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!

#232: Polar Night & Northern Lights

Winter solstice has come and gone here in the northern hemisphere and we’re slowly heading towards brighter days. Above the arctic circle, however, inhabitants will have to wait a bit longer to see the sun. There, polar night — where the sun doesn’t rise for months — still keeps its grip. Inhospitable as this may seem, entire communities have adapted to the long night, and the northern lights playing across the sky provide a reminder that light will eventually return.

This week's prompts are inspired by polar nights, human resilience, and, most of all, the glimmers of hope that make it all worthwhile.

This week's prompts

Set your story during polar night.

Winter – 37 stories

Write a story set in a world with a dying sun, or where light is a scarce resource.

Science Fiction – 65 stories

Write a story about someone witnessing — or trying to witness — a celestial phenomenon.

Adventure – 38 stories

Write a story about someone who has been tasked to keep a flame burning, surrounded by total darkness.

Character – 84 stories

Write a story about someone looking for a sign in a dark sky.

Angst – 56 stories

Stories

“Stay in the Light” by K.C. Hammond

Submitted to Contest #232

She lifted the lantern aloft, projecting its glow around her. As long as she remained within the center of its light, she would be safe. Taking long strides, she trudged through the soft snow, leaving two long trenches behind her. Emanating from the darkness surrounding her came the cacophony of snarling growls. The creatures lay just out of her sight, but she could hear them shifting and circling in the darkness. Every few steps, she would come across a large print that had broken across her path. As long as she rema...

Read story

“The Matchbox” by Sena Crow

Submitted to Contest #232

One match left. I gazed at the matchbox as it sat on the ground next to me, slightly illuminated by the emergency candle. Over the past four or five weeks I had committed the physical presence of this matchbox to memory. I traced each line within the design, peered closely at the print and tried to examine each blob of ink, each fraying layer of cardboard, each minuscule imperfection that constituted the box. I had wholly integrated my conscience into the world of this matchbox. I thought myself to be an expert of its landscape, a master o...

Read story

“Aurora's Flame” by Josh Stenseth

Submitted to Contest #232

The light flickered and waved, growing a bit smaller before coming to life again. The crowd huddled around it, gasping as it dimmed and sighing in relief as it grew like a collective heartbeat that kept the flame alive. The small, sickly pale girl who held the flame watched in fascination as it danced and changed shape and color. To an onlooker, it would seem as if she’d never seen anything like it before, an observation that would not be far off. The girl had been abandoned above ground only a few days before and came in...

Read story

“Son of The Crows” by Jocelyn Keeney

Submitted to Contest #232

"Good morning lad! Wake up! Your training awaits you!" Alexandre proclaimed, attempting to awaken the tired and stubborn boy. Cyrus rubbed his eyes and groaned loudly. He'd hardly slept for weeks and the journey to Chateau de la Foret Sombre seemed as if had lasted and would continiue for eternity. "Alexandre, why was I chosen out of everyone in the whole kingdom? I'm not remarkable or royal, I'm just me! A boring young boy from the village! Not an heir to the throne! Why couldn't someone like that become Corbeau instead of me? Why can't I j...

Read story

“The Road Less Frazzled” by David Cropley

Submitted to Contest #232

“OK, I should be there soon. Bye. Bye.”The call ends and I turn my attention back to the road. Shouldn’t be too long now. It’s not that I’m late, or even in danger of being late, but I like to be ‘on-time’. I pride myself in being ‘on time’. I don’t like to be late. Hate it, in fact.“Where’s this turn off?” I mutter.“Exit 14A. Come on, where are you?”It’s hard enough driving on a highway, on the wrong side of the road, in an unfamiliar country, at night, but don’t these people have proper signage? And lights!? Come on! It’s like I’m floating...

Read story

“Dark Constellations” by Joseph O'Connor

Submitted to Contest #232

Dark Constellations By Joseph O’Connor ‘You’re familiar with dark constellations?’ John shot the question over his shoulder as we approached the heavy, blue door at the end of the corridor. ‘Did them at Harvard,’ I said. ‘The very latest stuff, and most of the research came from here.’ ‘We don’t release the latest stuff to universities. You’re at least two years out of date. Today is when y...

Read story

“The Moon” by Tommy Or Mell Griffin

Submitted to Contest #232

Standing in a field, Bruce gazed up at the starless sky. The wind tore at his skin, its icy breath beckoning him to go back inside to his house where the warmth would thaw him through and he’d be safe from whatever was out with him under the cover of darkness.But he couldn't. He wouldn’t. His eyes were fixed on the sky, the starless ink void. Where was she??? He couldn’t find her anywhere on the expansive canvas of quiet hell, a sight of which had used to comfort him. She was always there for him, hanging up in the sky, shining quietly down ...

Read story

“I'm Not Hercules” by James Lane

Submitted to Contest #232

The sun speaks to me. He tells me I'm like the champions of old, and I'm a herald to be worshiped. He tells me that Zeus Pater is full of the pride he mocks and that Ares, the red son, has forged indestructible truth from slag - that violence is the furnace of power. And Venus, that celestial satan who I lust for; who I despise, has ensnared us all in her ambient seduction.BJ and Dicky of the Power 99.4 morning radio show speak to me. BJ tells me about the traffic on highway twelve and my twelve labours and the duties of the twelve apostles....

Read story

“The Vault ” by Alexis Aebi

Submitted to Contest #232

Ever since I was a little girl, the darkness has brought me comfort. When I am encompassed with the intense nothingness and surrounded by silence, that is when I have always felt the most liberated. I've been told before that most people fear the shadows and they are terrified of the silhouetted furniture scattered throughout the room. Restlessly, they envision lurking creatures in the corner and intensely listen for the slightest noise as their anxiety reaches its peak. An unsettling feeling sets in that behind the twilight we are not alone...

Read story

“The Green Firework” by Hilary Yelvington

Submitted to Contest #232

Fireworks were always a big to-do on the Fourth of July. Some considered the fireworks a nuisance — lights and sounds designed to wake children and traumatize dogs. Others treated them as the show going on in the background of more important things, like gossiping with friends and neighbors, kissing a new boyfriend, or keeping an eye on children in the dark. Joe Peterson was one of those children, the kind who watched the entire fireworks show from the first dinky firecracker to the final blast of the grand finale, whose only consolation a...

Read story

“Nighttime” by William Glewicz

Submitted to Contest #232

The house is quiet. It’s just after midnight. Beth turned in early. She has a big meeting in the morning. I have three people coming in for interviews first thing. I can’t sleep so I head downstairs to go over their resumes. On paper they all seem solid. I make a few notes in the margins. After a while, my eyes finally heavy, I head upstairs. Down the hall, I notice Charlie’s light is still on. It’s a school night. He should have been in bed hours ago. I tap at his bedroom door and hear a sudden rustle of movement, then footsteps. The do...

Read story

“My Many Unsuccessful Attempts at Self-Kidnapping” by Robin Owens

Submitted to Contest #232

Dear Diary, I’ve decided to get taken. Yes, taken, as in: stolen, kidnapped. No, this is not what Mom would have wanted, but Mom’s not here, as you know from our previous grief-stricken 48 pages together. Yes, she taught me all the ways to stay safe: carry pepper spray, make sure someone always knows where you’re going, don’t walk alone at night, keep your head on a swivel. Well, Mom accidentally gave me all the tools I need to make this happen: 1: Toss pepper spray. 2: Tell no one of plan. 3: Sneak out of house at night and walk alone...

Read story

“A Star in a Lifetime of Darkness” by A. L. Marchant

Submitted to Contest #232

The ageing wooden bench creaked under her weight, but it was the only place she could sit near enough the coach stop that she would be seen. It was unsheltered; the rain had not long ceased to fall from the night sky, and the moulding panels were now passing their damp to her. It travelled through the linen and lace of her petticoat to reach her skin, and further still to seize the weakened muscles beneath. The bench was in a sorry state, and barely fit to be used as firewood—yet it remained, crooked and creaking, persevering nevertheless fo...

Read story

“Light Refracted” by Catarina Alves

Submitted to Contest #232

I stumble up the few steps of stairs to the door, pulling my suitcases with me. The welcome warmth of the reception immediately starts to melt the snow clinging to my jacket, beanie and eyelashes. The familiar smell of this room – its green velvet couches, spruce tables and lively fireplace – is enough to bring me to tears. “Ah! You’re finally here! Welcome, how was your trip?” The man behind the counter approaches me, smiling. “Not too bad, my flight was only delayed once.” The big antique clock by the corner strikes midnight, though that ...

Read story

“No Roads to Nome” by Michael Campbell

Submitted to Contest #232

Just 150 miles east of Siberia is the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, so far north that for a large part of the year the sea freezes over and the sun barely peeks past the horizon. A hundred years ago dogsled was the primary means of transport and communication, able to carry 500kg of freight, they delivered the mail, the groceries, the preacher, and hauled out gold and furs all the way to Anchorage. Scott Bone, Alaska's governor at the time said "No one understands Alaska. [Officials in Washington] wire me to step over to Nome to look up ...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

106

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 12, 2024 EST

Won by Jonathan Page 🏆

Title: The Lantern of Kaamos

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 ⭢