Short Stories Digital Library

Genres: Unfinished Tales and Short Stories

An experimental project for participatory research, storytelling, interdisciplinary arts and digital literacy.

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12 Genres • 728 Stories

CEO Jorge Sanchez confronts the new reality of his office, where the stationery cupboard is a gateway and the board of directors has been 'streamlined' into a paperclip collective.

Absurdist Horror

Explore our collection of Absurdist Horror short stories.

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Toby and Mina take a break on the frozen hill, finding humor in their shared misery.

Action-Adventure

Explore our collection of Action-Adventure short stories.

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In the oppressive darkness of the funhouse, a scientist's empirical world shatters as her equipment records an impossible signal, a sound that carries the weight of memory and emotion.

Cerebral Horror

Explore our collection of Cerebral Horror short stories.

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Under the hum of fluorescent lights, a silent, paranoid cold war is fought over a bag of beef jerky, the last bastion of sustenance for two dedicated truth-seekers.

Comedy

Explore our collection of Comedy short stories.

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In the soft, warm light of an autumn workshop, the hands of Simon and Leo work in concert, their fingers brushing as they delicately place a tiny, amber-hued glass 'seed' into a carved wooden bear. The scene captures the meticulous craft and the unspoken connection forming between them.

Coming-of-Age

Explore our collection of Coming-of-Age short stories.

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A photograph captures a 23-year-old student, Leaf, in a university library. He's hunched in a worn army surplus jacket, laptop open but ignored, as he gazes out a large window at a scraggly oak tree, its sparse autumn leaves catching the soft, late afternoon light. The scene is quiet, with blurred bookshelves in the background, conveying a sense of introspection amidst the academic setting.

Contemporary

Explore our collection of Contemporary short stories.

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In a muted community hall, a group of adults surround a rough, dark wooden crate. One man carefully unwraps a small, intriguing object, revealing a tarnished silver compass with a frantically spinning needle. Another woman points to a strange, jagged star carved into the crate, her face a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, while a third person leans in, captivated by the unfolding mystery.

Contemporary Drama

Explore our collection of Contemporary Drama short stories.

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In the stark, fluorescent glow of a busy shopping mall food court, a young boy with earnest eyes extends a perfect, bright orange towards an older woman. She clutches several large shopping bags, her face etched with a mix of weariness and suspicion, her hand hesitantly reaching for the fruit. The vibrant orange stands out against the muted tones of her grey coat and the plastic tables, a small moment of unexpected kindness amidst the everyday bustle.

Contemporary Fantasy

Explore our collection of Contemporary Fantasy short stories.

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Casey examines the bentonite buffer blocks surrounding a copper fuel canister in the visitor center mock-up.

Contemporary Fiction

Explore our collection of Contemporary Fiction short stories.

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A hyper-realistic photograph captures Cathy, a barista, in a quiet moment at The Portage Coffee House. Soft autumn light illuminates her face as she cleans the counter, her movements graceful. A profound, almost ancient sadness lingers in her deep brown eyes, hinting at a hidden story beyond the bustling café.

Contemporary Magical Realism

Explore our collection of Contemporary Magical Realism short stories.

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In the ambient calm of a coffee shop, a silent message is passed. A simple, folded note left on the table holds more questions than answers as its sender disappears into the street.

Contemporary Mystery

Explore our collection of Contemporary Mystery short stories.

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A pivotal moment unfolds within the old community hall, refurbished yet still carrying the weight of its past. Four figures—Mike, Lucinda, Bonita, and Jimmy—are gathered around a worn pine table. Their expressions range from weary resignation and simmering anger to quiet devastation and desperate pleading, as a momentous revelation hangs heavy in the air. Through the high windows, the first faint tendrils of the aurora borealis begin to dance, casting an ethereal, almost spectral light over the tense scene.

Contemporary Sci-Fi

Explore our collection of Contemporary Sci-Fi short stories.

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