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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#131: First Impressions

On the 28th of January 1813, Pride and Prejudice was first published. Originally titled First Impressions, Jane Austen’s most famous work has gone on to be a genre-defining classic — and one of my personal favorites.

To celebrate the anniversary of its release, this week’s prompts explore the themes of Pride and Prejudice, and the slipperiness of first impressions.

This week's prompts

Write a story about two characters whose first impressions of one another are wildly inaccurate.

Fluff – 55 stories

Write a story that includes (or subverts) the enemies-to-lovers trope.

Romance – 25 stories

Start your story with the arrival of a new person in a town full of gossips.

Adults – 41 stories

Write a story about a group of sisters, or a group of brothers.

Vampire – 35 stories

Set your story in a drawing room.

Fiction – 29 stories

Stories

“Chicks & Dicks” by Jack Coey

Submitted to Contest #131

Finn looked down the bar and thought he knew her. The red hair and blue eyes he knew he’d seen before. He picked up his glass and moved to her. She gave him a hostile sideways look and he asked, “Did you go to Fenmore high school?” “Who wants to know?” “I give ya two guesses and the first don’t count.” “I hate guys who think they’re funny.” Finn grinned. “How about this? Did you take public speaking with Miss Conner after lunch?” “Who wants to know?” “Inquiring minds want to know.” “I hate guys who think they’re funny.” “I hate chicks that g...

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“"How We Come Together"” by Talulah Pellon

Submitted to Contest #131

Ying opened the present wrapped in brown paper that Jacob, her new brother-in-law, had gotten her for Christmas. It was coffee. Ying didn't really drink coffee that much. Much less go through the trouble of making it from unground beans. The package had a black skull and a gun on the cover. She smiled and looked up at him, hoping she could keep her mask of pleasantry secured for at least the next few hours. "Oh wow, is this a famous brand in the US? I've never heard of it." Glancing at the faces of her husband's family, she guessed the ans...

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“The people watcher.” by Jessamie R.

Submitted to Contest #131

Steam whispers from the teacup before me, the scalding liquid untouched as I wait patiently for it to cool. I peer around the room, studying each face around me with utmost fascination. Meredith is here this morning, her Shih Tzu peeking out of her purse as she feeds the scrawny beast crumbs from her toast. Laura by the corner wall as always, her nose yet again buried deep in a novel. I squint, faintly making out Pride and Prejudice scrawled across the cover. I approve. Joe and Paula chuckle over sugar cookies and a fresh brew of coffee. I w...

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“The Drye Room” by Scoop Rittersblock

Submitted to Contest #131

I recall that thrilling day when we pulled up into the drive of our new house and piled out joking and laughing as we raced each other to the door and the promise of a brand new life. It was going to be a big change for us all-the girls especially and they were heartbroken to be pulled out of school and away from their friends but, shoot, that’s life and it just keeps on rollin’ on and it’s no good chewing on old meat, as my Grandpa used to say. Joe, well he was never one to worry about stuff too much-not upfront, anyway. I ...

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“The Newbie” by Yvonne Clarke

Submitted to Contest #131

THE NEWBIE (1002 words) It hadn’t been an easy decision, this move to be closer to my daughter. I had left the house that I had lived in when I was married, said goodbye to good neighbours, close friends and familiar shops. But despite my daughter’s assurances that I would soon make new friends, I sensed I was not welcome. The locals appeared clannish, their carapaces as hard to crack as walnuts. Generations of families had lived in this northern town, forging a tight-knit community. I felt like a dandelion clock blowing directionless in the...

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“Community of Stalkers” by Minerva Noiropp

Submitted to Contest #131

Karuli felt irritated. The beautiful house by the sea looked good when she inspected it with the real estate agent. It had been unsettling when the agent seemed so pleased she had liked the place. It had been an odd encounter, with the agent using the same words as the people from the last town she had lived in.Often Karuli would wonder if society were pre-programmed robots running on some sort of script that she knew nothing about. Everyone performed the same body language about her. The people seemed uncomfortable in their poses as if they...

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“Twilight” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #131

The light was not good. It never is in late afternoon before the street lamps come on, and the darkness has exposed its intention. The last remnants of the day left to debate their departure. I sit on a bench that overlooks the pond. The sunset, when one is realized, snared by the pool, divided into prisms of promise, and sent into the darkness, escape. It was on just such an evening that I noticed him, her, it, for the first time. Normally people avoid the park ...

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“Nothing Worth a Song or Dance About” by Felix Twingrin

Submitted to Contest #131

CONTENT WARNING; mental health, self harm, swearing The person in number 5 Orpheus Lane has a scar, at least that was what they all said. “A scar?” Hamish thought to ask when he was told, his voice filled with the sort of tone that showed quite clearly, he considered this to be about as noteworthy as the mayors’ new haircut or any other of the nonsense drivel that seemed to drive the town of Rosebridge. “Aye, a scar” said Mrs Flannagan, shaking her head disapprovingly her thin lips pursed “but not just any old scar I will tell you that...

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“Spilling Tea ” by Veronica Robinson

Submitted to Contest #131

Spilling Tea By Veronica Robinson It was only the third Saturday in May, but every woman in the tent begin to fan herself. The sides of the tent were rolled up to allow wind to pass through, but none had come the entire afternoon, thankfully the overhead covering was keeping the sun from beaming in. The tent was filled with large round tables two by two creating an aisle through the middle of the tent stretchin...

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“Knocked Out” by Thea M

Submitted to Contest #131

Hi, this is my first time writing for Reedsy. I hope you enjoy my short story!I turned the coffee machine on as I shut my computer closed and stacked it on top of my suitcase. I surveyed the room looking to see if I had missed anything so I wouldn't forget it. I was going to be gone for a week, after all. I took my cup of coffee and poured in the milk slowly as the creamy, white texture mixed slowly with the dark, black coffee. I took two packets of sugar from the counter and rapidly emptied them inside the cup. No, I needed three. As I was ...

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“Band of Brothers, The O'brien's ” by Professor Alan Dale Dickinson

Submitted to Contest #131

BAND OF BROTHER’S, ‘THE O’BRIEN’S’ By Professor Alan Dale Dickinson (Copyrighted) CHARLES WARNER Kennedy “Charlie” O’Brien, was an FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Director for the Western Region. And his office was in downtown L.A. (Los Angeles), California. It was located at the corner of 3rd. and Hope Streets, on top of ‘Bunker ...

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“Cry Babies ” by Karen Lethlean

Submitted to Contest #131

Note: Contains violence toward children. Cry Babies. ‘You kids! Bloody wood box is empty. Whose turn is it to fill up the bloody kindling?’ As usual father’s shouts reverberate through a house sleep-warmed, closed off from soon-to-be new day. As a result, any remnant slumber is now shattered. Any time of the day or night might be a time for our father to shout, diminish our skills, or admonish for a job not done. There are no turns in this house, no roster charts with lovely gold star rewards, nor an unwritten accord with child age-appro...

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“Our Crazy Mother.” by Beth Villatoro

Submitted to Contest #131

This context contains sensitive material that refers to Mental Health, Abuse and Trama. There was a time in my life when I thought I had lost her forever; my mother Shannon was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder at the age of 18 right after giving birth to me. Which explains why there are five of us. Her impulsiveness led her to get pregnant four more times. I have always wondered how my life would have been if I was an only child. As an adult I have come to terms with the fact that I indeed had to share my life with four other humans, Grow...

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“Lady Madeline” by F.O. Morier

Submitted to Contest #131

The large house stood on a gentle slope, on the west side of a grove. The tall trees gave it a melancholic and pleasant shade. The landscape looked out on a lush and magnificent scene. A brook crept across the tall grass and the scent of wildflowers hung in the air. Scenes of pure delight in pastoral simplicity. I loved this place. I was happy to receive an invitation from Lady Madeline to come spend a few hours of afternoon with her. It was more than an invite. She begged me to come see her. I knocked the lion head on the thick, tall wooden...

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“Wonderful Granddad Harry Grimes” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #131

NB(swearing and indications of abuse)Jim strolled into the drawing room. It smelled of furniture polish, perfume and after shave. He stood before the ornate fireplace, his hands held loosely behind his back. His eyes skimmed the mostly bowed heads and solemn faces. The huge gold-framed mirror behind him reflected the multi-faceted chandelier. In the centre of the room stood an oval mahogany table and six chairs everyone had avoided. Instead, they crowded on the three sofas and four armchairs scattered about the drawing room.Jim took an in-br...

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$250

Prize money

185

Contest entries

128

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 04, 2022 EST

Won by Zack Powell 🏆

Title: Love Ain't Blind, Grief Is

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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