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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#223: Academia

A recent re-watch of Gilmore Girls has had me thinking about academic life — there’s something uniquely compelling in the combination of idolized institutions, tweed, the pursuit of knowledge, and thousands of young people all living in close quarters. I’m not alone: dark academia is an established genre by now.

This week, let’s step into the halls of ivy together — I’ve got academics, libraries, students, and exams in these prompts, so whether your imaginary life in the academy is dark, fantastical, suspenseful, or humorous, I hope you’ll find a prompt that feels right.

This week's prompts

Start your story with a student discovering a hidden room in a university library.

Mystery – 77 stories

Write about two rival academics pursuing the same grant.

Character – 14 stories

Write a story in which a jaded academic makes an unexpected, rash decision.

Angst – 41 stories

Write about a student reporter uncovering a university scandal.

Mystery – 22 stories

Set your story during exam season, when tensions run high and a minor incident sends your protagonist into a panic spiral.

Character – 30 stories

Stories

“The Pawn” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #223

I guess every dog has its day held some merit. After all, my life did a 180 and gave me the thrill I’ve been yearning for since the sandbox. The college experience was a puzzle, everyone had their own piece in making the experience. I hated the jagged one I got. A studious student who was carrying group projects,getting used by girls for homework answers; but was god awful socially.The few friends I had were from the chess club, a group of outsiders with the goal of being more than pawns in life. I fit right in. Thomas was the...

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“Dr. Chad Finds a Kid Bleeding in the Ivy” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #223

Dr. Chad Finds a Kid Bleeding in the Ivyby Paul Crehan***PLEASE NOTE: This story contains references to and imagery of sexual assault and carnage.The Chancellor told the two-hundred gathered in the banquet hall that Dr. Chad had arrived in Paris with nothing but the clothes on his back. This wasn’t hyperbole, the Chancellor told them. This was fact. Dr. Chad had arrived without shoes. A greedy river bottom had pulled them from his feet thirty miles from the city. So, he had arrived barefoot, and with nothing but the clothes on his back.Greed...

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“Co-Ed Uniform” by Audrey Knox

Submitted to Contest #223

My heavy eyelids drooped as I tried unsuccessfully to beat back the pounding of my head that rang incongruously against the caffeine buzz from pounding at least three Red Bulls during last night’s all nighter. No one said college was going to be easy, but exam week was kicking my ass. I had tried to find the center of the venn diagram that was “easy” versus “lucrative” and settled on a Marketing BA. But I had neglected to mentally prepare for the horrors that were the general education classes. I just wanted to get through this final exam an...

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“The Boy on the Bridge” by Sophie Parmaby

Submitted to Contest #223

It was a common rumor that ghosts roamed the halls at Branson University. Especially in the library, every once in a while, a cold chill would rattle the bones of students before promptly slipping away. Most were skeptical of this claim, including me. I don’t make it a habit to believe rumors. Rumors are a waste of time and time is something I definitely don’t have with finals right around the corner. It was imperative that I score well. I didn’t want to experience the last time my father felt my rank was unacceptable. The welts hadn’t disap...

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““Scandal” A University in Crisis” by Charles Frederick

Submitted to Contest #223

April 1, 2021: Press Auditorium Annex. The student newspaper office at University of Eastwood was abuzz with activity. It was the start of the semester, and the staff was busy trying to come up with an interesting story for their first blockbuster edition, scheduled for the fortnight. The press and editorial room were a beehive of activities as the team was brainstorming for ideas - compelling and most informative ideas. Suddenly, sophomore amateur reporter Fergie Jones had an idea. Fergie has been known around the campus as a na...

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“Don't Sh*t Where You Eat” by Edward Roberts

Submitted to Contest #223

** This story contains mature language. ** Don’t Sh*t Where You Eat Olivia followed closely behind her boyfriend, Chase Walker, as he twisted his body left and right maneuvering through the massive crowd in his living room. He held his red Solo cup over his head. Drunk or soon-to-be-drunk college students filled every room of the spacious house. Deafening, pulsing music shook the walls and floors. The hoppy aroma of beer and the skunky stench of weed filled every room. She counted four beer kegs while forcefully pushing herself toward t...

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“Everything's Connected” by Ariana Afshar

Submitted to Contest #223

Always. Always it seems so manicured. A perfect lawn. A square brick building…so many squares. Sharp edges. Harsh lighting. Gray classrooms, uniform desks. Exhausting. Endless paperwork and formalities. “Good morning Professor, how are you?” All the while, I’m going into unimaginable debt. Just to suffer day in and out, in the wretched shared living quarters called "dormitories". Where the bathroom floor is covered in urine, vomit, or some other surprise of the week. Don’t get me started on shy pooping in a bathroom full of people I ba...

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“The Clock Strikes Glick” by Clara Candace Farr

Submitted to Contest #223

She was running late as she entered the lecture hall, her bright blue eyes scanned the room for an open seat as the lecturer briefly paused mid-sentence, relief washed over her as she spotted an open seat in the front of the room. She prayed quietly that the professor wouldn’t embarrass her and kick her out for being tardy. Honestly, she was surprised the lecture hall door was unlocked, as Dr. Glick was known for locking the door, so any late students were refused entry. She headed down the stairs toward the seat. She sat down...

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“Tales of Dukemon the Studious ” by Logan Wheeler

Submitted to Contest #223

Deep in the caverns of Mt. Dulgor, the dwarvish clan known as Mon were preparing for the annual Nomination Exam, which alerted the rest of the inhabitants that the Silver Festival was soon approaching. The leading examinee was given the honor to be “Lorekeeper” during the silver expedition. In the morning before the exam, a young dwarf named Dukemon was awoken by a high-pitched whistle coming from his steam clock. As the young dwarf rubbed his eyes, he felt a relief from the heaviness; his mind still groggy from the restless nights of...

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“Juries” by Audrey Harmon

Submitted to Contest #223

Amanda Henderson takes a deep breath, scrutinizing her reflection in the dorm room mirror. The young woman she sees there looks nothing like her, but rather a version of who her professors believe she ought to be. She wears an unimposing blue jewel tone dress, one that goes below the knees and covers her voluptuous chest. Her heels are exactly two inches high and closed-toe (of course). Her legs are trapped in the sensory nightmare that is panty hose, which are scratching at her stubby legs mercilessly. With her hair pulled half up and her m...

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“I, Desire” by Joanna Hayes

Submitted to Contest #223

"Ahahah... shit," Evan sprawled out of his mouth as he did something less graceful over the bed. After wiping his lips with his dusty white sleeve, he laid down with his hands covering his face, like a child facing their mother after missing the toilet. He was pathetic."This is the last time I'm helping you."I reluctantly voiced these thoughts out loud for the first and last time. As I expected, my sternness made him giddy. I used to love his laugh: carefree and warm. Now, it was a hollow echo of what it used to be. Just like him.We were lin...

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“THE SYMBOLS OF ENDLESS POSSIBILTIES” by Andrew Hixson

Submitted to Contest #223

The Symbol Of Endless Possibilities. Emily roamed through the seemingly endless aisles of the university library, her mind swirled with endless possibilities. The old books that lined the dusty shelves, the hushed whispers of fellow students, and the intriguing atmosphere of the library fascinated her. During one of her late-night study sessions, she stumbled upon a hidden room behind a bookshelf. Emily's curiosity piqued, and she couldn't resist exploring the secret room. She cautiously pushed the bookshelf aside, revealing a narrow passage...

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“Hidden lives ” by Hannah Abrams

Submitted to Contest #223

"Ooh this looks interesting." I said and picked a book off the shelf, or well tried to, but it refused to move. "Huh?" I pulled with all my might, but nothing happened. "Um…is there something wrong with you?" My best friend Max asked. "This book is broken." I told her. She raised an eyebrow and tried to get it off the shelf but it wouldn't move. "Told you." I said. She tapped her ch...

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“The Hidden Library ” by Colleen Shadle

Submitted to Contest #223

Inwardly, I groan. The Library’s records show the book I need, but it was never returned some years ago. Sighing, I click out of the catalog, stooping to pick up a fallen pencil. Deciding to check the shelf, just in case, I shoulder my bag and surf through the abundant shelves under what should be the correct letters. Anxiety wells up when I don’t find the book, however something else catches my attention. Tucked in the very corner of the shelf is the brightest shade of Marine Blue I have ever seen. The spine and cover exhibit a Banishing Si...

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“The Room ” by R. Faye

Submitted to Contest #223

“It’s begun to snow again.” “Astrid, it's Michigan; it's going to snow.” “It's good to know, okay? I see nothing wrong with” I shushed her and began to just stare at them while the both of them continued to bicker in almost silent voices. They’ve been friends since their first semester here, which was probably a year or maybe more ago. I honestly can't remember, at this point, how long it's really been. “Astrid and Lewis, knock it off; we are only here to study, nothing more, and definitely shouldn't be messing with each other in a damned li...

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$250

Prize money

184

Contest entries

83

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 10, 2023 EST

Won by AnneMarie Miles 🏆

Title: Cerulean

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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