Needless Things
ByEla, a recent immigrant to the U.S., finds herself in charge of a stranger’s runaway child at a shopping mall—a situation that not only jeopardizes Ela’s low-wage job but also threatens to upend her precarious new life.
Tripping Dead
ByAn icepick. A death-defying high. Sex-crazed, loose-moral’d teens in a cabin in the woods. What could possibly go wrong? Find out in our harrowing new issue, Owen Egerton’s “Tripping Dead.”
Learning from Buckeye with Patrick Ryan
Get a glimpse behind the scenes of the creation of Editor-in-Chief Patrick Ryan’s multigenerational epic, in this three-day class. Students will receive a copy of the book with a bookplate signed by the author.
Asynchronous Class
October 23-25
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One Story is an independent literary magazine. We are not supported by a larger organization or backed by a single funder. Instead, we rely on a a wide group of supporters who give large and small gifts year-round. With NEA funding at risk, your support is incredibly necessary this year.
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Mommm! A Study of Motherhood in Contemporary Short Fiction
In this reading group, suited for fiction enthusiasts and writers at any stage, we’ll read and discuss range of short stories that depict motherhood.
Reading Group
Mondays, Sept 15-Oct 6
7:30 to 9:30 PM ET on Zoom
Write a Short Story with Hannah Tinti
In our most popular class, you’ll write a short story five sentences at a time. You’ll meet with, and have the option to share work with writers from around the world, and you’ll leave with an understanding of story structure and a first draft with strong bones.
September 10-16
Asynchronous
A Haunted House Short Story Course with Puloma Ghosh
Join Puloma Ghosh to ring in all hallows season with stories of houses visited by otherworldly entities and examine how they can be vessels for anxieties around family, death, memory, and society.
Reading Group
Mondays, October 20-November 10
7-9 PM ET on Zoom
Worldbuilding for Any Story with Anya Johanna DeNiro
Read writers such as Ursula LeGuin, Kelly Link, Jorge Luis Borges, and Anna Kaval and explore how they use contextual cues (and clues) to create a sense of spatiality in their stories.
Craft Class
Thursdays, October 23-November 13
7-9 PM ET on Zoom
2025 Lecture Series with Terese Svoboda
Hone your craft in 2025 with eight lectures on the craft of fiction. In our next lecture Terese Svoboda will explore fight scenes. Expect a lively discussion and two writing exercises.
Next Lecture:
Saturday, September 13
4-5:15pm ET on Zoom
Something’s in the Water
ByChristine and two other teens are trying to earn their summer camp swim badges, halfway across Lake Passamoonshine when things take a harrowing turn. Why? Because they aren’t alone in the lake.
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One Story makes a great gift for all of the readers in your life. They get a great short story each month. You get year-round gratitude.
Hit Submit with Lena Valencia
This self-guided class will answer your questions about how to present your work and yourself to the editors, agents, and selection committees on the other side of the submit button.
Self Guided Class
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Check out our Back Issues
One Story has been publishing since 2002. Our backlist contains names you may know, and some you may not. Browse our backlist and order for summer reading.
One Story Submissions Are Closed
They will re-open in the fall.
For Publishers: Submission Manager
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