12 Short Stories and Their Making: An Anthology with Interviews

by Kim Edwards

Book Overview

Here is a fascinating and enlightening book for fiction readers and writers alike. Written by some of our most powerful contemporary authors, the twelve stories gathered here were selected as striking examples of one of the six elements of the craft: character, plot, theme, structure, voice, and setting. They draw the reader into worlds that seem miraculously whole. How was this accomplished? In interviews that center on the aspect of craft each story exemplifies, the authors describe the challenges they faced and reveal the often disorderly process behind the seamless finished work.

The volume includes stories by and interviews with Sandra Cisneros, Kim Edwards, George Garrett, Ellen Gilchrist, Gail Godwin, Allan Gurganus, Charles Johnson, Walter Kirn, Jhumpa Lahiri, Ursula K. Le Guin, Elizabeth Tallent, and Tobias Wolff.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 089255312X
• ISBN13: 9780892553129
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Persea Books
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

12 SHORT STORIES

THE BOOK, "12 SHORT STORIES AND THEIR MAKING" WAS ASSIGNED FOR A COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE IN THE SHORT STORY. THE BOOK CAME IN PERFECT CONDITION AND AT THE TIME I WAS TOLD IT WOULD ARRIVE. THE SHORT STORIES IN THE BOOK ARE EXCELLENT READING. THE DISCUSSIONS ,FOLLOWING EVERY STORY, ARE WORTHWHILE ADDITIONS TO READING THE STORIES. I AM VERUY HAPPY WITH THIS PURCHASE.

A book that helps you become a better write better AND is interesting to read!

I was lucky enough to take a class with Paul Mandelbaum through UCLA and we used this book in the class. He really understands the small and large aspects of short stories and is just a really smart, creative person. I've read and re-read this book because I get more from it each time. There are a lot of books about writing and collections of stories also but, this book really is the perfect mix of entertainment and informative teaching.

Learn Short Story From The Masters

The short story is alive and well, if less visible than in the past. This collection includes twelve of the very finest contemporary short stories--stories that grip you and force you to turn pages--each one followed by an in-depth interview with the author. How did you create this story? Did you follow an outline? Or, did the ending surprise you? Questions that an aspiring short story writer would want to ask. The answers are fascinating. You can read this book for the stories alone--which are outstanding; or, you can read the stories and then study the interviews, dissect the stories with editor Paul Mandelbaum, and try to understand more deeply what makes them tick. Either way is well worth the trouble. If you are a short story lover or aspiring writer, I can recommend this book highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.

Thoughts on Mandelbaum's text

Very interesting pieces of literature, great interviews with the authors...a must read for any aspiring author.