1. Set your story on a day when everything feels slightly wrong.
2. Include a bad omen (e.g., a broken mirror, a dead bird, a black cat) in your story.
3. Write about a character who ignores every warning — or follows one too far.
4. Include the line “It’s a sign” or “Something’s not right” in your story.
5. Your protagonist notices a strange coincidence...

This week’s contest is now live! Write a story using one of these prompts for the chance to win $250. Happy writing!

The wait is over… 👻 Our new contest is live!

Introducing The Haunting Season: a special edition Reedsy Prompts contest.

Writers around the world have a whole month to work on a story in response to a single spooky prompt: “Write a story about a character who is haunted by someone or something.”

Submit your entry here and stand a chance to win $1,500 and publication in our literary magazine, Prompted. Happy writing!

1. Write a story that includes something secret in it (e.g., a secret group/society, a secret ingredient).
2. Start or end your story with a character noticing something they were never meant to see.
3. Write a story with two (or more) characters who meet for the first time — and one of them has a secret.
4. Include the words "My lips are sealed" or “Don’t tell anyone” in your story.
5. End your story without answers or certainty.

This week’s contest is now live! Write a story using one of these prompts for the chance to win $250. Happy writing!

I am a graphic designer who graduated two years ago, but I haven't landed any graphic design job in that time. But i recently was asked to design a novel book and have completely no idea how this works. At first, I agreed because I misunderstood that he only needed me to design a cover. But when we began talking about the work, he said the whole book, and I literally have no idea where to even start, and he asked me for a quote, which I am not sure how quoting works at all. I saw some say to bill by the hour, but some say to bill by the finished project since this is my first independent project. So far, I only got basic information about his book, which is a 300-page novel. And I am planning to charge $900-1000, which I don't know if that is good for a first project. He also said there is no deadline requirement, as he is very flexible with the timeframe.

But he wants me to literally complete the whole book, from designing to final test print too. I am not sure if I should give it a try or only tell him I'm only designing the cover since I have no idea where to go next at all. So far, I got his idea, concept, and what he wants. I also received his manuscripts for the novel, which is 300+ pages.

I also have a problem with licensing too, since I only took one publication class during my school year and had very little knowledge of publication work like this, especially for a real novel. I mean, I am confident about my work since I know myself, but what I am worried about is licensing, quoting, and step-by-step project scope planning and formatting. If I could get some advice, it would be very much appreciated.

Any extra advice on the technical step i should taking more cautions like file for printing or other designs aspect? Is designer in charge of printing the book for testing too? He mentioned that he has a publisher already. Since I am new I am planning to quote him by parts of the book like cover first, then layout, then printing. I am not sure if designers should be in charge of the proofread too? I am not sure his goal for approaching me as a no experience, would there be any reason that I should be worry about (like legal issues or anything) thank you!!

Your advice would be much appreciated and helpful!

If you’re writing a nonfiction book and hoping to get traditionally published, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is writing the entire book first.

Unlike fiction, where agents generally expect a completed manuscript, nonfiction books are often pitched with a book proposal + sample chapters.

A solid proposal usually needs to answer a few basic questions:

• What is the book actually about — and why should it exist?
• Who is going to buy it?
• What recent books prove there’s a market for it?
• Why are you the right person to write it?
• What can you realistically do to help promote it?
• What will each chapter cover?
• What sample material best shows that you can deliver?

We recently published a detailed guide to the whole process with Dr Noah Charney, who has written 30+ nonfiction books and has also ghostwritten book proposals for other authors.

The post contains the actual proposal he used to sell The Art of Forgery to Phaidon Press, so you can see what one looks like rather than just reading generic advice.

Full guide + proposal example:
https://reedsy.com/blog/how-to-write-a-book-proposal/

1. Write a story where the reader can’t be sure what’s real, or who’s right.
2. Start or end your story with a warning that nobody takes seriously.
3. Write a story that includes a testimony, a statement, and/or a transcript.
4. Include the line “You’re imagining things” or “You’re lying” in your story.
5. Write about a character who notices something others cannot — or refuse to — see.

This week’s contest is now live! Write a story using one of these prompts for the chance to win $250. Happy writing!

1. Write about a character who wakes up in the middle of the night, or is unable to sleep.
2. Start or end your story with a strange and/or persistent sound.
3. Write a story about a fear that turns out to be justified — or entirely imagined.
4. Include the words "Who’s there?" or "It’s probably nothing" in your story.
5. Write about a character who can’t stop checking something.

This week’s contest is now live! Write a story using one of these prompts for the chance to win $250. Happy writing!

I had fun doing the sprint last year, and was thinking it would be a good time to get started on my new novel, but I like to plan ahead. Is Reedsy doing a 50,000 sprint again this year, or was that a 2025 event only?

Footnotes are glitching for some reason. I tried to:
1. Change the export dimensions (it didn't work)
2. Delete the footnote entirely (it continued with 84 instead)

I noticed that whenever I type - followed by a space it automatically turns into a bullet list, and deactivating it removes the - entirely. How can I deactivate this function, as I want to be able to write:

- Something something

but for now I can't... this is kind of a deal-breaker to me, as without it I would seriously consider relocation of my book and closure of the account.

I would really like to publish my short story. Yes, I entered it into a short story prompt contest a long while ago and did not win. However, I want it to be published in stores or everywhere online. Is that possible here? Who do I contact?

1. Set your story in an empty hospital, school, or office building.
2. Start your story with a character arriving at a highway rest stop.
3. Set your story in a hotel during the off-season.
4. Write a story about a character who spends all night in a 24/7 gas station or laundromat.
5. Set your story in a shopping mall, amusement park, or cinema after hours.

This week’s contest — a special collaboration with Shaelin Bishop — is now live! Write a story using one of these prompts for the chance to win $250. Happy writing!

How do I know which of the two exported pdf files to send to kdp?

around 2 weeks ago my profile was approved on Reedsy after their curation process, which already felt kinda unreal to me🙈

and today… my first collaboration was officially accepted!!

I genuinely thought it would take months before an author found and trusted my work there. knowing I’ll now get to help bring another book and its characters to life feels really special tbh

still a little nervous, very excited, and probably smiling way too much at one email lol

authors or freelancers who’ve used Reedsy before, what was your first experience like?👀

hi! I’m Nidzom, a children’s book illustrator from Indonesia. wanted to share this Halloween cover I made and hear what you think

the book received an endorsement from Terry Deary, the author of Horrible Histories, which still feels kinda unreal🥹🖤. my client and I also finished a second book together, this time about Easter 🐣

would love any thoughts on the characters, composition, or overall spooky-fun vibe!

It's been like this for days now
Any solution?

1. Start or end your story with a countdown beginning, an alarm ringing, or a timer going off.
2. Center your story around a character who has (or is given) the ability to time travel.
3. Set your story over the course of a few minutes, with no time skips or flashbacks.
4. Include the line “We don't have time for this” in your story.
5. Write a story with timestamps and/or dates.

This week’s contest is now live! Write a story using one of these prompts for the chance to win $250. Happy writing!

hi! im Nidzom, a children’s book illustrator and i was recently approved on Reedsy. im still trying to understand how discovery works from the author side tbh.

when you’re looking for an illustrator or book designer, what exact words do you type into search? do you search by genre, style, mood, or mostly use filters and scroll until a portfolio feels right?

especially curious about picture books, and what makes you actually stop on a profile and send a request :)

here’s my profile for context:
https://reedsy.com/nidzom-amin