Celebrating the diversity of Canadian short fiction, 12 writers are featured in this volume of the short list and winners of the 2012 Vanderbilt/Exile Short Fiction Award. The curated short-story collection includes writing by contemporary storytellers Christine Miscione, exploring self-mutilation as the art of living; Leon Rooke and his maze of contradictory and unresolved questions; and Seán Virgo with a surreal tale of a wintertime house and harpsichords. Also showcased in the anthology are short fictions by Amy Stuart, Daniel Perry, Darlene Madott, Jacqueline Windh, Kelly Watt, Kris Bertin, Linda Rogers, Martha Bátiz, and Phil Della.