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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

“Inspiration's Tome” by Veritas E.

Submitted to Contest #211

A thin haze of dust sent golden sunbeams dappling the walls as Ashton riffed through the worn wooden shelves of the castle library. Wordlessly he ran a hand across leather spines, savoring the soft texture beneath his fingers. A musty smell lingered in the air – the telltale scent of old books waiting to be cracked open and discovered. From the very first time he stepped into this vast library ten years ago, this smell had always been there to greet him. It was like an old friend – always welcoming, always patient, always kind. When Ashton...

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“Stormed In” by Alexandria Lund-Coppage

Submitted to Contest #211

“What the…? Ugh, where are they?!” The young woman pulled out the heavy drawer and set it on the desk. The flashlight on her phone cast stark shadows upon its contents. After rummaging around some more, she let out another groan and dumped the drawer out onto the desktop. “Any luck?” Another young woman around the same age walked up behind her, peering over her shoulder. She had a heavy wool blanket wrapped around her and she began wrapping a second blanket around the first woman. The second blanket smelled old and dusty: a quilt left ove...

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“Oscar the Owl” by Merissa Penniman

Submitted to Contest #211

Oscar the Owl “Please, Vu, you have to take him,” Linda’s voice pleaded over the phone. “We’ve already had him for six weeks and he’s been to three other adoption places with no luck. No one wants to adopt an owl with no background.” I sighed. “Linda, I can’t--” I started. “You’re the best option for him,” she continued. “He’s not predictable or sweet and approachable like most people are looking for. He needs someone who knows animals and can respect and care for him properly.” “If he seems so undomesticated,” I countered, “maybe he...

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“Little Things” by Ren N.

Submitted to Contest #211

The house looks bigger somehow. That’s the first thing Simon thinks when he wakes up by the mailbox. It’s the middle of the day, but the autumn storm clouds blanch out the sun, until the cheery little house appears shadowed and foreboding. His bike is noticeably gone from the front porch, as is his pea plant that usually sits on the windowsill. The curtains are drawn on every window, but it hardly makes a difference; there’s no sun to let in. Normally, these were Simon’s favorite days. The rain would pour so hard it would make ponds in t...

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“One of a Kind” by Grace Chavez

Submitted to Contest #211

October twenty first was the special day we met. As our five year anniversary gets closer I reminisce the fond memories we have created and hope to form future ones. The day you were born had a bright blue sky, cool weather that signaled the end of summer and an unexpected gift as it was the first time Gizmo, your mother, gave birth to her children in our home. The subtle cries in the house peeked our curiosity to search for the source of the sound. After minutes of searching, the bathroom was the last place. We opened the door and notice fo...

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“Paige after Paige” by Liz Johnson

Submitted to Contest #211

I lift my eyes from the book in my hands and glance wearily up at the fireplace. It was near impossible to read through the tears, so I lay it down carefully beside me. I could feel the flames that were warming my feet, but I couldn’t see them any more. Rather than flames, I simply saw a swirling of colours tangled together. It was no longer clear where the logs ended and the fire began, let alone words on a page. Her words were almost illegible anyway, even without the obscuring lens of tears. I had always tried to get Paige to ad...

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“7/22/74” by Dan D

Submitted to Contest #211

Alan pushed the rickety cart of returned books down the narrow aisle, his eyes scanning and searching the endless spines and stickers of text to find the right spot for his next return. His eye sight hadn't been what it used to be and the arthritis in his hand caught up to him faster than he would have expected, 'that was for old people' he thought as a teenager. The repetitive organization of finding the specific spot for a specific book so the next soul could find it and experience a journey of their own lying beneath a hard or soft cover ...

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“The Ring” by Rene' Rinaldi

Submitted to Contest #211

Present Day Conor O’Sullivan searched every room in the massive house in County Cork, Ireland to no avail. He’d been at it for 5 straight days. He had barely slept nor ate. He was running out of time. He went back into the study and stared at the massive collection of books scattered on the shelves. If the circumstances were different, as a librarian turned bookstore owner, he’d appreciate the impressive collection. But the circumstances were not different. He was here for one purpose and one purpose only—to find the ring. Seven days ago ...

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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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