best short fantasy stories

One great short fantasy story is 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' by Ursula K. Le Guin. It presents a seemingly utopian society with a dark underbelly. Another is 'The Emperor's New Clothes' which, while often seen as a children's story, has strong fantasy elements as it deals with the absurdity of a society that refuses to see the truth. Also, 'The Sandman' by E.T.A. Hoffmann is a classic short fantasy. It's about a man who falls in love with a beautiful but ultimately unobtainable woman created by a magician.

Well, 'The Little Match Girl' by Hans Christian Andersen can be considered a great short fantasy short story. It's a poignant tale where the girl has these visions while freezing in the cold. 'The Sandman' is also a classic in the short fantasy realm. It has an eerie and dream - like quality. Oh, and don't forget 'The Fisherman and His Soul' which is full of rich fantasy elements like mermaids and souls being separated.

One of the best is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It has a deceptively simple premise in a small town but unfolds into a disturbing and thought - provoking fantasy horror. Another great one is 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' by Ursula K. Le Guin. It presents a complex moral and social fantasy scenario that makes the readers question the price of utopia. And then there's 'The Sandman' by E.T.A. Hoffmann which is a classic with its dreamy and mysterious elements that blend the real and the fantastical.

A story about a young wizard who fails all his magic exams at the academy but discovers a unique and ancient form of magic that no one else can do. He then has to prove himself to his skeptical teachers and peers. This could involve him using this new magic to save the academy from a dark force.

Some best fantasy short stories include 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' by Gabriel García Márquez. This story blends the ordinary and the magical in a very unique way. 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs is also excellent. It shows how a simple wish - granting object can lead to disastrous consequences. And 'The Lady or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton is a thought - provoking fantasy short story that leaves the ending up to the reader.

Some great fantasy magazines to submit short stories to are 'Fantasy & Science Fiction'. It has a long history of publishing high - quality speculative fiction. Another one is 'Clarkesworld', which is known for its diverse range of science fiction and fantasy stories. 'Lightspeed' is also a good choice as it features various sub - genres within the fantasy realm.

If you're looking for the best short fantasy short short stories, start with the works of classic authors. Many of their short stories are available in collections. For example, Edgar Allan Poe has some short works with elements of the fantastic. You can find these in his complete works collections. You can also look for specialized fantasy publishers' websites. Subterranean Press, for instance, publishes some great short fantasy works. Social media groups dedicated to fantasy literature can also be a good place to ask for recommendations and sometimes even find links to free or hard - to - find short fantasy stories.

One of the best is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's a disturbing tale that blurs the line between reality and madness. The main character's descent into psychological turmoil while being confined in a room with the titular wallpaper is both haunting and thought - provoking.

One great free to read fantasy short story is 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' by Ursula K. Le Guin. It's a thought - provoking piece. Another is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' which has elements of psychological horror and fantasy. It's a very interesting read.

A great example is 'The Snow Queen' by Hans Christian Andersen. It has elements of fantasy like the powerful Snow Queen and her icy realm. The relationship between Gerda and Kay has a strong romantic undercurrent. Gerda's journey to rescue Kay is filled with adventure and her unwavering love makes it a wonderful fantasy romance short story.