29 Contemporary Short Stories by New Zealand writers. 'Sweet as' is a typically New Zealand term meaning okay, cool, better than good, or even awesome. However, the stories in this collection are not all 'sweet' in the traditional sense. New Zealand is a country of light - both strong and bush-dappled - but it also has a dark side. These short stories speak to us of the diverse world we live in. They take us on a journey, or offer a glimpse into another's life. Some show the struggles, tough questions and challenging situations people face. Some stories are sweet or humorous, while others are quirky or just plain entertaining. They provide us with a snapshot of life in New Zealand and how New Zealanders experience life overseas. For this collection, we sought contributions from New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. This gives a breadth of story lines - 'sweet as' in their variety and quality. Our aim was to continue one of New Zealand's finest traditions: its strong culture of reading and writing, especially in the area of short fiction. Contributors to this collection include: Kate Mahony, Linda Bennett, Gay Buckingham, Celia Coyne, Janis Freegard, Lilla Csorgo, Anahera Gildea, Vivienne Joseph, Wes Lee, Vivienne Ball, Jo Randerson, Rachel Marr, David Mason, Frances Cherry, Rebecca Styles, Lawrence Patchett, Kay Meyer, Wendy Moore, Janet Nixon, Margaret Orange, Debbie Newlove, Deb Potter, Blair Polly, B.L. Stocker, Holly Painter, Maggie Rainey-Smith, Kathy Sewell, Paula Slack and Brindi Joy.