African American Short Stories

A remarkable talent far ahead of her time, Diane Oliver died in 1966 at the age of 22, leaving behind these crisply told and often chilling tales that explore race and racism in 1950s and 60s America. In this first and only collection by a masterful storyteller finally taking her rightful place in the canon, Oliver’s insightful stories reverberate into the present day.

African American literature is the body of literature produced in the United States by writers of African descent. It begins with the works of such late 18th-century writers as Phillis Wheatley. Before the high point of enslaved people narratives, African-American literature was dominated by autobiographical spiritual narratives. The genre known as slave narratives in the 19th century were accounts by people who had generally escaped from slavery, about their journeys to freedom and ways they claimed their lives.

Whether weaving family life and history into dark fiction or writing speculative Afrofuturism, American Book Award winner and Essence best-selling author Tananarive Due’s work is both riveting and enlightening. In her debut collection of short fiction, Due takes us to Gracetown, a small Florida town that has both literal and figurative ghost; into future scenarios that seem all too real; and provides empathetic portraits of those whose lives are touched by otherness. Featuring an award-winning novella and 15 stories, Ghost Summer: Stories is sure to haunt and delight.

Mesha and Jason are two siblings who grew up on the rough streets of Detroit. They were thick as thieves, and Mesha actually was one while Jason got into the life of selling drugs. Mesha, being the eldest, had always been overprotective of her little brother. From the streets to women. In an attempt to protect her brother from a secret and any further heartache concerning his daughter, one day, Mesha takes her overprotective antics to a whole other level. One that may leave their bond broken forever, if he finds out. Lela is a female who is know for scamming and coming up with schemes to ...

Tammy Mitchell, a devoted member of Willow Zion Methodist Church, becomes the center of gossip due to her appearance. As she tries to ignore the whispers and judgment, Tammy’s journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets Darnell, a kindhearted man who sees her true beauty. Together, they inspire their church family to embrace acceptance and compassion, proving that faith and love can overcome any challenge.

In the nine expansive, searching stories of A Lucky Man, fathers and sons attempt to salvage relationships with friends and family members and confront mistakes made in the past.

She swiped right on love—but ended up fighting for her child’s life. Will Trish ever find the love she deserves? An African American Urban Short Story - Trish Johnson thought she had life figured out—smart, ambitious, and determined to succeed. But after landing a job that barely pays the bills and finding herself tangled up with Jackson, a smooth-talking but irresponsible man, she realizes that love and stability don’t always go hand in hand. As she struggles to provide for her daughter, Alia, and navigate the chaos of her ex still living in her basement, Trish reflects on how she ...

Short & Cozy BWWM Interracial Romance After losing her mother, Ava sets off on a solo van life journey to find herself. But a sudden near death experience places her in the hands of a handsome lifeguard named Shawn who comes to her rescue, igniting a spark neither of them expected. As their paths cross in unexpected ways, Ava finds herself torn between the past she's trying to escape and a future with a man who might just change everything. Will Shawn be the one to heal her heart, or will their fate be lost in the tide? ❤️African American Woman/White Man Interracial Romance 💙Dual POV...

This series is a short story collection aimed at the reader on the go. Each standalone takes you into the lives of the men and women that play in the streets risking life and limb for the almighty dollar. Some handle the heat of the life while others fold under the pressure of it all. So, take a few minutes on your lunch break or right before bed and see who is and who isn’t about that life. This story is book 1 and is titled “Hot Girls in the D”.

His Name is Snake. He Wants to Be King of the Streets. He’s put in the work and is on his way up in the drug game. When he meets Charity Jones, a sexy, younger white woman, his world is shaken to the core. His crew, his baby mama, and even his mother do NOT want him to get in a relationship with Charity. Her name is at odds with his career. After a night of passion, they fall for each other. Come what may, they are determined to make the best of what they have in their life. Will they be able to escape the dope game? BMWW Interracial Romance

After a devastating heartbreak, McKenzie Bishop swears off love to focus on her career as a branding consultant. But when her parents convince her to try the dating app, A Dime A Dozen, a seemingly harmless connection resurrects buried trauma and ignites dangerous desires. What starts as a reluctant search for companionship quickly spirals into a twisted game of deadly revenge. As McKenzie’s obsession deepens, fears are weaponized, secrets are uncovered, and no match is safe. Yet, someone has been watching her every move and is determined to expose her darkest truths. Can McKenzie ...

“Call me Miss B*tch. Yes, I screw married men, so what? I love my life. I worked damn hard to get to where I am. I’m a lawyer in a huge law firm and I pay my own bills, besides the ones they pay. Yes, I enjoy what I do and who I do.” Tracy is single and living her best life in California. Coming from a small town in South Carolina, it’s a welcomed change of scenery. It’s also an escape from her past. She is no longer the small town girl with a broken heart; she’s the corporate attorney with several players on her team. Rich, successful players at that. Though her life is ...

Doing Time: For the prison writers whose work is included in this anthology, it means more than "serving a sentence"; it means staying alive and sane, preserving dignity, reinventing oneself, and somehow retaining one's humanity. For the last quarter century the prestigious writers' organization PEN has sponsored a contest for writers behind bars to help prisoners face these challenges. The contest honors the best short stories, plays, essays, and poems among hundreds submitted annually by men and women nationwide.

Grace could get any man she wanted physically, but obtaining love seemed to be impossible for her. Although she appeared to be very strong, independent, and very charming, she was empty on the inside. Grace had a great career and achieved many accomplishments. However, when it came to her love life, she felt like a complete failure. Until she decided to no longer be held captive to sexual abuse in the past.

African American Romance Collection that includes 10 books. The Snow Series: What happens when everything seems perfect and peaceful, but all of a sudden you, your family, or your surroundings is threatened by something or someone that will rob you of what you've always know? This happens to many people, from all walks of life, each and every day. No one is exempt from the trouble that can cause one to have his or her own personal meltdown. Some are able to overcome their meltdown? Others, however, are not so fortunate. They find themselves stuck, trying hard to deal with the meltdown of ...

Desire raises the stakes - and the danger. This collection includes Desperate Housewife, Sinful, and L.A. Confidential.

Mosley presents distinct characters as they struggle to move through the world in each of these stories - heroes who are awkward, nerdy, self-defeating, self-involved, and, on the whole, odd. He overturns the stereotypes that corral black male characters and paints a subtle, powerful portrait of each of these unique individuals.

Every hood has a fairy tale but not one like Nassir and Aria. Some times the terrible things happen to bring you to something great. Nassir has an undeniable connection to Aria from the day he met her. All bets are off and his guard is down that usually closes off his heart but just when he opens up betrayal proves him wrong. A chain of unexpected events brings these two together and closer than ever expected. Nassir is the boss in these Brooklyn streets and Hood Royalty to many but he thinks he is ready to pass it down and walk away now that he has found the leading lady of his dreams. ...

This drive through the dark streets of the Motor City “is one of the best in Akashic Books’ noir series. You cannot go wrong with this anthology.”—Reviewing the Evidence From cri….

Why did I decide to put together a Bundle of my FOUR BBW Urban Fiction Series? Each series shows Plus Size Women as main characters. They aren’t sidekicks, ugly ducklings, or undesirable third wheels. Their beauty is up front and center. These BBWs are not late-night booty calls. And they’re not their lovers’ last options. Sexy, dangerous, street ninjas love and desire them. These are the most attractive men on the market. And they're willing to do anything to get their hands on the Big Beautiful Woman who is the object of their desire. Of course, as a writer, I want everyone to read ...