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!

#18: Pocketful of Sunshine

Pockets are where we keep items of importance: our keys, cellphone, wallet, or, if you're Bilbo Baggins, the One Ring. (And if you're Natasha Bedingfield, the sun.)

Losing or finding such items can be a strong starting point for a story. Which is why this week, we're challenging you to write a pocket-sized (aka "short") story based on a pocket-themed prompt.

This week's prompts

Write a story about a character who buys a secondhand coat and then discovers something in the pocket.

Thriller and Suspense – 99 stories

Your fingers tensed around the object in your pocket, ready to pull it out at a moment's notice.

Science Fiction – 44 stories

Write a story about someone cleaning out their attic. They find an old piece of clothing, and inside of its pocket is an old keepsake.

Adults – 52 stories

"It was just here!" you shout, frantically searching your pockets for the missing thing.

Funny – 31 stories

Write a story about a very skilled pickpocket.

Character – 65 stories

Stories

“Song of Sparrows” by Megan DeRouin

Submitted to Contest #18

Song of Sparrows I danced through the crowd, my hands deftly diving into pocket after pocket pulling forth wallets of all shapes and sizes. When the tourists went left towards the Empire State Building I continued straight. I plugged my earbuds into my ears and stuffed my hands into the pockets of my jacket. Just another New Yorker walking down the street. No one saw me, they weren’t looking.The lock clicked as I closed the door behind me.“That you Kailey?” asked Beth from the ...

Read story

“Lorenzo” by Pauline Breatnach

Submitted to Contest #18

Earl Lorenzo placed the diamond-encrusted quill on his desk in the study. Rays of pallid March sun glinted off the tiny diamonds.'Grandpa Ashcroft's wedding gift to dear departed Grandma Ashley,' he murmured, gazing at the quill. Since Grandma Ashley had departed this life some weeks earlier, he was obliged to respond to letters of condolence. Grandma Ashley was beloved of all who knew her in the district of Epstown. It was imperative to reply to one and all. Earl Lorenzo felt a hot tear rolling down his c...

Read story

“IHGFEIHGFE” by Manisha Das Sangma

Submitted to Contest #18

It’s been 3 years and I still haven’t found it out.What is it?And why am I drawn towards it?I should have thrown it away.Maybe my mind is just playing games or maybe it’s nothing but a piece of paper.I slept then.Next morning, I ended up putting that tiny torn paper inscribed with those undecodable letters, back into my wallet and hurried for the bus.********3 Years Before…‘Hey, how much for this?’Another two minutes passed by or it might be his mind running much faster than his current pace, he asked one more time for that hoody jacket, sea...

Read story

“Quick Hands” by Ariella Aquiday

Submitted to Contest #18

"Not to brag," says Jack, "but between you and me, I'd make a better villain." "Yeah, right," Paisley groans. "You cry at everything." The ground feels thick under the teenagers' feet. The street is nearly empty of people. A red-head woman in heels the same color of her hair walks past them, her heels relieved to not strut into any potholes. Pale-faced lovers walk hand in hand, guiding each other through the darkness. Passerby ignore the teens, and teens ignore them. "So what?" Jack scoffs. He takes offense to Paisley's words, but he hope...

Read story

“The Sign” by Alton Rooi

Submitted to Contest #18

Counting thirty six steps after the last person greeted him; it was a quiet part of the town Anthony realized. The cold was convincing. He never considered packing anything warm. Like an excited bird for wings. And now he regretted being in a hurry not taking a coat at all, he was trembling.He had only an hour to report on duty, luckily the people in this town seemed to take their businesses quite serious. They were open early and people were increasing as he walked further into town.Some were selling fruits and veggies; others were making f...

Read story

“The Cheating Jacket” by Karen Haggard

Submitted to Contest #18

The frayed denim jacket made its way to the "Donate" pile. She couldn't bear to have it around anymore. Not since the accident. Besides, it came from the Goodwill anyway. It fit his skinny five-foot-eight frame like a glove when he tried it on. He'd found that little green toy truck in the side pocket and said it looked like his green pickup. So, he got the jacket and kept the dumb toy. She hated his stupid old green pickup; it was a piece of junk. It was the truck's fault he died. Patting the pockets, she felt a lump. Reaching in, she pulle...

Read story

“The Coat” by Maria Zhuravleva

Submitted to Contest #18

"Watch where you are going, imbecile!" he hisses, infuriated.I am so focused on glaring at the paved stones beneath my feet that I am not paying attention to where I am stumbling. I trip over a stone that juts out of sidewalk like the bastard it is, and fall smack into a man wearing a black trench coat. The haughty man steps over me, with a look of total disgust plastered on his face and continues walking to god knows where. I don't disagree with him, I don't look particularly well off at the moment. If I were to look into a mirror, I would ...

Read story

“A Flavour of Kintsugi ” by Megan Rosevear

Submitted to Contest #18

"Ew, put that back."Shay opened her mouth, an argument at the tip of her tongue: You haven't even looked! But it died in her throat as she locked eyes with Iris in the mirror she hadn't before noticed. So she resigned to pout instead."Hey!" she said. "It's cute!""Yeah, if you're a hobo, maybe."Shay draped the leopard-print coat over her arm and admitted defeat. "You're rude.""I'm trying to make sure you don't look like a rug.""You look like a rug," Shay muttered, hanging the coat back up on the rack with a rueful sigh. "I knew I shouldn't h...

Read story

“The Khaki Coat ” by Michelle Hewett

Submitted to Contest #18

I walked along the cobbled street, no particular destination in mind, just ambling along glancing in the odd shop window or two. I stopped as something caught my eye, a small box with a shiny medal was tucked in the corner besides a rather garish looking vase and a doll with a haunted look on its face.The medal appeared to be a George cross the type issued to soldiers during the War. My mind cast me back to my youth when I had been a carefree young girl, skipping through meadows on a summers evening making daisy chains and lying in the long ...

Read story

“Unrest in Happiness Hills” by Jessica Stone

Submitted to Contest #18

Your fingers tensed around the object in your pocket, ready to pull it out at a moment's notice. The others that passed you seemed to all be staring as if they knew what you held already.As if they could see through the seams of your leather coat, vintage and rough edged, dark brown and smelling of mold.Even though they seemed to stare they still smiled widely in your direction. You were making your way to the circle.The village always seems so joyful, the others are always this happy. They don’t even need holidays, though around this time t...

Read story

“All's fair in love and war ” by Millie Spence

Submitted to Contest #18

Xander’s fingers tensed around the object in his hands, ready to pull it out in a moment’s notice. His eyes locked on his target, a small, freckled teen, fumbling around with laces on his boots.“My people won’t let you win. Not this time.” The former spoke, keeping his tone low and ominous. The small boy brought his gaze forward, eyes burning their way through the soul of the taller boy.“I wouldn’t be too sure about that, my friend.” He chuckled, menacingly. His lips turned up into a cruel smile, causing the tanned boy to take a step back, i...

Read story

“Gapper” by Jayden Mendez

Submitted to Contest #18

I didn't want to steal. None of my gang did. There was only one- Rebrandt- who enjoyed it. And he is the worst thiever here. Believe me, our training at the Warehouse was not easy. That's why we are amazing at thievin'. I glance out at the people before me- sniveling, frightened boys desperate enough to be adopted into a gang rather than face the confines of a Boy's Home. Yes, when our leader, Jack Paulie, heard of our loneliness and came to recruit us, we were frightened. The prospect of working at a Warehouse with a bunch of strange orphan...

Read story

“Sibling Rivalry ” by Dominic Njoroge

Submitted to Contest #18

INTRODUCTIONHaniel was born as a talented and courageous man. He confronted any one who messed with his rights. He was serious, smart and intelligent. He was an eloquent speaker as well. This is what helped him to achieve, in his career. He knew there was a place where his rights could never be, misused. He understood the law like a novel. He took the law very seriously. This made him a senior level lawyer.On the other hand we have Judy who is the main character of the story. She is a hardworking lady whom is faced with a lot of problems in ...

Read story

“The Greed of Man” by Annony Mous

Submitted to Contest #18

He had been following me all day. Of course I didn't turn around to see. I could sense him: hear the incessant crunching of his footsteps through the leaves, the labored breathing (I had been walking very quickly for quite some time), and an occasional sniff. I didn't know exactly why he was stalking me, but I had a pretty good idea.Most of the few pedestrians had gone home and the forest road was practically empty. There was a chill in the air and a biting wind howled through the bare trees, shaking the remaining leaves to the ground. I pul...

Read story

“Jade's Jewelry ” by Gabrielle Marie

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #18

Jade tucked both hands into her pockets, making small hops on the porch hoping it would warm her up. Why hadn’t she worn a heavier jacket? “Take a jacket, you never know when you might need it. The car could break down, you could get stuck in the snow…blah, blah, blah” Jackson’s words, muttered from her lips. She knocked again. Three rapid taps. This last-minute stop was going to give her pneumonia. “It’s open!” Came the call from inside. She quickly opened the door and stepped inside. “You know you can just walk in!” Her mom walke...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

291

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 06, 2019 EST

Won by Sam Lauren 🏆

Title: The Price of a Nice Guy

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 ⭢