One Teen Story 2027 Writing Contest

Scholarship Details

Teenage writers from around the world are invited to apply for the 2027 One Teen Story Writing Contest, an international creative writing competition organised by One Story, a literary arts nonprofit dedicated to promoting reading, writing and short fiction.

The competition gives young writers aged 13–19 an opportunity to submit original short stories for a chance to receive a US$500 cash prize, get published on the One Story website and work with a professional editor before publication.

The contest is open to international applicants, including young writers in Nigeria and other African countries. There is no application fee.

Benefits of the One Teen Story 2027 Writing Contest

Successful writers will receive the following benefits:

1. US$500 Cash Prize

Each winning writer will receive US$500 upon publication of their story.

2. Publication of Winning Stories

Winning stories will be published on the official One Story website, giving young writers an opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience.

3. Editorial Support

Selected writers will have the opportunity to work directly with a One Teen Story editor before their stories are published. This provides valuable professional feedback and experience in the literary publishing process.

4. Honourable Mentions

The competition will also recognise honourable mentions across three age categories:

• Ages 13–15.
• Ages 16–17.
• Ages 18–19.

Honourable mentions will be announced through the organisation’s website, email announcements and social media platforms.

5. International Recognition

The competition accepts eligible submissions from teenagers worldwide. Applicants do not need to live in the United States, Canada or any particular country.

6. Free Application

There is no registration or submission fee.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the 2027 One Teen Story Contest, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be between 13 and 19 years old as of 1 December 2026.
• Be willing to submit an original, previously unpublished short story.
• Have teenagers as the main characters in the story.
• Submit a story that explores aspects of the teenage experience.
• Submit only one story.

Applicants are divided into three age categories:

• Ages 13–15.
• Ages 16–17.
• Ages 18–19.

Applicants must select the correct category based on their age as of 1 December 2026.

The competition is open internationally, and there is no requirement to be a citizen or resident of a particular country.

Writers do not need to have been previously published to participate.

Short Story Requirements and Accepted Genres

Applicants must submit a complete short story between 2,000 and 4,500 words.

One Teen Story welcomes different forms of young adult fiction, including:

• Literary fiction.
• Fantasy.
• Science fiction.
• Love stories and romance.
• Horror.
• Other forms of young adult fiction.

The organisation is particularly interested in stories that explore the teenage experience, including:

• Identity and personal development.
• Friendship, loyalty and relationships.
• Family relationships.
• Coming of age and personal growth.
• Social experiences and challenges faced by teenagers.

Stories should have interesting and well-developed teenage characters, strong writing and an engaging narrative.

A good submission should have:

• An engaging beginning that introduces the story.
• A meaningful middle section that develops the characters and central conflict.
• A satisfying ending that brings the narrative to a conclusion.

The story must be complete and able to stand independently. Excerpts from unfinished novels or larger fictional projects will not be accepted.

Applicants are also advised to avoid gratuitous profanity, sex and drug use.

Important Writing and Submission Rules

Applicants should carefully follow these rules before submitting their stories.

1. Original and unpublished work

Stories must be original and must not have been previously published or scheduled for publication elsewhere.

This includes stories published on personal websites, blogs, school publications, online writing platforms and other digital platforms.

2. Strict AI prohibition

One Teen Story does not accept stories created with AI assistance at any stage of the writing process.

This includes:

• Using AI to generate story ideas.
• Using AI to develop story concepts.
• Using AI to write or generate drafts.
• Using AI to revise or edit a manuscript.
• Using AI-assisted writing tools to improve the submitted story.

Applicants must submit work that is entirely their own creation.

3. Only one submission

Each applicant can submit only one story. Duplicate applications or submissions under multiple age categories may result in disqualification.

4. Translated stories

Stories translated from other languages are accepted, but the submitted manuscript must be written in English. The organisation will request a copy of the original text.

The original story must not have appeared online in any language or format.

5. Simultaneous submissions

Applicants may submit the same story to other publications while it is being considered by One Teen Story.

However, if another publication accepts the story, the applicant must immediately withdraw it from One Teen Story. A story published elsewhere will no longer qualify.

6. Parental consent

Winners and honourable mentions under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign a consent form before their names can be published on the organisation’s website and social media platforms.

7. Proof of age

All winners and finalists must provide proof of age when requested.

8. Publication rights

One Teen Story pays US$500 for first North American serial rights. All rights revert to the author following publication.

The organisation also reserves the right to approve the final edited version of a winning story.

Manuscript Formatting Requirements

Applicants must prepare their stories in one of the following formats:

• DOC.
• DOCX.
• PDF.
• RTF.

The manuscript must:

• Be double-spaced.
• Have every page numbered.
• Include the story title on the first page.
• Include the writer’s contact information on the first page.

Important: Submissions that are not double-spaced or do not include page numbers will go unread and be withdrawn from the submission system.

Paper or physical manuscript submissions are not accepted. All entries must be submitted electronically.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the 2027 One Teen Story Writing Contest is:

1 December 2026.

Winners will be announced in Spring 2027. All contestants will be notified of the results.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

1. Write an original short story between 2,000 and 4,500 words.
2. Ensure that the story has teenage main characters and explores the teenage experience.
3. Check that the story has not been previously published and was not created or revised with AI assistance.
4. Format the manuscript according to the required guidelines.
5. Visit the official One Story submission portal.
6. Select the 2027 One Teen Story Contest.
7. Choose the correct age category: 13–15, 16–17 or 18–19.
8. Upload your manuscript and complete the required submission information.
9. Submit your entry and look out for the confirmation email.

If you accidentally select the wrong age category, withdraw the original submission and submit again under the correct category. Do not submit duplicate entries.

Official Application Portal:
https://one-story.submittable.com/submit

Previous One Teen Story Publications:
https://one-story.com/product-category/issues/one-teen-story/

Reading previously published stories can help applicants understand the type of fiction the publication features.

Can Teachers Use the Competition as a Classroom Project?

Yes. Teachers are welcome to use the competition as a classroom project.

One Story has made issues published from 2025 onwards available for classroom use through its One Teen Story past issues page.

The organisation no longer publishes a print edition of the magazine.

About One Teen Story

One Teen Story is a publication of One Story, a literary arts nonprofit that brings people together through reading, writing and learning about short fiction.

The publication focuses on fiction written by teenage authors and provides a platform for young writers to share their perspectives, creativity, experiences and imagination with a wider audience.

One Teen Story publishes three stories annually and considers submissions from writers aged 13–19.

Conclusion

The One Teen Story 2027 Writing Contest is an opportunity for young writers to develop their storytelling abilities, gain professional editorial experience and have their work published internationally.

With a US$500 cash prize for each winning story, publication on the One Story website and the opportunity to work with an editor, the competition offers more than financial recognition.

If you are between 13 and 19 years old and have an original story to tell, consider submitting your work before 1 December 2026.