Matthew Langford

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Sep, 2019

Stories (5)

5 Stories

144 karma pts

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“Another Track” by Matthew Langford

Submitted to Contest #168

There were not enough seats, so Winston found himself in the space between carriages. Standing over his trunk, he battled to keep it upright and not sliding by squeezing it between his knees. He watched the corrugated black rubber, straddling the coupling mechanism beneath, be pulled one way then the other by carriages moving in different directions. Fifteen travellers, with their luggage, occupied this unsteady space and, if that wasn't bad enough, ticket collectors, those making their way to the toilets as well as the lost and aimless, dee...

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“War and Peace” by Matthew Langford

Submitted to Contest #91

She was Natasha Rostova. Her age varied between thirteen and twenty-nine, and her moods from an uncommon wonder of life to the suicidal depths of depression. It all depended on which page was being read. The first chapters revealed a girl hiding her face while divulging innermost thoughts to a beloved doll. Towards the end of the book, the mother of four appeared with a spirit dampened by maternal cares and the momentous events she had lived through.Susan began 'War and Peace' one summer afternoon. Grey clouds were unloading their moisture w...

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“As From a Far Place” by Matthew Langford

Submitted to Contest #89

The tedium of a bright sunny day. Not so hot as to transform physical activity into a sweaty uncomfortable business, not so cold as to turn the inside of a house into a pleasurable refuge from the elements. But that was where John was. He sat at the dining room table and felt depressed to watch light from the late afternoon sun cast shadows across the lawn. It was now even invading his sanctuary producing bright shafts of light where sunbeams danced and a scattered glow from the polished dark wood where his fixed gaze fell. It was as if one ...

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“The Unicorn and The Gramophone” by Matthew Langford

Submitted to Contest #82

The Unicorn and the Gramophone The implant worked perfectly. Sounds could be controlled by thought and reached every corner of his brain without disturbing anyone. Not only could song choice be personalised but the volume, bass, treble and speed could be adjusted. Robert sat in his armchair for hours at a time with a contented smile on his face and pondered the prospect of no more arguments with his girlfriend Emma as they could both listen to what they wanted. The drone of car engines could be blocked out during the drive to work and he...

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“The Runner” by Matthew Langford

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #5

Mark had a dream a few nights ago. There is no explanation as to the circumstances that gave rise to this event and I am reluctant to make an attempt to interpret its significance. I have always found Freudian arguments unconvincing and never quite believed that Joseph, he of the multi-colored coat, predicted seven years of famine and plenty after listening to the over active imagination of a pharaoh. This skepticism is reinforced by the nature of dreams as transient images: details disappear with the dawn of a new day and the best we...

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Author bio

Experiences, opinions and emotions surround me like bubbles floating in an incomprehensible sea of fairy snow breakable to the touch or tantalisingly out of reach. It is only when I write that I begin to make sense of what is happening. The bubbles start to line up in an understandable pattern, the sunlight reflects off them and it all looks rather beautiful. I write because I have to: it is the only way I can take possession of my life. My most recent novel is titled 'John and Elvis' and is on amazon see the link below and leave a review if you like it https://www.amazon.com/John-Elvis-Matthew-Langford/dp/1799160904

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #5

The Runner – read story