Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Menu

✕

CONNECT

Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites

BLOG

Success Stories

APPS

TOOLS

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

ABOUT

About Reedsy Terms Privacy

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!

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

“Birthday Boy” by Jackson Manley

Submitted to Contest #1

Birthday boybyStacy “Just throw him a regular birthday party. You know, balloons filling the living room, presents wrapped in colorful wrapping paper. Stuff like that” my boss, Jenny Williams, said, sitting behind her desk, studying this week’s numbers. “You don’t understand. This is my first year that I have custody the week of Owen’s birthday. It has to be perfect.” “You have him for the entire week?” she asked, closing the screen of her computer, more intrigued by the previous statement. “I have an idea.”The checkout line in the loc...

Read story

“Claire's Left Hand” by James Offenha

Submitted to Contest #1

Claire’s Left HandBy James S. Offenhartz Where to find a bioengineer, that’s the $64 question. June was about to turn 14 and she didn’t have a left hand. She never had a left hand except prenatally. I, her mother, told June my umbilical chord wrapped around her left hand and cut it off, but June didn’t believe me. She told me that maybe a secret abuser came in the middle of the night to try to abduct June and I grabbed June’s hand to try to stop the kidnapper and June’s hand had come off because I loved her so much. I showed her the hos...

Read story

“Just a Flutter” by Jess Epperson

Submitted to Contest #1

Hannah knew that everyone thought she was crazy. They didn’t tell her to her face, of course, but she could tell. It was in their eyes, their tone, the little frown at the corners of their mouths they kept trying to hide – she could see it plain as day. That was okay, though. It didn’t matter what they thought. All that mattered was today was going to be perfect.And then everything would be okay.“So far, so good,” Hannah said to herself as she tied the last balloon.She took a step back and surveyed her work with a satisfied smile. The except...

Read story

“Birthday Wishes” by Katy Simmons

Submitted to Contest #1

Everything was perfect, right down to the little details. The cake was frosted with pink buttercream and decorated with little edible butterflies in every colour you could think of. Ribbons were tied in neat bows across the chairs. Streamers hung from the ceiling and a big banner was draped across the windows proclaiming in 'Happy Birthday Zoe' in bold letters.All her friends had made it. They smiled and laughed as she told a joke. She hummed along to the music as they danced around the room. Her mum watched from the doorway with only the sl...

Read story

“Mary's Sweet Sixteen” by Ella Franson

Submitted to Contest #1

Mary awoke with a start, and remembered it was her sweet sixteen. She jumped out of bed and ran to her closet, excitement bubbling up inside of her. She slid the doors open and put on her favorite dress. The dress was light blue with a darker blue ribbon pulled around her waist. Mary pulled on her only pair of white high heels and burst out of the door. Mary whipped her head back and forth, no one was in the hallway, she rushed to the stairs. No one was smiling back at her, because no one was there. Mary yelled, “Hey everybody I am awa...

Read story

“A Black and Yellow Birthday” by Olúwabùkúnmi Oládoyin

Submitted to Contest #1

A Black and Yellow BirthdayThere's a certain darkness that engulfs you when you're scared. Fear is the other great magic apart from love, the way it jumps on you and wraps it's arms around you like a famished lover. I could feel my heart trying to leap out of my body in fast beats, but I kept running, although I was wounded, tired and scared. Then I heard the voice again. But this time, I didn't wait for my brain to interprete. Adrenaline made me understand biology as I dodged a mach...

Read story

“It's My One Hundredth Birthday” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #1

It’s My One Hundredth Birthday It’s my one hundredth birthday today. I am living in a Seniors’ Home in the town in which I grew up, but my remaining family members live far, far away. I will get a few phone calls, but there will be silences when they are at a loss for something to say. There will be silences from my end too. And talking on the phone is not the same as their being with me in the same room where I can see their faces when they speak and listen. When I think of birthdays, my first thoughts are of my m...

Read story

“My 100 Years” by Alice Sampson

Submitted to Contest #1

I was born just outside London the year after the war ended. My parents were happy. When my mother realised she was pregnant the war hadn’t ended yet and although many knew it wouldn’t be long, she didn’t trust that. Complete pessimist my mother was. But then the war ended and five months later I was born. They were happy that I entered a world without war, where I wouldn’t have to fight, wouldn’t have to suffer and for the briefest moment my mother was an optimist. Twenty years later another war began and I was the perfect age to fight. Me...

Read story

“Happy Birthday” by Thomas O'Leary

Submitted to Contest #1

August 5thhad a big circle on it. His normally blank calendar now looked as if it had a black eye. August 5this his birthday and though he’s the type not to have cared about any of the previous days that marked his annual passage through life (even the fabled 21st), this year was different. This year he is having a party. And he’s inviting anyone he’s ever cared about. &nb...

Read story

“The Birthday Scare” by Jean Walker

Submitted to Contest #1

I held the door open for Sophia to walk out of the grogshop ahead of me while she made a joke about the gesture. We laughed about it while I joined her on the sidewalk. She was already tipsy after three bottles and to think that she had bragged about going on to five. Me, on the other hand, one bottle had done it for me. I couldn't tell if I was tired or just drunk at the moment but I could bet that I would probably wake up on the roof of my house with no idea how I got there. My problem at the moment was to make it home in the f...

Read story

“Leah” by Riya Das

Submitted to Contest #1

Leah“And this?”, Joe asked with a thick voice .“That will be fifty, sir”, the man behind the glass counter said with an exhausted expression, adjusting the golden rimmed spectacles perched on his nose. He kept his eyes trailed on Joe, waiting for him to leave.“Come on buddy! This can’t be worth that much…” he exclaimed pointing at the clay doll display in front. The beauty was kept in an ornate cage of rosy glass, beneath which was inscribed the name “Leah”. She had a small Asian face, as pink as a rose, thin red painted lips and thick lashe...

Read story

“The Smiling Clown” by Boh San

Submitted to Contest #1

It was my 13th birthday. I was getting ready for the party. From downstairs I heard people talking, then I heard my father call for me, “Coming!” I answered. Right as I’m finished getting ready, I go sliding down the staircase, “Ah, there you are!” My mother says. “Hello!” I said, rather loudly. What can I say I’m just an excited boy. “Everyone please go to the table we’ll be starting dinner now!” My father said. I ran to the table where I’d be sitting. We all ate then went to the back yard, and started to play some games. My mother came up ...

Read story

“HU WANG” by Andrew Grell

Submitted to Contest #1

HU WANGBy Andrew Paul GrellPrompt: Perfect Birthday Gift“Kyle’s turning 50 this year. I have no idea what to get him,” Pat failed to get across a tone of lamentation.“Why do you have to get him anything? He’s got everything he needs and could get anything he wants. He’s got a trust fund! Wanna get him something? Get him a pad and pencil to take inventory. Jesus.” Brenda ran into Pat at The Goblin’s Head, a bar popular with science fiction nerds and graduates of Dewey High. “Old people like reminders of...

Read story

“Sweet Sixteen” by Yaara Bosch

Submitted to Contest #1

"Please, we're just trying to help." Edith's eyes watered, but she could see the young woman bending down before her, her cropped hair sticking out at an odd angle over ears, spilling something that may or may not be water into the wilting lily's glass by her side. No, she wasn't young. Her skin was blurry through Edith's itchy eyes, but it was clearly wrinkling around her eyes, and there were streaks of grey at her hairline. She was wearing a white blouse and a beige blazer that looked tighter than it should be. Her name w...

Read story

“WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?” by Joe Dozier

Submitted to Contest #1

My seven-year-old son, Travis, insisted on a party to celebrate turning eight. That did not sound like too difficult a request to grant. Being a mother kills all common sense brain cells. I doomed the party from the moment I said, “Yes.” At least I had enough sense left to limit the party to ten children. That is when the first fight started. Travis insisted that I had to invite all of hi...

Read story

Load more stories

$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!

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢