The Steve Almond Papers Collection primarily consists of the author's short stories, dating from 1996 to 2011. The history of many of the short stories can be tracked from Almond's MFA thesis to the final publication in article or book chapter format. The collection contains many critiqued drafts, galley proofs, and copies or originals of the final publication. In addition to several drafts of published short stories, the collection includes a number of unpublished works ranging from Almond's school works to present. The collection contains manuscripts and research materials for Almond's monographs, including the award winning nonfiction work, Candy Freak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America.

Steve Almond is acclaimed for his literary portrayal of modern romance, combining humor with heavy sexual content. A frequent contributor to a wide range of magazines and journals, Almond's fictional work conveys themes of love and lust through comedic, satirical plots depicted in an uncompromisingly forthright vocabulary.