What are some popular themes in female fantasy short stories?

Well, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote some great fantasy short stories within his Middle - earth lore. For example, 'Leaf by Niggle' is a wonderful little piece that shows Tolkien's creativity even in a shorter form. Also, Neil Gaiman has some amazing fantasy short stories. 'How to Talk to Girls at Parties' is a really cool one that combines elements of science - fiction and fantasy in a very unique way. It's about a young boy's encounter with some very strange girls at a party.

One popular collection is 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman. It's filled with dark and imaginative tales that blend mythology, dreams, and the supernatural.

One popular one is 'Fantasy & Science Fiction'. It has been around for a long time and features many well - written fantasy short stories. Another is 'Clarkesworld', which is known for its high - quality speculative fiction, including fantasy. And 'Lightspeed' also publishes great fantasy short stories among other genres.

A great adult fantasy short story is 'The Sandman' by E.T.A. Hoffmann. It features a rather strange and magical character of the Sandman. Angela Carter's 'The Bloody Chamber' also falls into this category, with its reimagining of classic fairy tales in a more adult and often darker context. Additionally, Ray Bradbury's 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' is a wonderful short story that combines elements of fantasy, horror, and the passage of time, set in a small town with a big mystery.

One popular romantic fantasy short story is 'The Stolen Princess' where a brave knight rescues a princess from an evil sorcerer and they fall in love during their journey back to the kingdom. Another is 'The Enchanted Garden' which tells the story of a young woman who discovers a magical garden and meets a mysterious man there, and their love blooms as they explore the wonders of the garden together. And 'The Fairy's Kiss' is also well - liked. A mortal man is kissed by a fairy and is drawn into a world of magic and love.

One popular kids fantasy short story is 'The Little Mermaid' by Hans Christian Andersen. It tells the story of a mermaid who dreams of becoming human. Another is 'The Wizard of Oz' which features Dorothy's adventures in a magical land. 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' is also very well - known, with Alice falling down a rabbit hole into a strange world full of peculiar creatures.

One popular adult fantasy short story is 'The Last Unicorn' by Peter S. Beagle. It tells the story of a unicorn on a quest to find out what happened to the rest of her kind. Another is 'Gormenghast' by Mervyn Peake, which has a richly detailed and rather dark, fantastical setting. And 'The Paper Menagerie' by Ken Liu is also well - known, it beautifully combines elements of family, memory and magic in a short form.

Some popular ones include 'The Star-Touched Queen' by Roshani Chokshi and 'The Hazel Wood' by Melissa Albert.

One popular theme is adventure. Stories about characters going on exciting quests, exploring new worlds, and facing challenges are always engaging. Another is love, whether it's romantic love between two characters or the love within a family or friendship. Fantasy themes are also common, like magic, mythical creatures, and enchanted lands.

Well, in adult short stories, a frequent theme is dealing with loss. It could be the loss of a loved one, a job, or a friendship. This often leads to a character's growth or a change in their perspective. Another theme is family. The relationships within a family, be it between parents and children or siblings, can be explored in many ways. There might be conflicts, reconciliations, or simply the everyday joys and sorrows of family life. And then there's the theme of change. Adults often face various changes in their lives, and short stories can capture how they adapt or resist these changes.