Are you wondering what prompts we've used in past ONCs? You can find them in this book as we gathered all the prompts used in the past installments. You may use these prompts as inspiration for any story you want to write - no credits necessary! Have fun!

The Open Novella Contest is back for 2026! Join fellow storytellers and plant the seed of a tale that will blossom into a 20,000+ word novella within 12 weeks! Your epic quest begins February 1st, 2026, so mark your calendars with this date!

Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or a first-time writer, our ONC Writing Tips are here to guide you on your journey. Prepare for the ONC with expert advice and inspiration - your legendary story starts here!

Amelia Astoria, under an old pact with her grandfather and the Don of the Costra Nostra that runs New York City, agreed to marry Theodore Salvatore--the next mafia boss of the Salvatore clan, despite the high risk that comes with it, just to fulfill her grandfather's last wish. She never expected to fall in love with him, but even with his cold indifference, she still loved him deeply. But she knew that this love would just kill her softly. She couldn't continue living with this unrequited love that was slowly eating away her heart. She has to move on. She must let him go. She must lose him to love herself again.

''Marriage isn't easy especially when it's arranged and you hardly know the guy.'' 23-year-old Zara, a modest and virtuous Muslimah, has finally accepted a marriage proposal and is ready to share her life and love with her husband. But what happens when he is broody, stiff and ignores her most of the time? Is it possible to make her own husband fall in love with her or will Zara become a victim of unrequited love? #WATTYSWINNER2014

To the world he was a beast but for her he would do anything. He could have the world but all he wanted was her. They say the things we want most are the things we can't have. For she was so afraid of him that even the thought of him could have her running for the hills. Little did she know that she was the only one who didn't have to be afraid of him. Credits for the cover go to @Chatachino for the amazing cover.

It took a wrong turn to align their paths. They met at a time when both were lost souls, navigating through loss and the storms of life. At first, it was silence and long stares. Then the sceptical meetings blossomed into an orbit of comfort that uncovered the similarities of their souls in the bleak room of a psychiatric hospital. What began as hush tunes in their hearts boomed into a fierce crescendo. Noorie was a woman of fire, spontaneous and outgoing which rivalled Amir's quiet, organised and shy nature. Yet, their differences were a factor in the whole circumstances that bonded theirs hearts, souls and lives. They decided to take the leap into a life together. Marriage. It took her away from home, across the continent to the city of London where a new life awaits her. Her optimism was great. She was ready to learn the new way of life and fit in. But her new family found ways to tell her she was not fair enough to be part of them nor would they give her a chance to fit in. Little did she know that should be the least of her problems. There were a lot the man, her husband, with honey-wheat eyes that captivates her, whose sincerity melts her heart, and attitude races it had hidden from her. So much that brought fears, insecurities and secrets neither her nor her husband were ready for.

Henley agrees to pretend to date millionaire Bennett Calloway for a fee, falling in love as she wonders - how is he involved in her brother's false conviction? ****** Henley Linden's brother is in jail for a crime he didn't commit, and she'll take any job to raise the money needed to free him. Soon, she's agreed to pretend to date millionaire Bennett Calloway for ten thousand dollars, so his mother will ease up the pressure on him to find a wife. But once Henley is enmeshed in Bennett's world, he falls for her, and she starts to have feelings for him as well. Despite her romance with Bennett, as she grows closer to the Calloways, Henley realizes they are somehow involved in her brother's conviction. Journeying deeper into a world of wealth and conspiracies, Henley is forced to rely on Bennett, though doing so could cost her everything. [[word count: 200,000-250,000 words]]

Caroline Marshall, a sweet and cute girl, who hates rich guys since her father threw her mother away to marry another woman for money. Living with a step-mother, a step-sister and a cruel father, her life was worse than hell. Aaron Woodwords, a multi-billionaire and the CEO of Woodwords corporation, has everything a person dreams of. From money to women to anything. He is egoistic, merciless and arrogant. Owners of different companies fear from him whereas women throw themselves to him. What will he do when a girl will throw money on his face for scratching his car? What will happen when Caroline meets a guy who is rich, and too much proud of his money? or that is what she thinks. What will she do when she realises she is falling deeper and deeper for that guy? Will she confess her feelings for him? Will she be able to forget her dreadful past, and give him a chance? Join Caroline in this journey, of falling in love with Mr. Billionaire. Cover by: @Anishka14 #1 in romance