#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 – 64 stories
Write a story about someone witnessing — or trying to witness — a celestial phenomenon.
Adventure – 38 stories
Write a story about someone looking for a sign in a dark sky.
Angst – 56 stories
Stories
“LET THERE BE LIGHT” by Veronique Racine
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Portrait ” by Nicholas De Waal
Submitted to Contest #232
“Saving Daylight” by Tamarin Butcher
Submitted to Contest #232
“Finale” by Lark Bailey
Submitted to Contest #232
“Itty Bitty Kitty” by Joe Smallwood
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Great Hot White” by Edd Baker
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Flight of Prometheus” by Jennifer Newton
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Flame ” by Debra Demars
Submitted to Contest #232
“This Little Light of Mine ” by ER Castaneda
Submitted to Contest #232
“There Is A Light” by Jed Cope
Submitted to Contest #232
“Cries in the dark.” by Kimora Hornbeak
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Winter Flame Brings the King” by Alexandria Sammataro
Submitted to Contest #232
“Flames of Sepheron” by S.M. Sykes
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Light and Flame” by Zachariah Chamberlin
Submitted to Contest #232
$250
Prize money
279
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!