Sharon Hancock

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2022

Stories (24)

24 Stories

1247 karma pts

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“The Thing that Happened to Norman” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #140

Warning: this piece contains sexual innuendos and gore, violence, and questionable choices. “I remember him! He was taller than an oak tree and fiercer than a lion!” “Honestly, Bobby, why are you talking like that? We’re in Atlanta in, 2022.” “Because, my dear, Susie, Norman is a legend. His story must be told with a certain flair.” “Just stick to the facts, Bobby. People want to hear the truth—plain and simple.” “No, they don’t. Nobody wants to re...

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“Spring Cleaning” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #139

I should’ve known better. There is a fundamental, unspoken rule of household maintenance that every mother knows. I knew The Rule, but I broke it. My intentions were good, but since I ignored The Rule, I deserved and accepted the consequences. See, my family had a problem. Somehow over the years, our home had mysteriously accumulated an alarming amount of stuff that qualified us as prime candidates for a hoarding intervention. After perusing websites featuring supernaturally organized spaces where no human...

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“Head Plant Supervisor ” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #139

He knew what they called him and he didn’t like it: Unemployed Lloyd. True, he’d been out of work for a while; but that’s no reason for insults. Besides, he’d sent out his resume. Even went on a few interviews. He knew his luck would change and they’d be sorry. Lloyd scratched his butt and looked at the clock. He heard the stop-and-go hum of the mail truck and trudged to the door; not bothering to put on shoes (or pants, for that matter.) The only highlight of his day since he lost his job, was the mail. &...

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“Endless Day Beach and Spa” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #138

The invitation arrived on Tuesday; stuck between two busted samples of sunscreen that oozed and dripped in the mailbox. Sabrina frowned at the sickening sweet smell of coconut and mango as she squished the letters together and pulled them out of the box. A sticky blob of the lotion plopped onto her shirt and sat there; jiggling and glistening in the sunlight. She swiped it off; leaving a greasy smear next to the ketchup stain that was always there. The busted sample packs left globs of sunscreen on the counter where she tos...

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“Oh, the Places I’d Go! (If I could Find my Keys)” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #137

I took my meds this morning. (She says, confidently). Wait…I mean…Did I take my meds this morning? I think I took my meds. Didn’t I? Yes. Was that this morning or yesterday morning? (She stares off into space and forgets what she was saying.) My brain says it wants to look at Disney World vacations instead of writing this. It’s cold in here. I’m hungry. I wish those meds would kick in so I can focus. This is like wrenching words out of my head with a crowbar, but first I have to catch the words an...

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“Vern’s Enormous Hole” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #136

It was a suggestion, not an order. Unfortunately, Vern Jerkin, didn’t get the difference. He did, however, get a shovel. And that’s when things went south. Vern wasn’t like other men who spent their days drinking beer on the porch of Burt’s Town Store. He wasn’t married and he had no taste for hunting, fishing, or board games. Vern’s only love in life was work—grueling, hard, work. So, when he lost his job at the coal mine due to an unfortunate accident that was entirely his fault, Vern f...

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“Irrational Fear” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #135

Stevie’s throat tightened with dread when she heard the sputtering motor of the old clunker. She tried to concentrate on her assignment. She was the top student in her class and never missed a day of school. Not until last month, anyway. That’s when she woke up with the feeling (premonition?) that something wasn’t right. Since then, she hadn’t set foot outside the house. It was just a feeling, though. That’s what everybody told her. Just a feeling (instinct?) that something awful was going to happen. She did her best to ignore...

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“Floaty Fallon” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #134

People are afraid of a lot of stupid stuff, right? Clowns, the number thirteen, snakes, swapping souls with the undead, spiders—you get my drift. And for the most part, I agree, wholeheartedly, that irrational fears are just that. Irrational. Nonsensical. Stupid. I’ve never had much time for them, myself. Except for one teensy-tiny-itty-bitty thing that has always frightened me senseless. I can’t even talk about it. Thinking about it makes me cringe, takes my breath, sweating profusely now,OMG DON’T MAKE ME SAY IT! Heights. (P...

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“Sweeternity ” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #133

NOTE: sensitive content regarding death and accidents Sweeternity By Sharon D. Hancock Tragedy and a bus struck outside Sweeternity Sweet Shop; fatally mangling … Cara’s stress level soared as she tried to tune out the horrific news report that blared from every speaker in the city. She covered her ears with he...

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Author bio

Hello and welcome to my bio. I’m a writer, runner, artist with a sunny disposition that conceals my dark side (Insert maniacal laughter here). I write what the voices tell me to write.(shut up, Clark. I’m writing my bio. No one cares about your severed hand.) I enjoy mixing weird, horror/macabre with a tinge of twisted humor. 😻 -I enjoy participating in short story contests including Reedsy, Globe Soup, NY24, Scribophyle, and WOW. I’ve gotten a few honorable mentions and made shortlists here and there. -I wrote a MG novel that I’m constantly revising and hope to find an agent and publish one day. -Ran my first half-marathon in August and my second in Oct. Running my third in November. -I teach acrylic paint art classes at a local art studio. -I live in middle GA, USA, with my husband of 22 years, 2 daughters, 3 cats and a Shih Tzu. 📖 I love reading your stories on Reedsy. I try to read and comment on several stories a week. I do my best to like and comment and follow back, too. Pronouns: she/her 🌈💜💓= I’m an ally * check out my short story, “Granny’s Pies” in the summer edition of The Last Girl’s Club magazine! READING: Late last year, I decided to read all of Stephen King’s works in order (sort of). 📚Currently reading: Insomnia by Stephen King) (I had to pause on King to read Christopher Moore’s new book, Razzmatazz, which is so much fun!) Some other favorite authors/books in no particular order: 1. Christopher Moore (especially Secondhand Souls series.) 2. James Todd Lewis (Fantasy/Furry series) 3. Welcome to Nightvale 4. John Dies at the End 5. Chuck Paluhuink 6. Chuck Wendig **there are no women on this list! We need more female horror writers! I’d love some recommendations. 😻happy reading and writing!

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #156

Pants on Fire – read story