Please be sure that you are submitting to the correct opportunity, and that you have read our guidelines before submitting your work.
One Story submissions are submissions to our monthly magazine. They are capped at 2000 submissions per submission period. If you do not see the opportunity below, it means we have reached our cap.
One Teen Story submissions are submissions to our sister magazine, One Teen Story. Please submit to the correct age category.
One Story Submission Guidelines
One Story’s Fall 2025 submission period will open on Nov 3 and close when we reach our submissions cap. Submitters are only permitted to submit one story per submission period.
How do I submit to One Story?
All submissions should be sent via Submittable. In your cover letter, please include the word count for your submission and a short biographical statement. Please upload your submission as a PDF with the story title and all writer contact info on the first page of the submission.
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No. One Story is looking for previously unpublished material.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 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 strongly prefer PDFs.
Will you send me comments on my story?
No. One Story receives close to 5000 submissions each year. Please understand that we do not have time to comment on individual stories.
Can I change the story I submitted with an updated draft?
Please 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.
Do you accept emailed or paper submissions?
Emailed submissions will be deleted unread. We only consider paper submissions from incarcerated individuals. All other submitters must use Submittable to send us their work. Paper submissions will not be considered and will not be returned to the author.
Incarcerated individuals can mail their submissions to:
One Story
232 Third St., A108
Brooklyn, NY 11215
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.
I don’t live in the United States. Can I still submit to One Story?
Yes, One Story considers international submissions.
Can I check the status of my submission?
Yes. To check the status of your submission, please log in to your Submittable account.
Can I submit the same story to One Story and One Teen Story?
No. One Teen Story only publishes work by writers age 13-19, and 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.
Questions? Email submissions@one-story.com
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 1st, 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 1st, 2025.
- 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 and honorable mentions who are under the age of 18 on our website and social media platforms.
- 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 1st, 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 1st, 2025.
- 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 and honorable mentions who are under the age of 18 on our website and social media platforms.
- 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 1st, 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 1st, 2025.
- 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 and honorable mentions who are under the age of 18 on our website and social media platforms.
- You must submit through Submittable.
- Proof of age must be provided by all winners and finalists.
For more information, please visit our website.