Sign Ups Start now!
Email me at alwayswrite01@gmail.com to reserve a date.
What is Story Chat?
Story Chat is more than a writing challenge. It is a unique and proven online program that encourages interaction between authors and readers. It’s part writers group, part beta readers, part fun fiction, and pure enjoyment.
This year, we have openings for 18 short stories, 3 articles with writing tips, 2 posts with puzzles and/or art entries, and unlimited poems.
Schedule for Story Chat Digest 2025
The schedule is not set in cement, but reflects the new changes. Sending in your submissions in advance of publication due dates is appreciated.
This post will be kept up to date with your publication date.
The ABSOLUTELY FINAL deadline for submission by email for each scheduled event is 1 week before scheduled date. Bolded Entries on the Schedule are still available for submissions
| January 7 Amanda Forestwood | January 21 Short Story Flash Fiction Challenge | ||
| January 28 Poetry Day | Robbie Cheadle, Doug Jacquier | ||
| February 4 Nigel Byng | February 18 Short Story Flash Fiction Challenge | ||
| February 25 Poetry Day | Cathy Cade, Cindy Georgakas, Smitha Vishwanath | ||
| March 4 Robbie & Michael Cheadle | March 18 Philip Cumberland | ||
| March 25 Poetry Day | Geoff Le Pard, Robbie Cheadle | ||
| April 8 Marsha Ingrao | April 22 Puzzle & Art Day – Robbie Cheadle | ||
| April 29 Poetry Day | Diana Coombs, Cindy Georgakas, Marsha Ingrao | ||
| May 6 Esther Chilton | May 20 Grant P. Ferguson | ||
| May 27 Poetry Day | Sadje and Doug Jacquier | ||
| June 3 Tips #1 Your name goes here | June 17 Gary Wilson | ||
| June 24 Poetry Day | Robbie Cheadle, Smitha Vishwanath | ||
| July 1 Darlene Foster | July 15 Short Story Flash Fiction Challenge | ||
| July 22 Poetry Day | Yvette Prior & Maggie Watson | ||
| August 5 Yvette Prior | August 19 – Puzzle & Art Day Smitha Vishwanath | ||
| August 26 Poetry Day | Doug Jacquier, Maggie Watson, Smitha Vishwanath | ||
| September 9 Tips #2 Hugh W. Roberts | September 23 Gary Wilson | ||
| September 30 Poetry Day | Geoff Le Pard | ||
| October 7 Geoff Le Pard | October 14 Possibly Poetry Day | ||
| October 21 Hugh W. Roberts | October 28 JulesPaige | ||
| November 4 Darlene Foster | November 11 Break | ||
| November 18 Sadje | November 25 Cathy Cade | ||
| December 9 Doug Jacquier | December 23 Philip Cumberland |
It’s here, Story Chat Vol. II
cLICK TO READ IT ON KINDLE OR ORDER IT IN PAPERBACK HERE.
Story Chat Volume II Book Blog Tour Schedule
- Colleen Chesebro – November 24, 2024 (US) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
- Gloria – November 29 (UK)
- Robbie & Michael – November 30 (SA)
- Diana – December 1 (US)
- Doug – December 2 (AU) December 1 (US, UK, SA) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
- Cathy – December 4 (UK) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
- Amanda – December 9 (AU) December 8 (US, UK, SA)
- Dan– December 11 (US)
- Philip – December 14 (UK)
- Cindy Georgekas – December 16 (US)
- Esther Chilton – January 30 (UK ) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
- D. L. Finn – February 4 (US) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
- Yvette – February 5 (US) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
- Hugh – January 27 (UK)
The SC page is now published with submission guidelines, but you can pick your dates for short stories now by emailing me at Marsha_Ingrao@alwayswrite.blog or leaving a comment on this post.
Lots of love and hugs! Happy blogging! xxxxx
Marsha Ingrao Always Write 
35 responses to “Story Chat 2025 Schedule”
[…] get your short story published, shoot me an email at alwayswrite01@gmail.com. Here is a link to the schedule. This page, Story Chat has all the guidelines and other pertinent […]
LikeLike
I’m looking forward to tying into a new story for our SC25 community.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! We’re looking forward to it, too. Did you read Esther Chilton’s review. I think she mentioned your story specifically. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No – I missed her completely and now owe her a visit. When or where was her visit? If you have a link please share. I’ll also search for her in a few hours.
LikeLike
Here you go. https://estherchilton.co.uk/2025/01/30/story-chat-ii/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Marsha,
Nnot urgent, but when you mentioned Ester below, did you actually mean to say that Robbie had mentioned my story? I don’t think Esther knows me but if I recall correctly, Robbie liked my story, A Daily Regret.
Robbie has a current post that she pulled from Esther that itself was powerful.
I was tempted to sarcastically ask if you were multitasking again, but stopped when I realized that that is your normal mode of living . . .
Anyway – please clarify when you can. I want to make sure I don’t miss a chance to politely reply to either lady.
Blessings
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Gary A. Wilson
gary.a.wilson@outlook.com
mobile: 1-707-799-7320
Land Line: 1-707-795-0997
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was Esther. I sent you a link. Let her kind words run across your spirit and enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw that you joined the swarm of 8 people who want to move back here. Is there a family draw?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that’s quite a swarm! Vince’s son is in Sac, and his brother and niece are in Los Osos. That’s almost everybody in our two families! My brother is in Portland which is an easier drive from Central Cal than from AZ, and he doesn’t fly. His sister will probably move back, too, once she gets her timeline worked out. The other major draw is weather. It’s snowing here today. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Marsha,
I’m still struggling to complete this migration to retirement but I’m tired of waiting for the SSA machine to grind out my future and hope that you still have a slot (June 2025k maybe) open for a short story. It looks open above, but that could have changed an hour after you posted.
Also please verify any changes I need to know about. I only write short stories because I lack the poetry gene. Is there a new length target of only 300 words or was that just for the flash fiction challenge?
I’d prefer a longer limit like 1000 – 1500 words, but I’ll adjust as you direct. Also, am I seeing that some months you’re taking more than one story/month? I almost want to protest that the last time I checked – you still need to eat and sleep, but I’ve always been impressed at your productivity so who am I to worry?
Finally, please make sure you have my new email address. My old “Oracle” address is now gone. My new address is gary.a.wilson@outlook.com.
Blessings
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so great to hear from you, Gary. I knew you were alive because I read your response to Shari on Weekend Coffee, so I copied your new address! Yay! Thanks for sharing. I have you scheduled for June 17th. You have up to 1,500 words. The 300 word limit is for flash fiction. I don’t have another flash fiction until July 15. Busy year. We are moving to CA, leaving AZ in about a week.
LikeLike
[…] Talented writer, Marsha Ingrao, is the brain behind the innovative Story Chat series of blog posts. Story Chat involves the submission of a story or a poem which is published on Marsha’s blog, Always Write, and open to constructive discussion by her blog supporters. It is a most informative and interesting process and well worth considering for all poets and writers. You can find out more about Story Chat and find the schedule and submission process here: https://alwayswrite.blog/2024/11/22/story-chat-2025-schedule/ […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robbie!
LikeLike
Look at you creating a presence with a return audience. ! Sounds like a great fun year ahead. I bought the kindle for now and my kindle is coming for Xmas… lol. I’m thinking May for me…. I think you’re happy now.. lol.. xoxoxoxo You’re always happy but I love all of the choices. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am very happy. I’ll sign you up for May! Story Chat is a very rewarding project/program. I am loving your book, Celebrating Poetry. I have notes written all over it – sure sign that I love the book!
Here’s one of my favorite lines, “The sun hides behind the fog, waiting patiently to burn off. … Everlasting light, Lifts our spirits to soar.” I love that you weave in emotions with nature. 🙂 xxx I write a lot about fog because I just love it when the sun shine on it and it starts to burn off, but I had never tied it to emotions. 🙂
LikeLike
[…] you like to participate in Story Chat 2025? Find more information HERE. Marsha would love to hear from […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds wonderful Marsha. I’m looking forward to seeing what Story Chat brings to the new year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me, too! It should be an exciting year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exciting to have volume 2 on your shelf. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is! Even more exciting if it’s on your shelf and all your friends, and all their friends, LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My plans about Story Chat? Might do some poetry or a story at some point. Yes, I miss those coffee chats too. We’ve been in our house now for just over two months but in some ways it seems much longer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have been here a week and one day, and it’s been a whirlwind. We have some furniture where it matters. It’s not decorated, but I can cook. It definitely feels longer than that, though. If I was having to come back – like from Hawaii or something, it would be way too short! 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was serious about my questions.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I didn’t know how to answer this at first. I thought I answered your questions, but something happened to my reply. I’m sorry, I wasn’t ignoring you. The answer is yes, the person’s name goes with the date they want their story published. The stories are 500-1,500 words long give or take a few words. Other types of entries – like poems, original jokes, and artwork/photography – there are no word limits or types of poems required.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m thrilled that you are serious. What are your plans? I miss our coffee times already! 🙂 The first week here flew by. It’s hard to believe we’ve been here that short of a period of time.
LikeLike
This is such a great thing to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Esther. I hope you’ll join us next year. There are lots of ways to join in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Marsha. That would be lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! 🙂 You are such a great writer. I will participate with your challenge more as well. I’ve been overwhelmed this year. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so hard, isn’t it? Time seems to have sped up this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! It really has. We’ve been in the mobile home we rented for one week, and it seems like a lot longer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s arrived! My volume II arrivved this afternoon – evening reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that was fast! I hope you love it! I do!
LikeLike
Questions. Does “Your name goes here?” mean the author of that story? (My guess is yes.”)
How long are stories?
I guess that’s it for now. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person