A home for literary fiction
Discover handpicked fiction from emerging writers. Every story is reviewed by humans. Reading is always free.
Readers & writers
Writers publishing work they're most proud of, an editor reading every submission with care, and readers around the world finding stories they didn't know they needed.
Common questions
Everything you need to know about reading and writing short stories on StorySloth.
StorySloth is a free platform for reading and publishing original short stories. Every story is written by an independent author and reviewed by a human before publication.
Yes, completely free. Every story on StorySloth can be read without creating an account or paying anything. We believe great fiction should be accessible to everyone.
We feature short stories across all genres including literary fiction, horror, romance, science fiction, mystery, fantasy, thriller, comedy, drama, and many more. You can browse by genre, tone, audience, or format.
Sign up for free, become an author, and use our built-in editor to write and submit your story. Every submission goes through human review before publication. There are no fees to publish.
Readers can voluntarily "Adopt a Sloth" — a subscription that quietly rewards authors based on how much their stories are read. Verified authors receive monthly payouts.
Stories range from flash fiction (under 1,000 words) to longer short stories (up to 10,000 words). Most can be read in 5 to 20 minutes — perfect for a commute, a lunch break, or bedtime reading.
Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ or get in touch.
For writers
Publish for free, get reviewed by humans, and earn when Sloths read your work. No fees, no gatekeepers — just your words finding their audience.
Fresh off the press
After their breakup, Peculiar returns to apologize and asks Lisa for another chance. Although she still has feelings for him, she's afraid of getting hurt again. Now, she's confused and asks her readers whether she should take him back or move on.
Lisa Dominic
Aletta, a celebrated travelling violinist, believes her treasured instrument is the source of her gift. When an accident destroys the violin, she is devastated and fears she has lost her identity and talent forever. With the support of her mother and a kind trader named Hai, she learns that true artistry comes from the musician, not the instrument, and finds hope, healing, and love.
Abdullah Iqbal
A father desperate to give his son the birthday he deserves takes to the streets selling dusters. But as doors close and desperation takes hold, how much of himself will he sacrifice to keep one promise?
Steven Bruce
What happens when the passing of time doesn't have many names?
a story that makes you want more of the world it holds.
'And yet, Sol touched her hands anyway, even if she knew. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she didn’t.' P.S. this is a short story born out of the desire to write something longer. I would love some feedback on whether there's something here! Thank you so much :) xxx
Isabel Sofia Pias Diaz
When Eleanor Whitmore returns to Wrenford to settle her late mother's affairs, she expects a quiet visit. Instead, an unexpected reunion with her former piano teacher brings an invitation to perform once more. As old memories and forgotten feelings resurface, Eleanor must confront the dreams she abandoned, the love she left behind, and the life she might have lived. Some things may be lost to time, but not everything has to remain forgotten.
Elendionne Linwood
In a city built on romance, Ava faces the hardest decision of her life: leaving the man she still loves. Torn between the comfort of a life they've built together and the dreams she buried along the way, she must find the courage to choose herself, even if it means breaking both their hearts.
Elendionne LinwoodWrite together
Story ideas to get you writing. Read what others wrote, then add your own.
Everyone in the world is granted exactly three minutes of being famous, and your character's three minutes start now. Write what happens before, during, and after.
Prompt by StorySloth
DTucked between the pages of a borrowed library book is a handwritten note, clearly meant for a stranger. Write the story of the person who finds it, and what they decide to do next.
Prompt by StorySloth
DYour character wakes up with a genuine, undeniable superpower, and it is utterly, gloriously useless. Write the day they discover exactly how useless it is.
Prompt by StorySloth
CBrowse by genre
Popular this week
A father desperate to give his son the birthday he deserves takes to the streets selling dusters. But as doors close and desperation takes hold, how much of himself will he sacrifice to keep one promise?
Steven Bruce'And yet, Sol touched her hands anyway, even if she knew. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she didn’t.' P.S. this is a short story born out of the desire to write something longer. I would love some feedback on whether there's something here! Thank you so much :) xxx
Isabel Sofia Pias DiazWhat happens when the passing of time doesn't have many names?
Aletta, a celebrated travelling violinist, believes her treasured instrument is the source of her gift. When an accident destroys the violin, she is devastated and fears she has lost her identity and talent forever. With the support of her mother and a kind trader named Hai, she learns that true artistry comes from the musician, not the instrument, and finds hope, healing, and love.
Abdullah IqbalAfter their breakup, Peculiar returns to apologize and asks Lisa for another chance. Although she still has feelings for him, she's afraid of getting hurt again. Now, she's confused and asks her readers whether she should take him back or move on.
Lisa Dominic
And, okay, yeah, maybe she’d been more fatigued than usual, but not enough to warrant a hospital visit. But now here she was, hooked up to a machine once again...
Nick
Mother and son wanting to stay together forever might have to leave eachother.
What do you do with your dead father's last breath?
Feeling lucky?
Not sure what to read next? Let us surprise you.
Listen & enjoy
A short story of mine (Title Tells All)(Book cover wouldn’t let me move title to middle)
J.G.Thomas
A message from a friend. Will it save him?
RjS
A story about a high schooler who did a funny idea but eventually got in trouble for it.
On a plane that was bound for Gibraltar.....
Sometimes it only takes a few minutes before you realise you've made a bad decision.
A document from an alternate history.
Euan Wilson
Spooky poem for Halloween
Jim gets advice on his love life.
Join the conversation
Release your Sloth
