Reedsy Prompts Curated Teen and Young Adult Short Stories

Reedsy Prompts Curated Teen and Young Adult Short Stories and Community Resources

Reedsy Prompts Curated Teen and Young Adult Short Stories. This page presents a curated collection of 150+ teen and young adult short stories submitted to Reedsy Prompts’ weekly writing contests — all free to read online. It functions as a one-stop buffet for story-hungry readers and prompt-hungry writers, with helpful signposts, trigger warnings, and links into the wider Reedsy ecosystem.

What Is Reedsy Prompts?

Reedsy Prompts is a weekly writing prompt program that sparks short fiction by sending a single prompt every week. The community answers with micro- and short-story submissions, some of which win cash prizes, some of which quietly break hearts, and some of which do all of the above while wearing a cape.

Writers receive a prompt, craft a short story under contest rules, and submit it for judgment by community votes and occasionally by guest judges. The result is a steady stream of fresh teen and YA fiction, plus plenty of awkward author bios that make readers smile.

Weekly Prompts and Contests

Every week, a new prompt lands in the Prompts feed, inspiring writers to transform three or five or ten hundred words of raw caffeine into polished short fiction. Entrant stories can win cash prizes — an example prize is $250 for the short story competition. The weekly rhythm is cunningly addictive: it encourages regular practice while offering small but meaningful rewards.

Submissions can lead to shortlist placements, prize-winning ribbons, or friendly community recognition — and sometimes to the kind of comments that start fruitful collaborations or very polite rivalries.

The Curated Collection: 150+ Teen & YA Short Stories

This page curates over 150 short stories specifically suitable for teen and young adult audiences. The collection includes prize-winning entries, shortlisted pieces, and editor-recommended stories. Each story listing contains excerpts, genres, and content/trigger warnings where relevant.

Reedsy staff and the community pick stories that demonstrate strong voice, imaginative plotting, or emotional clarity — and occasionally a story that cracks them up so much they can’t help but recommend it.

What “Curated” Means Here

Curated means someone read a lot, cried quietly in the corner at emotional resonance, laughed at the right lines, and then tagged stories as prize winners, recommendations, or noteworthy. Selection criteria include narrative quality, originality, and suitability for teen/YA readers. The curators also flag content with appropriate warnings to make reading safer for sensitive audiences.

The curation process isn’t sacred, and it occasionally involves heated internal debates about whether an ending is “ingenious” or “contrived on purpose.” This is all perfectly normal in literary circles.

Excerpts and Trigger Warnings

Many story entries include short excerpts so readers can sample the tone before committing to a full read. Trigger and content warnings are displayed where relevant — for example, references to self-harm, abuse, sexual content, or intense violence receive clear notices.

A typical excerpt appears with a line warning like: “[Content warning: themes of grief and drowning]” followed by a brief, enticing selection from the story.

Example entry:

• Title: “Just Another Dead Girl Underwater”
• Author: Eliza Leonel
• Contest: Winner (example)
• Excerpt: “She kept her mouth shut because water kept secrets better than anyone at school, and secrets fit nicer in her pockets.”
• Content/Trigger Warning: [Grief, drowning imagery, self-harm implications]

Highlighted Winners and Noteworthy Contests

This curated collection features winners and notable entries from specific contests—classic examples include winners from Contests #275, #234, and #170. Each highlighted entry comes with a short blurb, a sample excerpt, and a list of content warnings if applicable. These examples help readers understand the variety and quality on display.

A few showcased winners:

• Contest #275 — Winner: a sharp coming-of-age piece with sociopolitical bite.

• Contest #234 — Winner: a quietly brilliant speculative fiction vignette about memory and identity.

• Contest #170 — Winner: a romance-tinged contemporary about firsts and last chances.

Genres and Categories Tailored to Teens & YA

The collection spans a wide array of genres and categories specifically chosen for teen and young adult tastes. Genres range from coming-of-age and contemporary to fantasy, horror, romance, LGBTQ+, multicultural offerings, sci-fi, mystery, thriller, and hybrid forms.

A table helps to make genre browsing less like searching for a needle in a haystack and more like choosing fries or curly fries.

Each genre listing includes representative stories from the curated set so readers can find their preferred flavors or discover new ones they didn’t realize they liked.

Reedsy Ecosystem: Tools and Services for Writers and Readers

Reedsy is more than just prompts. The ecosystem includes multiple products that writers and readers might find handy. Each service is designed to support different stages of the writing and publishing process.

Each of these parts plugs into the rest, like a literary Swiss Army knife that also functions as a napkin holder. The Marketplace connects writers with professionals. Studio organizes drafts. Learning teaches craft. Discovery helps authors find readers. Prompts keeps the creative wheels greased.

Could a weekly nudge from a mysterious writing prompt be the best thing that ever happened to bored teenagers and over-caffeinated young adults who secretly love short stories?

Reedsy Marketplace

The Marketplace lists vetted freelancers in editing, design, marketing, and more. Teens and YA authors who take the self-publishing path can find professionals based on experience and pricing. It’s a way for writers to get professional help without having to trust the internet entirely blindfolded.

Marketplace listings include profiles, reviews, and sample work so buyers can make informed decisions. It’s particularly useful for authors seeking a polished short story collection or an indie book launch.

Reedsy Studio (Writing App)

Reedsy Studio is a browser-based writing tool built with manuscript formatting in mind. It aids in organizing chapters, exporting to industry-standard formats, and collaboration with editors. The interface is deliberately simple so writers can focus on sentences, not font wars.

It also offers revision history and commenting features, helpful for writers who want to receive line edits gracefully — or angrily, depending on the editor’s sense of humor.

Reedsy Learning (Courses & Events)

Reedsy Learning hosts free courses, webinars, and live events on writing craft and book marketing. Topics range from building believable characters to planning a book launch. The platform sometimes runs sample events and workshops with dates — for instance, several sessions and webinars with sample dates in January 2026.

Example January 2026 events:

These events are designed to be accessible and actionable — a favorite with writers who prefer step-by-step help and the occasional brutal honesty.

Reedsy Discovery

Reedsy Discovery is a reader-review platform where indie authors can submit their books for honest reader reviews. This is where debut YA authors often first find an audience. Readers can discover new voices and post reviews that help the writer—and often sparkle in author bios later.

Reedsy Discovery often highlights standout indie YA titles, and it functions as a discovery hub for readers who like to be the first to recommend a book at awkward school social functions.

Community Features on Reedsy Prompts

The Prompts community offers several engagement mechanics intended to replicate a friendly, slightly chaotic creative workshop. These features help authors build profiles, get recognition, and develop a following.

Key community features:

• Activity feed — displays recent story posts, comments, and likes. It reads like a literary bird feeder: lots of chirping and occasional nesting.

• Authors to follow — a curated suggestion list so readers can keep up with favorite contributors. Following an author means never missing the next genius microfiction that will make them cry on the bus.

• Story likes and comments — simple feedback mechanisms that boost morale and ego in roughly equal measure.

• Community magazine “Prompted” — a free downloadable magazine compiling prize-winning stories from the contests. It acts as a showcase and a handy thing to leave on the coffee table to spark conversation.

The activity feed is a lively place where writers cheer each other on and occasionally craft conspiratorial plans to win the next contest.

The “Prompted” Magazine

The new community magazine “Prompted” compiles prize-winning and recommended stories into themed issues that readers can download for free. It’s curated and formatted for reading, and often becomes the literary equivalent of a mixtape: sentimental, well-paced, and occasionally embarrassing if someone listens to it in public.

Prompted issues make fine gifts, classroom reading materials, or proof that small stories can have very large emotional effects.

Regular Events, Live Editing, and Courses

Reedsy regularly schedules courses, webinars, and live editing sessions to help writers at various stages of development. These events offer practical learning and networking opportunities, and sample event dates in January 2026 provide a taste of the schedule.

Regular events include:

• Webinars on craft and marketing — hosted by industry professionals and published authors.

• Novel-writing courses — multi-week programs that provide structure for longer projects.

• Live editing sessions — where a volunteer story gets edited in real time and the community watches the transformation.

These events are designed to encourage consistent practice and provide direct feedback. They are also a source of mild panic and great inspiration — often in equal proportions.

Sample Event Dates (January 2026)

(Repeated for emphasis because calendars belong on walls and sometimes hearts.)

Each event includes Q&A time so attendees can ask practical questions. Registrations often fill quickly, suggesting that procrastination is a competitive sport on this platform.

Ongoing Contests: How They Work and What’s at Stake

Weekly prompts feed a continuous cycle of contests. Writers read the prompt, write to the word limit, and submit. The best entries receive community votes and sometimes cash prizes. The short-story competitions occasionally award $250 or more, depending on the contest.

Contests vary in theme and constraints, and prizes can be monetary, reputational, or both. Winning a contest typically brings visibility, a proud screenshot, and sometimes an invitation to contribute to the Prompted magazine.

Contest Mechanics and Tips

• Submission window: Typically one week per prompt, aligning with the weekly rhythm.

• Word limits: Often short — encouraging concision and power-packed prose.

• Judging: A mix of community votes and guest judge selection, depending on the contest.

• Prizes: Example includes $250 for the short story competition, plus badges and magazine placement.

Helpful tips for entrants:

• Read previous winners to get a sense of community taste. Their preferences are mercurial and excellent.

• Keep the opening lively; short stories need to grab readers fast.

• Respect content warnings in prompts and labels; if a story addresses sensitive topics, tag it clearly.

• Engage with the community: commenting on others’ stories often leads to helpful feedback or friendly alliances.

Additional Tools and Resources

The page lists extra tools and directories useful to writers and readers. These include book promotion sites, review blogs, title and name generators, and directories for agents, publishers, and literary magazines. Scholarships and contests are also highlighted for emerging writers seeking funding or recognition.

A consolidated table makes the bounty less intimidating.

Each resource includes a short note on how to use it ethically and effectively. For instance, promotion sites often require a budget and a targeted strategy rather than a “throw everything at it” approach.

Naming Generators, Plot Prompts, and Creative Tools

Generators are an amusingly reliable way to get past writer’s block when the alternatives are cat videos or staring meaningfully at the ceiling. Title and character-name generators can provide a starting point; plot generators offer random sparks that often lead to surprising stories.

The page lists several recommended generators and explains how to incorporate their output into a deliberate creative process rather than treating them like prophecy.

Directories: Agents, Publishers, and Literary Magazines

The curated page includes directories that help aspiring YA authors find appropriate submission venues. These directories list submission guidelines, response times, and any teen/YA specialization.

Authors are encouraged to research each listing carefully and tailor submissions instead of using identical query letters that smell faintly of desperation and instant ramen.

Scholarships and Contests for Young Writers

Reedsy and partner organizations periodically promote scholarships and contests tailored to teen and young adult writers. These are opportunities for funding, mentorship, and early recognition. The page highlights active opportunities and seasonal deadlines, and it provides tips for preparing submissions.

Examples might include youth-focused writing scholarships and national teen short story competitions — each described with eligibility notes and suggested preparation timelines.

How Readers Can Use the Collection

Readers can browse the curated stories by genre, theme, or trigger warning. They might follow favorite authors, download the Prompted magazine, or sign up for Reedsy Discovery to find more long-form YA books by emerging authors.

The collection is handy for classroom assignments, book club selections, or late-night mood reading sessions where dramatic monologues are permitted.

Practical Browsing Tips

• Use genre tags to avoid accidentally opening a horror story while cozying up with a mug of comfort tea (or whatever beverage teenagers prefer these days).

• Check trigger warnings before reading emotionally intense pieces.

• Download Prompted issues for offline reading or for sharing with a classroom.

How Writers Can Use the Collection and Community

Writers can read widely, enter weekly contests, learn from winners’ techniques, and use Reedsy Learning courses to address craft gaps. Writers can also use Reedsy Studio to polish drafts and the Marketplace to hire editors.

Submitting to the contests offers exposure; even stories that don’t win often receive helpful reader feedback and invites to collaborate. The community functions as a testing ground and a cheer squad.

Practical Writing Tips

• Treat weekly prompts as practice runs that can grow into stronger pieces. A short story might later expand into a novella or provide an unforgettable scene in a longer work.

• Engage with comments and feedback — but filter edits through a personal aesthetic compass. Not every suggestion will align with the story’s goals.

• Use the Marketplace and Studio when ready for professional-level polish and formatting.

Moderation, Accessibility, and Content Safety

The curated page stresses content safety: stories with severe themes are flagged with clear warnings. Reedsy Prompts supports community moderation, allowing readers to report content that violates guidelines. The goal is to balance creative freedom with reader protection.

Accessibility considerations include readable formatting, clear warning labels, and downloadable magazine issues for offline or assisted reading. The platform aims to make the collection accessible to diverse audiences.

Reporting and Community Guidelines

Community guidelines outline respectful engagement and clear reporting mechanisms for harassment or unsafe content. These policies help maintain a productive creative space where authors can test boundaries responsibly, and readers can enjoy literature without unnecessary harm.

Curation Criteria and Regular Updates

The curated list is updated regularly to include newly awarded stories, rising talent, and reader favorites. The editorial team refreshes recommendations and rotates featured pieces so returning visitors always find something new.

Selection criteria include literary merit, emotional impact, stylistic inventiveness, and youth appropriateness. The curators try to represent diverse voices and perspectives in each update cycle.

Frequency of Updates

Updates typically occur on a monthly basis or after major contests conclude. The intention is to keep the collection lively without overwhelming readers with constant churn.

Examples of Community Success Stories

Several authors have leveraged Prompts wins into further opportunities — placements in the Prompted magazine, invitations to guest-judge contests, or networking contacts that led to representation. Short stories that began as contest entries sometimes grew into longer works or found homes in literary journals.

These success stories show how small victories compound into real career momentum. They also show the occasional awkward phase where an author must explain, at a family dinner, why their “hobby” now involves press releases.

Sample Excerpts from Curated Stories

Below are brief excerpts from selected notable entries in the curated collection. Each snippet shows variety and tone while offering content warnings for context.

• “Just Another Dead Girl Underwater” — Eliza Leonel

  • Excerpt: “She kept her mouth shut because water kept secrets better than anyone at school, and secrets fit nicer in her pockets.”

  • Content Warning: [Grief, drowning imagery, references to self-harm]

• Contest #275 Winner (Example)

  • Excerpt: “He traded his last honest lie for the map, and the map only pointed toward more places to get lost.”

  • Content Warning: [Discussion of loss and familial conflict]

• Contest #234 Winner (Example)

  • Excerpt: “Memory was a commodity now: stamped, traded, and never refundable.”

  • Content Warning: [Psychological themes, memory alteration]

• Contest #170 Winner (Example)

  • Excerpt: “They said the stars had names, but none of the names matched the things he felt when the sky went soft.”

  • Content Warning: [Mild romantic themes, existential dread]

Each excerpt gives a quick flavor and invites a full read for those inclined. The catalog shows readers what to expect tonally and thematically.

Networking and Following Authors

Writers and readers can follow favorite contributors to receive notifications when new stories appear. The activity feed highlights new works and comments, making it easy to stay engaged with promising authors.

Following an author often results in a gentle cascade of updates, pretty much like subscribing to a newsletter that only occasionally asks for money.

Why This Collection Matters for Diversity and Representation

The curated set emphasizes diverse voices and themes. It intentionally includes stories that foreground LGBTQ+ experiences, multicultural narratives, and varied socio-economic backgrounds. The goal is to present YA literature that reflects the complexity and plurality of teen lives.

Editors prioritize inclusivity and frequently highlight pieces that challenge conventional YA tropes or broaden representation in meaningful ways.

Classroom and Educator Uses

Teachers may find the collection a useful source of short, accessible texts for classroom discussion. Each story’s length and clear trigger warnings make them suitable for targeted lessons, creative writing prompts, or reading assignments.

Suggested classroom activities include close-reading exercises, prompt-based writing assignments modeled on winning stories, and peer-review practice using community-style feedback.

Final Notes: A Living Resource

This curated page is a living resource — new stories and community features get added, events refresh, and the Prompted magazine grows. The collection is designed to support readers who want fresh teen and YA short fiction and writers who want prompts, exposure, and community.

It functions as both a showcase and a workshop, where the literary sparks of weekly prompts become stories that resonate, amuse, and sometimes sting.

How to Start Using It Today

A simple plan helps: readers can browse by genre, check trigger warnings, download Prompted for curated reads, and follow favorite authors. Writers can sign up for weekly prompts, submit to contests, join an upcoming January 2026 webinar, and consider Reedsy Studio for drafting and the Marketplace for editorial help.

In short, someone can open the page, pick a story that matches their mood, and start reading. Or they can write the story that will make everyone else wish they’d started entering contests earlier.

Closing Thought

Reedsy Prompts and the curated teen & YA short story collection are like a neighborhood ice cream truck that delivers not just treats but urgent little narratives: some sweet, some tangy, some with unexpected toppings. The ecosystem around it gives writers and readers ways to grow, learn, and laugh — often all at the same time — and usually within the span of a single, very satisfying short story.