Hot Type: America's Most Celebrated Writers Introduce the Next Word in Contemporary Fiction

This inanely titled collection is lamely introduced by Ford who doth protest too much: ``Giving somebody a leg up in the world, or (for goodness' sake) needing one, is neither a cheat nor a surrender to baleful networking.'' Most of the 15 short stories (some of which are reprinted from Equator magazine, where Miller is an editor) can be recommended for their piquant voices and keen ear for the vernacular, if not for fully fleshed-out treatments. Some authors have published books under their belts but many tales carry the distinct aroma of the writing workshop: sundering relationships are reflected through Lynn Grossman's (``The Sleeves'') dwindling bundle of men's soiled shirts and through Rebecca Stowe's rotting ``Pizza''``At night, after I've finished my lesson plans, I go into the kitchen and watch the pizza, waiting for the mold to grow and grow, to devour the pizza, to cover it in a thick mossy blanket. When it's completely covered, so that every single inch of the pizza is white, then I can go.'' (Nov.)