If you’ve been following Flowery Prose for a while, you’ll know that I LOOOOOVE all forms of short stories. I publish flash fiction by many amazing authors over at Paper Butterfly Flash Fiction, and I occasionally write short stories myself. (If there were more than 24 hours in a day, I’d write quite a few more!). But I have an especially soft spot for reading short stories…and I particularly adore science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The more eclectic and inventive, the better!
If you love short stories as much as I do (especially speculative fiction), give these sites a try! I am a first reader for Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores, a longtime print subscriber to On Spec (which is based out of Edmonton, in my home province of Alberta), and I’ve had my work published in Polar Borealis and 365 Tomorrows. Sites such as Daily Science Fiction are fun because you can have them send you one story each day – a treat to go with your morning coffee! (Every Day Fiction is another source of daily stories, as their publishing schedule permits – and they publish all genres, not just speculative fiction).
On Spec (Canadian; print and digital editions available for a subscription fee)
Polar Borealis (Canadian; online only, free to read but donations welcomed)
Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores (must pay to subscribe, but they always have a free sample story up on the website to enjoy; a new feature are the podcasts, which you can listen to for free!)
365 Tomorrows (free to read!)
The Martian Magazine (free to read; The Martian publishes drabbles (fiction of 100 words or less) so you can gobble down several of these in one sitting)
Daily Science Fiction (free; if you give them your email address, they’ll gift you with a new story five days a week!)
Every Day Fiction (free; subscribe by email. New stories are published frequently)
Paper Butterfly Flash Fiction (of course I have to include this one! Free to read!) – right now, I’m featuring a hilarious gem by Gregg Chamberlain, “Poetic Licence.”
Do you read short stories? Do you subscribe to any short story magazines, or do you prefer book-form anthologies or collections (one author or multiple)? Please share any recommendations you may have – it doesn’t matter where in the world you live!
Flowery Prose 
Thank you, Sheryl. I loved Gregg’s story!
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed Gregg’s story – it’s really fun.
I hope you’re having a wonderful week!
I am Sheryl, thank you. And you too?
Thanks for all this, Sheryl. Writing short stories intimidate me, and I need to read more. so this is lovely. Have a good week, dear Sheryl, and I’m glad to catch up with you, though very late.