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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 Disappearing Beach Guy” by Marc Rothstein

Submitted to Contest #211

It's been decided that I'll be separated from Dianne, my wife of forty-five years. She'll still be just one floor below me in the independent living section of Horizons, our retirement community, but I'm moving to the Memory Lane section. They said I'm beginning to wander the halls at night, something I'm not sure I do. But Dianne told me they're right, so I'll give it a try. Andrea, my favorite nurse's aide, walked me to my new room. On the outside of my door hung this cool diorama introducing me to my new neighbors. Dianne's impressive han...

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“Afternoons with my Unconventional Grandma” by Morrene Hauser

Submitted to Contest #211

My grandma was unconventional, that’s for sure. She rode a motorcycle, she fished, she skiied, and she hunted. And, no, my grandma was not part of a biker gang. She just loved riding her motorcycle. I never understood as a child that my grandma was different from the other grandmas. That’s just the way she was, and I loved and accepted her for it. Grandma was tall with short gray hair, kind brown eyes and a great, big smile. Every time I hugged her, the overwhelming scent of fresh air and Listerine mouth ...

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“Mishaps” by Aiyana Henderson

Submitted to Contest #211

Boston, Massachusetts 1980 Bri and Sue Lance were happily enjoying each other’s company. The dishes were done, the house was clean, and they were nestled into each other’s arms. Nothing could compare them though for the adventure of Maxine “Max” Trailblazer. An energetic beagle, Max has turned Bri and Sue’s lives upside down. From chewing on their clothes as a puppy to tiring them out at the dog park as an adult, Max has changed these ladies’ lives forever. “I can’t believe we’ve had Max for five years now.” Bri was playing with Max while ...

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“How Not to Guard a Library” by Mary Anderson

Submitted to Contest #211

Elusive. Be pragmatic. Be calm. Stop the screaming in your head. Not here. Yes, here. YES, HERE! Convince yourself. The manuscript is here. Somewhere here since Edison had brought her to this part of the stacks. Elusive manuscript.“I am too old for this,” Maizy said to the library cat. She let go of her walker and stretched her arms up past her white hair towards the ceiling. Dressed in old blue jeans and a t-shirt announcing that cats rule, she was fastidiously made up and had red painted nails that complemented her lip color.Edison yawned ...

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“A Parting Pair” by Evan Charles

Submitted to Contest #211

Tabitha Wilson regretted not getting decaf and watched her coffee cool, worrying what numb nerves would do to her mental state with caffeine. Come to her senses, perhaps. But when the barista mentioned today's special Tabs felt that odd social anxiety of wanting to avoid disappointing their server - a stranger. Looking down into her cup, she felt her upper lip sweat from the steam of an untouched double-whipped something or other. At the very least, the blessed aroma of roast coffee beans captivated her; she could almost hear a smooth jazz e...

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“Chickened Out” by Valerie M.

Submitted to Contest #211

Sam—short for Samhain, not Samuel, the irony of which was not lost on himself or his family—worked as a software engineer in the suburbs. His position was uniquely suited to him for two reasons: he enjoyed the clarity of numbers and the complexity of problem solving, and he preferred to avoid all human contact, which was exponentially easier to do when he rarely left home. Though his parents had raised him to be a risk-taker, Sam favored a quieter life glimpsed through the all-seeing window of his computer screen. It didn’t bother him...

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“Bright Days Ahead ” by Janet Abramowski

Submitted to Contest #211

I sat staring at the crackling fire in the fireplace of the lobby of the lakeview resort . It held me in a hypnotic trance . So much has happened in the last 6 months that it felt good to just be able to sit , breathe , and simply exist . I still had no idea what lay ahead for my life . Everything in life happens for a reason is what people say . I just couldn’t imagine how my marriage of 15 years ending , my mother passing away , and my house being robbed while I worked the overnight shift at Main Street Hospital would lead to any...

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“Stiffback Mountain” by Chris Miller

Submitted to Contest #211

Wyatt was stirred from his doze by the pop of a burning log. The fire was low but still hot and healthy. Odours of pine and smoke mingled in his whiskers. He adjusted his blanket and stretched his good leg, causing his old chair to rock softly. Brutus rolled over on the rug, thumped the ground once with a single heavy wag of his tail and fell back asleep. The other rocking chair was empty. He looked to the pegs by the door, Zeb’s jacket and hat still hung there. On a late autumn night, he wouldn’t have gone as far as the outhouse without the...

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“Sailing Out of Orlando” by Ben Mulvey

Submitted to Contest #211

As a twenty-one-year-old he knew less about women than he thought he knew. Even less about himself. Every day spent with his girlfriend that was not complete bliss was a disappointment. How hard is it to be happy? Just happy. It seemed simple to him. It’s all he aspired to since being a teenager. It’s what he daydreamed about in high school. He tried living in California. A life of surfing and pot and girls with tans that showed the outline of their bikinis. None of that worked out quite as he envisioned. His mom and dad seemed happy, cont...

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“How a Unicorn Lives” by Angel Thompson

Submitted to Contest #211

Dana pushed her cart of books along the empty aisles of the children’s section. With all its brightly colored cushions and pretty teddy bears, the space felt wasted when it was deserted like this. Dana tucked a book into its proper place on the shelf, where it would likely remain for eons to come. It would probably still be there when Dana lay stiff in a coffin, at peace from a world where children no longer did the things that she once liked to do. Then Dana lifted another book from the cart. It was a muted yet inviting shade of blu...

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“Lost time” by Olga Foxe

Submitted to Contest #211

‘Frank Courtney; new resident in bed 12. Male, 81, major stroke with right-sided weakness, speech affected, discharged from hospital this morning. ’ ‘Family?’ ‘Widowed. A daughter, as far as I know. I don’t think they’re close. He was a clever bloke by the sounds of it; scientist for the government, apparently.’ The two nurses popped their heads round the door, saw that the old man appeared to be asleep and moved on to complete their handover. The old man opened one eye. Glanced around. Settled back into the pillows. ‘Was. Hrmmph.’ The care ...

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“A Paladin, an Elf and an Old Man.” by Jordan Rigley

Submitted to Contest #211

The war hammer arced ferociously downwards, hurtling towards my chest. I shimmied my body sideways, quickly, and the blow scraped dangerously against my armoured shoulder with a high-pitched squeal. The Goblin reared and started towards me again, brownish yellow eyes flashing menacingly beneath his rust covered helm. I staggered backwards half a step, momentarily frozen by his sudden appearance. My hand reached downwards, grasping clumsily for the hilt of my sword. Too slow. The hammer fell upon me again, even more viciously this time,...

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“The Precious Love of Margaret and Bill” by C. Charles

Submitted to Contest #211

Margaret Reed had a secret. A secret that she wanted to share, but couldn’t; no one would believe her. It started about six months ago, right on her and Bill’s anniversary.Ted and his wife Claudette had come to visit and say happy anniversary, but it felt dutiful. They stayed and chatted about the weather and Ted’s work and how Chad was doing in school; the same kind of conversation that they’d had since Margaret moved into the nursing home. After they left, Margaret sat alone in her room, waiting for dinner. She’d tried watching TV but...

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“The Good Thing About Living in Pleasantville is You’re Never Really Dead” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #211

Ainsely Verloren politely shakes the hand of another stranger, who quietly utters, “Sorry for your loss.” “I didn’t know Missy had made so many friends,” Ainsely says to Cutter Klein, one of his few acquaintances. Judging by the turnout, most of the 428 residents in Pleasantville, Iowa, have come to pay their respects. “While you were designing houses, Missy was helping out at the bake sale, volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, and serving on the Beautification Committee. She really seemed to like it here.” Ainsely holds back his tea...

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“Charlie” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #211

Warning: mention of cats being put down/killedMy youngest sister Miriam loves animals. One day, she got into huge trouble when my mother innocently opened a box in my sister’s wardrobe, and out jumped . . . a little mouse!Miriam had been given a mouse by one of her school friends and knew my Mum would have a fit if she knew. The little mouse lived secretly in a shoe box in the wardrobe and only came out for playtime after school. My sister gathered food for her mouse surreptitiously. Before the little mouse could eat a way out of its home, i...

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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!

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