On writing short stories

On Writing Short Stories, Second Edition, explores the art and craft of writing short fiction by bringing together nine original essays by professional writers and thirty-three examples of short fiction. The first section features original essays by well-known authorsincluding Francine Prose, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andre Dubusthat guide students through the process of writing. Focusing on the characteristics and craft of the short story and its writer, these essays take students from the workshopping process all the way through to the experience of working with agents and publishers. The second part of the text is an anthology of storiesmany referred to in the essaysthat give students dynamic examples of technique brought to life.