Short Story Minibooks

Print and fold your choice of 10 different stories into 2 x 4 inch, 16 page minibooks.  The stories are available as PDFs to print front-and-back on a single sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper. You then fold, cut, and staple the paper to create your books.

These stories by great authors are in the U.S. public domain, so you can download, print, and distribute them freely in the United States. If you are outside the U.S., please check your local laws before downloading.

Stories 

• "The Case of the Missing Will" by Agatha Christie. Inspector Poirot is called to investigate on behalf of an independant-minded woman who may be cheated out of an inheritance from a chauvinistic uncle.
• "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe. The classic tale of revenge and duplicity from the greatest horror writer of the 19th century.
• "The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune" by Robert E. Howard. The creator of Conan pens this fantasy story of King Kull and his escape from the boredom of ruling a kingdom.
• "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain. One of the great humorist's most well-known works, this tall tale still has the power to bring a smile to your face.
• "Postmark Ganymede" by Robert Silverberg.  Pulp fiction featuring spaceships and adventure from the Hugo and Nebula award-winning master of sci-fi.
• "A Horseman in the Sky" by Ambrose Bierce.  A Union lookout in the Civil War spots a lone Rebel horseman in a tense confrontation. 
• "Gift of the Magi" by O Henry. Probably the best Christmas story ever, this a great read no matter the time of year.
• "A Vintage from Atlantis" by Clark Ashton Smith. This pirate yarn takes a weird turn when the buccaneers find a jar of wine from an ancient civilization.
• "The Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton. Equal parts romance and suspense, the ending will be turning over in your head for days.
• "The Lumber Room" by Saki.  A young boy ventures into a forbidden room in this witty story by one of the masters of short literature.

Instructions

1. Print the two pages of the PDF on one sheet of paper, front and back. If your printer does not print front and back, print one side, then reload the paper to print the back. The second page of the story should be immediately behind the title page.
2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise so that side with the title page is on top. You should now have a 4 inch by 11.5 inch paper with the title page showing (see first picture).
3. Fold the paper in half again so that the left hand side goes beneath the title page. You should now have a 4 inch by 5.75 in paper with the title page showing (see second picture).
4. Now fold one last time so that the last page is in the back and the title page is showing. You should end up with a 4 inch 2 7/8 inch book (see third picture, bottom).
5. You can fold a sheet of heavier stock colored paper twice, then cut along the fold lines to create a cover (see third picture top), or you can leave your book uncovered.
6. Carefully staple along the last fold line (see fourth picture).
7. Cut about 1/8 inch from the top and right hand sides of the book using a set of large scissors or a paper cutter.
8. Open your book and enjoy!