The Best American Short Stories 2013, a volume in the Best American Short Stories series, was edited by Heidi Pitlor and by guest editor Elizabeth Strout. In her introduction Strout noted that she did not chose a story "primarily based on its subject," but that, for her, "voice" was a stronger criterion:
In the Kirkus Reviews review the volume was found praiseworthy and that " the Contributorsâ Notes on the stories are fascinating", but also noted that it is "lighter on discovery and revelation than some previous annuals". In a review by Naomi Huffman in New City Lit the collection is considered to live up to its name and found to feature "no duds, even if a couple of the stories arenâÂÂt quite as good as the rest.