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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#111: What Endures Through Time

Mary Wollstonecraft was a renowned philosopher and writer who, despite dying at just 38, published works that changed feminist thought and literature forever. Writing as she was in the eighteenth century, Wollstonecraft’s portrayal of unapologetic, strong, intelligent heroines was not only brave, but revolutionary — and today’s writers and feminist thinkers owe a great deal to the groundwork she laid over two hundred years ago.

Since this week’s contest falls on the anniversary of Wollstonecraft’s death, we want to reflect on her remarkable legacy — and indeed on the impact one person can make, even in relatively little time.

This week's prompts

An intelligent young girl solves a big problem, but becomes frustrated that no one wants to believe her. Write about what she does next.

Teens – 15 stories

Set your story in eighteenth century London, including a casual reference to something that changes the course of history.

Historical Fiction – 21 stories

Write about a character who wakes up in the future and learns that their legacy has outlasted them — for better or worse.

Character – 32 stories

Write about a child who carries on their parent’s work or legacy in some form.

Teens – 40 stories

Write about a group of friends who hope to use their combined skills to better the world.

Middle School – 16 stories

Stories

“Little Half Breed Girl” by Carmel Crowchild

Submitted to Contest #111

Sunrise over the mountains, I slept on top at Kicking Horse Pass. My first morning in the mountains where my people came to pray and find their way through life. A connection and test of skills to survive with a supermarket and convenience stores and take out. Grateful that I woke every morning before sunrise just as I did with my late grandpa when I was a little girl. I was his Sawed Off Half Breed, always lighter skinned and streaks of colour in my brown hair, a little girl with freckles. The only one with freckles in her family, is this w...

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“Haunted” by Anya Balsamides

Submitted to Contest #111

As I slump into my seat, the cold plastic chair transforms into rich mahogany. The plastic utensils, without sharp edges – “to keep us safe” – melt into stainless-steel forks and knives. As I stare at my white paper cup, with my blue and white pills to keep it company, the cup slowly changes into a sparkling crystal glass, red wine swirling within.“Anna,” the man across from me says, voice slicing through the silence. I jolt to attention and my knee hits the table, spilling red wine over the rim. It snakes down the side of the glass, spreadi...

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“Failing To Fall Further From The Tree” by Travis Hitchcock

Submitted to Contest #111

(Content Warning: Violence, Domestic Violence, trauma) “So, are you going to do it or not?” Michael asked me, quivering. “Give me a day to think about it, please,” I replied. “One more day, but then I need an answer. Okay?” “Okay.” That extra day was nothing more than procrastination. I had to make my decision, whether I wanted it or not. Every time I thought about it, I thought about them too. How could they be gone and still stalking my thoughts every day? Now, I am sat here, still undecided. My day is gone. Mic...

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“The Lost” by Chyna Wells

Submitted to Contest #111

It was during the middle of summer break when I realized that they weren’t coming back. And by “they,” I’m talking about the Lost. It seemed like a handful of people from each city just went missing all of a sudden. One minute they were doing any normal thing and the next minute, their face is on every newspaper and magazine with “Reward if found…” written above their photos. Nobody knew if these people had anything in common besides being someone close enough for everyone to miss. My girlfriend, Siera, her mom, was among the group, and my m...

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“Ears Open ” by SJ Lemon

Submitted to Contest #111

(TW: Religious zealotry, mild violence, ear stuff)That summer in the small town of Newton Springs, all the babies began crying. Not unusual on its own, except none of them had stopped since. At home, Anna Tuille, age 11, spun the dials on her pocket radio. She wore her headphones snug against her ears as she listened for the anomalous high-pitched frequency that often frustrated her quest for secret stations and extraterrestrial signals. For months on end, two hundred and eighty-three infants—an unprecedented boom in births that ye...

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“where the fox grows ” by Grace R

Submitted to Contest #111

The wind chimes were going at it again. As the wind blew, they crashed feverishly into one another, a frantic dancing orchestra that woke the girl sleeping on the couch. As she blinked her eyes open and rubbed her cheek that had been pressed against a scratchy pillow all night, she glanced around the room worriedly. She began to absorb more sounds; the distant howl of a starving dog, the trees crashing together outside, rain colliding with the windows. With small, cold fingers, she pulled the sleeves of her sweater down to her wrist...

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“A Warmer World” by Michelle A.A.

Submitted to Contest #111

London was a cold and dreary place, and its inhabitants could do little more than pray for an ounce of warmth. It was a time of great hardship; death and disease were rife, and for those who survived life promised its own brand of suffering.Gathered under the awning of a tall, bleak building - the roof of which was caked in an ever-thickening layer of fresh snow that seemed the very antithesis of the dark slate beneath it - a group of young children dressed in tattered rags and moth-bitten coats sat huddled together like penguins to conserve...

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“I Just Wanted to See You” by Charline Desrosiers

Submitted to Contest #111

There was an explosion. There was darkness. Then, there were lights. Hospital lights. I recognized them instantly, for they feel different than other lights you encounter. They are whiter, sharper, harsher than the ones you find in your living room. Already, my brain was in “search” mode, trying to remember how I had gotten there. I was laying flat on my back on a hospital bed, my retina stabbed by the shards of halogen. “James” a smooth voice sang. “It worked.” My eyes jumped to the corner of the room. At first, I did not recognize th...

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“CAREER OVER EMPATHY” by Chidimma Ezeogbuka

Submitted to Contest #111

Title: CAREER OVER EMPATHY ‘’I wouldn’t even lie; I was particularly disappointed with your dad. Chief Clifford was his best friend, yet he allowed his only son, only child die because of a mere medical report. He had all the power to save that young boy, yet he watched him die all because he was following a useless medical ethic’’ Rose pauses in her feelings, almost dropping a tear. She glanced at her daughter; Zendaya who was seemingly uninterested in her story. ‘’That young man was only a victim of ...

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“The Strongest Memory” by Lins E

Submitted to Contest #111

The gladiolus blooms were the softest colours imaginable. Pinks and peaches. The brightness of the sunflowers provided a contrast that made Alma pause her breath and she stood a moment to admire the bouquet. Candice really had a knack for arranging. Alma only hoped she could match it. As she started carefully moving the buckets of fresh cut flowers into the small cooler, Candice came in through the back door. "Oh wow, Joe has been here already?" She asked, bending down to sniff the sprays of lavender. "Mmmm. Best part of the day." "Yea...

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“An Ideal Living Situation” by Velvet Butterbaugh

Submitted to Contest #111

I’m freezing. Half dead. Someone is talking to me. I whimper out a plea. “Leave me. Please just leave me.” I guess they don’t listen because I wake up warm, in an unfamiliar room with sunshine pouring in. It’s obviously not Winter here. Where is here? I look around and find a young woman sitting in a chair next to the bed reading. “Good morning, Brian. We’re so glad you’re up. We can’t wait to get started.” “We?” I ask. A man sporting a toque comes in with a tray of food. “Gluttony, perfect timing.” What did she just call him? Whatever his ...

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“Ready or Knot” by Tanae Taylor

Submitted to Contest #111

A war is being fought, treason is being committed, fires are eating the land. But far away from the madness, two young princesses enjoy their youth in a game of hide and go seek. Doris and Harriet, twins the same size are protected from the horrors of war because of their innocence. “Ready or not, here I come!” Doris yells. She begins her search through the castle. Checking every hallway, every room, every balcony. Harriet keeps herself tucked away in the kitchen inside a small cabinet. She knew her sister would never find her,...

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“Victor” by Judy Luttrell

Submitted to Contest #111

Victor Percy Walton fell ill on Wednesday morning. The eight-year-old begged his mother to permit him to stay in his bed, claiming he was too ill for daily lessons, complaining of chills and a headache. Harriet Walton acquiesced to her youngest son’s pleas. After supplanting his brother Victor as the youngest of the Walton children, Percy was accustomed to getting his way as the baby of the family. He was frail child; Harriet noted Percy did seem a bit paler than usual. She thought that competing for attention with six rambunctious si...

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“And Then There Was Light” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #111

She thought herself lucky to get the job with so many people out of work, but for it to be so vastly different was what she was really happy about. Leaving behind the hard life of farming on the family farm – a daily grind of back breaking digging, picking, lugging heavy sacks of feed and all the other farm tasks was back breaking for a young girl. She now worked for a young family in London. She was a smart girl and knew that to be able to read and write would have advantages when it came to employment.Her father used to say to her in his ...

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“War of the Words” by McKeon Gardella

Submitted to Contest #111

The year was 2052 when Ms. Opaula Troutwine-Casper-Braun began hosting the popular children’s television show called Wordless. For thirty years, Opaula had a great following of young families watching her sentencing words to their death. She told the audience that words could be harmful to people’s feelings. To Opaula getting words removed from dictionaries and published works was a worthy crusade. Opaula’s partner in the crusade was Tab. Tab was a green and yellow colored Parrot. Perched in a cage shaped like the letter O, Tab squawked “Off...

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$250

Prize money

124

Contest entries

110

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 17, 2021 EST

Won by Charlene 🧙‍♀️✨ Boyce 🏆

Title: Flour and fire

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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