best short literary fiction

Some of the best literary magazines for short fiction include 'Zoetrope: All - Story'. It has a reputation for featuring engaging and well - crafted short stories. 'A Public Space' is also worth mentioning. It focuses on bringing new and exciting short fiction to readers. Additionally, 'Conjunctions' is known for its experimental and boundary - pushing short fiction, which can be really inspiring for both writers and readers of short stories.

'McSweeney's' is also a great choice. It's known for its innovative approach to literature. They often feature unique and experimental short stories that push the boundaries of the genre. It provides a platform for many new voices in short fiction writing, and the design and layout of the magazine also add to its charm.

Some great ones include 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' by Herman Melville. This story is thought - provoking as it presents the strange and passive Bartleby, who challenges the norms of society and the workplace. Then there's 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's a powerful story about a woman's descent into madness due to her confinement and the suppression of her creativity and will.

The New Yorker is a great one. It has a long history of publishing high - quality short fiction from renowned and emerging writers alike. Their editorial standards are very high.

One example is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a masterful short story that uses a seemingly ordinary small - town lottery to build a sense of unease, which then explodes into a shocking conclusion. Another is Anton Chekhov's short stories. His works like 'The Lady with the Dog' are known for their deep exploration of human nature in a concise form. Ernest Hemingway's short stories, such as 'Hills Like White Elephants', are also great. His terse style packs a lot of meaning into few words, making the reader think deeply about the unspoken emotions and situations between the characters.

'The Paris Review' is another excellent literary magazine for short fiction. It has a rich history of publishing some of the most influential short stories. The editors at 'The Paris Review' are known for their discerning taste, and they look for stories that have both literary merit and a certain intangible quality that makes them stand out. They also publish translations of short stories from around the world.

One great example is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a short story that uses a small - town lottery to explore dark human nature and the power of tradition in a speculative way. Another is 'Harrison Bergeron' by Kurt Vonnegut. It speculates on a future society where everyone is made equal through handicaps, which is a really thought - provoking concept.

One could join a book club that focuses on short fiction. Members can share their favorite short stories and discuss why they think they are the best. Visiting local independent bookstores is another option. The staff there usually has a passion for literature and can offer personalized suggestions. Additionally, university libraries often have extensive collections of short literary fiction. You can search their catalogs based on author, theme, or time period to find some real gems.

You can start by asking librarians. They are very knowledgeable and can recommend some of the best short story collections. Also, look at classic literature anthologies. They often contain well - known and highly regarded short stories. Online platforms like Goodreads can also be helpful. You can read reviews and ratings of different short story collections there.

One of the top ones is Electric Literature. They are very active in promoting short fiction in the digital age. They have an online presence that reaches a wide audience and they often feature up - and - coming writers. They also do a great job of curating collections of short stories.