ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Short Story Writing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TrueShort

Writer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Resume and/or portfolio * 1-3 writing samples (scripts, scenes, pilots, short stories, etc.) * Optional: links to produced or published work

Green Leaf Productions Inc

Story Producer

Bethlehem, PA · On-site

Collaborate with directors, producers, and editors to craft compelling story arcs for short-form and long-form content * Write outlines, scripts, VO, and interview questions based on creative briefs ...

United States Digital Space LLC

WI · On-site

$112K - $147K/yr

Prefer to write by hand because your mental model is faster than prompting? Perfect. We only care ... To apply, email me directly at hr@unitedstatesdigital.space with a short story about a favorite ...

Nashville Public Radio

Associate Writer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$75K/yr

... short and long-term disability; employee assistance program ( EAP ); tuition remission; and ... Seeks out stories and connects with law faculty and office leaders to research stories. * Writes ...

Netflix

Story Artist- Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$74.52/hr

Translate script pages and written or verbal descriptions into visual, ranging from rough thumbnail ... short-form); experience with stylized or non-photoreal work is a plus OR a portfolio that ...

Plutus LLC

AI Story Producer / AI Filmmaker

TX · Remote

$70K - $80K/yr

Our studio creates premium vertical short-form series for a streaming platform, with stories told ... We're looking for a highly creative AI Story Producer who can transform written scripts into ...

Plutus LLC

AI Story Producer / AI Filmmaker

Miami, FL · Remote

$70K - $80K/yr

Our studio creates premium vertical short-form series for a streaming platform, with stories told ... We're looking for a highly creative AI Story Producer who can transform written scripts into ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsArts And Entertainment JobsShort Story Writing Jobs

Short Story Writing information

See salary details

$11

$24

$42

How much do short story writing jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for short story writing in the United States is $24.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is short story writing?

Short story writing is the craft of creating brief, self-contained works of fiction that typically focus on a single incident or character. These stories are usually shorter than novels, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand words, and aim to evoke a strong emotional response or convey a specific message in a compact form. Short story writers use concise language, vivid imagery, and well-developed characters to tell engaging narratives within a limited word count.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a short story writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Short Story Writer, you need strong storytelling abilities, a solid grasp of grammar and style, and creativity, typically supported by a background in English, literature, or writing courses. Familiarity with word processing software, writing workshops, and publishing platforms is often beneficial. Exceptional imagination, self-discipline, and resilience to feedback are key soft skills that set successful writers apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for crafting compelling narratives, meeting deadlines, and continually improving in a competitive literary landscape.

What are some common challenges short story writers face when collaborating with editors or literary magazines?

Short story writers often encounter challenges such as adapting their unique voice to fit editorial guidelines, managing revisions based on feedback, and meeting tight publication deadlines. Collaboration with editors usually requires open communication and flexibility, as editors may suggest structural or thematic changes to better suit their audience. Writers should be prepared for constructive criticism and use it as a tool to refine their work, ultimately enhancing their storytelling and increasing their chances of publication.

What is the difference between Short Story Writing vs Novel Writing?

AspectShort Story WritingNovel Writing
CredentialsTypically none required, but writing courses helpfulOften requires more extensive writing experience or education
Work EnvironmentFreelance, publishing houses, online platformsPublishing houses, self-publishing, literary agents
Industry UsageLiterary magazines, anthologies, online publicationsBook publishers, literary markets
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on concise storytelling, quick publicationFocus on detailed development, longer process

Short story writing involves creating brief, impactful narratives often published in magazines or online. In contrast, novel writing requires developing extended plots and characters, typically for book publication. Both roles demand strong storytelling skills, but differ in scope, length, and publishing channels.

What other helpful pages are available for Short Story Writing?

Other pages related to Short Story Writing:

Infographic showing various Short Story Writing job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,519 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Writer

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

TrueShort
See more jobs at TrueShortexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Writer
About TrueShort
TrueShort is one of the fastest-growing streaming apps in the United States. An AI studio and streaming platform where we experiment, develop and release original series and films constantly. No development purgatory.
Built for mobile-first viewing, TrueShort delivers premium, bingeable storytelling across an expanding slate of genres, reimagining how modern audiences discover and experience great stories.
Our team is experimenting at the frontier of AI-powered entertainment production across animation, live action, and emerging storytelling formats.
Backed by Jeffrey Katzenberg (Founder of DreamWorks), Scott Belsky, Ravi Nandan (A24), Khosla Ventures, and others.
Role Overview
We're looking for Writers to help develop and write original episodic series across a wide range of genres and formats.
Writers at TrueShort work closely with Showrunners and other creative team members to develop weekly episodes, shape story worlds, refine characters, and continuously generate new ideas for ongoing productions.
This role is ideal for someone who combines strong storytelling instincts with speed, adaptability, and a curiosity for emerging AI-native creative workflows. You should be comfortable collaborating closely with other writers and using AI tools to help streamline development, outlining, brainstorming, and production prep.
We're looking for ambitious creatives who are constantly generating concepts, pitching new ideas, and excited about building stories inside a fast-moving production environment.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and write episodic content across multiple genres and formats
  • Collaborate closely with Showrunners on story development, outlines, revisions, and scripts
  • Generate and pitch new series, characters, concepts, and episode ideas
  • Utilize AI tools to accelerate brainstorming, outlining, research, and development workflows
  • Write and revise scripts on fast production timelines
  • Collaborate with other writers and creative team members when needed
  • Help maintain consistency in character voice, tone, worldbuilding, and story continuity
  • Contribute to the ongoing creative development of original series
Preferred Skills & Experience
  • Experience writing episodic, serialized, short-form, or entertainment-driven content
  • Ability to work quickly without sacrificing clarity, structure, or creativity
  • Comfortable collaborating inside a writers' room-style environment
  • Familiarity with AI writing and creative development tools
  • Strong understanding of pacing, dialogue, character development, and visual storytelling
  • Passion for film, television, animation, internet culture, and emerging storytelling formats
  • Self-starter mindset with a strong instinct for generating and pitching original ideas
Compensation & Details
  • Full-Time and Contract opportunities available
  • Compensation dependent on experience
  • Potential for long-term growth and creative leadership opportunities
  • Los Angeles preferred (hybrid/in-person encouraged)

To Apply
Please send:
  • Resume and/or portfolio
  • 1-3 writing samples (scripts, scenes, pilots, short stories, etc.)
  • Optional: links to produced or published work

Apply