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Latest Stories
Publishing stories every week from new and established writers
Blood Flees Our Mouths
Elliot LeGrangeClay County, Illinois April 4, 2017 My whistling dies on my tongue the second a familiar scream rips through the trees. It comes again before I’ve extricated myself from the briars of the Ghost Woods’ treeline, and dropping my school library copy of Of Mice and Men and a ziplock baggie of foraged morels, I […]
In The Deep, We Find The Stars
Cassiopeia GatmaitanThe sea off Dapit-Hapon holds untold magic. That much I’ve always known. When I was small enough to fit in the crook between her lap and her belly, Mama would tell me of the enchanted waters and the secrets they hold, her golden shell necklace warm against my cheek as she spoke of the sirena […]
Exploding Head Syndrome
A.P. Thayer“Mine.” The word claws me away from the consoling tentacles of dreams, and I’m wide awake, sitting bolt upright on the couch. I hunt for the source of the sound. The apartment is completely silent. My chest is heaving as I gulp down air. My blood is rushing in my ears. But there’s no one […]
Sci-Fi + Fantasy
Because I Could Not Stop
Curtis ChenGood morning, Professor! I’m Death, and I would like to speak to you about, well, me. Oh dear. I see now that my sudden appearance must be a bit of a shock to a frail human psyche. Go on, take a moment to collect yourself. I’ll wait. Right, let’s begin again. I’m Death. And I […]
The Man with the Hand of Gold
Ben LooryThere once was a man with a hand of gold. He was the pride of his town. When he walked down the street, all the people would stop and stare. There goes the man with the hand of gold, they’d say. And the man with the hand of gold would always see them seeing him, […]
Horror + Thriller
I will never be Alone
Alejandro GutierrezI spend the entire flight from Oakland to Florence telling myself I am safe. Every time I get up to use the bathroom, I expect to see my husband in one of the seats, or in the mirror behind me. I half expect to find him waiting for me at the arrival gate, or at […]
A Thousand Miles Away
Joseph WalkerGame six of the 1982 World Series had been a damp affair, and the skies in St. Louis were opening again as the tarp came out for yet another rain delay. In his basement workshop, Kevin Watts grimaced but did not actually look up at the small TV in the corner as the announcers settled […]
Historical Fiction
Three Tickets to Telluride
Nikki Lynn Blakely~Dolly~ It was December 10, 1903, when I boarded the Rio-Grande Western Railroad with Horace’s letter tucked neatly into the inside pocket of my petticoat, and his Christmas gift, a heart-shaped ruby brooch, fastened securely at my breast. My dearest Eliza, the letter read, I have wonderful news! All my efforts have not been for […]
Young Adult
The First Step in Our Evolution
Marisca PichetteJenji held her fan delicately, her nails reflecting the sun. With short, stiff motions she directed the feather forward. It levitated once, twice, jumping the sticks I’d laid out as obstacles. My fan was folded, pinched tight in my sweating hands as I watched her feather pull ahead of mine. The dry breeze blew her […]
Submit Your Story
Share your writing with us! We want stories from the three genre categories: sci-fi/ fantasy; horror/thriller; historical fiction; young adult.
Award Winners
The Violin: Chapter 1
Patrick Shanley1 “It sounds like cats dying.” She said it in the glum tone of a child only just now being introduced to the disappointments life had in store. Mark Provaunce felt a twinge in his chest at the sound of it, thinking for the third time that morning of how his little girl was not […]
Prologue – or, the Carny Incarcerated.
Chloe La Vada1964 The sideshow is a part of me. Crimson and cream strips wind about the helices of my genes. If I listen closely, I can still hear the calliope, its fluting notes echoing in the water traveling through the pipes in the walls. Sometimes, the shouting of the warden takes on the authoritative bark of […]
Lodged in the Body
Adam McCullochCHAPTER 1 I owed him my life, and then one day, he came to claim it. The card arrived first, announcing his intention to visit. In appearance, it was no different from the last birthday card, or the one before that, or any other card he had sent: the same stiff over-square envelope licked carefully […]
Fairy Boy Flight
Rocky HalpernFirst Place Winner of the Voyage Lucky No. 7 Challenge Now baby, promise you won’t fly too high? A man on the street gets too close when he speaks to me. His breath is a lit cigarette and the words it propels are a leering threat. I realize I’m not afraid in the same way […]
In the Autumn Days of Empire
Lilia ZhangThe Xiagu Market was once a place of unparalleled delicacies and unrivaled views. From Chun State, on the other end of the continent, people had journeyed to the fertile valley of Xia for a taste of the market’s offerings—thousand-spice pig trotters, oxtail soup simmered with pickled chrysanthemum greens, bear paw braised in hawberry wine. Bellies […]
Blood Flees Our Mouths
Elliot LeGrangeClay County, Illinois April 4, 2017 My whistling dies on my tongue the second a familiar scream rips through the trees. It comes again before I’ve extricated myself from the briars of the Ghost Woods’ treeline, and dropping my school library copy of Of Mice and Men and a ziplock baggie of foraged morels, I […]
Latest Contests
Get the guidelines on our current contests, where we offer writers premier opportunities for publication and payment. All winners selected by noted guest judges.
Interviews
Racquel Henry
Kara H.L. Chen grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, where she once had to shovel snow off her car with a plastic trashcan. She now lives on the West Coast with her husband and daughters, and is learning how to use an Instapot. She has undergraduate degrees in English and economics, a J.D., and an MFA […]
Racquel Henry
Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, Lauren Thoman studied music education, though soon realized that the life of a band director was not for her. Her passion for pop culture and watching and analyzing movies and TV shows led her to become a frequent contributor to a number of prominent online pop […]
Kate Maruyama
Kate Maruyama's novel Harrowgate was published by 47North, and her novella Family Solstice, named Best Fiction Book of 2021 by Rue Morgue Magazine was published by Omnium Gatherum. Her short work has appeared in Asimov's Magazine, Analog Science Fiction & Fact, Entropy, Duende, Cultural Weekly, and in numerous anthologies including December Tales, Halloween Carnival Three, and Gathering: A Women Who Submit Anthology. She is a member of the SFWA and HWA where she serves on the Diverse Works Inclusion Committe and she sits on the Board of Women Who Submit. She writes, teaches, cooks, and eats in Los Angeles.
See Their WorkChristina Kann
Christina Kann is a lifelong writer and reader, podcaster, traveler, gardener, hiker, cat mom, and generally okay human being. She is also the co-founder and communications director of Wildling Press. She lives and thrives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband, their two cats, and their several foster kittens.
See Their WorkAlejandro Gutierrez
Alejandro is a writer and storyteller from the Seattle area. He self-published his first book, The Rat Tunnels of Isfahan, in 2017. Then, in 2021, he won second place in Vocal Media’s Summer Fiction Series challenge for his story ‘Grandmother’s Hands.’ Alejandro also received an Honorable Mention from Writer’s Digest for his story, In a Cucumber. In 2022, Alejandro won First Place in the Dillydoun International Fiction Prize for his story, ‘In the Shadow.’ He is currently working on his second novel.
See Their WorkLinda H. Codega
Linda H. Codega (they/them) is a queer, nonbinary Southerner living in Yankeeland. They write about pop culture for io9, and their writing appears on Polygon, Observer, Tor.com, and Dicebreaker, among others. They are a Hugo-nominated first reader for Strange Horizons. Find them on Twitter @lincodega.
See Their WorkPatrick Hurley
Patrick Hurley is a 2017 graduate of the Taos Toolbox Writer's Workshop and a member of SFWA, Codex, and the Dreamcrashers. Patrick has also had fiction published in Factor Four, Galaxy's Edge, New Myths, and Abyss & Apex. Find out more about his work at www.patrickhurleywrites.com.
See Their WorkFrancis Bass
"Francis Bass is a writer living in Philadelphia. His writing has appeared in Reckoning, Electric Literature, and others, and he has self-published many other works. You can find him online at francisbass.com
See Their WorkAnja Hendrikse Liu
Anja Hendrikse Liu (she/they) is a creator and devourer of fantasy and sci-fi who wishes she had time and words for all of her dreams. Her short fiction has been published by Fusion Fragment, Air and Nothingness Press, and others. Anja is a recovering but unrepentant English major and loves experiencing the world via baked goods and mythology. Find her on Instagram @to.anja or at anjahl.com/author
See Their WorkNina Simon
Nina Simon writes crime stories about strong women. Her first novel, MOTHER-DAUGHTER MURDER NIGHT, will be published by William Morrow in September 2023. Originally from Los Angeles, Nina now lives off the grid in the Santa Cruz mountains. You can find her online at ninaksimon.com or @ninaksimon on Twitter and Instagram.
See Their WorkLatest News
Building Rome in a Day or Two: How to Approach Fantasy World-Building
Can you close your eyes and visualize your favorite fantasy world? What are some of the things you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste? Who are you, and who is around you? Why do you think these details were the first to come to mind? Strong worldbuilding is essential to laying the groundwork for every […]
Amp up the Scare Factor: How to Create and Build Tension in Horror Stories
Halloween may be over, but spooky season is all year round if you want it to be. Whether you’re a seasoned horror writer or just dipping your pencil into the genre, you likely already know how crucial of a part tension plays. Tension is essential in every story, regardless of genre, but it especially does […]
The Alchemy of Authenticity
Have you ever read a witch story and felt torn between wanting a classic “good versus evil” plot and craving something totally different? You’re not alone. Writing about witches is tricky business. On the one hand, we love the tried-and-true story arcs, those classic patterns we’ve seen since the days of Shakespeare or even Greek […]
Uncharted Magazine Short Story Award: The Aftermath | Judged by A. C. Wise | Winners!
We’re excited to reveal our 3 winners and the authors on the shortlist! First Place: The Blades of Ana Velasquez by Alexa T. Dodd Second Place: Deep Skin Anatomy by Lora Gray Third Place: Thank You, Bus Driver by Richard Brann Also publishing: Till Death by Ingrid S. Bergø The Theft at Cato’s Well by […]
Visceral and Universal: An Interview with Angela Liu
Uncharted Magazine: In an interview, you described the sense of satisfaction and empowerment of putting yourself in control of a cruel world when writing horror. “Salt Girl” is a deftly written dark fantasy where dread is created through Rika’s loss of autonomy. Was there a catharsis to penning her deterioration into a pile of salt? Angela Liu: […]
Five YA Book-to-Screen Adaptations to Look Out For in 2023
By Caitlin Taylor So From the early 2000s to mid-2010s, young adult films of all genres dominated theaters. YA movie trailers were inescapable during commercial breaks. Up-and-coming actors became household names overnight. While the YA movie craze has since calmed down in 2023, it certainly isn’t a thing of the past. Instead of featuring in […]
Historical Fiction Challenge
Last day to submit! Did you know that we’re now accepting historical fiction short stories? To launch this new category, we’re thrilled to announce a new writing challenge! For this challenge, we’re pleased to offer the first-place winner $500 and publication. All entries will be considered for general publication at our regular rate of $200. […]
Uncharted Magazine Short Story Award: The Aftermath | Judged by A. C. Wise Shortlist
For this contest, we’ve got 15 stories we loved! We’ve handed over the hard decisions to find the winners to our judge, A. C. Wise! Congratulations to everyone with a title on this list!
Witch Lit for Young Adults: Here’s how to craft magical coming-of-age stories
Ah, witch lit, that sublime subgenre of fiction where broomsticks aren’t just for sweeping and a full moon means more than a cloudless night. For readers of this enchanted genre, and certainly for its architects, the term “witch lit” evokes a rich tapestry of magical realism, occult traditions, and—most importantly—a celebration of feminine power. Though […]
Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Prize Judged by Sequoia Nagamatsu Winners
Congrats to the three co-winners and the writers of all 14 novel excerpts! We can’t wait to see what happens with these novels in progress! Co-winners: – Ch. 9/Seven-Out by Veronica Reinhart Despite being given an excerpt nine chapters into a manuscript, I was immediately pulled into space…and not just space but a ramshackle hodgepodge of […]
Uncharted Magazine Short Story Award: The Aftermath | Judged by A. C. Wise Longlist
For this contest, we’ve got 27 stories we loved! Now, we’re making the hard decisions to get to a shortlist of 15 stories to send to our judge, A. C. Wise! Congratulations to everyone with a title on this list!
Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Prize Judged by Sequoia Nagamatsu Shortlist
Congrats to the writers of these 14 novel excerpts! We’re so honored when submitters trust us with their writing, especially excepts from their novels in progress. Now, we wait for Sequoia to choose his winners!
Casting Spells with Words and Symbols
Crafting literature in the witch lit genre is akin to stirring a cauldron of diverse cultural influences. It’s not merely an assembly of spells and incantations; it invokes universal archetypes and symbols expressed through a rich tapestry of languages and lore. Drawing from an array of traditions, be it Celtic legends or Yoruba myths, Sanskrit […]
Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Prize | Judged by Sequoia Nagamatsu Longlist
Congrats to the writers of these 34 novel excerpts! We’re so honored when submitters trust us with their writing, especially excepts from their novels in progress. We’re working on narrowing this down to a shortlist of 15 to send to Sequoia!
Magic in the Mundane: Weaving Everyday Witchcraft into Your Story
Have you ever found yourself eager to dabble in a bit of magic into your narratives? Welcome to the world of witch lit, where the extraordinary hides within the ordinary. Witch lit is a subgenre of fiction that intricately weaves elements of witchcraft into everyday life, creating stories where the mundane and the magical coexist. […]
Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Prize Judged by Meg Elison
CLOSED We invite writers to submit to the Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Prize from September 1 to October 31, 2023. Think you’ve got an excerpt that will keep us reading and will leave us begging for more? We’re looking for the best 5,000 words or fewer of your novel in progress! We love to read […]
AI Challenge Winner
The winner is “More Than Electric Sheep” by Paul Martz! Congrats to all of the writers that made this shortlist!
AI Challenge Shortlist
The winner will be announced by the end of the week! Congrats to all of the writers that made this shortlist!
Feedback Forge
Final week to get those submissions in! Welcome to the Uncharted Feedback Forge! Open from August 1-August 31, 2023 If you’re like us, you have a few drafts sitting in your files that could use an extra pair of eyes to help you take those stories to the next level. If iron sharpens iron, […]
Uncharted Magazine Thrilling Story Award Winners & Shortlisted Writers
The winners are: We’re also publishing:
Uncharted Magazine Thrilling Story Award Shortlist
These 16 stories have been sent to judge Gabino Iglesias! We’re anxiously awaiting his choices!
Voyage YA by Uncharted Anthology Contest
Thank you to everyone who submitted short stories! Check back in mid-July for the results! Big changes are at work for Voyage this year! We are moving all of our prize opportunities to two biannual anthologies dedicated to top-notch YA writing. We want to give our incredible contributors a chance to see their name in print! We […]
Uncharted Magazine Thrilling Story Award Longlist
These 30 stories are under review to form a shortlist of 15 stories that we will send to judge Gabino Iglesias!
AI Flash Challenge
This contest is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered! We’ll have a longlist in around ten weeks! We’re challenging writers to create 1,000-word-max flash genre stories in ten days or fewer! You’re invited to submit to the AI Flash Challenge from May 04 to May 14, 2023. We often find that the blank […]
Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Contest Winners & Shortlisted Writers
1st Place: Grimoire Gold by Goldie Maisey Quick 2nd Place: Roses by Emily Liu 3rd Place: In the Autumn Days of Empire by Lilia Zhang
The Power of Language: An interview with Author Ai Jiang
Ai Jiang is a Chinese-Canadian writer and an immigrant from Fujian. Her debut novella, Linghun, will be published this spring, as will her collection, Ai Jiang’s Smol Tales From Between Worlds. She also recently announced a new novelette, I Am Ai, coming in June. Her stories have appeared or are forthcoming in The Magazine of […]
Unexpected Threads: An Interview with Dr. Phoenix Alexander
Dr. Phoenix Alexander is a speculative author, scholar, teacher, and curator. His work has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Escape Pod, The Dark, Deadlands, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Black Static, and Science Fiction Studies, among others. He is a full member of the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA), and served as […]
2023 Uncharted Magazine Thrilling Story Award
This contest is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered! We’ll have a longlist in around ten weeks! We invite writers to submit to the Uncharted MagazineThrilling Story Award from January 1 to February 28, 2023. This Award is for all three genres: SF/F, Thriller/Horror, and Mystery/Crime. Guest judge Gabino Iglesias will choose three […]
Horror & Thriller / Crime & Mystery 1st Chapter Prize | Judged by Agent Dorian Maffei Shortlist Titles
And here are the winners! 1st Place: Horror/Thriller “Prologue – or, the Carny Incarcerated.” by Chloe La Vada 1st Place: Crime/Mystery “Lodged in the Body” by Adam McCulloch Runner Up: Horror/Thriller “The Violin” by Patrick Shanley Runner Up: Crime/Mystery “Buffalo Jill” by Karen Parkman 13 Shortlisted Titles!
The Theoretical Possibilities:An Interview With Kristen Loesch
Kristen Loesch’s newest book, The Regeneration of Stella Yin, will be released November 30, 2022, from Ad Hoc Fiction. This novella-in-flash tells the story of two women inextricably linked in a technological quest to overcome grief and trauma. Through precisely crafted prose, Loesch explores artificial super intelligence, the singularity, and the human drive for survival. […]
Short Story Prize Winners & Writers Shortlisted
And the three co-winners are… 1. Men Will Die by Celeste Kallio 2. I Will Never Be Alone by Alejandro Gutierrez 3. Jacaranda Park by Kate Maruyama The Runners-Up are… 1. God fall by Kira Sutherland 2. Parts Girls by Nina Simon Comet Wine by Ken Altabef Us and Them by Siobhan Chesson Men Will […]
Writing Saturnalia: Revelation for your Character and Reader
Writers spend a lot of time thinking critically about beginnings and ends. These are crucial moments in creating a satisfying story, but they’re also the easiest turning points to consider. What’s the first moment of trouble, the first moment of choice? What’s the final confrontation, the culmination of the character’s desires and needs? Execution, of […]
Ripple of Unease: An Interview with Jasmine Sawers
Jasmine Sawers is a writer, editor, and teacher. Sawers’s fairy tale flash collection, The Anchored World: Flash Fairy Tales and Folklore, was recently released by Rose Metal Press. From the publisher: The Anchored World: Flash Fairy Tales and Folklore “Drawing on both Western fairy tales and Thai legends, these flash fictions combine the myth and […]
Writing Saturnalia: A Story Launch Thrives on an Easy Target
I’ve been writing and submitting fiction for nearly two decades now, and while I don’t have an itemized list, I believe I’ve received about one trillion rejections. One particular criticism appeared again and again: The opening is too slow and the stakes are too low. This complaint began to wear at me like a stone […]
Short Story Prize judged by Lincoln Michel Longlist
Comet Wine Us and Them Lotus Eater Men Will Die I Will Never Be Alone The Painted Child Appetite A Life Never Lived A Stroke of Luck Together Forever B. waterways The Stain Beast in the Fog Almost Heaven or How I Unraveled in the Mortaverse Jacaranda Park Made You Look Retrieved: Notes from Diver […]
The Spare Moments: An Interview with Isabel J. Kim
Isabel J. Kim is a Korean-American science fiction and fantasy writer based in New York City. An attorney by day, she also co-hosts Wow If True, a podcast about internet culture. Her stories have been included in the Locus Recommended Reading List, as well as TOR.com’s Must Read list. Her work has been published in […]
Horror & Thriller / Crime & Mystery 1st Chapter Prize | Judged by Agent Dorian Maffei Shortlist Titles
13 Shortlisted Titles! Mr Grim Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark GRIN Bury and Take Root The Lost Coast Motel The Carny Incarcerated A Certain Rectitude Lodged in the Body Buffalo Jill The Violin Flotsam A Detective Story Ritual
Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1st Chapter Prize Judged by Agent CeCe Lyra Winners and Shortlisted Writers
Judge Agent CeCe Lyra has made her selections! Congrats to the winners! Thank you to all of the submitters throughout the contest! The shortlisted writers deserve a celebration as well as it’s not easy to make the shortlist! 1st Place: HOMILY by Amanda Baldeneaux: The premise is intriguing: murdered girls begin to unexplainably reappear. Right away, […]
Uncharted Magazine Horror & Thriller / Crime & Mystery 1st Chapter Prize Longlist
We’re excited to send these 24 first chapters to judge agent Dorian Maffei! Mr Grim Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark GRIN Bury and Take Root The Godfather of Madagascar La Brujeria Spells for Remembering Einsteins Cavern The Lost Coast Motel The Carny Incarcerated A Certain Rectitude Lodged in the Body Maple Lane Camelot Noir […]
Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1st Chapter Prize Judged by Agent CeCe Lyra Shortlist
These 15 fantastic and gripping first chapters have been sent to judge Agent CeCe Lyra! We can’t wait to reveal her selections! I AM IN LOVE WITH A STRANGE GIRL NAMED GEMMA USHERWOOD Homily Clairvoyant On the Roof Night Service Wouldn’t Be Seen Dead Billamina and the Ship that Sailed the Trees Mourn in Glory […]
Choosing Joy: An Interview Gwen Kirby
Gwen E. Kirby’s recent collection Shit Cassandra Saw (Penguin) is filled with lightning-bright characters in unexpected situations. The stories, which have won too many awards to list, span centuries, centering women in their challenges and triumphs. Gwen has a lot to say, and she does so with elegance and wit. Thanks to Gwen for taking […]
Plot Structures for your YA Novel
Many of our readers are interested in international publishing as well as self-publishing, and Ali’s is an amazing story of success in both.
Interview With Mexican Self-Published Author, Ali Begun
Many of our readers are interested in international publishing as well as self-publishing, and Ali’s is an amazing story of success in both.
Preparing Your Short Story for Publication
Preparing your short story for publication
Writing with ADHD
Writing with ADHD
Young Adult Books from 2021 to Inspire You
Young Adult Books from 2021 to Inspire You
Newsletters for the YA Writer
Newsletters for the YA writer
Uncharted Magazine Short Story Award
Add to Calendar We invite writers to submit to the Uncharted Magazine Short Story Award from May 1 to July 31, 2022. This Award is for all three genres: SF/F, Thriller/Horror, and Mystery/Crime. Guest judge Lincoln Michel will choose three winning stories from a shortlist. We’re excited to offer 3 winners of this prize $1000 […]
An Unexpected Dragon in the Sky: An Interview with Maria Haskins
Maria Haskins is a Swedish-Canadian writer, translator, and reviewer of speculative fiction. She’s well known in the community for her tireless support of genre work, publishing a monthly roundup of speculative fiction for her newsletter, as well as a quarterly roundup for Strange Horizons. She consistently profiles the very best new stories, and her Behind […]
Uncharted’s 2021 Crime/Mystery Short Story Award Winners & Short List writers
And the winners are: 1st Place: SELF PRESERVATION by Rob Nisbet 2nd Place: A THOUSAND MILES AWAY by Joseph Walker 3rd Place: UNDER THE IVY by Meg Overman Shortlist The Pull by Kyle Tolan The Assassin’s Portrait by Nina Wachsman You Seen Our Girl? by S.E. Reed Self-Preservation by Rob Nisbet The Man in the […]
Here’s How Your Favorite Authors Get Their First Draft Down
A few drafts in, we get so familiar with our YA manuscripts that the story begins to feel like an old friend. We know it backward and forwards, where each scene is and what happens in each scene. But we also smooth out the edges in our minds and it becomes harder and harder to look at our manuscripts with a critical eye. We get to a point where we go over all our pages only to discover we don’t know how to push them forward. To help out when that happens, we’ve compiled a few prompts to help you get fresh eyes on your story
Conducting an Interview for Your YA Novel
Whether writing contemporary, historical, sci-fi or fantasy, an interview can be a great opportunity to develop a character or learn about something you didn’t know about before.
An Interview with Chris Panatier, Author of Stringers
Chris Panatier’s second novel, Stringers, releases on April 12. Publisher’s Weekly gave the book a starred review, and the American Library Association called it “a rip-roaring space adventure” and a “touching exploration of what sentient beings owe to one another.” The author himself says Stringers is “a heartfelt sci-fi vehicle for potty jokes.” I’m a […]
Researching for Your YA Novel
Most novels, whether they take place a hundred years ago or two years ago, require research.
Creating a System of Accountability in YA Writer Groups
Imagine this: a mug of hot coffee in your hand, a pencil and notebook in your backpack, and a group of fellow writers all sitting at the round table of a local bookstore cafe, waiting to talk about your writing.
Online Classes for YA writers
As a YA writer, you might be located in any part of the world. At one point, your resources for writing might have been limited by how far you could travel. However, with the internet and the spread of online learning, it’s become more common to take writing courses from your computer.
How to Budget for YA Writing Competitions
You’ve written your first draft, second draft and perhaps a few more. You’ve gotten your book as far as you can and you’re thinking about the next step–sharing your work. Placing your words in the hands of beta readers is a daunting task. It can be scary to share your story–but feedback from others can really make your manuscript shine.
Uncharted’s Horror/Thriller Short Story Contest Long List
We’re so excited to announce the 35 titles of our long list! The submissions we received were so chilling, thrilling, and memorable that we’ve had a hard time narrowing down the list! We’ll announce the shortlist titles next week! Thank you for your patience! The Gunfighter and the Undertaker Potashe Preserve To Serve With Both […]
How YA Writers Fit Writing Time Into Their Schedule
We’ve asked 5 YA writers at different stages of their career how they fit writing time into their schedules.
How to Set Daily Writing Goals as a YA Writer
With a daunting task like writing a book, It’s hard to see the finish line. That can often be difficult and demotivating. That’s why it’s helpful to set daily writing goals. You’ll start feeling accomplished at the end of the day, and before you know it, all of your little moments of word count will add up to a whole book.
Uncharted’s 2021 Crime/Mystery Short Story Award Short List
We’re so excited to announce the 14 titles of our Short List! The submissions we received were so chilling, thrilling, and memorable that we’ve had a hard time narrowing down the list! We’ll announce the winners in the next 2-4 weeks! The Pull The Assassin’s Portrait You Seen Our Girl? Self-Preservation The Man in the […]
How to Find an Agent for Your YA Novel
If you want to get traditionally published, finding an agent is often the next step after you’ve finished revising your manuscript. It can be really helpful to have a collaborator, a partner and new eyes on something you’ve worked on for so long, but it’s important to find the right person.
Prompts to Help You Get Fresh Eyes on Your YA Manuscript
A few drafts in, we get so familiar with our YA manuscripts that the story begins to feel like an old friend. We know it backward and forwards, where each scene is and what happens in each scene. But we also smooth out the edges in our minds and it becomes harder and harder to look at our manuscripts with a critical eye. We get to a point where we go over all our pages only to discover we don’t know how to push them forward. To help out when that happens, we’ve compiled a few prompts to help you get fresh eyes on your story
An Interview with Nick Olson, author of Afterglow
Nick Olson’s newest book, a speculative novel-in-flash titled Afterglow (Alien Buddha Press), will be released in June. Nick is a freelance editor and author of both literary and speculative fiction. His previous novels, Here’s Waldo and The Brother We Share, are available now. He is the editor of lit zine (mac)ro(mic). Nick let me take an early peek at Afterglow and I loved the complex future history he has envisioned.
Uncharted’s 2021 Crime/Mystery Short Story Award Long List
We’re so excited to announce the 26 titles of our longlist! The submissions we received were so chilling, thrilling, and memorable that we’ve had a hard time narrowing down the list! We’ll announce the shortlist titles next week! Thank you for your patience! The Sixth of October Help, Satan! Storm in a Teacup Bad Beat […]
Uncharted’s Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Short Story Award Short List
We’re so excited to announce the 15 titles of our shortlist! The submissions we received were so creative, thrilling, and deeply envisioned that we’ve had a hard time narrowing down the list! We’ll announce the winners in early January! Thank you for your patience! From this list, Ken Liu will select 3 winners! The Organic […]
Writing Stories that Sing: An Interview with Evan J. Peterson
1. What is your hottest take on the age old genre vs. fiction debate and how do you see yourself and your work fitting into that? Evan J. Peterson: You asked for it, so here goes. Genre is about money. Genres as we know them are made up to sell books, and they were made […]
Essay – YA Literature: Unchildlike Behavior by Megan Cummins
First published in The Masters Review “I don’t believe a teenager would think this.” This is a critique I’ve heard often while writing my YA novel, a story about a teenage girl who goes to live with her father in Sioux Falls one summer; when she arrives, she finds he’s left town. Rather than calling […]
5 Questions for Brandon Goode
Brandon Goode grew up in the small beach town of Melbourne, Florida. He attended Eastern Florida State College and Florida International University. He loves to motivate and inspire others, enjoys traveling, and eats an insanely amount of sushi. Oh, and he is obsessed with all things on the Bravo network. His debut novel, The Secrets […]
5 Questions for Pamela N. Harris
Pamela N. Harris was born and somewhat raised in Newport News, VA—also affectionately known as “Bad News.” A former school counselor by day, she received her BA in English and a Master’s in school counseling at Old Dominion University, her MFA in creative writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a PhD in counselor education and […]