Since its launch in 2000, the Best New American Voices series has been acclaimed for the range and originality of its selections, which represent the writers who promise to become the literary stars of tomorrow. The 2003 collection continues the tradition, featuring innovative, powerful stories selected by one of our finest writers of contemporary fiction, Joyce Carol Oates. With pieces culled from more than one hundred prestigious writing programs around the country and Canada, including the Iowa Writers' Workshop and the Sewanee Conference, this volume showcases a remarkable array of talent—and offers the excitement of discovering a new generation of writers. A Harvest Original Good / Cheryl Strayed—The woman who tasted of rose oil / Esi Edugyan—At Celilo / Susan Austin—April / by Katherine Noel—Chickensnake / Brad Vice—This year draws in the day / Hal Horton—Under the influence / Jenn McKee—Peace / Dylan Tai Nguyen—The storekeeper / Otis Haschmeyer—Transparency / Frances Hwang—Circuits / Caimeen Garrett—Who is Beatrice? / Belle Boggs—A few short notes on tropical butterflies / John Murray—Everything must go / Barry Matthews—The good life / Laura Hawley