One Teen Story Teen Writing Contest Submission Guidelines: One Teen Story publishes 3 stories a year and considers submissions from teen writers ages 13-19. For a list of writers we have published in the past and short samples of their stories, please visit our past issues page.

We’re excited to announce our newest One Teen Story Contest! Through December 2nd, we’re asking writers ages 13-19 to enter their original, unpublished fiction. We are interested in great short stories of any genre about the teen experience—literary, fantasy, sci-fi, love stories, horror, etc. What’s in a great short story? Interesting teen characters, strong writing, and a beginning, middle, and end.

Guidelines:

• To enter, you must be between the ages of 13-19 as of December 2nd, 2024.
• Short stories should be between 2,000 to 4,500 words and be the writer’s own original, previously unpublished work.
• Previously published stories and stories forthcoming at other publications cannot be considered. This includes stories that have been self-published online on personal websites or other publishing platforms, including blogs and school publications.
• By submitting your work, you are acknowledging that it is your own creation, that it has not been borrowed from any other person’s work (including film, video, and online content), that it has not been created with any assistance from AI tools or software, and that the characters and situations are of your own invention.
• Stories should have teens as their main characters and be about the teen experience.
• No entry fee is required.
• Only one submission per person.
• One Teen Story reserves the right to approve all final, edited content.
• A parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form for One Teen Story to publish the names of winners who are under the age of 18 on our website and social media platforms.
• A parent must sign a consent form for One Teen Story to publish the names of the winners and honorable mentions on our website.
• You must submit through Submittable.
• Proof of age must be provided by all winners and finalists.

For more information, please visit our website.

One Teen Story Teen Writing Contest Submission Guidelines: One Teen Story publishes 3 stories a year and considers submissions from teen writers ages 13-19. For a list of writers we have published in the past and short samples of their stories, please visit our past issues page.

We’re excited to announce our newest One Teen Story Contest! Through December 2nd, we’re asking writers ages 13-19 to enter their original, unpublished fiction. We are interested in great short stories of any genre about the teen experience—literary, fantasy, sci-fi, love stories, horror, etc. What’s in a great short story? Interesting teen characters, strong writing, and a beginning, middle, and end.

Guidelines:

• To enter, you must be between the ages of 13-19 as of December 2nd, 2024.
• Short stories should be between 2,000 to 4,500 words and be the writer’s own original, previously unpublished work.
• Previously published stories and stories forthcoming at other publications cannot be considered. This includes stories that have been self-published online on personal websites or other publishing platforms, including blogs and school publications.
• By submitting your work, you are acknowledging that it is your own creation, that it has not been borrowed from any other person’s work (including film, video, and online content), that it has not been created with any assistance from AI tools or software, and that the characters and situations are of your own invention.
• Stories should have teens as their main characters and be about the teen experience.
• No entry fee is required.
• Only one submission per person.
• One Teen Story reserves the right to approve all final, edited content.
• A parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form for One Teen Story to publish the names of winners who are under the age of 18 on our website and social media platforms.
• A parent must sign a consent form for One Teen Story to publish the names of the winners and honorable mentions on our website.
• You must submit through Submittable.
• Proof of age must be provided by all winners and finalists.

For more information, please visit our website.

One Teen Story Teen Writing Contest Submission Guidelines: One Teen Story publishes 3 stories a year and considers submissions from teen writers ages 13-19. For a list of writers we have published in the past and short samples of their stories, please visit our past issues page.

We’re excited to announce our newest One Teen Story Contest! Through December 2nd, we’re asking writers ages 13-19 to enter their original, unpublished fiction. We are interested in great short stories of any genre about the teen experience—literary, fantasy, sci-fi, love stories, horror, etc. What’s in a great short story? Interesting teen characters, strong writing, and a beginning, middle, and end.

Guidelines:

• To enter, you must be between the ages of 13-19 as of December 2nd, 2024.
• Short stories should be between 2,000 to 4,500 words and be the writer’s own original, previously unpublished work.
• Previously published stories and stories forthcoming at other publications cannot be considered. This includes stories that have been self-published online on personal websites or other publishing platforms, including blogs and school publications.
• By submitting your work, you are acknowledging that it is your own creation, that it has not been borrowed from any other person’s work (including film, video, and online content), that it has not been created with any assistance from AI tools or software, and that the characters and situations are of your own invention.
• Stories should have teens as their main characters and be about the teen experience.
• No entry fee is required.
• Only one submission per person.
• One Teen Story reserves the right to approve all final, edited content.
• A parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form for One Teen Story to publish the names of winners who are under the age of 18 on our website and social media platforms.
• A parent must sign a consent form for One Teen Story to publish the names of the winners and honorable mentions on our website.
• You must submit through Submittable.
• Proof of age must be provided by all winners and finalists.

For more information, please visit our website.

One Story Submission Guidelines
One Story’s Fall 2024 submission period will open on November 1 and close when we reach our submissions cap. Submitters are only permitted to submit one story per submission period.

What kinds of stories is One Story looking for?
One Story is seeking literary fiction. Because of our format, we can only accept stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words. They can be any style and on any subject as long as they are good. We are looking for stories that leave readers feeling satisfied and are strong enough to stand alone.

Does One Story pay?
Yes. One Story pays $500 and 25 contributors copies for First Serial North American rights. All rights will revert to the author following publication.

Does One Story accept previously published material?
No. One Story is looking for previously unpublished material. However, if a story has been published in print outside of North America, it will be considered. Stories previously published online—on blogs, personal websites, online literary magazines, or other forums—will not be considered.

Does One Story accept simultaneous submissions?
Yes, but please withdraw your submission immediately if your submission is accepted for publication elsewhere.
 

What file types can I submit?
We accept PDF, RTF, DOC, and DOCX files. Please include the story title and all writer contact info on the first page of the submitted file.

Will you send me comments on my story?
No. One Story receives over 5000 submissions a year. Unfortunately,  we do not have time to comment on individual stories.

Can I change the story I submitted with an updated draft?
We strongly prefer that you only send us final drafts, but if you must upload a new version, please withdraw your submission through Submittable and resubmit.

Can I send a revision of a story that was previously rejected?
No. Please send us new work. Revisions of previously rejected stories will not be considered and will be automatically declined.

Do you consider translations?
Yes. Please include the name of the original author and language, as well as the name of the translator on the first page of your submission.

How soon can I expect to hear about my submission?
We do our very best to respond to submissions within 3 months after they are received. If you don’t hear back from us within that time, please be patient! It is our goal to make sure that each submission gets a good read.

Can I submit the same story to One Story and One Teen Story?
No. One Story and One Teen Story are looking for different kinds of stories. For more information on submitting to One Teen Story, go here.

Can I still access submissions sent in through your old system, Submission Manager?
Yes. You can access your Submission Manager submissions at any time by logging into your One Story account.

Questions? Email submissions@one-story.com
 

Application Fee: $10
Price: $625
Patron Price: $595

Extended Deadline: November 26th

**Please read: this form is for applications to the One Story Writing Circle. Please do not submit stories for consideration using this form. Any magazine submissions sent using this form will be declined without being reviewed.**

The One Story Writing Circle is a year-long education program and accountability group, hosted and moderated by One Story.

When you join the One Story Writing Circle, you join a small cohort of fiction writers looking to devote a year to improving their craft and process. 

Writing Circle members will be granted access to an online portal, facilitated by One Story staff, where they will set personal writing objectives, both creative and professional. 

Each month will feature motivational essays, writing prompts, and resources aimed at helping writers achieve their targets. One Story will track individual and group goals so we can celebrate our progress together each month, and will host zoom meetups with Circle members throughout the year for writers who want to connect and share their progress.

Circle members will also receive access and discounts to select One Story classes for 2025. To get an idea of the kinds of courses we offer, visit our classes page. 

As with One Story’s other online course offerings, the Writing Circle is geared toward fiction writers.

While there will be space for writers to share questions and ideas with each other, there will be no individual evaluations or reviews. The One Story Writing Circle is not a place for criticism or critique. It is a supportive space to help you reach your writing goals.

The Writing Circle will launch in mid-January and will be limited to 30 students. Writers can be at any level, but to ensure a consistent and committed community, all applications must be received by November 26, 2024 and writers must commit to the full year. 

We are seeking writers:

• with a clear project in mind
• with a need for community
• who are excited to be a part of a group environment and ready to get to work
• who are able to commit to and participate in monthly check-ins
• who are eager to take part in our online classes
• who are comfortable connecting with other writers in an online setting