Steve Almond is the author of nine books of fiction and nonfiction, including the New York Times bestsellers Candyfrea and Against Football. His new book, Bad Stories, is a literary investigation of what the hell just happened to our country. He hosts the New York Times Dear Sugars podcast with his pal Cheryl Strayed. His short stories have been anthologized widely, in the Best American Short Stories , The Pushcart Prize, Best American Erotica, and Best American Mysteries series. He also publishes crazy, DIY books.