One Story Submission Guidelines
One Story’s Spring 2023 submission period will open on September 5th 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No. One Story is looking for previously unpublished material.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 accepted.

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.


 

2024 Adina Talve-Goodman Fellowship
Deadline: October 11, 2023

Each year, together with the Talve-Goodman Family, One Story awards one writer the Adina Talve-Goodman Fellowship. Honoring the memory of author and former One Story Managing Editor Adina Talve-Goodman, this educational fellowship offers a year-long mentorship on the craft of fiction writing withOne Story magazine. Our hope is to give a writer outside of the fold a significant boost in their career.

The fellow will receive:
 

• Access to One Story online classes.
• Admission to One Story’s Writing Circle.
• Stipend ($2,000) and free admission to One Story’s week-long summer writers’ conference, which includes craft lectures, an intensive fiction workshop, and panels with literary agents and publishers.
• A full manuscript review and consultation with One Story Executive Editor Hannah Tinti (story collection or novel in progress up to 150 pages/35,000 words).

Requirements: This fellowship calls for an early-career writer of fiction who has not yet published a book and is not currently nor has ever been enrolled in an advanced degree program (such as an MA or MFA) in Creative Writing, English, or Literature, and has no plans to attend one in the 2024 calendar year. We are seeking writers whose work speaks to issues and experiences related to inhabiting bodies of difference. This means writing that centers, celebrates, or reclaims being marginalized through the lens of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, religion, illness, disability, trauma, migration, displacement, dispossession, or imprisonment.

  All applicants must be at least 21 years of age as of January 1, 2024. For more info, please read our FAQ.

Checklist: To apply to this fellowship you will need:
  1. A fiction writing sample (3,000-5,000 words)
  2. A personal statement (600-1100 words)
  3. Two professional references (No recommendation letters but please provide: Name, email, phone)
  4. A current resume (one page detailing any work or educational experience)

Deadline : October 11, 2023 at 11:59pm EST. There is NO FEE to apply for this fellowship. Winner will be announced in January 2024.  *If you have been published by One Story, if you have been a reader for One Story, or if you have ever been employed by One Story, you are not eligible for this fellowship.

One Teen Story Teen Writing Contest Submission Guidelines: One Teen Story publishes 3 stories a year and accepts 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 November 27th, 2023, 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 November 27th, 2023.
• 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 accepts 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 November 27th, 2023, 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 November 27th, 2023.
• 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 accepts 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 November 27th, 2023, 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 November 27th, 2023.
• 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.