The 2024 Short Story Advent Calendar

Ten years of stories! Yikes, where does the time go?

When the first Short Story Advent Calendar launched, in 2015, we frankly had no clue we’d still be sitting here today, continuing to offer up batches of tasty stories fresh from the oven. To celebrate this milestone, we’ve packed the 10th SSAC with a mix of new and familiar names—ideal company for those chilly winter nights ahead.

Contributors to the 2024 Short Story Advent Calendar include:

Jennifer Croft (The Extinction of Irena Rey)
Carmen Maria Machado (In the Dream House)
Ed Park (Same Bed Different Dreams)
Casey Plett (On Community)
Robin Sloan (Moonbound)
and 20 more!

(This is a collection of literary, non-religious short stories for adults. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.)

First time with us? Welcome! The Short Story Advent Calendar is a deluxe box set of 25 individual short stories that are meant to be opened, one by one, on the days leading up to Christmas. Surprise is what it’s all about, so you won’t know exactly what you’re getting until you open the booklets each morning starting December 1.

Then, after you’ve read that day’s story, check back here to read an exclusive interview with the author about their work. You can also use the hashtag #ssac2024 on Twitter/X and Instagram—we’re @hingstonolsen on both—to chat about the stories with your fellow advent calendarians.

This year we’ve also produced 100 unique, hand-numbered slipcases that have been dyed by Edmonton-based textile artist Cate Kuzik using ebru, the ancient Turkish art of paper marbling.