Ten Classic Sci-Fi Stories,
Read Like a Writer.
Asimov, Bradbury, Pohl, Verne, Laumer — ten public-domain sci-fi stories, chosen not just for the ideas but for the craft. Study how each one opens, paces its reveal, and lands its ending in a handful of pages. Drop your email and we'll send the full PDF to your inbox.
Or skip straight to an idea — Sci-Fi Writing Prompt Generator →Free forever · Sent instantly · One-click unsubscribe
Short stories from the golden age of science fiction
Between roughly 1935 and the early 1960s, a generation of writers worked out almost everything science fiction would go on to be — first contact, robot ethics, simulated reality, surveillance dystopia, faster-than-light travel, the unthinkable. And they did it in a few thousand words at a time.
This collection gathers ten of the cleanest, sharpest examples in the public domain — not just to read, but to study. Notice where each writer opens the scene, how long they wait to reveal the twist, and how little they explain. Then, when you're ready, generate your own idea with the Sci-Fi Writing Prompt Generator.
Get the full sci-fi collection now
Ten classic sci-fi short stories, typeset for comfortable reading on phone, tablet or e-reader — and worth a second read once you know what to look for. Sent the moment you hit Download.
Common questions
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Yes — every story in the collection is in the public domain (with the exception of the original piece by Ben Luxon, included by the author). Drop your email and we'll send the full PDF straight to your inbox.
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Because reading well is part of writing well. These ten stories are short enough to study in one sitting — structure, pacing, and all — and each comes with a craft note pointing at what to notice. Pair it with the Sci-Fi Writing Prompt Generator when you're ready to write your own.
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Please do. These are public-domain classics — share, print, email, bring it to a workshop. The more writers reading closely, the better.
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A single PDF optimised for both screen and print. If you'd prefer EPUB, reply to the welcome email and we'll send over a version.
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No. You'll get the stories, plus occasional notes from Writing Desk on craft and features — never more than once a week, and one-click to unsubscribe.
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