Praised early on by numerous award-winning and bestselling authors, COOLEST AMERICAN STORIES 2023 is the second volume of the annual short story anthology whose guiding philosophy is that a collection of widely appealing short stories can make for common ground that could unite rather than divide Americans.

Toward this end, COOLEST AMERICAN STORIES 2023 features a previously uncollected heartbreaking story by Morgan Talty, author of the widely acclaimed Night of the Living Rez; a witty story about growing up fast by widely published crime writer Nikki Dolson; and a candid tale about motherhood in the wake of tragedy by T. E. Wilderson.

And since interesting storytelling―rather than a bunch of publishing credits―matters most to story-hungry readers, COOLEST AMERICAN STORIES 2023 also includes a page-turner about celebrity stalking written by brand new author Georgia Smith; a previously unpublished and sensual story about love versus the American Dream by up-and-coming author Patricia García Luján; and R. C. Goodwin's striking tale about a dying parent's wish―among others in this treasure trove of unputdownable, sharply written, sometimes comic, sometimes frightening, always suspenseful stories loaded with twists and turns.

The various authors of the "full meal" short stories in COOLEST AMERICAN STORIES 2023 include copiously praised Morgan Talty, widely published authors Nikki Dolson and Gerald Elias, as well as a diverse host of other writers whose aim in creating these stories was to keep readers interested with their best, most riveting storytelling.

“An unforgettable, diverse, and lively collection of tales that go above and beyond cool. Once I cracked this open, I was hooked.”

—Alex Segura, bestselling author of Secret Identity

 “Coolest American Stories 2023 will remind you why you fell in love with the short story in the first place: unforgettable characters, memorable plots, and crackling prose. The tension hums on every page. This is a collection you won’t want to miss.”

—PEN/Hemingway Award Finalist Rebecca Johns, author of The Countess

 “Quirky, surprising—and yes, cool—these stories mirror the heartaches (and occasional joys) of the human experience with humor, poignancy, and grace. The anthology is a showcase of the latest and greatest talent writing in the short form today.”

—Tara Laskowski, winner of Agatha and Anthony Awards, author of The Mother Next Door and One Night Gone

 “Read these edgy and exceptional stories for inspiration, entertainment, and to take in the drumbeat of the zeitgeist. Coolest American Stories 2023 is a rewarding and panoramic selection.”

—Elizabeth McKenzie, author of The Portable Veblen, longlisted for the National Book Award

“Nothing short of a miracle, really, that despite the despair of Covid, such a wonderful anthology could emerge.” 

—Anne Serling, author of As I Knew Him: My Dad, Rod Serling

“The stories in this volume are exemplars of the finest short story craft in contemporary literature.”

 —California Review of Books

“The best current fiction anthology on the market.” 

—Martin Ott, author of The Interrogator's Notebook