The 335th volume of this series presents biographies of 38 American short story writers. The entries briefly describe the author's life and influences before turning to his or her writing, which is described chronologically. Many quotes are included from the works and from the author's own and critical commentary, to supplement the analysis of each entry's author. An introductory essay comments on the history of the short story in America, its changing fortunes, and key proponents. An appendix contains a list of periodicals that publish short stories. A cumulative index for all the Dictionaries of Literary Biography is included. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)