Hire the Best Short Story Writers

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Steve F.

Holmfirth, United Kingdom

$60/hr
5.0
213 jobs

There is no vision so vast, intimate, or out there that it cannot be communicated perfectly with the right words. I write for corporations that want their kids to like them and independent creators who want their parents to respect them. With an artistic background, an eye for structure, and a compulsion for wit and lyricism, I've tended to succeed where corporate meets consumer and where independents strive for high levels of creativity and professionalism. I employ color, elegance, intelligence, humor, wordplay, a few winks, and much hard work to ensure my clients are happy. My unique angle stems from my dual areas of expertise: on the one hand, I am a well-disciplined agency writer, comfortable delivering complex work on time and within budget; on the other, I am a musician, freelancer, and contrarian who can transition seamlessly into poetry, wit, irreverence, and pithy commentary. Clients most often bring me in to: —Ghostwrite memoirs and personal transformation stories that feel rich, human, and voice-driven (including for Olympic athletes, founders, and creatives). —Write brand scripts, keynote speeches, and web copy that blend sharp messaging with emotional punch. —Craft children’s books—sometimes rhyming, often offbeat, always memorable—with emotional clarity and playfulness. Every project is different—but if the story matters, I’m in. Upwork clients have said of their experience working with me (taken from my testimonials) … —“I must say, he is nothing short of remarkable. Steve is not only incredibly talented but also an amazing human being.” —“I have yet to ask him for help on a project that he hasn’t vastly improved the idea. He is a testament to the writing profession.” —“Steve is a gift of a human. I'm glad to have met and worked with him. He truly has exceptional talent.” —“Steve did a fantastic job on a challenging assignment.” —“Usually, when I work with freelancers, the work takes weeks to months. He had it done in days and turnover in less than 24 hours. Possibly one of the best freelancers I've worked with.” —“Steve knocked our project out of the ballpark!” —“Steve is a brilliant, creative writer with a totally professional attitude. Working with him was sheer joy.” And it would be my job to ensure you are equally happy. Contacting me won’t cost you a thing. I would love to hear from you. Reliable — creative ghostwriter — creative writing — video scripts — speech writing — branding — children's literature — rhyming books — memoirs — novels — non-fiction — coaching — structure — humor.

  • Short Story Writing
  • Short Story
  • Creative Writing
  • Children's Literature
  • Ghostwriting
  • Branding
  • Content Writing
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Developmental Editing
  • Novel Writing
  • Scriptwriting
  • Speech Writing
  • Memoir Writing
  • Story Writing
  • Book Editing
Johnathon H.

Parker, Colorado

$15/hr
5.0
68 jobs

I am a freelance ghostwriter of four and a half years standing, specializing in the editing and writing of fiction. On behalf of individual clients, I have written short stories as short as 3000 words and whole novels ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 words. I also have edited many unfinished or rough manuscripts in various stages of completion, ranging from line editing to full rewrites. I have a working knowledge of MS Word, Notepad and Excel as it relates to manuscripts. As to work under my own name, I was a regular columnist and reviewer for the website Innsmouth Free Press. I have two published short stories to my credit, "Grand Guginol" for Short Story Me! and "Faces" for the inaugural issue of the now-defunct New Zenith Magazine. I have also written my first script for a video game, the forthcoming visual novel "Starlight Drifter" for Dharker Studio. This last ties in with my education, as I am a holder of Bachelor's Degree in Media Arts and Animation (with a concentration on Video Games) through the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online. I promise that once I am hired, I can deliver work that is timely and up to specifications. I am also a great believer in communication and am more than willing to talk through any concerns you may have about our projects together. I look forward to hearing from you.

  • Short Story Writing
  • Short Story
  • Creative Writing
  • Fiction
  • Novel
  • Ghostwriting
  • Book Writing
  • Fiction Writing
Navkiran D.

SAS Nagar, India

$10/hr
4.9
579 jobs

Looking for 100% unique and engaging content that drives traffic to your website? I can deliver you content that is: - Persuasive and actionable - SEO- and AEO-optimized - Aligned with Google's EEAT principle - 100% human-written With 14+ years in writing, I understand what makes audiences stop, read till the end, and take the intended action. Great content increases click-through rate, drives traffic, and boosts conversion rate. SKILLS: Keyword research Web content SEO articles Blog posts A+ Product descriptions Creative writing Copywriting Proofreading Newsletter Canva designing Professional strengths: Easy to work with, delivered within deadlines, positive attitude towards feedback, and ability to learn things quickly. Let's connect now and get started with your project.

  • Short Story Writing
  • Ghostwriting
  • Ebook Writing
  • SEO Writing
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • On-Page SEO
  • Blog Writing
  • Website Copywriting
  • Web Content Development
  • Product Description
  • Article Writing
  • Landing Page
  • Social Media Content
Desiree D.

Cohoes, New York

$35/hr
4.9
340 jobs

My name is Desiree and crafting a story, whether it be fiction or non-fiction, is always a joy and a welcoming challenge. Fiction Expertise: I love building immersive worlds, dynamic characters, and plots that keep readers turning the page. My ghostwriting experience includes: - Romance (Contemporary, Paranormal, Historical, etc) - Horror - Fantasy - Sci-Fi - Young Adult - Mysteries (Cozy Mysteries, Thrillers, Psychological) - Comedy Nonfiction Niches: I create focused, well-researched writing that reads smoothly and delivers value to the client. Topics include: - Pets/Animals -Medical/Lifestyle - Food - Politics - Travel - Entertainment - Video Games Get in touch with me today, and let's write something memorable!

  • Short Story
  • Creative Writing
  • Fantasy
  • Young Adult
  • Blog Writing
  • Article Writing
  • Ghostwriting
  • Copywriting
  • Humor Writing
  • Fiction Writing
  • Content Writing
  • Video Game Writing
  • Writing
  • Beta Reading
  • Book Review
Kelly S.

Cerritos, California

$35/hr
4.6
51 jobs

To be honest, writing wasn’t actually my first choice of career. I desperately wanted to be a firefighter or a police officer or a superhero… I wasn’t picky. I was four. I just really wanted to help people. But it turns out that it helps not to be short when you want to be a firefighter or a police officer, and that the superhero market is a little rough to break into without actual superpowers. Fortunately, I realized I actually had a superpower not too long after that. I can’t fly or bend metal by thinking about it, and the only time I’ve ever turned blue was when I accidentally jumped into a really cold pool. But I can write. I love the sound, the shape, the texture of words. I love the way they interlock and weave together to create pictures in the mind. I love the magic of storytelling, whether I’m telling my kids stories I’ve written just for them, or telling a friend about a cool new boba place that I just found and they have this Earl Grey Lavender latte that just reminds me of silk with an aftertaste of springtime…. It’s amazing! Back when I was a kid, writing for a living wasn’t even on the table. You had to be lucky, connected, or already wealthy… none of which described me, by the way. Now, the world runs online and that means that the online world literally runs on storytelling. Stories transport, inform, enthrall, and motivate. They entertain, comfort and create trust. They can bring people together or move people to action. Most of all, stories connect humans in a way nothing else does. Sounds like a superpower to me... what do you think? What I Can Help You With: * detailed beta reading that delivers a comprehensive report and gives you constructive criticism that's easy to act on (while being very, very nice about it) * encouraging expert editorial support for newer writers * humanizing AI written manuscripts (all lengths) (AI cleanup ghostwriting) * catching AI tell-tales and removing them. * ghostwriting, editing, and researching I am meticulous (can also be called nit-picky) when it comes to editing and ghostwriting. But I love doing it. I love finding my client’s voice and creating something alongside them. Above all, I’m ethical, honest, and I stick to deadlines. If I can’t meet that deadline, I will tell you before I accept an assignment. I don’t want to waste your time or your money. I treat your project as if it's my own… giving you the time, attention, and resources that you need to succeed. If you're a fellow writer, I've got your back. No one understands the struggle and joy of making a story work quite like another writer. So if you’re looking for a responsible, empathetic, imaginative writer with a jones for research, a knack for conversational writing, and a relentless work ethic…. click that contact button. Let’s work together to get your story out there!

  • Beta Reader Report
  • English
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Fiction
  • Blog Content
  • Ghostwriting
  • Blog Writing
  • White Paper
  • Content Editing
  • Product Description
  • Story Editing
  • Email Copywriting
  • Grant Writing
  • Error Detection
Anita M.

Old Town, Maine

$30/hr
5.0
82 jobs

Hello! I am a freelance writer and editor. I have enjoyed writing, art, and other creative projects for as long as I can remember. My interests include animals, nature, science and technology, social issues, and the world around me in general. I am the author of over two dozen traditionally published nonfiction books. My work has been published by TAB/McGraw-Hill, Greenhaven Press, Rosen Publishing, Enslow Publishing and Language Lizard. My recent Upwork projects include nonfiction writing, editing, proofreading, and creating stories that are used in educational apps. I'm looking forward to working with you soon! Sincerely, Anita Louise McCormick

  • Short Story Writing
  • Ebook
  • Article Writing
  • Ebook Writing
  • Creative Writing
  • Nonfiction
  • Content Writing
  • Book Writing
  • Children's Writing
  • Scriptwriting
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Fiction Writing

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How to Hire Top Short Story Writers

How to hire short story writers

From pop periodicals to fan fiction, short story writers are here to help put your ideas to paper.

So how do you hire short story writers? What follows are some tips for finding top short story writers on Upwork.

How to shortlist short story writing professionals

As you’re browsing available short story writing contractors, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles using criteria such as:

  • Genre fit. You want a writer who understands the type of short story you wish to tell.
  • Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., instructional design background for incorporating short stories into an online course).
  • Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular short story writer.

How to write an effective short story writing job post

With a clear picture of your ideal short story writer in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.

An effective short story writing job post should include:

  • Scope of work: From periodicals to anthologies, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
  • Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
  • Background: If you prefer experience with certain genres or subject-matter expertise, mention this here.
  • Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.

Log in and post your short story writing job on Upwork today.

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SHORT STORY WRITER FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a short story?

A short story is a type of prose that is generally intended to be read in one sitting. This brevity generally means a short story, even when part of an anthology or series, can be enjoyed as a self-contained complete narrative.

Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in short story writing professionals:

  • Short story writing
  • Creative writing
  • Ghostwriting
  • Proofreading and editing

Why hire a short story writer?

The trick to finding top short story writers is to identify your needs. Is your goal to find a published author to regularly contribute content to your romance themed blog? Or are you looking for a ghostwriter to bring your pulp fiction short to life? The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.

How much does it cost to hire a short story writer?

Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.

  • An experienced short story writer may command higher fees but also work faster, have more specialized areas of expertise, and deliver a higher-quality product.
  • A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their short story writing more competitively.

Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.