Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Menu

✕

CONNECT

Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites

BLOG

Success Stories

APPS

TOOLS

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

ABOUT

About Reedsy Terms Privacy

CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#214: The Fall of Summer

For both kids and adults, summer is a time for dreams, freedom, and a break from routine. The scorching summer months offer new beginnings, new experiences, vacations in exotic places (real or backyard imaginings), new friendships, and perhaps even new romance. It’s when memories are created, and when ‘growing up’ happens.

Except there’s never enough time. The days fly by, the memories stack up, and pretty soon Fall’s got a stranglehold. To celebrate the last throes of the season, this week’s prompts encourage you to delve into your memories of the summer we’ve just had, and of summers long past.

This week's prompts

Set your story on the eve of the first day back at school.

Kids – 34 stories

What was meant to be a great bonding vacation turns sour when an uninvited guest tags along.

Summer – 43 stories

Now, as an adult, your character looks back on this summer as the summer when they grew up.

Character – 40 stories

Each year, your character's family goes on the most exotic vacations. Finally they discover why — their family are assassins.

Funny – 36 stories

It’s the last evening of your vacation and you’re watching the sunset with your friends/partner/family, wishing summer would never end. But just as the sun dips below the horizon, you notice it returning in reverse.

Science Fiction – 49 stories

Stories

“A bang-Up Vacation” by Barry Starcher

Submitted to Contest #214

He stood, frozen in time, staring out the plate-glass window. It was raining with such intensity that Don Bryant could barely make out his car parked in the driveway. Carol came up beside him and gently put a hand on his arm. She spoke in a low, commanding voice. "I don't like it, Donny love. Will we be able to complete the contract in time?" "Don't worry, dear. The car is packed and the gear is oiled and ready." He smiled, reached over and patted her hand with authority. "We have never done a double job before and it worries me," s...

Read story

“When She Comes on Vacation” by Anne Evert

Submitted to Contest #214

Why did she have to come? I try not to pout as I see her reflection in the mirrored wall of our favorite café. She’s uncomfortable in the comfort of the café, her shoulders tense and her nose is upturned trying not to smell the delicious bread or see the well-worn tiles, and I hate her for it. I love this café. We’ve been here every summer for the last twelve years; it feels like home. How dare she make me feel out of place here.Betty greets me by name, “Anne, welcome back! The usual?”I want to order the usual, but she’s here, staring at me ...

Read story

“Natal Day” by Joe Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #214

Trigger warning: death of a child.The road by our house was sand-sealed, not paved. It would heave and tilt every spring, shedding gravel and tar clumps for the graders, men, and dump trucks to set right again.The kids in our neighborhood were friendly enough, and when we weren’t in our backyards, the road was our playground. We played Red Rover until too many scraped knees made tearing up and tossing frisbee-shaped chunks of sand-seal more fun. We never got in trouble for that.Trouble unlike any we had ever known before started on a sunny S...

Read story

“Blossoming, Blundering ” by Minky Momo

Submitted to Contest #214

Mari is my best friend, and maybe even more than that. I lay my overstuffed duffle bag down on the bench next to Mari’s latest gift, homemade pecan swirl cookies wrapped in parchment and twine. I smirked a little, I knew her game. The late nights, the Moscato, the presents. I smiled warmly at the thought of her spontaneous acts of confession. When I told her I hadn’t spent a summer away from home since I was six, she immediately booked a room for us on the coast, the best her wallet could buy. That’s the thing about Mari, she makes me t...

Read story

“An Unfortunate Turn of Events” by Alana Hartman

Submitted to Contest #214

“You’re sick, Jason,” I said playfully, punching his arm lightly. We both laughed, sitting on a swinging bench. It was a family vacation, and this was our first evening at our cabin. I loved the cabin as much as Jason, who’s my cousin. We were very close, inseparable as some people would say, especially my sister Kayla. But little did we know that this family vacation would take an unfortunate turn of events that would change our lives forever.We were watching the sunset on the second floor balcony. We had an admirable view of the forest bel...

Read story

“Rome and the Moon” by Zoe Perditus

Submitted to Contest #214

I know a place where a single word causes frustration beyond measure. Upon reading this word, a person may be overcome with a feeling of helplessness, and despite the shivering hope in your chest, there is nothing you can do about it. The word is 'Delayed', and Richard's plane should have landed three hours ago. My fingers remained curled around the strap of my backpack as I slouched lower into the seat I had battled other weary travellers for. I jest, I had just been lucky. Mostly. "Your dear grandmother would weep if she saw your posture...

Read story

“Black Ocean” by Elisabeth U

Submitted to Contest #214

Every summer my family goes on a cruise to the Bahamas. It’s a week-long event, and it's genuinely the perfect way to de-stress. All our work is done for us. We lounge in the sun, we take in the vast blue water that—when you’re far enough out at sea—can almost appear ink black in color; but its slightly jarring color is offset by the glittering reflections of the sun, like thousands of little jewels floating in the waves. It softened the sight, smoothing the small waves just a little. This is the final “free” summer I have until I graduate ...

Read story

“Never Fade Away” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #214

Few Summers are golden. Golden in the way that etches them onto your heart. There is a rare alchemy that occurs just once in every generation and everyone remembers that Summer. The Summer where the magic happened and happiness blossomed. The Summer where dreams came true and just for a while, everything was possible. Those Summers are where many-a Once Upon A Time resides, but never an ending is in sight, because you see, the Happily Ever After is a promise that rides on the Summer breeze and all is right in the world. I...

Read story

“Enigmatic Wilderness” by Evelina Charles

Submitted to Contest #214

The sun hung low in the sky as Sarah and Mark meticulously packed their bags, filled with anticipation for their long-awaited vacation. They had spent months planning this week-long adventure in the remote wilderness of the Adirondack Mountains, and their excitement was palpable. It was supposed to be a chance to escape the relentless hustle and bustle of city life and, most importantly, reconnect with each other. Sarah checked her meticulously crafted checklist one last time, ensuring they had all the essentials – camping gear, food suppl...

Read story

“Forgetting To Remember ” by Karli Conrad

Submitted to Contest #214

I was forgetting something. I couldn't put my finger on it at this exact moment, but I just knew there was something I was forgetting to pack. Sunscreen? Check. Beach towels? Check. Snacks and water? Check. We had been planning this vacation for over a year. Saving up was quite the feat. I was surprised that it even happened. Somehow, we managed to save every penny. We vowed to not going out to eat, no shopping on things we didn't really need, and to always making sure no gas money was wasted. It felt as though we were back in the newlyw...

Read story

“The Eye of Time. ” by Emanuel Diaz

Submitted to Contest #214

Till Douglas and his wife, María, stood hand in hand on the beach, gazing at the fiery hues of the setting sun. The salty breeze ruffled their hair, and the soft, warm sand beneath their feet seemed to be a testament to the perfect days they had spent together on this vacation. As they watched the sun descend toward the horizon, Till couldn't help but think that summer should never end, so they could savor these lovely romantic evenings forever. But just as the sun dipped below the horizon, something strange happened. Time seemed to shift ...

Read story

“Togetherness, Bound by Love” by Evelina Charles

Submitted to Contest #214

The sun had just begun its descent below the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow across the small suburban neighborhood. It was a serene evening, the kind that hinted at the approaching change of seasons. A soft, cool breeze rustled the leaves of the trees lining the streets, carrying with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers. For most, it was a typical late summer evening, a prelude to the inevitable return to routine. In the Thompson household, however, the eve of the first day back at school was anything but routine. The Thompsons we...

Read story

“David of Żegota” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯

Submitted to Contest #214

Mama and Papa are packing clothes into suitcases—one of Mama’s dresses, Papa’s trousers, one of his shirts, your nightgown. When you ask what they are doing, they pause for a long moment before Papa answers, “We are packing to go on a trip soon.” You remember, vaguely, the time you rode the train over fields and rivers, and through towns and forests. The world flashed past outside the crystal-clear window, which was smudged with your small fingerprints by the time your parents urged you to your feet. They held your hand and tugged yo...

Read story

“THE INTRUDER” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #214

THE INTRUDER I’m not sure exactly when he started coming around but, literally, it was like, one minute he wasn’t there and, the next, he was constantly in our lives; and I mean constantly. We, Billy and I, were told to call him “Uncle” Fred but he was no uncle of mine. I knew all my uncles and aunts and cousins; had done forever. I’d grown up knowing them. Even the ones we only saw every couple of years, we still knew about them, talked about them. So I knew this guy was no relative. Billy was too young and just did as he was told. Maybe th...

Read story

“The End of Summer as We Know It” by Adam Oster

Submitted to Contest #214

After a long, hard year dealing with the deaths of two grandparents and the family pet, as well as school and work troubles, and a schedule which had kept them from doing anything but the bare minimum to get by, even taking the time to plan a summer vacation had proved difficult for the Dillinger family. But Mary Dillinger had worked diligently to find time in the crevices of her days to plan, pay for, and schedule a brief long weekend vacation away from the hustle and bustle of town, to a small cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin on t...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

202

Contest entries

94

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 08, 2023 EST

Won by Emily Holding 🏆

Title: Departed, Return

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!

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢