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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#200: Heard it Through the Grapevine

It’s perhaps not our most virtuous impulse, but it’s a very human one. The desire to gossip, tell tales, and share stories we’ve heard about others doesn’t always win us friends, but it’s born from a real evolutionary need. Psychologists speculate that the original purpose of gossip was to keep us safe, helping our ancestors identify potential threats, build bonds, and learn what behavior was deemed acceptable or unacceptable by their peers. And, for better or worse, that habit has stuck.

Of course, gossip can (and often does) go too far. It’s up to you how it plays out in this week’s stories; will your characters face consequences for their loose lips, or will gossiping actually save the day?

This week's prompts

Write a story that includes the line “my lips are sealed.”

Adults – 96 stories

Write a story about a piece of gossip that becomes more and more distorted as it passes from person to person.

Adults – 33 stories

Your character is known as the town gossip. One day, it comes back to bite them.

Adults – 22 stories

Write a story about someone trying to track down the source of a rumor.

Adults – 35 stories

Your main character has a secret superpower; the gossip they spread always comes true.

Adults – 24 stories

Stories

“Caffeinated Secrets” by Daniel Fore

Submitted to Contest #200

The young couple position their seasonal Joey Java cups high above their heads. “Have you ever seen a Christmas Tree print in herringbone? It’s sublime. Turn the label towards the camera, Quinn. We have to “tag” Joey. Perfect shot! You ready to get out of here?" The couple hastily abandon their Joey Java cups on the nearest table and stroll outside, eyes magnetized to their phone, enchanted by the memory they captured. Coffee newbs? Tourists, maybe? People have the liberty to express themselves in any b...

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“Don't Tell A Soul” by Anna W

Submitted to Contest #200

“How are you today?” he said into the rearview mirror. The woman in the backseat of the car didn’t seem to hear him as she stared into her phone, her thumb methodically scrolling social media. He rolled his eyes and looked back at the road. He was used to this by now. He was just a background decoration in this person’s life. A warm body who steered their life to another destination. It used to be easier to engage with people, as he took them on their journeys. Of course, people also used to be more aware of their surroundings, of the more s...

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“The Slingshot” by Glenda Toews

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #200

“I tink I saw one in the attic, Da.” Bobby said.“Aye, go on up dare, and have a look will yer? One more should do it then.” Patrick instructed his eldest son. A chair pushed against the linoleum scratched black beneath the feet, freeing Bobby to the attic for a suitcase hidden under a hundred years of dust. They were packing for America.“Da, are we going to leave everyting else?” Mikey asked. His eyes wandered around the sitting room. The ratted carpet he and Bobby rolled around on, bare in the spot where some feet, shoved in shoes and other...

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“A Rumor of Oilheads” by Mark VanTassel

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #200

A Rumor of Oilheads A Legend from the Strength of Old By Mark VanTassel Erde Date: 960 (Earth 1940) Breach hung head down, face to the darkness. His heart thudded, and between beats he listened. It was quiet tonight, and moonlight filtered down in streaks. He saw a fish hurry past, then a great tailfish followed. He wondered which would get what they wanted tonight--a meal, or another day. A crack from a nearby mountain rumbled through him, telling him that the firestone would hit the water again soon. When the news came, it was ...

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“Inner Circles” by Evelyn Griffith

Submitted to Contest #200

**This story holds themes regarding miscarriage, please read at your own discretion**“I heard that she was going to name it after her dead mother–”“I heard that she was never pregnant to begin with–”“I heard that her husband didn’t want it–”“I heard that his family wouldn’t let her marry him, so she planned the pregnancy–”"I heard that this isn't even the first time–"“I heard that he’s already left–”“I heard that she–”“I heard–”“I–”Lindsey wasn’t sure she heard anything at all. Just the mumblings of women with sagging bellies and breasts, wh...

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“A Grisly Thing ” by S N

Submitted to Contest #200

Sibyl drew the portrait above my deathbed. Called it "Centipede Sis'." Grisly thing. I sat for a number of artists before, but none captured the burgundy black of my curls like Sibyl - though, any resemblance frayed with the split ends of the subject. She wanted my chin pointed towards the ceiling. I held it aloft for four hours. Poised. Obedient. I still feel the crick in my neck whenever the AC works too well. There were phones back then. She could have taken a picture. She refused. Said it was different. Said she needed to get "it" r...

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“Attention All Students” by Anthony Jeff

Submitted to Contest #200

Attention all students, this is Principal Zaid speaking. I’m making this announcement to confirm that one of your peers, Steven Hall in class 8a, has passed away due to the situation that took place earlier today. I want you to know that we are doing everything in our power to find out how this happened so it will never be repeated. I understand this is a rough time for you all and if you need to talk about it or help sort your feelings, please see the school’s guidance counselor. Attention all students, this is Principal Za...

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“Clara Jean” by Shannon C.

Submitted to Contest #200

“Would you look at that one?” Clara said shaking her head as she sipped her coffee. “You know she stole all kinds of money from her momma and took off to a different state without saying a word? Had her fretting over her day and night. I heard she was with child and had to leave to get rid of the baby. Terrible thing she did to her family. Just a shame to put that kind a mark on your family’s name. And now she’s back like nothing even happened. Disgraceful.” She adjusted her glasses on her nose and looked at Gracie. Her friend sat next to he...

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“Survey Says!” by Joe Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #200

Discussion of a war.“Hello? Is this the party to whom I should be speaking?”“It must be for you,” says my mom. On a landline? I’m thinking. Mom is baking chocolate chip cookies and I’m getting ready to go. To get a cookie and still get out the door is the objective. An unexpected phone call isn't going to be helpful.I fumble with the phone while slipping my jacket on, shoes sidling away from my feet, need my hands for those! No speakerphone, ancient contraption this thing, hideous yellow with festooned buttons. At least there was a long cord...

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“Sammy, Tammy, and Pearl” by Ava Black

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #200

“You sure you don’t want to meet for a drink?” The greasy man asks, his raspy voice muffled as he lays belly-down on the massage table. “I’m only here for one night. Let’s make it a fun one, yeah?”Aileen pulls her oily hands away from her massage client, wincing as her carpal tunnel flares up.“Well?” he demands. “I’m a bit older, but I’m still fun! Hell, you can even call me Daddy if you want.”“You’re all done!” Aileen says cheerfully. “Jasmin can take your payment outside.”“I’ll pay you for the night. How about that?”“Jasmin can take your p...

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“The Darkness of Gossip” by KG Green

Submitted to Contest #200

“The Darkness of Gossip” Chapter 1: Whispers in the Shadows “My lips are sealed”, that's what Clara told everyone in the town last week. They accused her of spreading false information, of being a gossip. But what they didn’t know is that sometimes, whispers hold more truth than anyone could imagine. In the small, tight-knit community of Brookside, lived Clara. She had a knack for collecting rumors and spinning them into stories that spread like wildfire. Clara revealed in the attention it brought her, the power to shape the perception...

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“Category Six” by Kevin Logue

Submitted to Contest #200

"Can you believe this? On today of all days too." Agents Mills shook his head and narrowed his dark eyes at me through the rearview mirror. To him I was little more than a nuisance, and I knew it. Just another rookie brought over to experience the human world before making my decision. "What?" The question sprayed from Agent Worth's overstuffed mouth, crumbs sprinkling the dashboard to Mills’ disgust. "I said, can you believe this?" He nodded back towards me. "Oh right, well we all have to start somewhere. You had a first day too, re...

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“The Case of Arnold Palmer” by Nicholas Thomas

Submitted to Contest #200

(TRIGGER WARNING: Physical violence, gore, or abuse. Mild substance abuse.) I had been attending law school for a few years now and was excited to finally be able to watch a trial in person. This wasn’t just any trial, either – this was the trial of Arnold Palmer. Before I tell you about Arnold Palmer, I should tell you about the town in which I grew up, and the town Arnold had virtually destroyed. Though we are technically considered a “company town,” which is to say all housing – and stores, if we had any outside the general store - are ...

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“Where We Bury Our Secrets” by Alex Alaimo

Submitted to Contest #200

With every step across the grassy courtyard, the book burned a hole in the crossbody bag Dorothea carried with her. She hoped Cecilia would only notice the missing book after Dorothea had made it to the Thelapus. She shuddered as she remembered how dark Cecilia’s eyes had become when she first showed Dorothea what Cecilia referred to as “the key to Divina Potentia.” This was the exact thing every girl at Saint Catherine’s School for the Artistically Inclined strived for. The only problem was that Dorothea could not read whatever language the...

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“What Wasn't Said” by Sarah Martyn

Submitted to Contest #200

I can’t trust my own thoughts, but they’re sometimes my safest places to run to… only sometimes. * * * “Hi bro. How are you today?” “Eh… I’m tired. I woke up tired. I didn’t even do that much today,” Thomas replied. Dumb lazyass… how could you lay around and complain about your day? “What’d you say, Drew?” “I said don’t sweat it. We all have days like that. It’s okay to have a chill day and still be draggin.” “You’re probably right.” “I know I am, Thomas. Chin up. Mom says she loves you and will see you later this week. I’ll ...

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$250

Prize money

210

Contest entries

116

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 02, 2023 EST

Won by Katharine Widdows 🏆

Title: Three Questions

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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