Short Stories for Stage 6
History of Short Stories
"Short story, brief fictional prose narrative that is shorter than a novel and that usually deals with only a few characters.
The short story is usually concerned with a single effect conveyed in only one or a few significant episodes or scenes. The form encourages economy of setting, concise narrative, and the omission of a complex plot; character is disclosed in action and dramatic encounter but is seldom fully developed. Despite its relatively limited scope, though, a short story is often judged by its ability to provide a “complete” or satisfying treatment of its characters and subject... read more" (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021)
Short Stories from SHHS Library
Short Story Print Books Available from SHHS Library
Click on the following link for a list of printed books available from the SHHS Library: https://tinyurl.com/2kwchwo9 . Most of these books are gathered together in a collection near the soft purple chairs..., your friendly library staff can point you towards these.
Short Story eBooks and Audiobooks Available from SHHS Library
Below is a list of all resources in the SHHS ePlatform (eBooks & Audiobooks) that are tagged as 'short stories'. These have not yet been critically selected as suitable for Stage 6 English -so choose carefully and consult with your teacher. There will be some short stories intended for a young audience and this may limit you opportunities to meaningfully analyse the story appropriately for an intended Stage 6 English context. Tip: You must be signed in to your web browser with your school email account to access this spreadsheet, scroll through the Sheet up & down, right & left, scroll to the right for the URL link that will take you directly to ePlatform where you can borrow the ebook or audiobook. (Alternatively just go to:https://smithshillhighschool.wheelers.co/browse/category/fyb).
Places to Find Short Stories
State Library of NSW
A great source of high quality short stories is through databases accessible via the State Library of NSW. If you do not have a membership card already, you can obtain one typically within a day or so.
To sign up for a Library card click here or https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-and-collections/get-library-card/sign-library-card. If you are not familiar with using the State Library of NSW website, there is a tutorial here.
Once you have a membership to the State Library of NSW and your membership number, jump to their databases, click here to access SLNSW databases.
Key databases to access short stroies include:
"Books and Authors (Gale)" -excellent database for short stories and novels. Try a 'title' search or 'keyword' search for "short stories". Alternatively, in the Books and Authors (Gale) database, look for the "Book Lists" button towards the top right of the screen. This brings up interesting options for Award Winners, Expert Picks and Librarian Favourites; scan or search amongst these for short stories. Full text stories available.
"Australasian Literature : Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands (Alexander Street)" Australasian Literature: Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands Australasian Literature brings together creative works from throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. 1930s to the present. Enriched with interviews, Australasian Literature is an incomparable resource for researchers in the fields of Literature, Creative Writing, Post-Colonial Studies, Immigration Studies, Social Studies, Anthropology, and more. -For Short Stories, just search for "Short Stories", or click on the "Fiction" filter (bottom left of screen) and have an explore. Full text stories available.
"AustLit" Provides access to the Australian Literary Database which covers Australian creative writing and Australian writers. Subjects covered by the database include books, poems, short stories, articles and reviews and can be searched by author, title, genre or award. The database contains records from the 1880s to the current day, with comprehensive coverage from 1988. Document supply NOT available. Useful for HSC English. -This database can be difficult to navigate; going into their advanced search can help, try the drop down option for "Form" and select Short Stories. Not all resources have full text, some are abstract only. Look for "Read Online" buttons that take you to full text.
"BlackWords" Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Writing and Storytelling". This is part of the Auslit database -hard to navigate.
"Informit Literature & Culture Collection (Informit)" This is a huge databased for literature, start with a simple search for "Short Stories". Once inside resources, look for the "PDF" option to view the actual story.
Internet Sources for Short Stories
Living Archive of Aboriginal Languages: A digital archive of endangered literature in Indigenous languages of the Northern Territory
The Living Archive of Aboriginal Languages is a digital archive of endangered literature in Australian Indigenous languages of the Northern Territory. It contains nearly 4000 books in 50 languages from 40 communities available to read online or download freely. On the right hand side of the home page, you might consider clicking on the "English" buton to select stories that also have English translations... click here to access.
Internet Archive Open Library
Millions of free books and short are available free through controlled lending... read more here.
Bibliomania
"Short stories are often considered to be the most perfect form of fiction writing, and nearly every author of merit has many great tales to their name. We feature some of the most famous authors of short stories such as O. Henry, Saki (Hector Monro), Rudyard Kipling, H.G. Wells, Oscar Wilde, Jack London and Henry James"... read more here.
The New Yorker (magazine) - Fiction
I have no idea about this as a source, speak to the inestimable Mr Cutler, he knows the New Yorker... read more here.
Podcasts with Short Stories
The Chronicles of Now
The Chronicles of Now uses fiction to offer a new way of understanding the headlines, stories, and people shaping our world. They commission major authors to write short stories inspired by news of the day. They pair those fictional works with essential sidebars that explain the basic facts, background, and context for each news story. They conclude each package with a curated list of essential long-form journalism, podcasts, and videos on the subject for those who want to dig deeper.
New Yorker Fiction Podcast
A monthly reading and conversation with the New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman.
Basically, a famous author chooses a story by another author that has been previously published in The New Yorker. They discuss it with The NY fiction editor, then read it, then discuss again. Kinda like a book club... sorta. Here is the editors Top Ten. And for the rest: click here
More Podcasts With or About Short Stories
For all of the following, choose wisely and choose appropriate content for your age and context, some of these sources may list less appropriate content:
The Guardian Newspaper: https://www.theguardian.com/books/series/short-stories-podcast
BBC Radio 4 Short Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05ftsd3/episodes/downloads
Feedspot Top 20 Short Story Podcasts: https://blog.feedspot.com/short_story_podcasts/
Why Should you Write Short Stories.pdfPlaces to Read About Short Stories
Literary Terms and Definitions
The Victorian Short Story: a Brief History
Introduction to the Genre: Short Story and Novella. "There have always been "stories," of course; examples of short fiction — simple, straightforward narratives in prose or verse —are to be found in the folktales, ballads, fables, myths and legends of all nations and cultures. At first they were circulated and passed on as part of an oral tradition; later they were written down, and with the advent of printing in the fifteenth century, published and sold... read more here.
Thought Co's Short Stories Analysis and Discussion
Sometimes the best stories come in the smallest packages. Keep it short and sweet with expert analyses of new and classic short stories... read more here.
The World at an Angle: Reasons to Love Short Stories
Written by Daisy Johnson, author and judge of the BBC national short story award, explains how the form can work wonders beyond the novel... read more here.
Short Fiction Forms: Novella, Novelette, Short Story, and Flash Fiction Defined
When it comes to fiction, a short narrative can be found in many forms, from a slim book to just a few sentences. Short fiction forms can generally be broken down based on word count... read more here.