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“The Best Happy Short Stories
While conflict is essential to good storytelling, it doesn’t need to manifest itself as “two characters shouting at each other in a bar.” All you need is a relatable character with an inherent need that they’re hoping to fulfill. They may need to make some sacrifices along the way, but perhaps with the help of good friends and a can-do attitude, they get what they need.
Happy stories can take many forms and can span almost any genre. They can take place in a medieval castle, a modern-day hospital, or even in a galaxy far, far away. The one thing that unites them is a sense of positivity and hope that will hopefully infect even the most stone-faced of readers.
Where can I get my hands on happy short stories?
We’re so glad you asked! Every week, hundreds of short stories are submitted to Reedsy’s writing contest. Each entry is based on a writing prompt set by our team and shortlisted by a panel of judges. This page collects every story that has been tagged as “happy” by the writer, with shortlisted (and prize-winning) pieces featured right at the top. We also compile the cream of the crop for publication in Prompted, our new literary magazine!
If you like any of these stories, just ‘follow’ the writer and you’ll be notified whenever they publish their next mini-masterpiece. Reedsy’s short story collection is home to some of the best new talent on the web, so don’t be surprised if you find a future bestseller right here.
