One of my favorite ways of spending a weekend is getting comfortable on my couch and reading for hours, usually historical fiction. When I don’t have enough time to settle into a novel, I’ll read flash fiction, short stories, and novellas instead. And then there are just days when I need a quick jolt of historical fiction, and it’s short fiction to the rescue!

This month I’m sharing links to some of the historical fiction short story anthologies I’ve read and loved, those I’d like to read, and those that I’m just learning about. I’m also including anthologies from your blog hosts, the Paper Lantern Writers (PLW); we’re releasing our third anthology, Destiny Comes Due, on November 1st!

Thanks to PLW authors Linda Ulleseit, Mari Christi, Edie Cay, and Anne Beggs for sharing their short story favorites. Except where noted, all anthology descriptions are from Amazon. And here’s a suggestion to all of you anthology authors…how about creating a website or webpage just for your anthology? It’s so hard to find out anything about you or your story from just the Amazon listing!

As always, if you have suggestions for historical fiction short story anthologies I’ve missed, or know of anthologies being published soon, please add your info in the comments.

Short Stories

A Point in Time ~ “How quickly the ground shifts beneath our feet. We make choices—in the face of love, or violence, or necessity—and the effects ripple outward. In these moving short stories, acclaimed authors examine the foundations of the past, uncovering the irreversible decisions and life-changing encounters that mark the turning point between before and after.” Looks like this collection is free for Amazon Prime members! Martha Hall Kelly, Paul McLain, Olivia Hawker, Esi Edugyan, Fiona Davis, Thomas Keanally, Jesmyn Ward, authors.

Alternate Endings: A Short Story Anthology of Historical What Ifs ~ “We all know the past is the past, but what if you could change history? Dive into a collection of eight short stories exploring the alternate endings of events set in ancient Rome, Britain, the United States, and France.” Samantha Wilcoxson, Sharon Bennett Connolly, Michael Ross, Cathie Dunn, Karen Heenan, Salina B Baker, Virginia Crow, Elizabeth K Corbett, Authors

Beneath a Midwinter Moon ~ “It may be cold outside, but inside this shining anthology, the Paper Lantern Writers bring you warm and engaging reflections of holiday celebrations across seven centuries. Eleven stories span across the United States, India and Europe, showing courage, fortitude and love, all illuminated by the midwinter moon.” Anne M. Beggs, Ana Brazil, Edie Cay, Mariana Christie, Rebecca D’Harlingue, C.V. Lee, Kathryn Pritchett, Jonathan Posner, Michael Ross, Linda Ulleseit, Vanitha Sankaran, Authors.

Colonial Horrors: Sleepy Hollow and Beyond  ~ “This anthology of classic colonial suspense fiction plunges deep into the native soil from which American horror literature first sprang. While European writers of the Gothic and bizarre evoked ruined castles and crumbling abbeys, their American counterparts looked back to the Colonial era’s stifling religion and its dark and threatening woods.”  Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, James Fenimore Cooper, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry James, H. P. Lovecraft, Authors

Dark Side of the Loon: Where History Meets Mystery ~ ‘Minnesota nice” casts a long shadow. Dark emotions and even darker thoughts seep from these murky depths, harvested by writers whose stories take us down in flames, up in smoke, and leave us helplessly entranced by the haunting call of the loon.”  Sheyna Galyan, Christina Glendenning, Editors.

Destiny Comes Due (Coming on November 1st 2024) ~ “Within this fast-paced anthology of historical short stories and novelettes, each protagonist must face their own day of reckoning: a day when decisions must be made and action taken. Including a duplicitous Renaissance priest, an outraged Civil War widow, a jealous 17th century nobleman, and an ambitious ‘50s dress designer, ten compelling protagonists embrace or deny the darkness within to displace rivals, conceal indiscretions, wreak vengeance, and justify evil deeds. Confronted with the consequences of their choices, they find their own destinies–some good, others bad, and a few to the depths of despair. Across the United States, to India and Europe, from medieval Ireland to the Golden Age of Hollywood, ten suspenseful stories take the reader past the point of no return.” Anne M. Beggs, Ana Brazil, Edie Cay, Mari Christie, Rebecca D’Harlingue, C.V. Lee, Jonathan Posner, Kathryn Pritchett, Vanitha Sankaran, Linda Ulleseit, Authors.

Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women ~ The twenty-three stories in this collection depict ordinary women—from the 1470s to the 1970s—who meet life’s challenges with fierce determination…Foreign invaders, rigid domestic authorities, strictures of society and religion, the supernatural, and love and family bonds all serve as catalysts for the feisty women in these tales.” Kimberly Sullivan, Elaine Aucoin Schroller, Carolyn Korsmeyer, Kay Smith-Blum, Christy Matheson, Joan Fernandez, Patty W. Warren, Beth Anne Hill, Della Leavitt, Kim Gottlieb-Walker, Authors.

 

 

Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion ~ “On any particular day, thousands upon thousands of people pass through Grand Central, through the whispering gallery, beneath the ceiling of stars, and past the information booth and its beckoning four-faced clock, to whatever destination is calling them. It is a place where people come to say hello and good-bye. And each person has a story to tell…. Ten bestselling authors inspired by New York City’s iconic Grand Central Terminal have created their own stories, set on the same day, just after the end of World War II, in a time of hope, uncertainty, change, and renewal….” Karen White, Jenna Blum, Sarah Jio, Melanie Benjamin, Sarah McCoy, Alyson Richman, Authors.

Masterworks: Historical Short Fiction Inspired by Works of Art ~ “Imagine what stories might be revealed in the history of famous works of art. Through their short stories, you will be transported back in time to the magnificence of works of art from ancient Mesopotamia to nineteenth century America, exploring the people, events, and emotions that may have inspired incredible works of art.” Stephanie Churchill, Ronan Beckman, Virginia Crow, Kathleen Guler, Lars D.H. Hedbor, Joanne Major, Melissa Speed, Eleanor Swift-Hook, Gareth Williams, Tempest Wright, Samantha Wilcoxson, Authors.

Rejoice and Resist: Timely Tales of the Final Draft Tavern ~ “Enjoy a drink in the Final Draft Tavern. Will you emerge in your own time? Or another? The Marchand family and their cat, Whiskey, guide rebels and dissenters, heroes and villains, artists and lovers backward and forward through time. Seven short stories of drama, women’s fiction, historical fiction, time travel, paranormal, and romance unite our characters in resistance to tyranny and celebration of the right to speak truth to power.” Mari Anne Christie, Beverly Diehl, Larry Hogue, Andra Jenkin, Jude Knight, Quenby Olson, Jennifer Senhaji, Authors

Sherlock Holmes: A Detective’s Life ~ “Twelve Sherlock Holmes short stories [spanning] Holmes’s entire career, from the early days in Baker Street to retirement on the South Downs…these Sherlock stories feature a woman haunted by the ghost of a rival actress, Moriarty’s son looking for revenge, Oscar Wilde’s lost manuscript, a woman framing her husband for murder, Mycroft’s encounter with Moriarty and Colonel Moran, and many more!” Peter Swanson, Cara Black, James Lovegrove, Andrew Lane, Philip Purser-Hallard, David Stuart Davies, Eric Brown, Stuart Douglas, Amy Thomas, Derrick Belanger, Cavan Scott, David Marcum, Authors.

Short Stories of the Civil Rights Movement ~ During the civil rights era, masses of people marched in the streets, boycotted stores, and registered to vote. Others challenged racism in ways more solitary but no less life changing. These twenty-three stories give a voice to the nameless, ordinary citizens without whom the movement would have failed. Ten stories were written during the 1960s. That the others were written long after the movement’s heyday suggests the potency of that time as a continuing source of creative inspiration. Margaret Earley Whitt, Editor.

Stories from Juniper Falls ~ 1882, Juniper Falls, Wyoming Territory: love blooms and mysteries are solved. Strong men learn to be patient and cowed women lean into their strengths. A.T. Butler, Author.

Stories from Suffragette City ~ “A collection of short stories that all take place on a single day: October 23, 1915. It’s the day when tens of thousands of women marched up Fifth Avenue, demanding the right to vote in New York City. Thirteen of today’s bestselling authors have taken this moment as inspiration to raise the voices of history and breathe fresh life into their struggles and triumphs.” M. J. Rose, Fiona Davis, Editors.

The Book of Extraordinary Historical Mystery Stories ~ ”Outstanding new stories of crime, dering do, fast-paced adventures and puzzles set in the past, ranging widely over the centuries and offering a cornucopia of mysteries, dark deeds, investigations and a fascinating array of investigators both professional and amateur.” Maxim Jakubowski, Editor.

Underdogs of Japanese History: 11 tales of iconic characters who prevailed against the odds… or didn’t ~ “Japanese history holds a wealth of underrated figures, each with an inspiring story of perseverance and determination that remains untold. Embark on a journey to relive eleven life stories of resilience and triumph of eleven remarkable underdogs.” Kyota Ko, Author.

Unlocked ~ “In much the same manner as Pandora, each Paper Lantern Writer takes a turn opening an old wooden chest, digging out stories spanning seven centuries. The individuals in these tales—heroes, villains, and in between—are more than people from the past. Whether they are making mayhem, waging war, or quietly holding their families together, their strength and fortitude shines on the page. From the Swinging Seventies to the Middle Ages, these characters gather, keep, and spill the secrets of their souls.” Edie Cay, Ana Brazil, Mari Anne Christie, Rebecca D’Harlingue, Linda Ulleseit, Anne Beggs, Kathryn Pritchett, C.V. Lee, Authors.

When the World Was Young: A Prehistoric Anthology ~ “The invention of writing postdates, invariably, the invention of storytelling. After all, what purpose is there to writing, until you have something to write down? Excavate these writings, then. Decipher them carefully. Let them, at last, convince you to forget writing until instead they sit across the fire, speaking to you oral traditions, folktales, and of days long, long past When the World Was Young.” Madison Scott-Clary, J.S. Hawthorne, Rob MacWolf, NightEyes DaySpring, Haya Baru, Pascal Farful, SakaraFox, Utunu, Alice “Huskyteer” Dryden, J.F.R. Coates, Thomas “Faux” Steele, Casimir Laski, Kayode Lycaon, Rose LaCroix, Authors.

Longer Short Stories, AKA Novellas

At the Duke’s Wedding: A romance anthology ~ “As society gathers at Kingstag Castle for the wedding of the year, matrimony is in the air. But who will be the bride? With swoonworthy lords, witty ladies, eccentric relatives, and a gaggle of free-spirited girls—not to mention the world’s best high perch phaeton—it’s a recipe for mayhem … and romance.” Caroline Linden, Katharine Ashe, Miranda Neville, Maya Rodale, Authors

The Deadly Hours ~ “A stellar line-up of historical mystery novelists weaves the tale of a priceless and cursed gold watch as it passes through time wreaking havoc from one owner to another. From 1733 Italy to Edinburgh in 1831 to a series of chilling murders in 1870 London, and a lethal game of revenge decades later, the watch touches lives with misfortune, until it comes into the reach of one young woman who might be able to stop it for good.” Susanna Kearsley, C.S. Harris, Anna Lee Huber, Christine Trent, Authors.

The Grand Mistletoe Assembly: a Regency Christmas romance anthology ~ “Cuddling under mistletoe, fine lace, snowy linen, and true love to be found in the flickering light of a hundred gas lamps. Pearler House is bedecked for the holidays and everyone is attending the event of a lifetime. Experience the joy of the season with six all-new tales of passion. Some are sweet, some are spicy, all will capture your heart.” Sara Adrien, Nina Jarrett, Edie Cay, Pamela Gibson, Jemma Frost, Tanya Wilde, Authors.

Lord John and the Hand of Devils ~ “Three mystery-adventure novellas…spanning 1756 to 1758, in settings packed with dark secrets—and therefore dangers—for the soldier-hero with secrets of his own.” (Publisher’s Wwekly). Diana Gabaldon, Author.

Ribbons of Scarlet ~ “In late eighteenth-century France, women do not have a place in politics. But as the tide of revolution rises, women from gilded salons to the streets of Paris decide otherwise–upending a world order that has long oppressed them.” Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, E. Knight, Sophie Perinot, Heather Webb, Authors.

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