How to Publish Your First Short Story Online (Without Freaking Out)
Want to publish your first short story online? Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to share your work with the world—without fear or confusion.
Hey there,
it’s Reginaldo Osnildo—
And today, we’re tackling one of the most exciting (and slightly terrifying)
moments in any new writer’s journey:
Putting
your story out into the world.
That’s
right—we’re talking about publishing your first short story online.
Maybe
you’ve written something you’re proud of. You’ve edited it. Maybe even shared
it with a friend. Now, you’re thinking…
Should I post it somewhere? Am I ready? What if it’s not good enough?
Take a deep
breath. You don’t need permission. You just need a nudge—and this article is
it.
Why
Publishing Your First Story Is a Game-Changer
Publishing
isn’t about going viral or getting a book deal (at least not right away).
It’s about:
- Claiming
your voice
- Finishing
something and sharing it
- Building
confidence
- Finding
your writing rhythm
- Showing yourself: “I can do
this.”
And here’s
the truth: you don’t need to wait to be “good enough.”
You’re ready now.
Where to
Publish Your First Story Online (Free + Beginner-Friendly)
1. Medium
Perfect for
short stories, creative nonfiction, and personal essays.
Easy to set up, with a built-in audience.
2. Wattpad
Great for
serial storytelling and fiction communities. Readers can comment, follow, and
give you feedback.
3. Substack
Want to
build a small mailing list for your stories? Substack lets you publish and
email your writing to subscribers for free.
4. A
Personal Blog
Create your
own creative home using WordPress, Blogger, or Notion.
Bonus: You control everything.
5. Reddit
(r/shortstories or r/writing)
Share short
stories or get feedback. Just follow subreddit rules and be respectful.
https://reddit.com/r/shortstories
How to
Hit “Publish” Without Losing Your Nerve
1. Give
Yourself a Deadline
Pick a day.
Mark your calendar. Commit.
2. Keep
It Short and Simple
Don’t worry
about writing your magnum opus. A 500–1,000 word story is a perfect start.
3. Write
a Simple Title + 2-Sentence Description
This helps
your post stand out—and gives readers a little context.
4. Don’t
Obsess Over Likes or Comments
Your first
goal is just this: Finish. Share. Move on.
✍️ Quick Prompt: What’s Your “First
Publish” Story?
Write down:
- The
title of your story
- A
short blurb (1–2 sentences)
- The
platform you’ll post on
- Your target publish date (make
it real!)
That’s how
dreams become goals—and goals become reality.
🎁 Want Help Getting Your Story Ready to Share?
If you’ve
got an idea—or a half-written scene—but don’t know how to shape it into
something you’re proud to post, I’ve got just what you need:
👉 The Basics of Creative Writing for
Those Who Have Never Written Short Stories or Novels
Inside, you’ll learn:
- How to build a story from
scratch
- How to develop characters,
plot, and scenes that connect
- How
to edit without overthinking
- How to share your work confidently
and clearly
You don’t
have to wait for someone to tell you “You’re a writer now.”
You just need to write—and let the world see what you’ve created.
Let this be
your first story. The first of many.
See you in
the next article!
— Reginaldo Osnildo