How to find a Short Story

• Finding a short story is not as straightforward as finding a novel. There is no one place to search and find all, or even most, short stories.
• Generally, short stories that are no longer under copyright can be quickly found online.
• Generally, short stories that are under copyright can be quickly found in print via an online catalog.
• If you don't know whether your story is under copyright or not, simply continue searching down the list until you have found your short story.
• Happy Searching!!

1. Online Sources

Literature Resources from Gale - An MCHS Subscription Database which has a few short stories.
hint: Search for the title of your story ("name of work"). From your results screen, check if your story comes up under the primary sources tab.

Project Gutenberg - Exists to make available for free, and electronically, the largest possible number of books whose copyright has expired.
hint: On the left side of the screen is the search boxes for Author and Title word(s). Search for the title of your short story.
hint #2: Printing - make sure you only print your short story. The text file you open is usually the entire book, which includes your short story as well as several other short stories.

2. Print Sources

MCHS Alexandria Catalog -    Search here to find a book in the MCHS Library. Then go to the MCHS library and copy your story from that book.
hint: Type in the title of your short story and search All Words. This will allow the catalog to search through the table of contents of books and find the book(s) containing your story.
hint #2: If the above doesn't work, search for books written by the author of your short story. Then look through the results for any books described as or titled as containing short stories. You will then need to find the book and see if it has your short story in it.

Search Your Local Public Library Catalog -    Search your local public library to find a book with your short story in it at their library. Then copy your story from that book. You may either place a hold on the book, using your public library card number, or we can request the book be sent here to the MCHS library for you.
hint: To search PrairieCat, use the Advanced Search page. Enter your author and the title of your short story. Make sure "library" is set to All. The catalog will search through the table of contents of books and find the book(s) containing your story.

3. Still looking ... Stop by the MCHS Library and we will be happy to assist you further  

last updated: 7-31-09