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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 – 67 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 – 70 stories

End your story with two characters reconciling.

Adults – 47 stories

Stories

“The Dark Files of Lazarus: Fee or Favor” by Steffen Lettau

Submitted to Contest #211

June 13th, 2041MODERN-AGE DOCTOR FRANKENSTEINWARNING! THIS PERSON IS STILL AT LARGE! IF APPROACHED BY SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE A DOCTOR, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY AND NOTIFY AUTHORITIES! DO NOT ENGAGE! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND BY YOURSELF! HE IS WANTED FOR BLACKMAIL, COERCION, EXTORTION, AND SUSPICION OF MURDER!Harrold Lars Bonman, writer of Lazarus InsightThat was my article from five months ago. It was the most eye-catching headline upon the front page of the newspaper, certainly grabbing my attention while I lay strapped to a gurney in the upper...

5 comments 5
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“Painted Black” by Steffen Lettau

Submitted to Contest #211

Construction took some urging but, given the curiosity spreading to the people, they pitched in however they could. Husbands and fathers gathered wood from the trees, creating the walls and the roof of the shack. Wives and mothers, including Lindia, gathered what they could for pitch as to keep the inside relatively warm. Children brought both sides food and water. Two days, and the shack itself was completed, with one door facing the woods and another facing the wall (a rope ladder was hung over the side nearby, just in case). Tholan, ...

6 comments 6
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“Golden Girl” by Jennifer Green

Submitted to Contest #211

Agatha's eyes never left the television screen, where scenes of superhuman feats were being displayed. She watched in awe as these young heroes soared through the air and saved innocent people from harm. The vibrant costumes and supernatural powers stirred her soul and she couldn't help but wonder why it wasn't her up there doing all those amazing things.  Though she was 80 years old, Agatha had spent her life so far following the rules - working at the library and taking care of her daughter Diana on her own. Now that she was older, ...

3 comments 3
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“Miss Charlotte's Specialty” by Luca King Greek

Submitted to Contest #211

A purple book upon her lap, Charlotte was nodding off in the winged armchair by the open French doors when Alys Jones, the generally put-upon cook, cleaner and nursemaid of Brynderwen Hall came into the library, prodded her on the upper arm, alerting her to the presence of a young man. “Visitor for Mister Koenig, a Mister Nigel Brandford”, she said loudly into Charlotte’s good ear. Alys turned to the pasty-faced young man with the thinning hair in the ill-fitting, rumpled, and shiny gray suit who stood on the threshold of the libra...

2 comments 2
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“No Pets Allowed” by Arlin Dixon

Submitted to Contest #211

Claire was not allowed a pet. The death toll on her watch was far too great for her parents to shill out cash for another belly-up fish or stiff hamster. It wasn’t deliberate, Claire was just clumsy, and forgetful, and…curious. Very curious. Her mother was a veterinarian and her dad worked for a nature conservancy, so the whole thing was more than tragic. It was embarrassing. How could these two pillars of the community, these dedicated vegans, these good parents have a daughter like Claire? Better to smile and say that the poor child has ...

2 comments 2
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“HOMECOMING” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #211

HOMECOMING But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow ’Tis I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so The flickering flames of the fireplace, the only light illuminating the room, combined with the sweet scent of the turf, welcoming me home. The firelight, in the dimness of the cottage, casts its glow upon the outline of the old woman, wreathed in her black shawl, as she rocks back and forth, humming quietly to herself. She senses my presence. “Is ...

2 comments 2
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“The Exit Interview” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #211

   Andrew could see Cheryl already sitting at a table when he came in. He checked his cell. Six-fifty-two. Cheryl appeared to have two glasses of wine on her table, and one was already empty. She was wearing a black and white long sleeved striped shirt and a beret. Andrew got his coat check stub and the Maître d’ escorted him to the table.    “I really appreciate you coming Cheryl. I appreciate this opportunity.” Andrew said, seating himself.    “Don’t.” Cheryl waved him quiet. “I just want to get this...

1 comment 1
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“Greta's Greatest Gift ” by Keelan LaForge

Submitted to Contest #211

Nothing stood out about Greta. She lived in a little cottage with a welcoming glow in the windows. She seemed to lead a quiet existence. She kept her house tidy and did all her own chores. She was vivacious for an eighty-year-old, but not to the point in raised any eyebrows. She kept up the habit her mother had taught her, of baking a loaf of bread each day. She’d grown up in the Great Depression and she knew how to squeeze the best value out of a dollar. Her kitchen was simple, but it was always sparklingly clean. The aroma of bread brownin...

6 comments 6
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“Confidential Paradise” by James Milne

Submitted to Contest #211

The wind danced softly, running its hands gently over the entire space. Lightly tracing the fronds of the smaller trees, dancing with the green ceiling far above her head. Tickling at the fields of pink and purple that were hidden away in this tiny little forest, hidden atop an apartment building in Melbourne's south-east. In the middle of this dark space, was a thirty year old woman, completely lost to the wonder of it all. It was chance that she had discovered this place. Entirely chance. She knew of rooftop gardens, of course, but thi...

2 comments 2
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“THE AGE OF INNOCENCE” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #211

THE AGE OF INNOCENCEThey sat on the grass outside the village library awaiting Toby’s return; he having been sent to scope out the building. They watched as he walked back towards them, a mournful look on his face.“It’s the old battle-axe on duty. She absolutely loathes me so I daren’t ask her. What do we do now?’Miss Aznavour, the librarian, at the age of 36, hardly qualified for Toby’s description of being old. Nor was she a battle-axe. Rather, in her usual twin set and pearls, she was the epitome of a woman who had long given up hope of f...

3 comments 3
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“Beam Me Up” by LeeAnn Hively-Insalaco

Submitted to Contest #211

     I clasped my hands in front of me like a good little boy and watched Not-Naughty-Librarian thumb through the book looking for something that seemed mighty important to her. I couldn’t tell you what she was so intent on finding that she couldn’t even spare me a passing glance seeing as how I was dead and hadn’t had orientation yet. All I knew was I didn’t seem to be in hell since there was a considerable lack of hellfire and brimstone.      I don’t remember the exact moment I died. O...

6 comments 6
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“The Embers of us” by Marie Samuels

Submitted to Contest #211

I can’t count the number of nights that we sat in front of this very same fireplace, the room lit by its flickering flames, blissfully unaware of what would one night take place before its hearth. As I sit here now in the chair beside it, alone and in-wait, I’m struck by the zemblanity of the situation.You purchased this place just after our wedding and surprised me with it, you said it was somewhere we could escape to that would just be ours, away from the rest of the world, our little haven. Back when the heat and the passion reflected in ...

2 comments 2
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“A Survivable Sacrifice” by Lily Autumn West

Submitted to Contest #211

By the time his back starts to ache and his knees creak louder than his armour, a hero is expected to die in battle. It’s the polite thing to do. If he doesn’t, he risks his legend being forgotten, diminished by memories of a doddering geriatric warrior. A smart few ride off into the mists or risk a survivable sacrifice when they feel the effects of old ago. But heroes of legend always die before their time. Well, nearly always. Agatha Fillpot mused these things as she tapped her cane along the dirt path that meandered through the villa...

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“Hannibal Lecter” by Lily Finch

Submitted to Contest #211

SEXUAL CONTENT AND DEATHBen and Sue lived in the same neighbourhood. A sexually active straight woman, Sue wanted to get Ben into bed. He looked like a good sex partner to her—sexy and handsome. When she knew she'd see him in the complex for a tennis match or one-on-one basketball game, she wore a Brazilian bikini beside the pool to make sure Ben noticed her. She threw herself at him. At the same time, she entertained other men. She had pent-up sexual tension and needed to vent. Ben was unresponsive to her bait. He was irritating her. The me...

6 comments 6
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“The Book of Sins” by Aaron Kohlhoff

Submitted to Contest #211

Elizabeth Parris had only been working at the Anton LeVay Memorial Library for about 300 years and she knew there was a lot she needed to learn but still, any volume of The Book of Sins should have been easy to find. There was a whole damn floor dedicated to the series. Every day, part of her job was to pick one out and she’d never seen them out of order. This was the one area of the library that was meticulously organized. The books were always where the Library of Congress Classification system said they should be. Elizabeth looked down at...

1 comment 1
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$250

Prize money

304

Contest entries

107

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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