NewPages Blog :: Writing Prompts

What if literature wasn’t just a collection of books, but an entire universe?

Welcome to Litfinity—the boundless, ever-expanding cosmos of storytelling, where every genre is a planet, every poem a star, and every narrative a force that fuels the galaxy. This is the kind of imaginative spark you’ll find in the latest issue of the NewPages newsletter—alongside fresh literary magazine issues, submission opportunities, book reviews, and indie bookstore news.

✍️ This Week’s Inspiration Prompt: To Litfinity & Beyond!

(Picture Buzz Lightyear, book in hand, shouting this new catchphrase as he rockets into the literary unknown.)

In this prompt, you’re a Litronaut, tasked with restoring balance to the universe after the mysterious darkening of the Library Nebula—the heart of Litfinity. Your journey will take you across genre-planets like:

• Melancholia – a world powered by poetry and emotion
• Chronotex – a tech-charged sci-fi realm pulsing with innovation
• Mythara – floating isles woven from fantasy and myth

But what caused the nebula to go dark? Is there a villain lurking in the shadows of forgotten stories? Could you uncover a lost genre—one that reshapes the very fabric of Litfinity?

Optional twist: Include excerpts from fictional books or poems you discover along the way. Bonus points if you invent a new genre-planet entirely!

🎨 Art Prompt: The Library Nebula

For the visually inclined, this week’s art prompt invites you to illustrate the Library Nebula—a swirling galaxy of books, scrolls, and glowing ink. Imagine a ship powered by metaphors and similes, navigating constellations shaped like punctuation marks. Think:

• Vellum clouds
• Ink-splatter stars
• Parchment rings
• Genre-themed color palettes

Or take it further and illustrate one of the genre-planets. What does Chronotex look like? How does Mythara shimmer with fantasy magic?

Need more inspiration? View past prompts.

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Join the Journey

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👉 Subscribe now and let your imagination go to Litfinity—and beyond!

Heat and humidity are rolling through the Midwest again. If you’re lucky enough to be enjoying a break from the summer swelter, step outside and soak it in—no popsicle-melting today!

If you’re already stuck in the sticky grip of summer, stay cool indoors and dive into this week’s writing inspiration. Our latest newsletter features fresh lit mag issues, new books, indie bookstores to support, and more. But today, we’re spotlighting the writing prompt—one that’s inspired by revisiting Jane Austen, who masterfully explored the social constraints and quiet rebellions of women in her time.

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Writing Prompt: It’s Not a Malady, Milady!

For centuries, women’s emotions, intellect, and resistance were dismissed as “hysteria,” “the vapors,” or “histrionics.” Pain was pathologized. Ambition? Called unnatural. A woman’s voice? Too loud. Too much. Too emotional.

This week, we reclaim those words—and rewrite the narrative.

What was once labeled a malady is, in truth, a mark of power. Your intuition, your fire, your refusal to shrink—these are not symptoms to be cured. They are evidence of your strength, your lineage, your legacy.

Write in honor of the women who were silenced, institutionalized, or ignored. Write for those who whispered their truths into diaries, letters, and poems that never saw the light. Most importantly, write for yourself—and for the future.

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🖋️ Prompt Ideas to Explore

• What part of yourself have you been told is “too much”?
• How can you reframe it as a gift?

Create a poem, essay, or story that celebrates this part of you—not as a flaw, but as a force. Or craft a multimedia piece or collage that bridges history with modern expressions of womanhood. Reclaim what others saw as “flaws” and reveal them for what they truly are: your superpowers.

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Monday was wild—but aren’t they always?
Issue 189 of our weekly newsletter is packed with literary goodness:
📚 New books
📰 Fresh lit mag issues
🏪 Indie bookstores to support
📝 Book reviews
📣 49 Submission opportunities
…and of course, a brand-new inspiration prompt to get your creative gears turning.

This week’s chaos got us reminiscing about the delightfully disastrous Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler), and just like that—poof!—this week’s NewPages writing prompt was born.

✍️ Inspiration Prompt: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Because sometimes, the chaos writes itself.

Ever had one of those days where everything goes sideways? You’re not alone. This week’s NewPages writing prompt was inspired by a real-life comedy of errors involving a birthday mix-up, endless back-and-forths, and a traffic jam that felt like the universe pressing pause.

We’re calling it: “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”

Whether you’re a nonfiction writer, poet, fiction lover, or visual artist, this prompt invites you to explore the beauty, absurdity, and unexpected clarity that can emerge from life’s messiest moments.

Here’s a taste of what you can do with it:

• Nonfiction: Chronicle a day that spiraled out of control. What went wrong? What did you learn?
• Fiction: Create a character whose plans unravel in spectacular fashion.
• Poetry: Use rhythm and imagery to capture the chaos.
• Visual Art: Illustrate a moment of beautiful frustration.
• Hybrid/Experimental: Collage, blackout poetry, comics—anything goes.

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• Weekly inspiration prompts
• New book and magazine highlights
• Thoughtful reviews
• Submission calls and contest opportunities
• Indie bookstore spotlights
• And more literary goodness

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Because even when life gets weird, there’s always something worth writing about.

Another summer holiday is behind us and it is so hard to let go, isn’t it?

If you’re taking your break this week instead of last, NewPages has plenty of food for your creative fodder!

In Issue 188 of the NewPages Newsletter, we bring you new issues of literary magazines, book reviews, 49 submission opportunities, and—of course—a prompt to inspire your creativity. And this time, the prompt is more of a challenge than anything else!

Inspiration Prompt: The Scintillating Story of Sister “S”

Sometimes, the best way to break through a creative block is to give yourself a constraint—and this week, we’re spotlighting one of the most slippery, stylish letters in the alphabet: S.

Whether you’re a poet, prose writer, doodler, or essayist, here are a few playful ways to let “S” lead the way:

• Write a poem where every line starts with “S”
• Craft a story in which each sentence (or paragraph) begins with “S”
• Draw a doodle composed only of items starting with “S”
• Make a collage devoted to all forms of “S”—lowercase, uppercase, cursive, serif, sans-serif
• Pen an ode to the curves of the letter itself
• Explore an essay on “S”—its history, phonetics, or popularity

Feeling bold? Try the Super S Challenge:
Every single word in a sentence or line must start with “S.”
(Silly? Sure. Stimulating? Surprisingly so.)

Straw-grasping or not, what does pushing yourself to follow such a constraint do for your creative process?
Does it reinvigorate it? Help you pay more attention to rhythm and flow?
Or does it feel synonymous with a different kind of roadblock?

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Thunderstorms and rain swept through, trying their best to cool down the nearly 90-degree heat. Hopefully, you’re all staying cool and comfortable. Our weekly newsletter is here to help with that—packed with great reads to keep you inspired and plenty of submission opportunities to keep your writing goals on track. This week’s writing prompt explores the power of names in storytelling—how they shape identity, perception, and even destiny.

Speaking of which, let’s dive into that prompt and explore how the power of names can shape our stories—and ourselves.

Inspiration Prompt: What’s in a Name? More Than You Think.

A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, but Anne wasn’t so sure Shakespeare got that right (remember, she thought Ann was just dreadful).

In an era of high infant mortality, Japanese children were often given temporary names to ward off misfortune—only receiving their “true” names once they reached a safer age. The belief was simple but profound: names carry power.

Even in nature, names shape perception. Every plant has at least two: the scientific name—precise but often forgotten—and the common name, which varies by region and culture. Take the autumn olive, for example. Despite its poetic name, it’s not an olive tree at all. Scientifically known as Elaeagnus umbellata, it also goes by Japanese silverberry, spreading oleaster, and autumn berry. It sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Yet in the U.S., it’s considered an invasive species—beautiful, but disruptive to native ecosystems.

It’s strange how something so beautiful can be misunderstood—or misjudged—because of a name.

In some communities, a family name alone can open doors—or close them. In schools, neighborhoods, and small towns, your last name might precede you like a rumor. Some names are spoken with admiration, others with disdain, long before anyone meets the person behind them. Maybe your uncle made headlines. Maybe your cousin got expelled. Maybe your last name means you’re always the troublemaker because of older siblings—or never taken seriously.

Somewhere out there, there’s a person whose entire job is to receive new products—lotions, gadgets, teas, sneakers—and test them, not for quality, but for identity. Their task? To find the name that tells a story, sparks curiosity, and makes someone fall in love at first glance. A name that whispers a story before the product is even touched. Imagine the power in that.

So, do you believe in the power of names? Have you ever liked something until you learned what it was called? Or disliked something, only to be won over by its name?

This week, let names guide your writing. Explore how they shape identity, perception, or even destiny. What stories lie hidden behind the names we give—or the ones we’re given?

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If you haven’t already, subscribe to the NewPages Newsletter to get fresh inspiration and great literature delivered straight to your inbox every Monday.

Want more inspiration prompts before committing? Dive in here and explore past prompts to spark your creativity.

Astray. Adverb. Meaning to be away from the correct path or direction, much like being lost.

In our latest newsletter, It’s Looking Like a Lit Wave, we shared literary updates, submission opportunities, book reviews, and new releases to help you stay creatively inspired through the summer heat. One standout feature this week is our inspiration prompt, which invites writers to explore the emotional and creative terrain of being “still astray.”

🌡️ Why This Prompt?

Inspired by the haunting refrain from Stray Kids’ song “Lonely St.”, this prompt taps into the feeling of being unmoored—creatively, emotionally, or existentially. In the thick of a heatwave or a creative dry spell, it’s easy to feel directionless. But what if being “astray” isn’t a failure, but a form of freedom?

Sometimes, others only show support once you’ve nearly arrived at your destination or finally “made it.” But what if you’re still in the in-between? Do you welcome that support—or stand firm in your journey, even if it’s unfinished?

✨ Prompt: Still Astray

Write from the perspective of being “still astray.”

• What does it mean to be lost in a world that demands direction?
• Is being astray a failure—or a kind of freedom?
• What do we discover when we stop trying to arrive?

Whether you’re working on poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction, let this be your invitation to explore the beauty and tension of the in-between.

🎧 Bonus inspiration:
Watch the “Lonely St.” music video by Stray Kids — a visual and lyrical journey through solitude, resilience, and self-direction.

If the idea of being astray doesn’t resonate with you, what does the music video inspire? What story do you see playing out? (Closed caption English subtitles are available if you want to follow the lyrics.) Or maybe this is your chance to learn more about this internationally composed Korean band.

📬 Want more prompts like this?
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Want to dig through past writing prompts? Discover more here.

Finding fresh inspiration for our weekly newsletter isn’t always easy but seeing yet another jury duty summons in my mail made me ponder how real life sparks writing. And no, I am not making it up.

Since my first year out of college, I’ve been summoned nearly annually—one year, even twice! What are the odds? No, really—I want to know! This week’s newsletter (Issue 185) turns that ‘wonderful’ luck into writing fodder, plus editor updates, bookstore news, new releases, and book reviews to bulk up your reading list.

Writing Prompt: The Only Things for Certain Are Death, Taxes… and Jury Duty

Some people breeze through life with luck on their side—finding true love, scoring dream jobs, even cracking the perfect lotto numbers. But others? Well, their luck is a bit… different.

Enter jury duty, that unavoidable civic summons, popping up again and again. What are the chances that one person is randomly selected every year—sometimes even more? Statistical bad luck? Or is fate playing an ironic joke?

For those who have experienced jury duty, the process can feel surreal—being scrutinized in selection, locked in a room, cut off from communication, then ushered into a courtroom to make decisions that may alter someone’s life. Some feel the crushing weight of responsibility, while others just want out.

Your Challenge:

Imagine a world where the only luck some people have is jury duty. What does that do to someone? Do they accept their fate? Try to avoid selection at all costs? Or do they lean into the absurdity?

Or, if you’ve served on a jury, share your own experiences! Was it what you expected? What was the strangest, most intense, or oddly hilarious moment?

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Happy Tuesday! Our latest newsletter went out yesterday, packed with literary discoveries—new magazines, books, reviews, bookstore updates, and a fresh writing prompt to spark your creativity.

This week’s newsletter (Issue 184) digs into the rarely used language of flowers—an ancient form of communication hidden in petals and stems.

✍️ Writing Prompt: Flower Language

Once upon a time, flowers weren’t just decorations—they carried messages, secrets, and spells. A red rose whispered love, lavender offered calm, and marigolds warned of grief or jealousy.

But as time passed, the language of flowers faded into myth. What if someone rediscovered it? What if a florist’s arrangements could influence emotions—or fate?

Your Creative Challenge:

💐 Fiction Prompt: Write a story where the language of flowers resurfaces in a powerful way. Who still knows it? Who needs to learn it? What happens when the flowers begin to speak again?

🌼 Poetry Prompt: Use flowers to express emotions too hard to say aloud. What truths bloom in silence?

🌍 Cross-Cultural Essay Prompt: Explore how different cultures have used flowers to communicate—from Chinese plum blossoms to Victorian bouquets.

🎨 Mixed Media Prompt: Create a visual piece that captures the symbolic power of flowers. Use real petals, digital art, or photography to tell a story beyond words.

Want more inspiration like this? Subscribe to the NewPages Newsletter for weekly writing prompts, book reviews, literary news, and more—straight to your inbox! Paying subscribers get early access to submission opportunities before they go live on our site, too!

Every Monday, our newsletter subscribers receive a curated dose of literary goodness—new issue announcements, book reviews, upcoming releases, literary news, and a fresh writing prompt to spark creativity. If you’ve ever felt stuck staring at a blank page, our weekly prompts are here to help reignite that creative spark.

This week’s newsletter (Issue 183!) took a playful turn with a nod to The Time Warp—but instead of dancing through dimensions, we’re diving into the strange elasticity of time itself.

✍️ Writing Prompt: Warped Relativity

Einstein once explained relativity like this: sit on a hot stove for a minute and it feels like an hour; sit with someone you love for an hour and it feels like a minute. But what about the moments that defy even that logic?

Write about a time when the clock ticked forward, but your experience of it didn’t match. Maybe it was a season of grief that passed in a blur, or a long recovery that dragged on despite no dramatic events. Explore how time can feel warped not just by joy or boredom, but by numbness, uncertainty, or quiet endurance. How does time behave when life is neither thrilling nor tragic—just quietly, stubbornly hard?

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