Have you heard about National Short Story Day? Mark your calendar for December 21st, 2025 – the winter solstice and shortest day of the year. Someone cleverly decided this was the perfect day to celebrate short fiction, and I couldn’t agree more!
As someone who’s always juggling multiple projects – from writing my steampunk mysteries to helping fellow authors through Southern Dragon Publishing – I appreciate stories I can finish in one sitting. Short stories, flash fiction, and even those delightful one-minute mysteries pack all the elements of great storytelling into a compact package, perfect for our busy lives.
Why Short Stories Deserve Their Own Day
Short stories aren’t just novels that didn’t make it to book length. They’re a unique literary art form that’s been around for thousands of years. Think of classics like Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” or Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.” These stories deliver powerful punches in just a few pages, capturing specific moments, moods, or moral lessons with remarkable precision.
Flash fiction takes this even further – complete stories told in 1,000 words or fewer. Some flash fiction pieces are only 100 words! And if you’re a mystery lover like me, you’ve probably encountered those wonderful One-Minute Mystery and Two-Minute Mystery books that challenge you to solve the case before the big reveal.
For those of us who love reading but struggle to find time for 400-page novels, short stories offer the perfect solution. You can enjoy a complete narrative during your lunch break, while waiting at the doctor’s office, or right before bed.
Making Reading Easier with Modern Technology
Here’s where I want to share something practical that’s been a game-changer for many readers, especially those of us experiencing vision changes: reading apps and e-readers designed with accessibility in mind.
I’ve researched several options that make reading more comfortable, particularly for older adults. The Kindle Paperwhite consistently ranks as a top choice because it offers adjustable font sizes up to 24-point, a glare-free screen that feels like reading actual paper, and an adjustable warm light feature that shifts from bright white during the day to softer amber tones for evening reading.
The Libby app is another fantastic option that connects directly to your local library. Just enter your library card information, and you have instant access to free e-books and audiobooks. Yes, you still “check out” digital books (and sometimes wait in line for popular titles), but there are no late fees and no trips to the library required. Many libraries have excellent short story collections you can borrow right from your phone or tablet.
For those who prefer listening while cooking, walking, or crafting, Scribd offers access to audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and documents for one monthly subscription. The app supports various assistive technologies and offers text customization options.
Where to Find Great Short Stories
Looking for short fiction to read on National Short Story Day? Here are some excellent places to start:
- Your Local Library (via Libby or in person) – Look for anthology collections or authors known for short fiction
- Project Gutenberg – Free classic short stories in the public domain
- Online Literary Magazines – Many publish free short fiction regularly
- Amazon Kindle Store – Search for “short story collections” or “flash fiction”
- Mystery Short Story Collections – Perfect if you love those one-minute mysteries!
How Southern Dragon Publishing Can Help Writers
Speaking of making things easier – if you’re an author struggling with the business side of publishing, that’s exactly what we address at Southern Dragon Publishing. We help writers navigate everything from book formatting to digital marketing, so you can focus on what you do best: writing those compelling stories.
Whether you’re working on short fiction, full-length novels, or non-fiction guides, having the right support system makes all the difference. Just like the right reading app can transform your reading experience, the right publishing services can transform your author journey.
Celebrate December 21st Your Way
Note from the EditorHello, this is Jolene and I just love doing book reviews for my fellow indie authors. If you would like to have a feature done on you on one of my online magazines that is shared across all my various platforms as well as written up on Goodreads I hope you will get in touch. This is a free service. Use my CONTACT US form and let’s get going!
