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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#211: Cozy Corner

You’ve probably noticed that cozy fiction has been on the rise for several years, and even more so post-pandemic. Cozy mysteries about grandparent sleuths, pets, food, bookshops, and villages have flourished, allowing people to dabble in suspense while still maintaining a sense of warmth, familiarity, and comfort. The same is beginning to happen in the fantasy genre (think of Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes, about an orc opening a coffee shop), so it’s clear that the appeal of wholesome, comforting fiction exceeds the mystery genre.

With that in mind, let’s get comfy — as much as summertime allows! Put on your imaginary cardigans and let’s see what this week’s homely prompts will yield.

This week's prompts

Write a story starring an octogenarian who’s more than meets the eye.

Fiction – 68 stories

Begin your story with a librarian searching for something.

Fiction – 70 stories

Write a story involving a friendship with an adorable animal.

Fluff – 50 stories

Set or begin your story in a room lit by the flickering flames of the fireplace.

Fiction – 71 stories

End your story with two characters reconciling.

Adults – 49 stories

Stories

“Side Character Syndrome” by Treasure Chisom-Nwosu

Submitted to Contest #211

“People just need to put themselves in my shoes more, you know?” Chase reached over and grabbed a handful from the bowl of peanut M&Ms on the coffee table in front of him, throwing them into his mouth.Watching him made my stomach rumble. I stifled a yawn. The dimness of the office did nothing to ease my growing fatigue. Glancing over at the electric fireplace, flames flickering at the end of the room, I wondered again why I’d indulged Chase when he’d insisted on turning off the ceiling lights for ‘ambience’ this session.“Why do you feel ...

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“Drifting Amongst Darkness” by Mohendra Shiwnarain

Submitted to Contest #211

The blizzard started to pick up outside, adding to the blankets of snow and ice that had fallen earlier. Diana sat by the fireplace, huddled under some blankets, and watched as the last remaining log burnt and flickered away with every passing howl of the storm. The fireplace casted a mesmerizing array of shadows across the cabin walls and offered some distraction from the snow outside. She had only intended to stay at the cabin for a few days but the sudden appearance of the blizzard made leaving impossible. She was not as spritely ...

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“The Cozy Room” by Glenna Agnew

Submitted to Contest #211

THE COZY ROOM The curtains were halfway drawn revealing an almost Christmas card photo of the great outdoors. The snow was deep and crisp and even and it was truly a winter wonderland. The pine trees were laden with a frosting of heavy white, their boughs bent under the weight of the snow. All that was lacking was the pitter-patter of eight tiny reindeer hooves on the roof and visions of sugarplums dancing in one's head to complete the scenario. Inside, the flickering fire in the fireplace turned the formal front parlour into a cozy d...

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“A Weekend of Poetry by the Fireplace” by Paul Felix

Submitted to Contest #211

In a room lit by the flickering flames of the fireplace, a reflection of the fire danced across her beautiful bright eyes, warming and caressing me from within. Anxious to recite the poems I'd chosen the week before for our getaway weekend in an ethereal setting overlooking Oak Street Beach in Chicago. As the fall sky's clear and picturesque body revealed the majestic memory of the night, a cool breeze whistled against the balcony door; Tamia asked if I could make the evening a little warmer, a glass of Mango Moscato perhaps? Of course...

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“What Was Borrowed, Returned” by James Bowling

Submitted to Contest #211

Warm red flames danced as if alive; tiny little elementals given life by the burning fire, wisps of orange and red and yellow entwined and flickering happily without a care in the world. Ezra looked on from a comfortable chair near the stone fireplace and wondered to himself thoughtfully what the flames burning in the hearth would have to say if they had voices that he could understand. Would they be pleased to be alive on this cool summer night while they caroused on the heavy logs that gave them life, or wou...

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“Stay Alive” by Patrick Davey

Submitted to Contest #211

How is it that you never noticed the flecks of glitter in the popcorn ceilings until now? The shadows of the fire dance on the ceiling as you lay here like an idiot. You let such a detail of your own home, the largest piece of your miserable legacy and the only thing of significance you will leave to Lisa when you pass, slip by you until now. Not that she would ever set foot here after what you said at her wedding. Well you are in big, big trouble now. That immense pain from the right side of your chest? Earned. You let him in, Samuel. You l...

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“To Protect” by A Inge

Submitted to Contest #211

The dark orange flames arced and curved to a beat without sound. Like flickering fireflies, they shone with passion then settled down into their ember homes. A pattern-less dance, yet a soothing repetition to Chong’s weary eyes. He rubbed them. Pulo will be here soon. And I’m to get the map “at all cost” according to the director, that fat bastard. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. But I have to. The heavy library door rubbed the polished floors as it opened, re-etching a half-moon scratch onto the floor. Chong released a held breath...

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“Breaking the cycle” by Tahnee Gangi Reddy

Submitted to Contest #211

There are always two sides to an argument. Sometimes three. sometimes four. If you ask me, they are messy little things. They are often too complex to understand since people lie about their actions and close their minds to the perspectives of others. Lies cause hatred. Hatred causes arguments. Arguments result in lies. That endless cycle has rolled through the generations above me leaving me caught in the middle. Did I have to choose a side? I didn’t want to choose a side. Rarely do I meet extended family, because they are al...

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“5 ESSENTIAL TIPS To Improve Your Supermarket” by Riya Patel

Submitted to Contest #211

1. Incorporate store greeters to boost customer satisfaction Warren almost crashed into the glass doors of the supermarket. His attention was solely focused on the list of groceries written on a crumpled notepad he had found in the back of one of his drawers. He never had to go to the supermarket alone. Just before Warren could crash his shopping cart, a worker quickly grabbed the door handle. “Let me get the door for you, sir!” Warren jolted up to look at the older man who had saved him from public humiliation and traded it for this pr...

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“Old Justice/New World” by Danyelle Mustafa

Submitted to Contest #211

“Grands! Hi! It's Cody, here to take you to the doctor. Ready?” Cody rushes into his grandma’s house yelling to her and talking on the phone. Slamming the door, he continues his phone conversation. “Yeah, Saturday night is perfect. I have a way to get into the library and no one will be even thinking about the place but us. We will have plenty of time to get rid of what doesn’t deserve to be there with no interference. They will never know what happened… cameras? Why would a library have cameras? Who do you think is stealing books, stupid?&n...

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“The King's Library” by Jay DeBurgh

Submitted to Contest #211

When I was a teenager studying for my A-levels, I went to my favourite library. It was known as Charlton House library and loomed in a grand way at the end of the village. With elegant wrought-iron black gates, through which I imagined a large carriage and its occupant, a powdered nose looked out at the peasants scything the lawns. Looking up close to the carved masonry and stained glass windows, it was clear to me that it was something special before it was an ordinary village library, tea rooms and meeting rooms. During the years of livi...

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“Childhood Memories, Grownup Dreams” by Revay Michael

Submitted to Contest #211

My eyes filled with tears and worry while I desperately retraced my steps in the last hour. I wished so badly that the library was empty or that I could just be left alone, undisturbed for the next half hour."Do you have a pen I can borrow?"My worried thoughts were interrupted by a freckled face teen. I patiently stopped my search and handed a pen with care and consideration to her and then walked away briskly to continue my search. My heart flooded with pain and anguish, my mind was already trying to figure out how I would or could move for...

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“The Little Man. ” by North Sitters

Submitted to Contest #211

Disclaimer: This story contains implications of suicide, PTSD and death. Please take this story seriously, it is based on true events. The shelves of books had toppled over and the books themselves were hugged tightly with debris. The lingering scent of charred smoke tingled in his nostrils, and the black charcoal remnants of the last hour covered the poor, skinny man head to toe. His rosy cheeks stained a dark and gloomy gray, and his frail hands shook uncontrollably as the little man stood in what was left of his small library. Con...

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“Covered in dust” by Brandon Vaughn

Submitted to Contest #211

Marceline had started her day off right. There was the smell of chai in the air, her lucky boots were still in one piece, and it was cleaning day in the library she worked for. The Library of the afterlife was typically messy, and messy meant dusty and rarely used. The only messes in this library were from Marceline herself and the occasional soul that wanted to pass time before moving on. There hadn't even been a demon in here since she could ever remember. Today was quiet, not a soul stirred in her space. So, she dusted. Hours...

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“The diary” by Emma Tomova

Submitted to Contest #211

It was the middle of April. The city was colorful, blooming flowers around every corner. There was a calm breeze, hinting that summer was coming. Cheerful laughter and exciting conversations filled the city. Normally it was Fredrick’s favorite time of year but unfortunately he hadn’t seen much of it. For about two weeks now he’d been stuck inside his library searching for something, he didn’t quite know what himself. People were coming and going, buying books, chatting about the beautiful weather, encouraging Fr...

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$250

Prize money

308

Contest entries

108

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 18, 2023 EST

Won by Kenz Ross 🏆

Title: Do Flamethrowers Belong In The Library?

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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