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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#233: Dry January

Like many of my friends, I'm participating in Dry January this year. After the end-of-year indulgences (which, alongside many enjoyable beverages, included far too many forms of potato), spending a month abstaining from drinking feels well overdue. May as well slay one dragon at a time, right?

With that in mind, this week's prompts are inspired by Dry January, and other challenges of endurance — whether taken on by choice, or by chance.

🥇 Winner

“Vegan Hamburgers” by Ariana Tibi

🏆 Winner of Contest #233

Vegan Hamburgers February 1st 11:11pm WOW. I cannot believe that just happened. I went to AJ’s studio and almost walked out with a record deal. I was sober, too. He started rolling a joint and offered me some but I immediately said no. Last week, I had drinks at Lighthouse Studios and the executive was totally judging me when I got into my car. Anyway, AJ wants to record me!!! This sounds weird but on the drive home, I swear I felt the presence of god or whatever in my windshield. I paused at a stop sign to see if I could bottle up the...

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“The Cat's On The Roof...” by Rose Winters

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #233

Jane was having the worst writing slump of her life, stuck in a perpetual merry-go-round of clichés. Her fingers tapped on the keyboard:“Boy meets girl.” She shook her head. Oh hell no.“Boy murders girl.” Too man-power-ish.“Girl murders boy.” She rolled her eyes and angrily wrote:“Grandma murders Grandpa.” Come on, think!She growled and spun her faux leather chair around, staring out the window for inspiration.Come on, muse… work your magic.The lights blinked on and off, as if in answer. Maybe it was her muse. Maybe things would be okay afte...

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“Auld Hornie’s Wirk” by Howard Halsall

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #233

Glasgae’s dry January always ends on th’ twenty-fifth night o’ th’ month. That’s fair enough, fur na parched Glaswegian kin sustain such perverse cruelty beyond that hallowed date. Th’ end o’ that thirsty month can’t come quick enough, fur then we raise a cup o’ cheer tae Rabbie Burns. Th’ Bard’s rousing words on that night ne’er fail to restore oor tortured souls anew, banishing th’ self-inflicted drought fur annur year.* * *However, Burns Night is an age from Hogmanay’s tolling midnight bells and the thunderous arrival o’ th’ New Year. The...

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“The End of the World” by Ian Patterson

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #233

It’s hard to find The End of the World. That’s intentional of course, wouldn’t do for the tourists to latch on. A small smoke filled room, where cigarette butts litter the cracked, wooden floor like so many tumbleweeds. The crooked that call this hole home sit around talking in small groups. You walk down a cobbled street as the darkening sky makes shapes of the buildings that loom on either side. The cobbles are uneven, so while it may seem that you’re a cold, brooding thing, your head bent against the ...

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This week's prompts

Write a story about a character participating in Dry January.

Character – 33 stories

Your character, having abstained from their worst vice (big or small), finds new clarity.

Character – 50 stories

Write a story in the form of diary entries, written by someone who has set themselves a month-long challenge.

Narrative – 49 stories

Set your story in a bar that doesn’t serve alcohol.

Fluff – 61 stories

Set your story during a month of drought — whether literal, or metaphorical.

Dramatic – 38 stories

Stories

“Vegan Hamburgers” by Ariana Tibi

🏆 Winner of Contest #233

Vegan Hamburgers February 1st 11:11pm WOW. I cannot believe that just happened. I went to AJ’s studio and almost walked out with a record deal. I was sober, too. He started rolling a joint and offered me some but I immediately said no. Last week, I had drinks at Lighthouse Studios and the executive was totally judging me when I got into my car. Anyway, AJ wants to record me!!! This sounds weird but on the drive home, I swear I felt the presence of god or whatever in my windshield. I paused at a stop sign to see if I could bottle up the...

Read story

“Lillian” by Brynn Helena

Submitted to Contest #233

My father was an exorcist. And his father before him, and his father before him. My dad died when I was ten years old. That's when I decided I wouldn't end up like him. Never at home with his children, enraptured by the idea that he was a savior. A god. I thought it was a huge, steaming load of shit. An excuse for him to spend years hanging us out to dry, leaving our mother to scrounge for ways to feed us, always returning with a new perfume on his collar. So, when I graduated high school, I went straight to college and studied law. I b...

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“Free Hugs” by Hannah P. Simmons

Submitted to Contest #233

Jade was younger than the usual customer. But Sam was past being too concerned. About ten years past. Maybe if she’d walked in even two years ago, he’d have cocked an eyebrow. But now? Now, he simply grabbed a shot glass, and placed it on a napkin in front of her as she took a seat on one of the barstools.“What’ll you have?” he asked.She seemed startled as she looked up at him, long black curls framing her captivatingly anguished face.“Uh… isn’t there a menu?”Sam all but cackled. “A MENU? Sorry, sweetheart. Most people know what they want be...

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“Giving Up Time Travel” by Jonathan Page

Submitted to Contest #233

I promise Alli that I’ll give up time travel for “Dry January,” but she doesn’t think I can do it. She doesn’t exactly give me an ultimatum, but it sure feels like one.“If I’m giving up milk chocolate, coffee, red wine, and fries, you can ween yourself off of time travel,” Alli says, hands on hips, chin cocked high, and shoulders back, exposing her neck and indicating she is not afraid of a fight.“Can I start tomorrow?” I plead. After all, we still have two hours before the ball drops. I could still do a lot of damage in that time.“Starting ...

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“Where's the Can Opener” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #233

Where's the Can Opener? Time is ticking down. The end is near. Grandma rechecks her list for the umpteenth time. Candles with lighters and matches Radio / Ham radio Flashlights; lanterns; batteries, all sizes Tool box / sewing kit Generator ready Bottled water, for eight people for 30 days Canned goods, dried fruit, ready to eat meals Plates, utensils, pots Blankets, pillows First aid kits Medications / vitamins Reading material, especially Bible and survival magazines Warm clothing Air purifiers; gas masks; emergency oxygen; Geiger count...

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“For The Experience” by Michał Przywara

Submitted to Contest #233

Tom Davies stepped into the Harp and Hound Recopub, and was immediately struck by the bluesy bass rambling from a jukebox, accented by the staccato pops of a cue sending pool balls scrambling. The lighting was mute and dusky, even though it was noon; a perfect complement to the wooden floor, and walls draped with team colours. And a waft of deep fried bliss followed a passing waitress. Well, he thought. I wanted a bar, and you can’t get more barsy than this. And anyway, any dive was good enough refuge from Nicole. He approached a barstool an...

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“The Cat's On The Roof...” by Rose Winters

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #233

Jane was having the worst writing slump of her life, stuck in a perpetual merry-go-round of clichés. Her fingers tapped on the keyboard:“Boy meets girl.” She shook her head. Oh hell no.“Boy murders girl.” Too man-power-ish.“Girl murders boy.” She rolled her eyes and angrily wrote:“Grandma murders Grandpa.” Come on, think!She growled and spun her faux leather chair around, staring out the window for inspiration.Come on, muse… work your magic.The lights blinked on and off, as if in answer. Maybe it was her muse. Maybe things would be okay afte...

Read story

“Auld Hornie’s Wirk” by Howard Halsall

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #233

Glasgae’s dry January always ends on th’ twenty-fifth night o’ th’ month. That’s fair enough, fur na parched Glaswegian kin sustain such perverse cruelty beyond that hallowed date. Th’ end o’ that thirsty month can’t come quick enough, fur then we raise a cup o’ cheer tae Rabbie Burns. Th’ Bard’s rousing words on that night ne’er fail to restore oor tortured souls anew, banishing th’ self-inflicted drought fur annur year.* * *However, Burns Night is an age from Hogmanay’s tolling midnight bells and the thunderous arrival o’ th’ New Year. The...

Read story

“Diary of a Serial Killer” by Janet Boyer

Submitted to Contest #233

[WARNING: Strong language and sensitive topic.] "How might one endure the silent and secluded nature of winter? Be the bear, enter a deep cave, and dream, dream, dream." – Jacqueline Suskin I probably shouldn't be writing this, but oh-fucking-well. When the most precious thing lodged in your heart is ripped out and crushed by an unthinking alcoholic asshole driving with a revoked license, you do things—unimaginable things. And not just burying your beloved eight-year-old son, which was not on my Shitty Life Bingo Card, obv...

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“Windfall” by Hazel Ide

Submitted to Contest #233

I can't tear my eyes away as the bartender fills up the glass. For such a simple task, it's entrancing. Ice. A little bourbon. Some bitters. A splash of fernet, a little twist just for me, my mouth watering as she rubs an orange peel along the rim before sliding it over.My hand trembles as I reach for the drink, but I only indulge in a small sip. It's sweet and warm. Someone shoves my shoulder, a broad-shouldered man reeking of weed and beer, and I nearly spill. He coughs hysterically, jostling me as his large body shakes, that wet rattle in...

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“Nicotine” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #233

12.20.2022 - TuesdayWell, California officially banned flavored nicotine. The gas station I would get my disposable vapes from was clearing its shelves today, so I guess now’s a perfect time to try quitting again. I would rather not switch over to regular ol’ cigarettes at this point. It’s not as easy hiding the habit that way haha. Plus, I never cared for them in the first place—too harsh and gross tasting. At least vapes tasted good and didn’t make me smell bad.I remember one time I tried quitting by tossing my vape into some bushes at the...

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“Honeymoon for One” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #233

This trip hasn't been at all what I expected. I was supposed to be coming here for a romantic honeymoon in the Tuscan countryside. Instead, I'm here alone, hanging on through sheer spite and honestly with the help of a few overly priced but delicious cocktails from the plane. There aren’t enough Bloody Marys or Mimosas in the world for finding out that the groom is still in love with his high school sweetheart. I mean really, what the fuck? Well, at least when he left, he was oh so kind and let me keep the all-expenses paid trip to Ital...

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“The Mountain that Walked Away” by Jonathan Page

Submitted to Contest #233

I tie the Jerry Can to my back with a cloth belt, which hugs my thin shoulders like a noose. The morning commute to the riverbed is a test of endurance. At eleven thousand feet, the half-hour journey down to the river with the smelly, miserable cows and goats crowding along the roadway is my least favorite part of the day. The dry air and oppressive ninety-degree heat smother me. After school, in the afternoon, I will have to go back for more water, but the weather will be cooler by then.My mother, Nima, is caring for my little brother, Juni...

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“Through her own looking glass” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #233

Please note this story comes with a Parental Guidance (PG) certificate: mum and dad, please do not read. ‘And how many sexual partners have you had?'‘Um, I’m not sure. More than ten, less than one hundred. Is there a multiple-choice option?’‘On a scale of ten to twenty, twenty to thirty, thirty to fifty, more than fifty?’‘Let’s say Fifty.’ said Alice looking at the various hideous healthcare posters on the wall behind her doctor, ‘How to live your life with a positive diagnosis’ and so on.Feeling increasingly mortified by the situation,...

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“Going Rogue” by Michelle Oliver

Submitted to Contest #233

Light harvesting is a dangerous occupation. You have to be fit, fast, and completely fearless—some might even say insane. I never had a choice; it’s all I’ve known.Out here in the Shadow Rim, a place of eternal twilight, you either survive, or you don’t. It’s cold and dark, even during the daytime hours, so we have to farm light. That’s my role. I check the light farms and bring back energy cubes so that we can survive out here on the Rim. Danger lies in the light. When the Light Stalkers invaded our planet a few years ago, they quickly seiz...

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$250

Prize money

231

Contest entries

78

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 19, 2024 EST

Won by Ariana Tibi 🏆

Title: Vegan Hamburgers

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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