Making It Last
ByIn Sam Dunnington’s “Making It Last,” a massage therapist-in-training wades through the rocky circumstances of her current life as she attempts to reconnect with the person she wants to become.
ONE STORY publishes one great short story at a time. We bring people together through reading, writing, and learning about short fiction.
In Sam Dunnington’s “Making It Last,” a massage therapist-in-training wades through the rocky circumstances of her current life as she attempts to reconnect with the person she wants to become.
In Lauren Acampora’s “Quarry,” Bill and Lina, just back from a safari, recount their trip to another couple and, in the process, shine a light on the complexities of the tourist industry and their participation in it.
Ann Napolitano, author of the bestselling novels Hello Beautiful and Dear Edward, will help you make careful decisions about life away from your desk so that you can get your best work done during your writing time.
Asynchronous Class
November 19-22
One Story arrives in your mailbox in an envelope like a letter from a friend. Each chapbook-sized story introduces you to a new author. No ads, no images—just a great read.
One great short story
in the mail every month
Get a jump on holiday giving and give One Story at our 2002 rate.
They’ll get a new story each month. You’ll get year-round gratitude.
Gifts can start now
or after Christmas
Send a print card or ecard
Hone your craft with eight lectures on writing fiction. In our next lecture, Tell-Tale Awareness, ‘Pemi Aguda will discuss the overlap between description, character, and plot.
Next Lecture:
Saturday, November 15
4-5:15pm ET on Zoom
Like many arts nonprofits, One Story is dealing with cuts to the NEA from the federal government. Our NEA grant was terminated. 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. Please give today!
Make One Story
a part of Your Story
in 2025
The One Story Writing Circle is a year-long education program and accountability group, hosted and moderated by One Story. Apply today to join a small cohort of fiction writers looking to devote a year to improving their craft and process.
Accountability Group
Jan – Dec 2026
Apply by November 30
In this six-week open-level workshop, each participant will workshop a short story or novel excerpt. Designed for passionate writers without significant writing experience who are eager to engage with the process in a fun and supportive environment. Registration is open now.
Online (Zoom) Workshop
Tuesdays, Jan 20-Feb 24
7-9:15pm ET
For our One Teen Story contest, we ask writers ages 13-19 to submit their original, unpublished fiction. We are interested in great short stories of any genre about the teen experience. What’s in a great short story? Interesting teen characters, strong writing, and a beginning, middle, and end.
Free Writing Contest
For Writers 13-19
Enter by December 1
Christine 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.
Be the first to get news and updates, to know when our submission period reopens, and to learn about new classes and opportunities.
Join today and get 10% off your first purchase.
Learn tips and techniques for revising in this self-guided class. You’ll get five in-depth revision techniques to sharpen your work. By the end of the course you’ll have new skills, a helpful to-do list, and pages of new material to move your revision in the right direction.
They will close when we reach our cap. Please read our guidelines before sending us your work.
One Story provides a free, open-source submission management system to other publishers at no cost.
One Story has been publishing since 2002. We never publish an author twice. Browse our back issues to see who we published when.
This self-guided class will help you hone and refine a cohesive collection of your own work. You’ll learn how to assess each story you’ve written, discover thematic connections, order your stories, and more.