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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#207: Behind the Scenes

People usually bring their A-game when they know they’re being observed — but they’re often at their most interesting when they think no one’s watching. There’s a reason we’re all so intrigued by “behind the scenes” content, whether it’s about a celebrity we love, or an industry we find fascinating; getting to see all the work that goes into making something happen, especially when it looks effortless to the untrained eye.


With this week’s prompts, we’re lifting the curtain and going backstage. Whether we’re following a character who’s getting a break from the effort of performance, or exploring an industry where most of the action happens behind the scenes, let’s see what happens when we finally call “cut”.


PS — If you’re curious about the “behind the scenes” of Prompts, we’d love to have you! Get your own backstage pass by applying to be one of our volunteer judges.

This week's prompts

Set your story on a film or TV set, starting with someone calling “Cut!”

Dialogue – 46 stories

Write about a person who constantly has to put on a persona (e.g. at work, in their relationships, etc.) who can finally drop the facade.

Character – 80 stories

A journalist has been granted permission to visit the premises of a lab carrying out top-secret work. They could never have anticipated what they’d find…

Science Fiction – 38 stories

Write a story about a magician who never reveals their secrets — until now.

Character – 31 stories

Set your story in the kitchen of a bustling restaurant.

Fiction – 39 stories

Stories

“''A Return To Self''” by Francis T. Baker

Submitted to Contest #207

‘’A Return to Self’’ The coffee here always was abysmal, a thin, drab liquid little more than a cheap caffeine delivery system. Good thing I stopped noticing the taste of coffee, or rather stopped caring about the taste of things in general, months ago. As I half-heartedly picked up the paper cup and brought it to my mouth for a large gulp I was already sliding the second cup underneath the machine’s spout. Regardless of taste the barely warm contents of these cups would provide me with just enough energy to operate on some basic level u...

2 comments 2
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“The Real You ” by Livana Teagan

Submitted to Contest #207

Vita looked up through her eyelashes at the man in front of her. She appeared even more vulnerable to him than she had a moment before. A quick smile crossed her lips and she melted away any resistance inside him daring to hold her back. She pulled her white, blond hair tight against the elastic at the nape of her neck. "Can you show me how to do it one more time?" She questioned Royce, the large man who loomed in front of her. He was only a few years older than her. Her size was insignificant compared to his which made him feel mu...

6 comments 6
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“The Next Step” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #207

“Jerry Culhannick.” He sat at his desk playing solitaire when his boss Harmon Newsome called his name.  It was quitting time for Chrissakes, but he answered just in case it was good news.  “Yo!” He hit the hallway on the move, nearly knocking over some of his colleagues trying to make an early exit from Crystal Image Studios. “Ah, you are in trouble now.” Carl Obleck snickered as he passed him in the hall.  Carl was among the herd trying to make an early escape. “Shush.” Jerry shook his head.  “Jerry, have a seat.” Mr...

9 comments 9
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“Insider Story” by Michael Pollock

Submitted to Contest #207

Jerri Lenner had accepted the invitation from Garn Laboratories, wondering if this would be her big break in the not exactly news world. The lab was privately owned, but government funded (always a sign of above-board honesty. Nothing suspicious at all here don't you know?) and had always refused entrance to journalists until now. It was near a town called Kirkenes, which, when looked up on the internet had the claim to be "the most remote town in Europe." It was right on the border between Norway and Russia.Her boss, Vance Lungstrom, at the...

3 comments 3
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“Project Genesis” by Wilbur Greene

Submitted to Contest #207

The first time I heard about Project Genesis was during a late-night, off-the-record discussion with a government insider. As I nursed my scotch, listening to the tales of a secretive lab operating under an almost mythical level of security, I couldn't help but be intrigued. The details were sketchy - a classified location, groundbreaking work that would 'rewrite our understanding of reality.' It was all tantalizingly vague. In the weeks that followed, I found myself drawn into a rabbit hole of whispers and innuendos, each hint adding anot...

6 comments 6
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“Plaga Iuventae: A Debt to Pay, Part 1” by Steffen Lettau

Submitted to Contest #207

Author's note: This is the first half of the full story, as it would exceed the maximum word count. It is a unique and perplexing privilege for a journalist like me to put my life on the line, whether it is interviewing a serial killer in his own cell, a former member of a crime syndicate in his own house, or even a politician that might be marked for death...or marking me for my death, as I do tend to pry. Hey, I'm a journalist; the worst is that I die. But I prefer to die quickly, as opposed to something like poison or lynching. And...

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“Pivotal Signals” by Gregg Voss

Submitted to Contest #207

Scott Danner stood exactly five-foot-ten, with a thatch of wavy chestnut hair, feminine lips and a prominent chin, like a boxer, though his wiry frame suggested he had once been a soccer player. He entered the conference room wearing a white t-shirt, navy sport coat, a pair of expensive designer jeans and black brushed-leather Prada Oxfords.              His phone was nowhere to be seen, which indicated to Ellen that this meeting would be much different than his recent Senate s...

0 comments 0
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“A Jovian Introduction” by Andrew Thomas

Submitted to Contest #207

Recently, the U.S. Government has been under immense pressure to reveal what they know about alien lifeforms. The demands have been there for decades but things changed after the events of August 10th, 2025. On that night, unidentified otherworldly craft were seen over most major US cities.  At 7:45pm EDT, minutes before sunset, an object was seen off the Atlantic coast, moving inexplicably fast toward the city of Boston. Many hundreds of beachgoers in the area witnessed the phenomenon and the best smartphone videos went viral within mi...

3 comments 3
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“Garbage In, Garbage Out” by Luca King Greek

Submitted to Contest #207

The Director of National Intelligence draws a thick black circle around a satellite photo of a harbor front factory using a permanent marker of the kind favored by POTUS. “Project GIGO” reads the headline, and “TOP SECRET” is stamped alongside in bright red ink. The Director leans forward on the plush sofa in the Oval Office, and solemnly hands the document to the President, who snatches it unaware of the sidelong glances and barely concealed smiles of the National Security Council members hastily gathered in his office for their f...

3 comments 3
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“DataMagic” by Jonathan Gartner

Submitted to Contest #207

The car ride was bumpy across a dirt road, remote in the desert far from any major freeways or metropolitan areas. The SUV they drove in was comfortable, spacious and chilled by a strong blast from the AC vents. The concierge from the company who was hosting him had a freezer bag with bottles of chilled water, soda or beer depending on your preference. A snack box was set across from him in the opposite seat with the best in fresh baked goods, ripe fruits, beef jerky and expensive chocolates. There was something for any one of his cravings. ...

1 comment 1
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“The Magician’s Healing Secret” by Andy Lemos

Submitted to Contest #207

The Magician’s Healing Secret By AJ Lemos “Hello and welcome to you all,” the man said, as he welcomed a group of 10 of us VIPs to the entrance to what we believed was the backstage area. “My name is Gabriel Houdani, and my team and I are delighted to have you join us on a VIP, all access tour of our backstage area, a special viewing of some of the equipment we use, a VIP-only card trick how-to session, as well as a 30-minute Q & A time with me,” the magician enthusiastically said to his small but attentive crowd of fans. “I ce...

1 comment 1
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“A Magician's Secret” by Thomas Holland

Submitted to Contest #207

“You can finish the week; then you’re out.” Words failed Marula as he stared at his last paycheck being held out to him by Ricky, the stocky manager of the Rio hotel in Las Vegas. Marula’s shows had been selling more tickets of late, and the audience always gave an enthusiastic round of applause at the curtain call of his magic show. In Marula’s mind, he was closer than ever to his big break. That was, until now. “What, are you hard of hearing? Get it together Marula. It’s not personal, it’s Vegas. You had a good run.” Marula took the chec...

3 comments 3
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“The Magician” by Naomi P

Submitted to Contest #207

  March 17th            Blackrock Penitentiary for Magic Users “Any last words?” asks the officer, roughly pushing Aster Ralin toward the guillotine.  Aster nods and begins to speak. *** My name is Aster Ralin. I am twenty-two years old.  I am going to die. I know you’re confused. How could I, the man who made countless people smile with his parlor tricks, be killed by the guillotine? All will be revealed.  Listen well. What you are about to hear will change ...

4 comments 4
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“PREPARE TO BE AMAZED” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #207

Petre Vandomeir gazed out a cheap hotel window overlooking street lights and illuminated gas station signs, customary nightlights in a small town. “I’m not sure what to tell you, Poe.”Poe had been busy cleaning his face with rabbit paws, circular motions, swiping one long ear at a time, licking, preening, thorough; old habits that die hard.Petre turned a padded chair to face the window.“Poe, come.”The whiter-than-snow bunny stopped mid-stroke and flounced, the way rabbits do, over to Petre's chair, then nestled into the cradle of Petre’...

6 comments 6
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“Allergy Friendly Eats” by Sharalynn Dickerson

Submitted to Contest #207

In the heart of Tennessee, where the air was thick with the aroma of southern spices and the spirit of hospitality flowed like a mighty river, stood a bustling restaurant. This was no ordinary eatery; it was the dream brought to life by a devoted African-American couple, Winston and Evelyn Jenkins . Their vision was to create a sanctuary for those in the community who suffered from severe to mild food allergies – a place where they could savor delicious meals without risking their health. The couple had faced their own struggles with food ...

1 comment 1
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$250

Prize money

234

Contest entries

96

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 21, 2023 EST

Won by Derrick M Domican 🏆

Title: Speed Fate

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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