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, and write your stories & novels.
🗺️ 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: You’ll receive recommended short stories to read and study throughout the month. Reading makes us better writers!

  • GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT: Our team will provide 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

These are the stories we'll read this year

Our challenge includes four "story studies"  — you'll read a published short story, 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 Magic Shop" by H.G. Wells
  • Story Study #2: "A Memory of Wind" by Rachel Swirsky
  • Story Study #3: "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Story Study #4: "The Ones Who Stay and Fight" by N. K. Jemisin


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

Curious about the type of work produced during this challenge? Our challenge partner, The Arcanist: Fantasy Publishing offered our participants a preferred submission window, which resulted in several of our community members being published in last 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.

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