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 Aug, 2019
Submitted to Contest #134
Sterling put the finishing touches on his gift for Astrid.‘Truly cosmic,’ he thought. ‘She won’t believe it…’She would arrive at any moment and he wanted everything to be perfect.Hearing the doorbell spurred him to stow scraps of wrapping paper and ribbon. He poured wine into the crystal glasses, and placed them on the table next to her gift.He faced the door, and said, “Yes!” He opened the door to the love of his life, looking beautiful as ever.She said, “Hi! I now have non-binary, preferred pronouns for my hands. No longer left and right, ...
Submitted to Contest #133
Who can truly know their parents, beyond the superficial aspects they share? ‘She was a good cook.’ ‘…Tidy.’ ‘Faithful.’ Can we know more than stock phrases? Do we want to? What key events ruled their lives? How did they see themselves? What wounds did they nurse? How did they connect with others? Parents are like mountains. You might scale their heights. But who can penetrate their depths? What lies veiled behind those mists? Or in those distant forests seen from the paths leading to the summit? By the time we become aware enough to ask, t...
Submitted to Contest #132
Paula met Stephen outside the ER on his release. “Hey Sis…” He walked stiffly and groaned when they embraced. “You okay?” “Fine. A little sore from the fall, but… nothing broken…” They walked to her car. His clothes hung loosely. “You’re too skinny, Stephen. Don’t you eat?” “All the time. You cook for me. My metabolism’s efficient. So sue me.” “You can’t keep doing this, Stephen.” He kept quiet. “What, this the fourth time?” The door lock clicked and he climbed in. “I hope this knocked some sense into you…” Connecting the seatbelt took so...
Submitted to Contest #131
From the doorway, Penelope scanned her mother’s crowded living room for a friendly face. Golden sunlight poured through picture windows. The lake lay in the distance. Sailboats chased the breeze. ‘Oh, to be on a boat…’ She had to give her mother, Diane, credit. She knew how to entertain. ‘Who actually has this many friends?’ A string quartet played, smoothing lulls in conversation. Liquor flowed. Waiters drifted by with platters of catered food. Laughter punctuated the din. From above the fireplace, Diane’s portrait observed the festivitie...
Submitted to Contest #130
TW: Emotional struggles. Meredith stared out the window while Trevor bustled about the kitchen preparing to leave. “More coffee?” he asked while refilling her cup. She didn’t respond. “I’m going now. I won’t be late. Anything else?” “What time?” “I’ll stop by the ‘Door’ and then I’ll be home.” She reached for her coffee. “The door… Bye…” Trevor left the apartment in silence. The Locked Door was an unassuming local bar frequented by a particular clientele. The black brick façade rendered the building almost invisible to anyone not famil...
Submitted to Contest #128
Becky slipped ‘Little Girl Etiquette,’ under her seat cushion. Last minute cribbing wouldn’t do. The chapter on tea parties taught her so much. This would be her first tea party. She planned for perfection. The white garden table, set with dainty cups and saucers, looked exactly like the picture in her book. Her mother provided fresh cookies and juice (pretend tea), for her guests to sip. She adjusted a napkin and placed the plastic spoon, just so. She only needed Antonia, Cindy and their companions to arrive. Becky’s favorite Barbie doll a...
Submitted to Contest #127
Damien had done alright for himself. He toured his psychic show and most appearances sold out early. He had an entourage! How many psychics do this well? Of course, he wasn’t a real psychic. If real psychics exist, they eke a meagre living solving crimes for the police. They didn’t rule the stock market. Or win at the races. And they didn’t fill auditoriums with paying customers vying for attention. Not like Damien. He figured 'real psychics' huddle in basements, fretting over traffic, weather, or pandemics. A palm reader once told him lovi...
Submitted to Contest #125
Winter inspected her sun room anticipating her sisters' arrival. Spring, Summer and Autumn were due for their annual planning session. Being the eldest, Winter wanted everything in perfect order. She dressed in traditional black. Her sisters preferred the graceful styles depicted in Arthur Rackham’s fantasy illustrations. But Winter dressed formally, especially when entertaining. Her style complemented her orderly home, decorated in white. Snow draped every surface. Her servants followed instructions. Every detail received its due. But fo...
Submitted to Contest #124
TW: Tornado aftermath and loss. Lyle awoke in a gloom and in pain. Damp earth made him shiver. Pressure pinned him down. Ragged plywood. Had he been buried alive? Their house come down on them? “Amy…? Hello?” It came out more of a croak. No response. He ached. Every joint cried for relief. His skin burned. Splinters tore at him. He couldn’t move. Cool air flowed. He called out, and coughed. Something pressed him into the ground. He groped at the damp earth, trying to gain room to maneuver. He dragged himself toward the brighter gloo...
Submitted to Contest #123
Shelby Rappaport stood at center stage awaiting the curtain’s rise. He could hear the audience anticipation. What a delicious moment.He loved opening night. They gathered to see him. Yes, they came for a performance. His performance. No one came for the play, when he starred.A delectable variety of women would be on display on the curtain’s rise. Most, of course, would be escorted by husbands, or other men. But the women came for him. The men were place holders. He wagered with himself. How many women stared in adoration? And how many could ...
Submitted to Contest #122
Mary walked from one gloomy room to another, feeling she had awakened from a deep sleep. ‘Is this how Sleeping Beauty felt after years of slumber?’ Still groggy, she struggled to understand. It felt like ages since she felt at peace with herself. Days and weeks passed without definition. ‘What season is this?’ What kept her imprisoned? Certainly not Edward. Despite his faults, he proved himself a caring and loyal husband. He wanted the best for her. He encouraged outings. ‘What, then?’ An unnamed fear haunted her. Sunshine seeped from behind...
Submitted to Contest #121
Tom said, “Thank you.” He shook his head. “No. Not sarcastic. How do I make it sincere…? I thank you!” He stamped his foot. “To what can I… Keep it simple. How can I thank you…? Too tentative. Mean it. I’m honored…” He hissed in frustration. “This is a one shot deal. Thank YOU. THANK you. THANK YOU… No! No!” He stopped walking and looked about. The road stretched for miles. Tom Legato couldn’t afford transportation. He walked alone. He was a simple cat. ‘Not a meerkat as some ignoramuses say.’ The occasional carriage rattled by, stirring u...
Submitted to Contest #120
TW: Abandonment issues.I used to envy people bragging on their family trees and illustrious histories. So many royals, battles, and mansions on the hill. Named for a general? Cool. The conversation always stalled when I asked, ‘And what great things have you done?’ Blank stares and heated debate about the Dodgers’ stats followed.Go ahead, blame sour grapes. Lacking estate, I’m descended from a dumpster in an alley behind a liquor store, on a hill. Have you heard of it? Found sired by a dumpster, blue from desperate crying. How long must one ...
Submitted to Contest #119
“Listen… I’ve discerned a pattern.” A small group stood in the shadow of the church, at Canair, listening to James, the caretaker. “I first heard the bird’s call the morning of the baby Aiden’s christening.” The widow, called Mad Agnes, spoke. “The bird didn’t bring the Christening.” Several moaned, “Oh, I pray not an omen…” “Of course not. Father Ambrose says a healthy baby is from God. No one disputes that. After many difficult months, that bright faced baby, truly is a gift. The bird heralded that.” That calmed them. “But I didn’t heed it...
Submitted to Contest #118
Hardly spilling any of her mimosa, Alice spread her arms. “Where’s the magic? Countless fairytale princesses were wooed and won by their shining knights… Why won’t the universe…?” Mary and Jen made sad faces at Alice’s frustration. “My priest said ‘the universe doesn’t give a…’” “I know what your priest said, Mary. I can’t believe a priest would say that in church.” “He was just making a point…” Mary nudged Jen who stifled a giggle. Each sipping a mimosa, Alice, Mary and Jen slipped out of the lakeside restaurant. They strolled the rough p...
Oops, you need an account for that!
Log in with your social account:
Or enter your email:
22 likes
