I need a good short story!

[Wielder]

Hey all,

Does anyone have a solid short story that they could recommend?  Fantasy preferably...though I'm also up for anything comic (a combination of the two would be awesome ).  Anywhere between like 10-30 pages would work perfectly.

I have been trying to get a copy of Dreamsongs by George R.R. Martin, but no one seems to have it in stock in our area. 

Thanks!

[Reaves]

I know Brandon released a short story for free via the internet recently, in a sci-fi type setting. It definitely wasn't any more than thirty pages. I recommend it wholeheartedly! (The first page, maybe two is a little awkwardly written in bits in my humble opinion, but the rest is pure awesome.) I think it might have been called Firstborn, but I'm not sure.

[Silk]

Yeah, it was "Firstborn", which I think is more of a novella (novlette?) than a short story. Either way, you can find it here: http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=story&id=10489

I'd recommend "The Girl Who Sang Rose Madder" by Elizabeth Bear, also on Tor.com. It's substantially shorter (though yes, Firstborn is awesome), and Bear has this amazingly compact writing. Worth checking out.

http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=story&id=5004

[Wielder]

I think Reaves is referring to "Firstborn", which I think is more of a novella (novlette?) than a short story. Either way, you can find it here: http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=story&id=10489

I'd recommend "The Girl Who Sang Rose Madder" by Elizabeth Bear, also on Tor.com. It's substantially shorter (though yes, Firstborn is awesome), and Bear has this amazingly compact writing. Worth checking out.

http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=story&id=5004

Thanks!  And yes, actually...I would use Firstborn if I could.  I LOVE that story.  But, it's far too long.  I'll check out "The Girl Who Sang Rose Madder" out right now.

[Silk]

No problem. I'm always happy to push my reading tastes on people.

[Wielder]

No problem. I'm always happy to push my reading tastes on people.

Sorry it took me so long to reply to this.  I have been crazy busy, then I forgot my TWG login info....

I read the story, and I actually loved it.  I'm definitely a big fan of music, and I loved the way this story viewed the big timers.   Although, I didn't use it for the class, because I didn't think it fit well enough.

Instead, I found Niel Gaiman, who is a fantastic author.  I picked up two of his short story collections (Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile things) and I presented on the story "We Can Get Them For You Wholesale."  Amazing stuff.  If you haven't checked Gaiman out yet, I suggest you do the first moment you get.  He has plenty of stories available online, so you can check it out. 

Also, if you'd like to read  "We Can Get Them For You Wholesale," I got the story PDF'd, so just PM me with an email address and I can get you a copy. 

[Silk]

I'm glad you liked it, even if it didn't work out for class.

I've read three of Gaiman's novels, but none of his short fiction, so far.

[ErikHolmes]

I recommend "Boobs" by Suzy McKee Charnas. Maybe it's not the best, but hey, its called boobs. Also, it won the Hugo, and I think the Nebula.

Other then that, any short story by Roger Zelazny is awesome. Permafrost and Manna from Heaven were two of my favorites.

In general though, when I am looking for a good short story, I start with the ones that have won the Hugo or Nebula, and a work my way through those first.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_joint_winners_of_the_Hugo_and_Nebula_awards#Short_Story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Award_for_Best_Short_Story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebula_Award_for_Best_Short_Story

[Wielder]

I'm glad you liked it, even if it didn't work out for class.

I've read three of Gaiman's novels, but none of his short fiction, so far.

Check them out when you get a chance.  It's a bit odd sometimes, but I like odd. 

Neil Gaiman Short Stroies

A Study in Emerald is Great, as is How To Talk To Girls At Parties.  I wish he had some of his other ones on there. 

I recommend "Boobs" by Suzy McKee Charnas. Maybe it's not the best, but hey, its called boobs. Also, it won the Hugo, and I think the Nebula.

Other then that, any short story by Roger Zelazny is awesome. Permafrost and Manna from Heaven were two of my favorites.

In general though, when I am looking for a good short story, I start with the ones that have won the Hugo or Nebula, and a work my way through those first.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_joint_winners_of_the_Hugo_and_Nebula_awards#Short_Story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Award_for_Best_Short_Story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebula_Award_for_Best_Short_Story

I've read "Boobs," and it was indeed a great story.  I'll have to check some of that other stuff out as well.