Short stories are the form in which many writers hone their craft. And while each year’s Best American Short Stories and Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy anthologies compile some of the best of that year, they don’t highlight all of what gets published and is worthy of note. So much depends on who edits an edition in any given year, and no group of editors can read everything. Here are some online journals offering short stories to read online; you can be your own judge of what the best stories are!
Agni, co-edited by Sven Birkerts and William Pierce, publishes literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, interviews, and reviews, and has a reputation for publishing emerging as well as established writers. Check out this recent piece: “A Viral Exchange, Under Lockdown” by Charles Bardes and Tom Sleigh.
The Atlantic is a source for in-depth reporting, but did you know that they also publish stories? Check out some recent stories by Lauren Groff, Samantha Hunt, and Samantha Schweblin. Also, there is a newly discovered Kurt Vonnegut story on there! How excellent is that?
Granta Magazine publishes new literary fiction, memoir, reportage, and poetry. Recent stories there include works by Diana Athill, Zadie Smith, and Carmen Maria Machado.
Harper’s Magazine is also known for its journalistic acumen, but they also publish stories by major authors each month. There are current stories available now by Stephen King, Susan Choi, Paul Yoon, Lydia Davis, and Jess Walter.
The New Yorker is considered one of the most consistent taste-makers in short story cred. While you only get so many free views in a given week, you can get full access via the library’s subscription.
Where else do you go for online fiction?
~posted by Misha S.
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