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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#204: Wild, Wild West

The days of the old American West have long held weight in the collective imagination of storytellers. There’s a mythic power to it. Tales of survival, revenge, and itinerant gunslingers still draw us in, whether for a bit of adventure or to ask deeper questions about morality and philosophy.

The desolate desert landscapes, the struggles and conflicts between settlers and Native peoples, the wandering heroes, all these elements and more have inspired writers across genres, from George Lucas to Stephen King. Perhaps the best thing about a Western is its malleability and creativity: its ability to be set anywhere from America in the 1800s to a galaxy far, far away. So this week get your cowboy hats (or space helmets) ready as we go to explore the great unknown.

Plus, you're invited! 🎉

The second issue of PROMPTED, our literary magazine, is coming soon — and to celebrate, we're holding a live online event next Thursday! Find out more and get your free ticket right here.

This week's prompts

Write a story about a stranger coming to town and shaking up the order of things.

Character – 56 stories

Set your story in a desert town.

Adventure – 52 stories

Write a story about someone undertaking a long, dangerous journey.

Adventure – 39 stories

Write a Western-inspired story in a new genre or setting (e.g. a space western, fantasy western, etc.)

Fiction – 78 stories

Write a story about someone seeking revenge for a past wrong.

Dramatic – 73 stories

Stories

“A new beginning ” by Howdle Gavin

Submitted to Contest #204

The stranger rode slowly into the town of Dry Gulch, his chestnut mare looking as though she had seen far too many miles. He sported a Stetson hat and a leather vest over a faded shirt, allowing his sun-beaten face to take in the majestic orange and red sky as the sun set gently over the horizon. Every step his horse took was in unison with the rustling of dry, wind-blown leaves scattered across the moon-lit desert floor. As the man dismounted his horse, his piercing blue eyes seemed to peer directly into the souls of the townspeople. His...

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“With Apologies to Lee Van Cleef” by David Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #204

So the other day in the cafeteria Hank Mertens and Jose Gomez had a standoff. See, Hank used to go out with Jose’s sister Mayra, but it ended badly at prom when she found Hank making out with Corinne Banks. Corinne was known as the school tramp, always hooking up with a bunch of guys, and that time at prom she got her claws into Hank. Well, Mayra broke up with Hank in the parking lot and called Jose to pick her up. That night he drove her over to Whataburger for a shake and to have her get in a good cry and shake Hank out of her system for ...

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“Sunrise at Dusk” by Abbie Davis-Marsh

Submitted to Contest #204

Dusk- The moment the sun dips beyond the horizon, giving its rule to the twilight hours. Here, Dusk is place marked on the Coan’s map with a black dot. 35055 acres of dirt and the desecrated ashes of living things that prayed for a sip of water and died with hanging tongues. The only creature that thrives in Dusk lives by drinking the blood of its brethren. I know because I am one of their kind. Full of hate and jealousy, I dream in my human mind to crawl out of this pit and turn the pipe above and drown this godless place. &nb...

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“Hoofprints in the Dust” by M B

Submitted to Contest #204

(Warning: Contains a brief use of a racial slur used by a badguy) Alec was in pain. His side throbbed from where he’d been slashed and his thigh was on fire from his fresh gunshot wound. He groaned and strained against the ropes binding his wrists to the post. He was sitting with his legs straight out in front of him. “You think you’re in pain now?” One of the men guarding him asked. “Just you wait, boy.” Alec scowled at him. “Don’t call me boy. Only those I actually respect get to call me that.” The man stalked closer to him...

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“In Venom and in Vain” by Amie Moorehead

Submitted to Contest #204

The dirt was dried up beneath my feet as I felt the sun's heat bake my skin. I lifted an arm to swipe the sweat along my forehead, looking up with squinted eyes at that damned ball of light in the sky. God, could sure use some rain about now. “We have water.” I’d said those words out loud. The voice beside me was melodious in my ear, and I turned to see a warm smile greeting me that I then returned. “Not quite enough.” “You whine a lot for a married man.” “Last I checked, you agreed to marry that man.” “Silly me.” Georgia laughed, ...

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“The Anger that is lost” by Maria Babar

Submitted to Contest #204

The bitter wind swept through the desolate streets of Harbor Ville, echoing the resentment that lingered in the heart of Thomas McAllister. He was a man consumed by a relentless thirst for revenge—a thirst that had festered for years, feeding on the embers of a past wrong. The memory of that betrayal haunted his every waking moment, propelling him down a dark and treacherous path. It began many years ago when Thomas, a young and ambitious entrepreneur, had partnered with Robert Patterson to establish a flourishing shipping business. They had...

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“"Gold Pinky Ring"” by Ellen Ziegler

Submitted to Contest #204

I'm going to get you, Maury Fixler. You stole my body and I'm going to steal your soul. Grab hold of something, turn your hearing aid up and I'll tell you, and the world my story: It started when I was 5. You were the panting, post-pubescent father of my first boyfriend Max. You chased me up the sidewalk of our Brooklyn apartment building, the gold pinky ring on your finger flashing in the sun. When you caught me you pinched me wherever you thought my skin was winking at you. I remember your red, pudgy fingers from the pomegranates you...

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“Bass Reeves: Judgement Day” by Arnold Edwards

Submitted to Contest #204

BASS REEVES The setting sun dappled the land in a golden haze. Three horsemen plodded up a small incline into a stand of Cottonwoods and Scrub Oak. On the other side of this wooded island, a vast expanse of land stretched out before them, waist high buffalo grass swayed like ocean waves between them and to the next island of shrubbery and trees. The lead rider, Charles Running Dog, pulled his tall gelding to a halt, the others two riders did the same. As a full-blooded Cherokee, The United States Marshals hired Charles as a ...

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“Crumpet?” by James Larder

Submitted to Contest #204

Libby grinded on Joe, reverse cowgirl, as Joe slapped her bum cheeks, for encouragement.‘Are you playing with yourself?’‘Yeah.’‘Good.’Joe grabbed Libby’s hips and lifted her off his erection, throwing her onto the bed. She was now on her back, as he hoisted her legs onto his shoulders and entered her again, forcefully.Libby moaned, as she held onto the grey, cushioned headboard.‘I’m close.’‘Take it!’‘Ahhh ahhhh!’‘Take it!’‘Ahhhh ahhhhhh- Joe!!!’Joe pounded hard inside Libby ‘til he came.‘A booooooom!!’Once he’d emptied his load, he promptly ...

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“Mariana Trench” by Haley Roeder

Submitted to Contest #204

I gazed grimly at the wrought-iron gates of the family estate. Like my heart, they were twisted and spiked. The gates made me feel like a child again; small, insignificant, and trapped, as though the moment I passed beyond them I would be unable to return. I hadn’t been back here in the eight years since the tragic death of one of the estate staff.The death occurred when I was ten and my brother Adam was twelve. An older maid had just finished cleaning my brother’s room without his express permission. I was in my own room when I heard scream...

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“Source of the River” by J. S. Bailey

Submitted to Contest #204

There are two wolves fighting inside all of us. One is evil, one is good. Which one will you feed?Those are my father's words. Chief Long Branch. He was a wise man. Wisdom is of the future, he used to say, knowledge is of the past. It is better to be wise, River Walker.I hear his voice as clear as ever now, as I watch Mama weave a blanket on the loom under the big tree, just as she did every day before I was born and each day after. My father told me stories of me watching her as an infant, her little girl peering up at her from beneath the ...

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“George West” by Joyce McBurney

Submitted to Contest #204

GEORGE WEST It’s not uncommon for a town to be named after its founder or a person of great influence, such is the case of the city in Live Oak County named George West. History tells us that George and Kitty West came from a small town in Tennessee in 1913 and became cattle ranchers of seventy – five thousand acres. Because of their wealth of land and ranching enterprises, they began to colonize, offering other landowners and ranchers the opportunity to grow, build and contribute to the city, while keeping the majority for themselves and ...

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“The Invitation” by Jim Cowles

Submitted to Contest #204

THE INVITATION He had ridden this trail many times, but he couldn't remember the name of the little town the cowboy had told him was near here. It must be another one of those damn gold rush towns," he thought. “They have cropped up all over creation since 1850. Calefornee is full of ‘em, and I bet this here one is jest another one that’ll probably go ‘bout as quick as it come. This damn road ain’t much more than a rut for the last ten miles er so. It’s mostly a d...

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“Prosperity” by Daniel Legare

Submitted to Contest #204

This story contains violent imagery and some explicit language. I never expected to be sheriff of Prosperity. In fact, I had always been under the impression that killin’ a man put you on the opposite side of the law. I guess I was in the right place at the right time. But when Delilah came bustin’ through my door, her chest heaving heavy and an ill wind at her back, the scar on my forearm started to throb. “Sheriff! A strange man just walked into town!” She said, her eyes wide and panicked. “Strange how Delilah?” “He’s…...

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“Prokop Comes Home” by Evan Halvorson

Submitted to Contest #204

“So, is this everyone?” Prokop inquired, wiggling her nightstick. The people arrayed in the snow choked square pretended to search further, their breaths piping into the devouring white sky above. They began gesturing, visibly wondering, counting, when a man began to shake his head vigorously. “Where?” She stalked toward the man as he began to clutch his head and chant. “On the north flank of the livery, there be the Brechts. Do not harm them. Do not harm them.” She’d already begun in that direction, snapping at two of her me...

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$250

Prize money

298

Contest entries

94

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 30, 2023 EST

Won by Katy B 🏆

Title: The Ungentling

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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