The story shelf

Follow your curiosity.

A name you know. A mood you’re in. Ten minutes to yourself. Start anywhere.

50 stories · Selected from the catalog · Page 3 of 3

Science fiction

The Piper

On a colonized, dying Mars, an exiled musician plays a tune that may summon a violent reckoning for Earth’s occupiers.

7 min · Foreboding

More details

Themes: Empire & colonialism · Rebellion · Art & artists
Settings: The countryside · Other worlds
Tone: Earnest
Style: Lyrical · Descriptive
Pace: Measured
Written for: For adults
Craft: Told in dialogue

Writing Class

Robert Sheckley

A student in a celebrated writing course objects to his professor’s rules for describing aliens and other planets.

4 min · Humorous

More details

Themes: Art & artists · Appearance vs reality
Settings: Schools
Tone: Deadpan
Style: Plain · Conversational
Pace: Brisk
Written for: For adults
Craft: Told in dialogue