the only surviving member of his family, is tortured and fears for his life. Can he escape and seek justice for his people? After a car accident, a young man is trapped between Heaven and Hell, wishing he had one more chance. Aaisha has fled worn torn Syria and is trying to reach safety in England. She is at risk of being sold into prostitution, but is spirited and fearless in her determination to escape. A chance meeting gives her hope.' We have been gifted with a mind, which can be utilised and fuelled by positive attitudes or by narrow minded assumptions accepted in the first instance. 'Don't accept the first thought that crosses your mind just because you are told too... Explore it, challenge it, debate it and accept what you know is right in your heart and soul'

“Full of yearning, ponderances about art and what it means to be an artist, and self-revelation, A Scatter of Light has a simmering intensity that makes it hard to put down."—NPR An Instant New York Times Bestseller Last Night at the Telegraph Club author Malinda Lo returns to the Bay Area with another masterful queer coming-of-age story, this time set against the backdrop of the first major Supreme Court decisions legalizing gay marriage. Aria Tang West was looking forward to a summer on Martha’s Vineyard with her best friends—one last round of sand and sun before college. But after a graduation party goes wrong, Aria’s parents exile her to California to stay with her grandmother, artist Joan West. Aria expects boredom, but what she finds is Steph Nichols, her grandmother’s gardener. Soon, Aria is second-guessing who she is and what she wants to be, and a summer that once seemed lost becomes unforgettable—for Aria, her family, and the working-class queer community Steph introduces her to. It’s the kind of summer that changes a life forever. And almost sixty years after the end of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, A Scatter of Light also offers a glimpse into Lily and Kath’s lives since 1955.

An unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young and adult learners. "I love Olly's work - and you will too!" - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers Short Stories in German for Beginners has been written especially for students from beginner to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to A2-B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference, these eight captivating stories will both entertain you, and give you a feeling of progress when reading. What does this book give you? · Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary · Controlled language at your level, including the 1000 most frequent words, to help you progress confidently · Authentic spoken dialogues, to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability · Pleasure! It's much easier to learn a new language when you're having fun, and research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!' · Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way Carefully curated to make learning a new language easy, these stories include key features that will support and consolidate your progress, including · A glossary for bolded words in each text · A bilingual word list · Full plot summary · Comprehension questions after each chapter. As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in German for Beginners will make learning German easy and enjoyable.

This volume offers a survey of American short fiction in 59 tales that combine classic works with 'different, unexpected gems', which invite readers to explore a wealth of important pieces by women and minority writers. Authors include: Amy Tan, Alice Adams, David Leavitt and Tim O'Brien.

Though culture wars may rage, one truth remains clear, and it arises from this collection of interviews with multicultural writers: The short story form is a favorite genre, and the writers included in this book express their passionate regard for it. The short story links them, and in speaking of this select and disciplining narrative form, they find their views to be remarkably similar, although generations and cultures may separate them. The interviews show that the world of each story has its own constructs, syntax, style, and voice, and regardless of differences, every story spirals back upon itself. Although amateur writers delight in writing short stories, the form demands a master touch, like that of the interviewees. In this collection twenty interviews (seventeen from writers and three from scholars of the short story) reveal the demanding and exhilarating requirements that the short story imposes upon its practitioners. One surmises that if Poe himself were among these, he too would underline the commentaries of these present day short story writers. As they speak, they comment not only upon story writing but also upon the publishing market, the social context for writing and dissemination of short fiction, the pedagogy of short fiction instruction, and the politics that affect both the themes and the structure of the story. Those interviewed include Isabel Allende, Rudolfo A. Anaya, Arturo Arias, Ray A. Young Bear, Clark Blaise, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Moira Crone, Ellen Douglas, Richard Ford, Robert Franklin Gish, Wilson Harris, Shirley Geok-Lin Lim, Susan Lohafer, Charles May, Bharati Mukherjee, Simon Ortiz, Mary Rohrberger, Minoli Salgado, Sonia Sanchez, and Leslie Marmon Silko. Farhat Iftekharuddin is a professor of English at the University of Texas at Brownsville. Mary Rohrberger is a professor of English at the University of Northern Iowa.

The bestselling, award-winning modern classic Speak is now a stunning graphic novel—adapted by Laurie Halse Anderson herself and brought to life visually by Eisner Award winner E.M. Carroll. "Speak up for yourself—we want to know what you have to say." From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless, an outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, Melinda becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether. Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Her healing process has just begun when she has another violent encounter with him. But this time Melinda fights back—and refuses to be silent. The groundbreaking National Book Award Finalist and Michael L. Printz Honor Book about consent, healing, and finding your voice comes alive for new audiences and fans of the original novel in Speak: The Graphic Novel.