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!

#24: Genre-Blending

This week is a special edition of the Reedsy Prompts contest because our friends at Barnes & Noble Press are taking it over with their own theme, prompts, and special bonus prize! We'll let them take it from here...

With an abundance of content these days, it really takes a little something extra to keep a reader engaged. And one optimal way to do this is by blending genres.

When a story takes on characteristics of more than one genre, it’s not just about reshaping norms or conventions; it’s also about understanding what makes the different elements of those genres fit together. If the elements are treated with respect and appreciation, blending together multiple genres can have the positive effect of capturing your reader’s attention, and also maintaining it. This happens because it keeps a reader guessing, it subverts expectations, and it highlights narrative strengths.

For our takeover, we've put together five genre-bending prompts that we hope will get the creative juices flowing, strengthen and flex the narrative muscles, and sparks new ideas.

As extra incentive, we’re throwing in a $50 B&N gift card to the winner who best blends different genres in a way that feels fresh and unique. Good luck!

This week's prompts

Write a story set in the dark recesses of space where the two main characters are often at odds with each other in humorous and comedic ways.

Science Fiction – 70 stories

Write a sweeping romantic tale of two lovers who must overcome the horror of being hunted by an unseen foe.

Romance – 87 stories

Write a murder mystery with an amateur sleuth who must navigate a fantastical world in a quest to discover the truth.

Mystery – 38 stories

Write a thrilling adventure of a special agent who is harboring a paranormal secret.

Thriller and Suspense – 47 stories

Write a magical realism story that takes place in the Wild West.

Fantasy – 51 stories

Stories

“Davina ” by Brinley Kiskaddn

Submitted to Contest #24

"Okay, morning newspaper? Check! Coffee? Check!" I said, "Now, let's see here. Hippo escapes from a local zoo, helium spill on Interstate 80, and nothing else." I looked over at my Dutch Sheperd, Arlo, and said, "I wish there was some mystery that I could solve, being a detective is fun, but I can't seem to find any jobs around here."Arlo looked at me and turned his head like he had no idea what I said, well he is a dog after all! Suddenly, Arlo took the paper from my lap, drug it to the ground, put his paw over an article, and gave out...

Read story

“Amazing” by Amelia Coulon

Submitted to Contest #24

Run faster! Beth-Ann thought as she ducked between trees, hopping over fallen logs.She might have trained to be one of the best, but she was being chased by someone as well-trained. The heavily falling snow was an unwelcome curse, leaving a trail of footprints to follow while obscuring her vision to the pitfalls before her. The cold didn't matter, since her blood was running so high, it heated her up from the inside out. But she needed to find a place with people, a modicum of safety until she could get her bearings.Beth-Ann traversed up a s...

Read story

“Held” by Kay Bearrs

Submitted to Contest #24

She threw her bag down beside her desk and sank into her chair while she waited for the familiar chime that let her know that her computer was ready to get started on the day’s work. It had been many years since she’d started at The Agency, but the most recent years were taking the biggest toll. It didn’t help that “it” kept sticking around, regardless of the steps she’d taken to rid herself of it’s exhausting presence. &nbs...

Read story

“A Cold, Dead Night” by Mitch Lucas

Submitted to Contest #24

"Give me a minute," the detective said.He knelt next to the victim's body and carefully examined the wound."I've taken photos; whatever else will be picked up when forensic sweeps."The detective turned to the rookie and gave a cutting stare. It was clear he wasn't fond of his interjection.The rookie held his breath, annoyed because he thought his time was valuable but in this detective eyes, he was but an errand-boy. "78th and Grove, we need to get moving. Now.""There no tape up, no lead?" the rookie was dumbfounded; in practice this de...

Read story

“"Lost in Translation" ” by L.J. Wright

Submitted to Contest #24

The day after the murder of Sally Rhodes, one of my old friends, I picked up the newspaper. Being in town gave me an advantage. I wasn’t about to let some uptight agent take over the case. I lacked any leads on the cast—doubting she could do better. On November 13th she came by my house. “I’m Special Agent Marla Monroe.” She said, in ASL. Her translator, whose name I didn’t know, informed me. “I’m aware of your connection to the case.” I let them in the house, she continued. “You knew Ms. Rhodes, correct?” “I did, yeah, and I’ll find who ...

Read story

“Scribbled Smile” by Elena Welsh

Submitted to Contest #24

I get the phone call at 2 a.m. Not an abnormal event in my line of work, but annoying nonetheless. Unfortunately, people don’t seem to understand the concept of “sleep” when crime is involved. I roll over and slowly emerge from my nest of blankets. My clothes are rumpled from sleep and my socks are slightly damp, but otherwise I feel presentable. As I walk out the door, I grab a banana from the bowl sitting on the floor by my shoes. It’s a twenty-minute drive to the police station from my apartment. No one is out this early in the mor...

Read story

“GOLDEN FETTERS” by SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #24

Peter along with his daughter, was standing in the queue at Meenakshi temple in Madurai. There was a long queue and tight security. When his turn came, the security guard, frisked him and his daughter. He was about to send the two in. Out of curiosity, he asked the daughter, a charming cherubic cute little, fair skinned girl, for her name. She gave her name very distinctly as M..E..E..N..A..A..K..S..H..I and in clear terms. The security guard was taken aback. A fair skinned foreigner with his pale blue eyes, coming to Madurai, was not any st...

Read story

“Catch me if you can” by Sam Kirk

Submitted to Contest #24

“Well done, Special Agent Rojas” – the director of the FBI said as he shook Monica’s hand.Even though Monica had been with the bureau for only a year, she already made a name for herself. Today was yet another successful day for her since she managed to apprehend a criminal from the “Most Wanted” list. Cases that had previously reached a dead end now rested in the “solved” pile.“How do you do it?” – an agent who had been with the FBI for ten years asked Monica.“Beginner’s luck, I guess” – she replied with a sheepish smile, crumpling the rand...

Read story

“The Night Murderer” by Catarina Damas

Submitted to Contest #24

I sigh.It's hard to believe that I just killed my 8th victim when I don't even know why I'm doing this. My heart commands me not to do such a thing, but my hands tell another story.Chicago wakes up to the terrible news that the serial killer took one more life. People get even more hysterical than they were a few days ago and Albert Simon, the chief-inspector, calls the famous Agent Vincent Mccgregor so that this case can be solved as fast as possible. Albert’s police station receives about 15 calls a day reporting cases such as stalkin...

Read story

“The Pouch” by Joseph Larsen

Submitted to Contest #24

In the spring of 1870, Larry Blackmore was arguably one of the worst pool players in New York City. He had gotten the bug shooting pool on the table in the back of Johansson’s dry goods and religiously lost his 5-cent allowance every week until he graduated to playing in Darby’s pool hall where he lost every dime he earned working as a stable boy at the local livery. It became a tradition. Paid at 5pm, broke at 9pm. I mean to tell you, this kid had no stroke. He could no more put together a string of balls than fly to the moon....

Read story

“Dragon Fruit” by Isabel Rocha

Submitted to Contest #24

The terrifying noise of hooves along the rocky road belonging to the Beckers' court became closer and closer. "Goddamn it they're ganging on us, Butch!" Austin, a bard from the east, shrieked. He could feel his impending doom but, what would it be? Beheading? The electric chair? Maybe even torture. "It's fine ok? I got this!" Butch said as he closed his eyes, soon after which a stampede of wild mustangs came riding beside the unruly couple. Butch chanted something in a norse language and the horses dispersed behind them. Austin seemed to be ...

Read story

“Lily's Travellers Inn” by Judy McIntosh

Submitted to Contest #24

Lily poured four beers and set them on the wooden tray. She made her way over to the table where the men sat. They were strangers in town and for some reason she felt a suspicion creep over her.''Nella, can you watch the guests for a bit? I'm just going upstairs.''She nodded at her boss with a knowing smile.In the bedroom, Lily stood before an ornate full length mirror.Suddenly, the reflection of this beautiful young woman morphed into a young boy. He was dressed like any other boy in town. He adjusted his soft cap and returned downstairs.As...

Read story

“Trading Five Bullets” by K M Hasling

Submitted to Contest #24

Like wolves howling, the chorused voices of oo-way oh-way oo-way oh-way floated into the sky. The notes were partners with the dancers as they stomped left and right, left, left and right. The drumbeats matched the dancers and rumbled the dust with a bada-bada-bum bada- bum bada-bum. Both feet and drumsticks kicked up the dry dust with every vibration, adding to their call for rain. “Come dance, Black Cloud,” coaxed the elders. “Call to Mother Nature. Ad...

Read story

“Rhyolite Remembers” by Rachel Judd

Submitted to Contest #24

The violent inward swing of the batwing doors caused every head in the saloon to swivel towards the entrance There was no fear or anxiety in the dozen of so eyes that came to rest on Deputy William Dillinger’s serious face, only burning curiosity. Rhyolite was a peaceful town, after all. Distractions were a hot commodity. Dillinger’s eyes met those of Father Wyatt Hardin who sat alone in a corner with his tattered King James. “The Sheriff’s awake Father.” A salacious smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He paused a moment, his tee...

Read story

“The Iron Guard” by Ed Willey

Submitted to Contest #24

Al exited the hotel at 11 am on the dot. He was very particular about his punctuality. He tucked the medallion that hung around his neck out of sight beneath his shirt and stepped down off the wooden veranda on to the main street of Colby.Al enjoyed his job, but things had got more complicated in recent years. And much more dangerous for sure. Being an ‘Iron Guard’ — so-called thanks to the ‘Iron Horse’ trains whose cargo he was to protect — paid well, but many he’d known had long since retired, and not always voluntarily. With fewer folk on...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

293

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 17, 2020 EST

Won by Gabrielle Gerstley 🏆

Title: The Ghostwriter

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 ⭢