Short Story September is a month-long writing challenge to help writers draft, write, and submit a short story to a literary publication.

Join Ashley Warren from Storytelling Collective and Beth Ball from Grove Guardian Press for an exciting, engaging month of literary fun!


Work through eight helpful lessons over the course of the month, partake in recommended reading, get access to an exclusive Discord channel, and receive additional support and resources to help you succeed.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Your free registration includes:

  • LESSONS: The eight lessons compose two “tracks”: the logistical side of planning and submitting creative work, and the literary theory and analysis of short stories. (Registration includes both tracks.)

  • DISCORD CHANNEL: Upon registering, you’ll be invited to a Discord channel with fellow storytellers. This creative, supportive community is an invaluable resource for any writer.

  • RECOMMENDED READING: Selected by Beth Ball, you’ll receive recommended short stories to read and study throughout the month. Reading makes us better writers!

  • GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT: Ashley and Beth will be providing guidance and support throughout the month. If you need accountability to stay on track or want to chat about story structure, we’re here for you!

Register for Short Story September 2024

This is a 100% FREE challenge, but if you want to kick $10 our way as a thanks, every dollar donated is delegated to our scholarship fund.

Short Story Studies

Reading makes us better writers!

Our challenge includes five "story studies"  — you'll read a published short story, study Beth's analysis of it, and complete the corresponding activity. By immersing yourself in this medium, you'll gain clarity and takeaways to apply to your project!

  • Story Study #1: "The Story of the Lizard Who Had the Habit of Dining on His Wives" by Eduardo Galeano
  • Story Study #2: "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin
  • Story Study #3: "The City Born Great" by N.K. Jemisin
  • Story Study #4: "The Paper Menagerie" by Ken Liu


PLUS: A new story by James D. Mills, Editor-in-Chief of The Arcanist

Register for Short Story September 2024

This is a 100% FREE challenge, but if you want to kick $10 our way as a thanks, every dollar donated is delegated to our scholarship fund.

About Beth and Ashley

Short Story September & Cultivating Your Writing Mindset Dr. Beth Ball

Beth Ball writes romantic epic fantasy tales of destiny, found family, and druidic magic woven with darkness and slow-burn. She's also an award-winning game designer specializing in one-on-one 5e.

Director Ashley Warren

Ashley Warren is a writer, educator, editor, and the founder of Storytelling Collective, a creative learning community that has supported thousands of writers and storytellers since 2018. With a background in literacy studies and education, Ashley is passionate about helping people develop their ideas, strengthen their craft, and discover what they’re capable of creating. She is a doctoral student pursuing an Ed.D in Literacy. Her work spans fiction, tabletop roleplaying games, and narrative design, including co-authoring Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden, Heckna, and Legendlore, among others. Her debut adult novel, The Altobella Automaton, was published by Fleuron Press in 2026. As an instructor and mentor, Ashley believes that good creative instruction combines curiosity, thoughtful guidance, and practical tools that help learners make meaningful progress. Whether you're developing your first story or refining an established writing practice, she aims to make the creative process more approachable, rewarding, and sustainable.

Hear what our writers have to say:

Azra R.B.L. Hawthorne

2020 Participant

Short Story September helped further solidify ideas I've had for 10+ years into a solid cohesive thing that I can now look back on with pride and joy.

Chris M.

2022 Participant

StoCo challenges have done more for my writing than anything I've done.

Short Story September begins on September 1st!

Register now to join the challenge as soon as it begins

Register for Free

Level up your literary skills

Check out these two additional courses by Ashley and Beth to help you develop and refine your writing process!