What are some popular free sci fi short stories?

'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes is also quite well - known. Although it can be considered more of a science - fictional psychological story, it has been widely read online. It tells the story of a man with a low IQ who undergoes an experiment to increase his intelligence. The story is both heart - wrenching and thought - provoking as it delves into themes of identity, intelligence, and the human condition.

The best ones often have a unique concept at their core. It could be about time travel in a new and unexpected way, like traveling through time via dreams. Also, good pacing is key. They draw you in quickly with an interesting opening, keep you hooked in the middle, and have a satisfying ending that makes you think.

Well, 'The Machine Stops' by E.M. Forster is quite popular. It depicts a future where people rely entirely on a machine and what happens when it fails. 'The Star' by Arthur C. Clarke is another great one. It deals with themes of religion and science when a star goes supernova. And then there's 'Who Goes There?' by John W. Campbell, which has been the basis for many movies about an alien entity that can take over human bodies.

Well, 'Exhalation' by Ted Chiang is quite remarkable. It deals with thermodynamics and consciousness in a very engaging and scientific way. Also, 'The Things' by Peter Watts is a fascinating take on the Alien story from a more scientific perspective. It's a bit darker and really makes you think about the nature of the alien life form. There are also many great short stories in the anthology 'Lightspeed Presents: Women Destroy Science Fiction!', which features a diverse range of modern hard sci - fi stories by female authors.

You could start with 'A Sound of Thunder' by Ray Bradbury. It shows the consequences of time travel in a very vivid way. 'Surface Tension' by James Blish is also a great choice. It tells a story about microscopic life forms and their struggle for survival, which is presented in a very sci - fi way.

I would recommend 'The Last Question' by Isaac Asimov. It's a classic that explores deep concepts about the universe and the future of humanity in a relatively short space. Another great one is 'All You Zombies' by Robert A. Heinlein. It has a mind - bending time - travel plot. And 'A Martian Odyssey' by Stanley G. Weinbaum is also very good. It offers a fascinating look at what life on Mars might be like.

Well, there are quite a few. For instance, many works of H.G. Wells are available for free in the public domain. 'The War of the Worlds' is a well - known one. It tells the story of a Martian invasion of Earth, which was very innovative at the time it was written. Also, some indie authors release their sci - fi stories for free on platforms like Wattpad. You can find all sorts of interesting concepts there, from space adventures to dystopian futures.

Well, they usually have a strong hook at the beginning. Because online readers have a lot of options, a short story needs to grab their attention immediately. Also, they are likely to be concise in their writing style, cutting out any unnecessary fluff. The themes in popular online sci - fi short stories can range from environmental concerns in a future world to the ethics of artificial intelligence. And the best ones often leave a lingering impression on the reader, making them think about the story long after they've finished reading it.

They often have unique concepts. For example, they might explore new ideas about time travel or alien civilizations in ways we haven't seen before. Good pacing is also common. They draw you in quickly and keep you interested throughout the short length. And they usually have vivid descriptions that make the futuristic or otherworldly settings seem real.

Cixin Liu has also made a name for himself with his unique take on science fiction in short story form. His ideas are often large - scale and imaginative. Also, N. K. Jemisin has written some excellent short stories that explore different aspects of society in a science - fictional context. These authors are among the leading voices in new sci fi short story writing today.