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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#1: Birthdays

The Reedsy writing prompts newsletter started almost three years ago, and over the past few years, the simple concept of sending out five weekly writing ideas has allowed us to connect with thousands of fantastic authors around the world. This week marks the 150th edition of our prompts newsletter, and to celebrate, we’re excited to launch our brand new Reedsy Prompts page which will host our writing contest moving forward! Also to celebrate our prompts newsletter turning 150 weeks old, the theme this week is — what else — birthdays!

🥇 Winner

“To You” by Joseph McLaughlin

🏆 Winner of Contest #1

Happy Birthday. When you see everyone standing in your kitchen, holding your wine glasses, and already slightly drunk, you do your best to moderate your response, temper the initial shock and annoyance in your face with a tight smile and a staggering step back. You clutch your heart and play into the moment. Worse still, the lights dim and you hear the song start up. Like a rickety train pulling out of the station, they drag the tempo so everybody can jump on. You strap in for the second verse. She emerges from the hallway, holding a gaudy c...

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“Hollows of Your Heart” by Morgan Boyce

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

Amelia leaned against the kitchen counter and raised her arms over her head in a weary stretch. Most of her fingers were coated in sticky, blue cake frosting. She was a messy baker. Max's cake had been the final task for their trip into the Sequoia National Forest tomorrow. She forced deep breaths to suppress the roiling anxiety lapping her guts. It didn't work. Her body still had that thrumming undercurrent of anxious energy that made her chest feel tight enough to stutter her breathing. Max padded into the kitchen in his pajamas and climb...

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“Days Forgotten” by A.J Wise

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

Days Forgotten The strange thing about life and living is that no one seems to remember how to do it. Indeed, many reach the end in the realization that they never lived at all. I know I did. Today, on August 2, 2019, Ashley Lawrence III, turns 100 years old. That’s me. And that’s quite old, ask anyone, they’ll tell you. I’ve seen a lot of things, I’...

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“The Gift” by JE Rowney

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

“You’ve booked the table?” “Yes, Pam.” “8:30pm? And you told them that we want the one in the alcove. If we get that table near the toilets again, I’m not staying. I’m sorry, Grant, but I’m not.” All the time she was talking, she hadn’t stopped moving. Her hairbrush in one hand, sweeping through her thick black hair as she walked. “I asked for the table in the alcove. Just like you told me to. Everything is going to be perfect. Don’t worry.” Grant was fixing his tie, pulling on the smooth-knit silk, hurrying away from the bedroom mirr...

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“SN-1” by Willow Drake

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

"So, have you told him yet?""Told him what?” I replied, batting my eyelashes."Don't be coy. Have you told him you're pregnant yet?"I gasped dramatically, smiled and took a drawn-out sip of my wine. Cassie was one of those women who always saw peoples' bullshit and always called them out for it. And yet she was simultaneously the sweetest, most giving creature on the planet. She once drove 600 miles from Seattle to Paradise Valley, NV to save me while she was on a business trip pitching her new medical, gluten-free, vegan cupcakes to a m...

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“Oh, The People I Knew” by Miranda Johnson

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

When I walked into my grandmother's room, she was sitting in her rocking chair, staring out the window. I was struck for a moment by the bareness of the room. The ivory walls hung no decorations besides the same old pictures, the bed was neatly made in the corner, her dresser was empty. All this tiny, sterile room seemed to hold was my grandmother and the few possessions she still had."Grandma?" I asked gently, "It's me, Liam."But she didn't turn her head. She did not acknowledge my voice. She only whispered quietly to herself."Grandma?""Oh,...

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This week's prompts

Write a story about a stressed parent planning their child's birthday.

Adults – 22 stories

Write a story about a sweet sixteen.

Short Story – 13 stories

Write a story about someone turning 100 years old.

Fiction – 47 stories

Write a story about someone trying to find the perfect birthday gift.

Short Story – 19 stories

Write a story about a birthday party with a major plot twist.

Funny – 38 stories

Stories

“To You” by Joseph McLaughlin

🏆 Winner of Contest #1

Happy Birthday. When you see everyone standing in your kitchen, holding your wine glasses, and already slightly drunk, you do your best to moderate your response, temper the initial shock and annoyance in your face with a tight smile and a staggering step back. You clutch your heart and play into the moment. Worse still, the lights dim and you hear the song start up. Like a rickety train pulling out of the station, they drag the tempo so everybody can jump on. You strap in for the second verse. She emerges from the hallway, holding a gaudy c...

Read story

“Walking Alone” by Zilla Babbitt

Submitted to Contest #1

My dearest baby daughter, In sixteen years your father will give this letter to you. You don't know me, and may never know. I am your mother. Why should I write to you? Why should I ever make myself known to you? I do so because I love you. I do so because I want you to know that I love the gray drizzle of rain in the early morning and the music of Beethoven. I do so because of an old yellow umbrella I once owned as a child. I could not bear it if you knew nothing of me. I could not bear it if I did not tell you the story of m...

Read story

“Hollows of Your Heart” by Morgan Boyce

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

Amelia leaned against the kitchen counter and raised her arms over her head in a weary stretch. Most of her fingers were coated in sticky, blue cake frosting. She was a messy baker. Max's cake had been the final task for their trip into the Sequoia National Forest tomorrow. She forced deep breaths to suppress the roiling anxiety lapping her guts. It didn't work. Her body still had that thrumming undercurrent of anxious energy that made her chest feel tight enough to stutter her breathing. Max padded into the kitchen in his pajamas and climb...

Read story

“Days Forgotten” by A.J Wise

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

Days Forgotten The strange thing about life and living is that no one seems to remember how to do it. Indeed, many reach the end in the realization that they never lived at all. I know I did. Today, on August 2, 2019, Ashley Lawrence III, turns 100 years old. That’s me. And that’s quite old, ask anyone, they’ll tell you. I’ve seen a lot of things, I’...

Read story

“The Gift” by JE Rowney

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

“You’ve booked the table?” “Yes, Pam.” “8:30pm? And you told them that we want the one in the alcove. If we get that table near the toilets again, I’m not staying. I’m sorry, Grant, but I’m not.” All the time she was talking, she hadn’t stopped moving. Her hairbrush in one hand, sweeping through her thick black hair as she walked. “I asked for the table in the alcove. Just like you told me to. Everything is going to be perfect. Don’t worry.” Grant was fixing his tie, pulling on the smooth-knit silk, hurrying away from the bedroom mirr...

Read story

“Oh, The People I Knew” by Miranda Johnson

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

When I walked into my grandmother's room, she was sitting in her rocking chair, staring out the window. I was struck for a moment by the bareness of the room. The ivory walls hung no decorations besides the same old pictures, the bed was neatly made in the corner, her dresser was empty. All this tiny, sterile room seemed to hold was my grandmother and the few possessions she still had."Grandma?" I asked gently, "It's me, Liam."But she didn't turn her head. She did not acknowledge my voice. She only whispered quietly to herself."Grandma?""Oh,...

Read story

“SN-1” by Willow Drake

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #1

"So, have you told him yet?""Told him what?” I replied, batting my eyelashes."Don't be coy. Have you told him you're pregnant yet?"I gasped dramatically, smiled and took a drawn-out sip of my wine. Cassie was one of those women who always saw peoples' bullshit and always called them out for it. And yet she was simultaneously the sweetest, most giving creature on the planet. She once drove 600 miles from Seattle to Paradise Valley, NV to save me while she was on a business trip pitching her new medical, gluten-free, vegan cupcakes to a m...

Read story

“The Prize Of Age” by Chrissaint Trivett

Submitted to Contest #1

Age is the beginning of life, which is the original language of your life to mark the beginning of your centenary. without age, life is nothing: without life, age is meaningless - Dr, your milestone begins today.Lightening a hundred candles to celebrate your life is more important than silver and gold. The candle we light tonight brings light to other peoples lives.Building a hundred steps of cake to share your centenary is a beautiful thing in the mind of the guest present here tonight.Setting a hundred chairs and tables to share the cake b...

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“Too Many Candles” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #1

1“So, what’d you get ‘im?”“Hm?”“I said,” said the impatient voice, “what’d you get ‘im?”“Oh, oh right! Oh, well, hm, you see—"“You didn’t get ‘im anything?”“Well—”The other converser tutted. “It does not bode well to turn up to a birthday party without a gift.” She had a thick and strong cockney accent that had obviously been coarsened by years of smoking. At least, I think it was a ‘she’. Down here, it was rather hard to tell.I tried to ignore the smell.“Listen,” rasped the voice, “I got ‘im a great gift.”I absorbed the information whilst n...

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“If I'm Still Here” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #1

If I’m Still HereShirley peeked into her mother’s room to see her sitting on the bedside.“Good morning, Ma! How are you?”Hazel said, “Still here. Feeling pretty good.” She blew her nose into a handkerchief.“Do you want anything special for dinner, on your birthday?”“Oh, honey, I don’t think that far ahead. Let’s keep it simple.” She sounded hoarse.“But you’re turning a hundred Monday. Three days away. Don’t you want to celebrate?”“If I’m able to sit upright and smile, I will celebrate. I gave up counting anniversaries long ago. You know that...

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“The Official Birthday” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #1

THE OFFICIAL BIRTHDAYThis is my official birthday, Dora decided. Many a child has wished that, desperate to persuade their parents of the brilliance of the idea, once they have discovered that the Queen celebrates such a day. But Dora, everyone who knew her agreed, was no longer a child. Many an adult has wished that, though often adding, aloud or in their wistful, half-humorous thoughts, unless it meant them growing an extra year older. But Dor...

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“Pie-Crust Promises” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #1

PIE-CRUST PROMISES“I hope you’ve not put too much store on Mark coming, Mother,” Oh dear. It’s “Mother”, not “Mum”, thought Louisa. That meant she was either in trouble, or Eleanor wanted to make sure she understood the importance of something, or sometimes both. She supposed it served her right. When her daughter was growing up she had always said “Eleanor” rather than “Ellie” in such circumstances. The irony was, she now only answered to Eleanor anyway. She’s such an ol...

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“Back in My Day” by Jessica Porter

Submitted to Contest #1

I always get confused these days. I want for the soothing click clack, click clack, or the neighing as horses stroll by taking my neighbors to and from town. Instead, I get the insidious noise of loud cars zooming by, causing infernal racquet to my age damaged ears. People don't seem to grasp the concept of time until it's there, right in their faces, flaunting itself. Back in my day, people lived every day like it was their last. They didn't seem unaware of days passed, or events missed. They were aware of every meal missed and ...

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“City of Angels” by Grady Sullivan

Submitted to Contest #1

When I was fifteen, things were the same. When I was sixteen, they were different. I knew that when I woke up that morning and there was no soup. “We’re out,” she told me. I looked down into her eyes, the eyes that held the stars, and I said I’d be back. I strapped my knives over my waist. I could feel her looking at me, but I didn’t look back as I stepped out into the place that was the City of Angels. I walked through the memories of that city again. And again, I tried to push them away. I walked through those dark and looming stree...

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“Autumn shedding tears ” by Harita Rao

Submitted to Contest #1

We humans are strange, aren't we? We always try to keep ourselves positive. We try to symbolise our happiness with nature. For instance, autumn is related to so many rumors. If you take walk with your life partner during autumn your pain will vanish with the end of season. And most of them are related to falling leaves such as if you manage to catch a falling a falling leaf your first love come back to you or your sadness will be over and many else but the one on which I believe is that your wish come true. Not only me but someone else bel...

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$50

Prize money

139

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 09, 2019 EST

Won by Joseph McLaughlin 🏆

Title: To You

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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