popular fantasy short stories

Well, among certain adult - oriented readership, they might be somewhat popular. But in the general literary community, they are not as mainstream as other types of fantasy stories due to their explicit nature.

In general, we cannot say they are popular in the broad sense. Mainstream literature focuses on a variety of positive themes like love, friendship, adventure, and self - growth. These adult - related stories are often confined to certain adult - only areas and not widely embraced by the general public.

One key characteristic is their ability to create a sense of escapism. They draw readers away from the real world into a realm of magic and the impossible. Many popular ones also have a concise plot that can be told within a short space but still manages to be engaging and full of twists. Symbolism is also common, like a magic sword representing power or a crystal ball representing knowledge. The characters in these stories are often archetypal, such as the brave hero, the wise old mentor, or the evil sorcerer, which helps readers quickly identify with the story.

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.

Well, one of the main characteristics is their ability to quickly draw the reader into the story. They start with an interesting hook, maybe a strange event or a mysterious character. The magic systems in these stories are also important. A well - thought - out magic system, whether it's about spell - casting or using magical artifacts, adds to the allure. And the themes are usually universal, like good versus evil, friendship, or self - discovery, which make them relatable even in a fantasy setting. In addition, the use of rich and detailed descriptions, whether it's about the appearance of a mythical creature or the architecture of a fantasy castle, helps to bring the story to life. This makes the readers feel like they are really in that magical world.

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.