In this follow-up collection, the editors once again tackle the question: “How short can a story be and truly be a story?” Determined to find the best flashes from America in the twenty-first century, James Thomas and Robert Shapard searched everywhere for stories that were not merely good but memorable. Moving, and certainly unforgettable, this collection includes stories from the best and most popular fiction writers of our time, including Ron Carlson, Robert Coover, Steve Almond, Amy Hempel, A. M. Homes, Grace Paley, and Paul Theroux. In addition, Rick Moody properly defines armoire, Lydia Davis delves into a world of cats, and Dave Eggers explores narrow escapes. Over and over, these stories prove that often less is more.

    For ten years, ERWA has offered free, high quality erotic writing by both renowned authors and newcomers. Every month the site publishes a new set of stories and "flash fiction" (erotica under 100 words). Each month's stories are selected by ERWA editors from dozens of submissions to "Storytime," a subscription-based email list and writing workshop. Now, for the first time, Cream collects the most arousing and original work that has appeared on ERWA. It includes an introduction by Lisabet and Adrienne Benedicks, owner of ERWA, and of course, a story by Lisabet. Five different theme sections such as "La Petite Mort," "Erotic Sci Fi", "A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words", "Swinging and Swapping," and "Humorous Erotica," with several stories in each, comprise the bulk of the book. Also included is a non-theme section of general erotica, and a section of "flashers."