The Best American Short Stories

The Best American Short Stories is an annual anthology of short fiction, first published in 1915. It is considered one of the most prestigious and enduring series in American literature, showcasing the finest short stories published in North America each year. The series has been instrumental in defining literary trends and launching the careers of countless writers. For over a century, it has served as a vital barometer of the Short story form in the United States.

History and background

The series was conceived by editor Edward J. O'Brien, who published the inaugural volume in 1915 while living in Boston. O'Brien, a passionate advocate for the short story, initially compiled the collection from stories published in both American and English periodicals, aiming to elevate the artistic status of the form. Following O'Brien's death in 1941, the editorial duties were assumed by Martha Foley, who had previously co-founded the influential magazine *Story*. Under Foley's long tenure, the anthology became an institution, closely associated with the post-war literary boom and the rise of magazines like The New Yorker and The Atlantic Monthly. The publishing rights were later acquired by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, which continues to release the volume annually.

Selection process

The selection process involves two key figures: the series editor and an annual guest editor. The series editor, a position long held by Heidi Pitlor in recent decades, reads thousands of stories published in literary magazines, quarterlies, and other periodicals throughout the year. From this vast pool, the series editor compiles a preliminary list of approximately 120 standout works. This "longlist" is then presented to that year's guest editor, a distinguished author such as John Updike, Alice Munro, or Jhumpa Lahiri. The guest editor, whose name is prominently featured on the cover, makes the final selections, typically choosing 20 stories for inclusion and often providing an introductory essay on the state of the art.

Notable editions and editors

Many iconic figures in literature have served as guest editors, lending their unique sensibilities to the collection. Early influential editors included Robert Penn Warren and Martha Gellhorn. In the latter half of the 20th century, luminaries like Raymond Carver, Joyce Carol Oates, and John Edgar Wideman took on the role. The 1999 edition, edited by Amy Tan, and the 2004 edition, curated by Lorrie Moore, are often cited as particularly strong collections. The series has also been a platform for celebrated international writers like Salman Rushdie and Gabriel García Márquez to engage with the American short story landscape. Each editor's volume reflects contemporary literary movements, from minimalism to postmodernism.

Impact and reception

The anthology has had an immeasurable impact on the literary world, often serving as a career-making honor for emerging writers and a prestigious accolade for established ones. Inclusion in its pages has helped launch the careers of authors such as Ernest Hemingway, Flannery O'Connor, and John Cheever. The series is frequently reviewed in major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post, and stories from it are regularly reprinted in other anthologies and cited in awards contexts like the O. Henry Award and The Pushcart Prize. It is considered essential reading for students, writers, and anyone interested in the evolution of American fiction, providing a curated historical record of the form's development.

Related series

The success of the flagship anthology spawned several related series under "The Best American" banner, all published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. These include The Best American Essays, The Best American Poetry, The Best American Mystery Stories, and The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. Each follows a similar editorial model, employing a guest editor to make final selections from a pool chosen by a series editor. Other notable imprints in the anthology field include the O. Henry Prize Stories and the Pushcart Prize anthologies, which operate under different selection criteria but share a similar mission of recognizing literary excellence.

Category:American short story anthologies Category:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt books Category:1915 establishments in the United States Category:Literary series