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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#22: Auld Lang Syne

From the Times Square Ball drop to the old Spanish tradition of trying to fit 12 grapes into your mouth at midnight — New Year's Eve comes with a host of different rituals and traditions.

Maybe a new one of yours will be submitting a New Year's-themed story to the Reedsy Prompts contest? 😊 In which case, we don't want to keep you any longer! So...

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1... write! And have yourself a Happy New Year.

This week's prompts

Write a short story about a person who goes to bed on Valentine's Day and wakes up in 1920.

Holiday – 41 stories

Write a short story about someone with unconventional New Year's traditions.

Holiday – 44 stories

Two strangers meet at a New Year's Eve party. They spend the party together, and then never see each other again.

Winter – 79 stories

Write a short story in which the last line is the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve.

Winter – 97 stories

Write a short story about someone who does not spend December 31st celebrating New Year's Eve.

Winter – 77 stories

Stories

“The Lonesome New Year ” by Zoe Shafer

Submitted to Contest #22

Well, here I am again. New Year’s Eve. Another pointless holiday amongst other pointless holidays in a pointless life. Is it alright for me to say that this is my least favorite time of the year? Well, it is. It is a reminder that I am alone in the world and have to fend for myself. No family, no husband, just me. I sit in my apartment by myself watching everyone else’s happy faces scroll by on Facebook. They’ve gotten married. They have parents to return home to. They have a life. Me? No relationship has worked out. In fact, they’ve a...

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“Skipping New Years” by Richard Chamberlin

Submitted to Contest #22

There was no line for the late night flight, in fact Jace was surprised it hadn't been cancelled. That would have ruined his plans, to be sure. Instead he snuggled into his seat and cuddled his warm chai latte.It was only a day ago he was looking forward to the thrill of the ball drop in Times Square. That would have been with Debbie, who now likely was about to celebrate with his best friend Zach somewhere back east. On a whim he'd created a resolution - to skip New Years. Literally. Now he was about to make it...

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“Naga and the Phoenix” by M.L. Grace

Submitted to Contest #22

Naga ducked her head and kept walking past the windows that were lit brightly. Their warm, cheery light bled out onto the newly fallen snow and the young woman pulled her hood a little tighter over to head so as to not be washed in its infectious joy. Muffled sounds of revelry filled every street in the party district of New York City, for it was New Year’s Eve; the biggest celebration of the year for the place that Naga called home. A falcon watched the young woman with its head cocked sideways. It seemed strange to...

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“Stars” by Maddie Snyder

Submitted to Contest #22

Last time I celebrated New Years Eve was before the accident. Before she broke my heart. Before my life was like this.“I love you.” Addy said with a giggle and a sparkle that never seemed to leave hers eyes.“Addy you have had one to many champagnes.” I replayed, “you don’t mean any of this.”“Rubie… I’m not making any of this up. I-i have felt like this forever.”“Ads, please it’s almost 2014.”“Dance, come dance with me.” “You know I don’t dance.” “Please.” She begged with her eyes. It may have been because of the champagne, or how...

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“When Oliver Dropped the Ball” by Jillian Smart

Submitted to Contest #22

“I don’t really get why we can’t celebrate this year,” Eliza sighed, dropping defeatedly onto the couch and turning her eyes to the blank television in front of them. “We can’t even watch the Ball Drop?”“No chance,” huffed Oliver, his arms folded tightly over his chest. He was sitting quite stiffly on the other side of the couch, his legs outstretched to the coffee table and his gaze drifting absently to the frosted window of his apartment. On the bustling street eight floors beneath them, hundreds of eager, desperate, and perfume-drenched p...

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“Kissing Partner” by Julia Lechear

Submitted to Contest #22

“Hey Cassidy!” My friend, Mira smiles at me. “Come on in!”“Thanks!” I responded, stepping inside. The apartment is already teeming with life. There are lots of smiling people, but there aren’t so many people that I’d describe the apartment as crowded. Everyone’s talking, laughing, and seems to be having a good time, yet I can still hear “I don’t want a lot for Christmas” playing in the background. I don’t normally enjoy parties. They’re loud and obnoxious, and there must be something about me because everyone who pukes alw...

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“A Countdown To Remember” by Lenai Despins

Submitted to Contest #22

Ten minutes and it will all be over. The decade, but also my life. I watch him out of the corner of my eye. His face holds the same familiar features, but somehow it’s changed – morphed by his expression into something more terrifying than the weapon he’s clutching. His eyes are wild as they focus on sharpening the knife in his hands. The laughter they once held has shriveled dry and hard. His skin is sallow; a foreshadow of what mine will become. Nine minutes ‘til midnight. Pins and needles prick my hands. The rope that’s bound th...

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“Kissing Partner” by Julia Lechear

Submitted to Contest #22

“Hey Cassidy!” My friend, Mira smiles at me. “Come on in!”“Thanks!” I responded, stepping inside. The apartment is already teeming with life. There are lots of smiling people, but there aren’t so many people that I’d describe the apartment as crowded. Everyone’s talking, laughing, and seems to be having a good time, yet I can still hear “I don’t want a lot for Christmas” playing in the background. I don’t normally enjoy parties. They’re loud and obnoxious, and there must be something about me because everyone who pukes alw...

Read story

$50

Prize money

338

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 03, 2020 EST

Won by Emily Hemmings 🏆

Title: Pagliacci on the Q Train

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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