*Correction*

Updated: 10/18/2007

I just listened to an interview with Stephen King on New York Public Radio's Leonard Lopate Show. Stephen King was telling Leonard Lopate where he searched for stories, and one of the resources he said he explored was the internet. I felt this was worth pointing out since the series editor of 2007: The Best American Short Stories said at Harvard that she didn't think the quality in online fiction was good enough, and she didn't use that type of fiction as a resource during her search for fiction.

I am really glad to hear that Stephen King didn't keep his search confined to print. Way to go Mr. King!

The Leonard Lopate Show with Stephen King.



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Last night, October 16, 2007, I went to one of the few appearances that Stephen King is making to promote the new anthology 2007: The Best American Short Stories, which he guest edited. He talked a bit more about the poor state of the short story and how much he enjoyed working on this collection.

When he was offered the chance to be the guest editor, he didn't think twice - his answer was an immediate and resounding "Yes!" One of the reasons he wanted to do this is because he had started feeling disconnected from the short story. He'd spent much if the early part of his career writing shorts, but then that morphed into novels - where he has been for years. The short story ideas just weren't coming to him.

He reiterated the classic advice that all new writers hear, "You have to read, read, read if you want to write." Further, if you want to write short stories you need to read them. So, one of his personal goals with this collection was to reinvigorate his creative process for writing short stories. And he says that it worked. He does have some new ideas brewing for short stories, which is great news for people who enjoy reading King's short fiction.

During the Q&A session, I was one of the few people who were able to ask a question of the author panel. My question went something like this, "Considering Mr. King's statement about the current health of the short story, couldn't it be that the short story is actually changing? What are your thoughts on the idea that short stories may actually be adapting themselves to today's modern society by getting sold to ezines and turned into pod casts?"

As soon as I asked, I knew that the panel wasn't too fond of the question. King deferred the answer to the series editor Heidi Pitlor who said she might be a snob, but that a short story is a short story - and short stories come in print. Also, she said that while online zines and digital media are interesting, the quality of the stories just isn't there. However, she did add that she looked forward to seeing the quality of online fiction improve in the future. When they went looking for the stories for this collection, they only looked at the professional markets.

Overall, the event was terrific. The other three authors (Jim Shephard, Karen Rusell, and Richard Russo) were great, which leads me to believe that this is going to be a wonderful collection to read. In the words of Stephen King, "If you haven't already bought an edition of 2007: The Best American Short Stories, go out and buy one today. I'll know if you do. No really I will. I have ways. And if you already have an edition go out and buy another one, or even a third one and give it away. We're coming up on the holidays. You can make it a Halloween gift."

Of course, he was just joking around - I think. But still, if the readings that I heard from the book are any indication of the overall quality of the collection, you're going to like it. Plus, King has put the POP into Fiction by choosing stories based on how amazing they are rather than where they fall on the genre spectrum - and no matter who you are, you have to admire that. So, go forth and read!