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

Join the Storytelling Collective for our free annual celebration of short fiction!


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 get to the finish line.


This year's Short Story September is sponsored by World Anvil ⛏️

World Anvil is a set of worldbuilding tools that helps you create, organize and store your world setting.
Get started building your world

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 Storytelling Collective's Insha Fitzpatrick, 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

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

Enjoy four brand-new story studies for 2025

Our challenge includes five "story studies"  — you'll read a published short story, and complete the corresponding activity provided by Storytelling Collective's Insha Fitzpatrick. By immersing yourself in this medium, you'll gain clarity and takeaways to apply to your project!

  • Story Study #1: "The Magic Shop" by H.G. Wells
  • Story Study #2: "Don't Look Now" by Daphne De Maurier
  • Story Study #3: "Feature Development for Social Networking" by Benjamin Rosenbaum
  • Story Study #4: "The Wishing Pool" by Tananarive Due


Enjoy last year's stories published The Arcanist Summer 2025 issue

Curious about the type of work produced during this challenge? Our challenge partner, The Arcanist: Literary Fantasy Magazine offered our participants a preferred submission window, which resulted in several of our community members being published in this summer's issue!
Get your copy ⚓

Register for Short Story September

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.

Meet the designers of Short Story September

Writers and educators Insha Fitzpatrick, Dr. Beth Ball, and Ashley Warren collaborated on the lessons and materials for this challenge.

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

I'm Ashley Warren, the founder and director of the Storytelling Collective. I'm a former college English teacher, journalist, magazine editor, and literacy research academic. You might know me from projects including Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden; the Uncaged Anthology; The Citizen's Guide to Research; or my company, Scribemind. The one thing that links all of my creative projects is my passion for process and making creativity an organic part of our lives. I know what it's like to be daunted by the creative process, and I'm here to help. I've worked with hundreds of writers all over the world and I can't wait to work with you!

Program Director Insha Fitzpatrick

Insha Fitzpatrick (she/they) is a New Jersey-based author who loves all things horror. She’s the writer of Hanging with Vampires & Chilling with Ghosts (Quirk Books), Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott: Rosa Parks (Who HQ), and the co-author of the graphic novel series Oh My Gods! for middle-grade readers. When she’s not writing, she’s catching up on horror movies, learning new ttRPG systems, and watching reality TV.

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