Short Story Theory

What defines a modern short story is much more than a question of length. Despite the efforts of early pioneers like Edgar Allan Poe, the genre was originally synonymous with the anecdote or tale and seen more as entertainment than art. However it has become far more than that, and this Very Short Introduction considers afresh the form's ongoing innovations in plot construction, capacity for psychological insight, and ability to offer intensely concentrated perceptions.

The epic follow-up to the acclaimed short story "The Dark Forest Protocol" In the wake of Earth's desperate survival in the silence of the galaxy, humanity’s fragile peace is shattered once more. The Dark Forest Protocol: Crimson Covenant catapults readers into a thrilling, high-stakes space opera, where the consequences of breaking the universe’s unspoken rule — silence — are far more dire than anyone could have imagined. After the Dark Forest Protocol events, Earth’s connection to the mysterious and ancient Forestworld has led to cautious coexistence. But peace is short-lived ...

Praise for Alice Crowley's writing: "I LOVED THE IMAGINATION OF THIS AUTHOR!" ~Satisfied Kindle Reader "FIVE STARS!" ~ Multiple Fans "Alice Crowley is one of our best living authors!" ~ G. Taylor In this sizzling steamy suspense thriller, a confident private detective has her imagination stretched to its limits when she realizes the man she has been hired to follow has supernatural abilities. After conducting surveillance, our heroine begins to unravel a mystery from Chicago's darkest shadows, and shines a light on ancient and arcane ritualistic cults. Soon she and the stranger she has been...

Hailed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a successor to John Cheever and Raymond Carver, Andrew Porter crafts plain spoken family dramas that audiences find completely enthralling. The 10 stories presented here further cement his position among America’s finest short fiction authors.

What is neighborliness in today’s society? Can it even be achieved? The short stories in this book explore the challenges of being a good neighbor by focusing on several different social dynamics in big cities and small towns. The characters include movie stars, judges, landlords, immigrants, and ex-convicts, to name a few. All of whom are faced with the task of being a neighbor. Often, the results aren’t pretty. These insightful tales will spur you to think about your role and responsibilities as a neighbor.

The Short Story of the Universe is a new introduction to the subject of the universe. Covering 130 key components that make it up - from dwarf galaxies and spiral arms to red giants and the planets of the solar system - and linking these to the universe's structure and the theories that help us understand it, this book simplifies this riveting yet mind-boggling subject, telling the story of how it came into being and how it will eventually be no more.

Gwen Wallace is at a crossroads. After witnessing her husband cheat on her, she felt like her sex life was over. It wasn’t until her friend, Beatrice ,introduced to her the idea of the MILF Theory. The theory suggests that young men, don’t care for the woman’s age only her sexual experience. After crossing eyes, with a young bartender, Gwen decides to put the MILF Theory to test. This short story is approximately 7,000 words

"After Dinner Conversation" Magazine - October 2021 Bugs In The Valley: A pharmaceutical company turns a rare flower into a equally rare medicine that cures cancer and stops aging. Animals And Origami: A pedophile and killer near the end of his life is turned down for parole and refused his final wish to see the ocean. The Machine: A strange letter arrives from a friend requesting $3,000 to help him develop the singularity of AI. The Bridle: A woman is forced to suffer the punishment of "condemning" for asking too many questions. The Wrong Side Of History: A 130 year old politician's legacy...

"Short Stories For Long Discussions…" Get ready to dive into the most thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating discussions of the year with "After Dinner Conversation - Best Of 2023." This must-have collection features the most compelling philosophy, ethics and social issues as short story fiction from one of the year's top-rated monthly literary magazines. With a diverse range of genres, from science-fiction to historical fiction, and with contributions from both established and up-and-coming authors, this book is guaranteed to challenge your beliefs and spark meaningful ...

Delight in intriguing, thought-provoking conversations about ethics, philosophy, and social issues! After Dinner Conversation is a monthly literary magazine publishing short fiction. Each issue features both established writers and up-and-coming authors who contribute fascinating philosophical insights on controversial topics like marriage equality, assisted suicide, the meaning of death, animal rights, and defining your "purpose." It's time to go deep in search of truth! If you love reading imaginative short stories on hot topics that make your brain think deeply but also have you laughing...

Delight in intriguing, thought-provoking conversations about ethics, philosophy, and social issues! After Dinner Conversation is a monthly literary magazine publishing short fiction. Each issue features both established writers and up-and-coming authors who contribute fascinating philosophical insights on controversial topics like marriage equality, assisted suicide, the meaning of death, animal rights and defining your "purpose." It's time to go deep in search of truth! If you love reading imaginative short stories on hot topics that make your brain think deeply but also have you laughing ...

The fictional world of Will Self is unlike any other. Learn, amongst other things, the dark and terrible secret of Ward 9, why you are right to think that London is full of dead people and that each and every human being is caught up in a colossal balancing act between the sane and the insane. Acerbic, satirical, hilarious and, most of all, utterly unique in imaginative vision.

Synopsis: Game theory goes out the window when a sociopath executioner lines up four men to see how far his blade will go. After Dinner Conversation is a growing series of short stories across genres to draw out deeper discussions with friends and family. Each story is an accessible example of an abstract ethical or philosophical idea and is accompanied by suggested discussion questions. Podcast discussion of this short story, and others, is available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Youtube. ★★★ If you enjoy this story, subscribe via our website to "After Dinner Conversation ...

A woman learns that she is too close to the truth when she hypothesizes that the Earth is a super organism determined to either purge itself of humanity or pare it down substantially.

Ranked Top 10 "Best Lit Mags of 2023" by Chill Subs Synopsis: Carefully curated stories from our monthly magazine to create a themed short story book about the philosophy and ethics of crimes and their punishments. Perfect for classrooms and book clubs, each story is 1,500-7,000 words and comes with five suggested discussion questions. Idle Horns: A horned demon of hell born to eternally torture the damned walks off the job. Community Of Peers: A foreigner wanders into a remote village just before a convicted criminal is about to be punished and is asked to throw the first stone. Form Seven...

It's Christmas and one of the aliens wants to go shopping at the mall to get in the proper holiday spirit. The trouble is, he doesn't know an elf from an elephant. Here's a wacky Yule story about intelligence, diversity, and too many tins of fruitcake.

In 1956, Updike published the story "Snowing in Greenwich Village," about a young couple, Joan and Richard Maple, at the beginning of their marriage. Over the next two decades, he returned to these characters again and again, tracing their years together raising children, finding moments of intermittent happiness, and facing the heartbreak of infidelity and estrangement. In this eleventh story, Richard and Joan, after hosting a party, talk about love and deceit in the suburbs.

"After Dinner Conversation" Magazine - June 2021 Cost Of Human Life: AI software designed to more efficiently run the railroad system runs into a programming issue. Step Back: A husband and wife decide to have a natural childbirth and find it's more than they bargained. The Cave Of Adventure: A scientist that studies fish memory wanders into a cave that gives her the chance to share their experience. Christmas In Ushuaia: A sorrowful man heads to the ends of the earth to dispose of his most painful memories. The Freedom Machine: A woman is forced to make her own decisions when her computer ...

"After Dinner Conversation" Magazine - January 2021 Boomchee: A law student sets her coworker up on a date, only to find out the guy has a mail order secret. His Neighbor's Wife: An unhappy husband kills his neighbor's wife so that his wife will be put to death under "law of vindication." The Waiting Room: A teenager strikes up a conversation in the government waiting rooms with those waiting to get new life dreams assigned to them. Teddy And Roosevelt: Two misfit boys strike up an unlikely friendship in the shadow of President Roosevelt. Believing In Ghosts: A security expert hired to find...

Synopsis: A little girl gets replacement eyes that were “harvested” from the criminal who cut hers out. After Dinner Conversation is a growing series of short stories across genres to draw out deeper discussions with friends and family. Each story is an accessible example of an abstract ethical or philosophical idea and is accompanied by suggested discussion questions. Podcast discussions of this short story, and others, is available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Youtube. ★★★ If you enjoy this story, subscribe via our website to "After Dinner Conversation Magazine" and get ...