Menu

Prompts

Directory Contests Magazine FAQ

Apps

reedsymarketplace

Hire professionals for your project

reedsyblog

Advice, insights and news

reedsylearning

Online publishing courses

reedsylive

Free publishing webinars

reedsydiscovery

Launch your book in style

Bestseller Podcast Book Cover Art Success Stories

Tools

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Directory

Contests

Magazine

FAQ

Amanda Stogsdill

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories (30)

Comments

Library

14 Followers

34 Following

30 Stories

519 karma pts

?

Just Like Always

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #303

Just Like Always "Hi, I'm Audrey. Can I sit with you?" The question came from the new girl. With her hoop earrings which almost touched her shoulders, and short dyed hair, she looked like a teenager, not a sixth grader. Why she chose to sit with me, I don't know. Nodding awkwardly, I moved my lunch sack to make room for her tray. Me, the least popular girl in class. Me, Dee, whose Mom can't ever hold down a job. Why not Joyce or one of the other popular girls?As we ate, she jabbered about her family, how awful moving was, how she was glad to...

9 likes

First Time for Everything

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #298

First time for Everything by Amanda Stogsdill The woods are nearly silent. A soft light rain begins to fall. This isn't so bad, I smile. I'm gazing at two squirrels chasing one another up a tree. Examining a hollow log, I se ants crawling around inside. Fascinated, I squat on the soft ground and watch, enjoying the quiet. Glancing up, I realize I can't find the others. I yell for Jessica, Lannah, anyone, as loudly as I can; I hear only the sounds of the woods. Not wishing to become drenched, I start back along the path — or so I think. With ...

4 likes

The Sub

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #296

The Sub"Get it out." Mom sits beside me at the table, my reading book between us. This is our nightly homework routine. I try to speak the words, but they refuse to come.Words, words, words. Wonderful to read in books, describing characters' adventures. But oh, such a tortured tangle to speak out loud."Keep trying. I know you can read. Now speak." Mom points to the awful word, which begins with P. Soundlessly, I open my mouth, willing the word to form. My throat tightens, still I can't speak. Taking a deep breath, I try again. This time, I p...

11 likes

Not So Cool Funeral

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #295

This story contains strong language.Not So Cool FuneralThe auditorium is p acked to capacity, tonight is a very special night; the local high school is putting on its annual play. This year's is reported to be a comedy. Beaming relatives aim phones at the stage, eager to record their children. They're aware this will cause much embarrassment later on!Scene One (The curtain rises on a stage.A bedroom. Two girls lounge on a rumpled bed. Clothes are scattered on the floor.)Doreen: Got any plans for Saturday?Jordan: Not really. Hang out at Stev...

7 likes

Blue and Other Colors

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #292

Blue And Other Colors"Do you dream in color?" That's a question I've been asked a time or two. My response is, "No. Sound only. Sometimes, it'll be about a vacation I've taken. One time, I dreamt I was back in high school. I heard my art teacher's voice very clearly. Not sure why."Blind since birth, I have no visual memory. I have light perception, so can distinguish light from dark. I can see the sun, electric lights and shadows, but am unable to tell what shadows are.Color itself means nothing to me. That's not to say I don't know what col...

4 likes

Faith

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #289

FaithThe room is unfamiliar. I've no idea how I got here. All I know is my head's throbbing, and it's freezing!Listening intently, I hear silence. No footsteps or voices. No clues that can help me identify my strange, new surroundings. Being blind from infancy, I rely on my hearing, especially if I’m alone. Like now.Realizing I'm not bound in any way, I slowly start to rise into a sitting position. As the throbbing increases, I quickly lie down again on what I now recognize as a cold, stone floor. Reaching as far as I can, I feel only smooth...

11 likes

Baggage

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #286

Warning: This story contains sensitive content BaggageI already hate this place! Kim screamed inside her head, slouched in the back seat. Beside her lay a ragged duffel bag, containing her few treasured possessions. Having packed in a hurry, Kim hadn't had time to grab anything much, certainly nothing of value."Kim, did you hear me? I explained how your nw home is just for girls." Mrs. Winston sighed from the front, already worn out after another hectic day. Trying to show patience, she continued, "I know you're unhappy. Your mom's in good h...

8 likes

Hope

Amanda Stogsdill

Hope "Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree." The carolers sang, all smiles. Sitting in the back row of the church, my spiritss low, I felt there couldn't be a more dismal time of year.Several months have passed since my son disappeared—every parent's worst nightmare! Detectives had interviewed Lou and I, we'd plastered our neighborhood with Jason's picture. As the weeks turned into a month, then two, I despaired. No leads, just random tips, which ended in false hopes. Sleepless nights waiting for the phone or door, any sign our son had been...

3 likes

Orla's Song

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #279

Orla's SongThe underwater cavern was alive and bustling that star-filled night. The merfolk were preparing for their annual festival to celebrate another peaceful year. It would begin with music and dancing, followed by a feast. In the small town, people were busy, too. In the era of computers and movie streaming, they were bored; tired of the mundane, craving excitement of any kind. Both worlds were unaware how soon they would collide.The submarine was decked out for the celebration. "Welcome everyone. Let's begin." Queen Minerva smiled ser...

13 likes

Angels Legacy

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #278

Angels Legacy Warning: This story contains descriptions of death and abuse Prologue "Come closer, Emma, Aggie!" Mamas voice quivered, the rise and fall of her chest her only movements. Leaning down to her ear, she whispered to us, "Look inside the dresser. Those women needed my help. I was their Angel." Taking a shaky breath, Mama lay still. The attending nurse entered then and motioned my sister and me away."What did she mean?" Agatha was just as confused as I. What dresser? Angel?" Sha...

8 likes

Wickedly Sweet

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #277

Warning- this story contains mild violence.Wickedly SweetThree children sat on the couch with their babysitter. They'd been given chores, but weren’t listening. The babysitter had an idea.It’s about a wolf and a little girl.” She started.“We know that one!” Rita said, rolling her eyes.“I want to watch TV.” Brian shouted.“I want to go to a friend’s.” Casey yelled over his brother. Only Rita was sitting, glued to her phone.Removing the phone, the babysitter said loudly, “If you don’t like my story, we’ll decide on something else.” The baby-sit...

10 likes

We Know What We Heard

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #272

We Know What We Heard by Amanda StogsdillThumpity thump! Inside their cozy living room, teens Danny and Tommy paused their video game. Onscreen, two cars were about to collide with one another. Deciding it was the wintry wind, they returned to their game.Thump, thump. There it was again, a little louder than before. Tommy looked at Danny, perplexed. "Are you doing that?" He shook his head, just as confused as his brother.After about a half hour, their mother returned with groceries. Unpacking in the kitchen, they told her about the mysteriou...

9 likes

The Warnings

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #272

The Warnings By Amanda StogsdillBriara waited impatiently in a very long line. Nearly Halloween, this new haunted house attraction was supposed to be the best around. "Are you scared?" Her Mom asked."Oh, Mom, I'll be fine. It's not that scary!" Briara gazed around, smirking. People were joking and laughing, dressed in costumes. No one was acting really frightened. Yet.Just then, a black dog scampered by. "Hey, that dog cut in front of us." Briara cried."ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!" A voice boomed. Of course, everyone laughed, it was part of the ...

11 likes

Fresh Start

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #270

Fresh Start By Amanda Stogsdill Mandy's stomach was in Butterfly City as she boarded the bus the first day of school. Why did we have to move anyway? She knew the answer; Mom switched jobs, (she now baked at the cafe, which offered better pay than her previous one) and unexpectedly sold their house and moved to a new city towards the end of summer. Life would still be tough for a while. Glumly, Mandy slumped down in a middle seat, and stared out the window. The only bright spot was her Mom was going to teach her how to bake a pie. "Mandy, we...

8 likes

Mother's day

Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #268

Warning This story contains themes of pregnancyMother’s Day by Amanda StogsdillStaring at the hospital door, I panic. As my heart accelerates, I'm dizzy. Can I do this? Keeping it isn't an option, if it's adopted, another family could love it. If it were terminated, my problem would be solved. That seems wrong, too. Killing an unborn child, just because I don't want it? It's kicking; I should feel something, but I'm dead inside. I can’t carry it for nine months, then give it up!Chewing my nails, I collapse on the graffiti-covered bench, gazi...

8 likes