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
Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2023
Submitted to Contest #222
“No, no, no,” I screamed helplessly holding onto the wire basket behind me where my carefully packed bag was placed. The street was coming up fast. Too fast. The crowd formed quickly. “Are you okay?” “You’re bleeding.” “Can you walk?”Someone pulled the motor scooter off of me. Why was it that you always see one shoe in the middle of the road after an accident? This time it was my husband’s shoe.“You need to get to a hospital,” a voice from somewhere floated to me.“No. I’m fine.”“Aww, don’t cry.”&n...
Submitted to Contest #220
We touched down smoothly with a collective sigh of relief from all passengers on board. I let go of Lu’s hand which up to that moment I hadn’t realized I was holding for dear life. I wouldn’t say I’m a nervous traveler, per se, but accidents do happen. Of course, he was on my mind. Uncle Nate was not a ‘blood relative’ but rather my father’s best friend and while I was growing up we added the title of uncle to his name. He never married, never had kids, I’m not sure why. I do remember him being the first and possib...
“I did the right thing by walking away.”Being alone I obviously didn’t expect an answer, and I continued on with my one-sided conversation.“I mean what he said was totally out of line and he needs to apologize.”I stopped to catch my breath, the adrenaline from the argument wearing off leaving me exhausted. My feet were starting to ache; flip flops were no match for this harsh rocky terrain. Why didn’t I storm off in sneakers or better yet a good sturdy pair of boots? I didn’t plan my grand exit very practically.Adding insult t...
Submitted to Contest #219
“Hey man, you survived the monsters. Congratulations!” Mr. Abrams slapped me on the back, grabbed my hand, pumping it up and down.“Thanks! To be honest they almost got the better of me on more than one occasion.”“You’re not the only one, trust me. Any one of us can attest to that.” Mr. Abrams waved his arm around the faculty lounge at the rest of the teachers all there to celebrate my retirement.“He’s right,” Ms. Howe joined in the conversation gingerly balancing a slice of cake and assortment of cookies on a flimsy ...
Shortlisted for Contest #219 ⭐️
Was it worth it? She hardly liked the taste, would probably not even get it down with the knot growing in her stomach reaching up to her throat. She zoomed in on herself. Cute? Could it be cuter. She glanced toward the clock then the door. Two minutes before her interview. Having no idea what the recruiter looked like she took the risk and took another selfie with her Pumpkin Spice Latte, then zoomed in. Yeah. Cuter. She posted it. “Katelyn?” An older woman stood over her, seemingly to ap...
Submitted to Contest #218
(TW .. this story contains references to verbal and emotional abuse.)Wearing her bathing suit and coverup she went into the elevator and hit the round button for her floor. Seeing her reflection in the mirrored walls she smiled. Finally, the long awaited girls’ trip to Cancun was here; five full days of laughter and conversation over food and drinks on the beach. Leaving her friends on their lounge chairs, she ran back up to her room for the forgotten sunscreen.Ding.The doors opened to four faces peering in. “Hola. G...
Submitted to Contest #217
“Ya know, Joe’s been pressuring me.”Her mother stopped dead in her tracks and spun around. “Are you serious? What did I tell you about boys? He seemed like a nice kid.”“No, not like that. He is a nice kid. But he wants to come over. He says this isn’t normal and I agree.”“You can invite him over anytime you want. I have no problem with that. Just keep your door open.”“Mom. Get real. I can’t have him here and you know that.”“Well, I’m sorry, darling, but this is how it is. You only have a...
“Rebecca, would you like to join the others in a card game?” Her gaze shifted from the blue sky through the window to the lady standing over her waiting for an answer. Card game? What was she talking about? “Rebecca? Hmmm, what do you think? Want to play some rummy?” “No.” She returned her gaze to the bluest of skies letting the voice float away. It was the perfect color, reminding her of that day so long ago. Where was she? Leaning back, legs outstretched holding onto those chains she saw ...
Submitted to Contest #216
With her back to the door, she took a shot of the whiskey, grimaced and replaced it in the bottom drawer of her boss’s desk. Smoothing her skirt, she returned to her own desk just outside his office. “Order the wife some flowers, will ya, sweetheart?” The boss appeared behind her starting his morning demands. “Have them write something nice on the card for our anniversary. Use the company account.” He walked through his office doorway, leaving the stink of cigar hanging in the air. With the phone wedged in the cr...
“Move along, buddy.” “Hey, man, I’m not doing anything wrong.” “Yeah, I’ve heard it all before. Come on, give someone else the spot.” The cop stood there unmoving while the younger man gathered his belongings into a backpack scowling. Ushering him out the door into the masses the officer nodded his head to the empty seat, looking at me. “Ma’am?” As relieved as I was to get off my feet, I hardly wanted the attention, nor the title of “Ma’am”. I smiled as I took a seat on the newly empty stool, opting to hold ...
Submitted to Contest #215
“They say screaming is actually good for you.” “I’ve never heard that one before.” “It’s true. There’s something new called Scream Therapy. Supposedly screaming helps to release endorphins.” “Really?” “Yeah,” she continued, optimistic that he seemed interested. “In fact, there’s a theory that screaming can help those who have experienced trauma in their lives, even in childhood.” “Well, thankfully we don’t have to worry about that.” He grabbed her hand smiling at her. “Come on, let’s get on line. Hopef...
Just like that the power went off. The TV, the lights, the microwave heating up his crappy TV dinner all down for the count. He glanced at the air conditioner in the window as if somehow he would find it working. Nope. His heart rate quickened thinking of the extreme heat outside that would be seeping in and taking over. “Dammit.” All those past due notices piled up and then in a moment of frustration thrown into the garbage. How was he supposed to take care of his bills and HER bills with one paycheck?&nbs...
Shortlisted for Contest #214 ⭐️
“Two camels for your daughter?”Lost in thought, or maybe just trying to stay alive in the sizzling heat, I didn’t pay much attention until my dad replied, “Two camels?”“Three camels for your daughter.” This time a statement rather than a question.What is going on here?“Hun, what do you think?” He asked and all eyes turned to his wife sitting coolly sipping an iced tea. “That’s my daughter,” she said, not missing a beat. “She is not for sale.”“You heard the boss.”The stranger walked away, and my parents continued their mea...
Submitted to Contest #214
Walking into the antique shop she felt the anticipation begin to grow. What treasures were awaiting her? Rich in history, some items brought with them their stories from the past while others were a mystery left to one’s imagination. “Oh,” she heard herself actually gasp and made a beeline to the back corner. The desk caught her attention right away, being exactly the style she had been looking for on and off over the years. “Why hello there.” She spoke to the piece of furniture and laughed to acknowledge that she ...
Submitted to Contest #213
“Do you have a minute? I want to get your opinion on something.” She smiled, more to herself than outwardly. Her daughter, a fiercely independent woman, wanted her opinion. An occasion such as this was few and far between. “Of course. What’s on your mind?” “We received a submission for the cover, but it feels weird. I can’t put my finger on it. Something just seems off.” “Let’s take a look. Did you bring it with you?” “I did.” The young woman pulled her laptop out of its case and opened...
Oops, you need an account for that!
Log in with your social account:
Or enter your email:
16 likes
