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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

“The Wild Witch” by Alannah Norton

Submitted to Contest #24

The beating of the horses hooves as it thundered against the baked Oregon earth. The tremor clattered through Agnes’ body like a leaf in a storm. She held tighter to the reins, she was simply running out of time. The heat of the morning had caught up to her as it blazed through her small womanly frame, she could only get away with so much as she pretended to be a man. She slashed the reins harder against the body of the horse she had stolen yesterday. It was the ends to a means. Anything to be standing on that train, anything to be apart of ...

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“The Crossgreave Gang” by Tamar Cohen

Submitted to Contest #24

The old saloon shook with a low rumble none of the patrons could place. Heavy clouds of dust appeared on the horizon. The birds that had been enjoying the shade of the sagging covered porch flew off in a cloud of their own. Sheriff Dillon rose slowly from where he was slouched against the bar as the rumbling grew louder. The sirens on stage stopped their lazy, mid-afternoon singing and scurried to hide behind the piano. "Dolly," the young sheriff said, "fetch me my gun."Behind the bar, Delilah rolled her eyes and set down the...

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“Planet of the Tapir” by Amy DeMatt

Submitted to Contest #24

"Tell us a story, grandma," they begged me. I was sipping a lemonade that was just tart enough to make me pucker, and the way the littlest one hopped up on to my lap made me break into a smile almost as wide as the endless blue sky above us. It was a summer day, and we had the time. I only learned late in life that the very young and the very old truly understand value of time spent together. The others rush from project to project, too busy to engage in leisure, which is real...

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“My Heart” by Janie Cruz

Submitted to Contest #24

"This is breaking my heart." Micah said. "I know. But I'm not going to risk your life. We'll be okay." He took her in his arms and just held her. "4 days. No more." he said quietly. "4 days. Then this nightmare will be over." Torryn said. He kissed her forehead. They gave each other one last look and disappeared into the trees. Torryn held back the tears. This would work. They would meet back up in 4 days in a new town, start new lives, and never have to worry about this....thing, again.***Day 1/Torryn*** Torryn made her way down the dirt pa...

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“My problem ” by Alyssa Morris

Submitted to Contest #24

You want to know what my problem is, you want me to tell you how I feel and why I feel it. You ask a lot from me, especially when I know it’s only going to push you away. However, this time- this time I don’t think I can take you walking away again, but I know if I tell you my problem, how I feel; you will get scared and run, because that’s what you do best, and it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault you don’t know how to love, no one has ever stuck around long enough to show you what it properly looks like. I just wish y...

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“Angel and Demon” by Katrina Billet

Submitted to Contest #24

Everything seemed to swirl around me; the bare winter trees, the snow, my own thoughts, but I seemed to stay where I was. The snow was coming down hard, blocking my vision. The darkening sky making each barren branch harder to make out past the falling flakes. The dark shadows of the trunks closing around me the deeper and deeper I went. Even though I felt like I was going nowhere, I kept running. I ran and ran. Putting distance from me and… Him! Occasionally, I would toss a just-making-sure glance over the shoulder. He wasn’t behind me. Why...

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“Pawns of Eris” by Emilie Conroy

Submitted to Contest #24

A strange prickling sensation roused Arion. Nine full days had passed since last he cuddled with Dordei in the night. That solitude, combined with his dread of his coming appointment with Eris, kept him from the blissful depths of sleep. Now a forbidding feeling disturbed him, yanking him out of his endless thoughts. He could not tell for certain how far advanced the night was, but he thought he perceived a faint lightening in the sky to the east. Squinting, he tried to determ...

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“The Elopement” by Elizabeth Phillips

Submitted to Contest #24

As soon as they drove away in the car, Visti and AJ knew there was no turning back. After weeks of sneaking around, it was time to follow their hearts, not their fears. They were no stangers to fear.As soon as they hit the interstate, Visti whispered softly "Do you really think we can get away with this?" AJ was quiet and thoughtful and then said "We've done everything we possibly can to be together. But considering what we are up against, if we pull this off, what a story to tell our grandchildren." He looked at her and smiled. She returned...

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“HONEYMOON SORROW” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #24

"Tears started running down my cheeks as I saw my wife lying down on a hospital bed armless. She looked at me and smiled. Her smile was still as magical as it was the day I fell in love with her and this reminded me that I had to be strong for her, for us."Aaliya and I have been married for seven years now. I love her the way she is and if given chance to choose a partner again, I'll still choose her. Despite the fact that she is armless, she is the best mother, wife and lover every man would yearn to have.Before marrying her, Aaliya and I w...

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“Cat-astrophe!” by Kendra Casey

Submitted to Contest #24

It was another lovely day in Sackville. The sun was shining, and all you could hear were the birds chirping. Bright sun rays shone through the glass window of Paul’s small apartment, causing him to wake up from his deep sleep. His blue eyes fluttered open to see his exotic shorthair cat named Armando. The sound of an alarm clock starts to fill the room. Paul’s eyes widen realizing what time it is.“6:00 am?! I’m gonna be late for work! You silly cat!” Paul says as he takes a white piece of fabric out of Armando’s mouth. “Why do you keep ...

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“The Presence” by Tina Beier

Submitted to Contest #24

The sharp wisps of her breath are all I can see when the darkness descends and the temperature sinks. I imagine she’s experiencing the same tightness in her chest, the same clenching of bowels as I do. Her breathing reminds me of seeing my sister-in-law in early labour.As much as the sudden drop in light and heat causes me to involuntarily curl my shoulders inwards, to protect myself from what we both know is coming, the soft curve of her jaw and the fullness of her hips never leave my attention. She steadies her breathing and her lovely jaw...

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“On Dragon Wings” by Anna Komora

Submitted to Contest #24

The innkeeper is cleaning the last of the goblets and whipping off tables when they come in. Mary's heart drops into her stomach at the empty, clean hall with only the fewest candles lit. She looks at Clem, who has the same dread filled look on his face. Hoping against all hope, they approach the older woman, to see if she will offer them a room. “Miss, I know we are late. But if you could please give us a room, just one single room for tonight we would be forever grateful.” Clem says to her, green eyes pleading. Pulling out her po...

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“My Loves.” by Shyanne Shilson

Submitted to Contest #24

My greatest fear was always hurting him. He was one of the best parts of me, the only part of me that I liked at the time. He made me see the world in the best light. No. Not just the best light. He made the world light up in a kaleidoscope of colors that were often too bright for my own shaded eyes. But I loved it. Loved the feeling, the slight ounce of pain I felt every time I looke...

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“Hunted Pleasure” by Carrie Huff

Submitted to Contest #24

As the sun began its descent behind the mountains, a pink hue filled the sky and made the clouds glow as if cotton candy abounded everywhere you looked. Marie and William were both starring at the same sky, in the same little pastry shop in the quaint town of Davis Mills. It was the same pastry shop where they met 3 months earlier.William gently brushed the long blonde hair from Marie's face and hooked it behind her ear. Boy did he love those ears, she had the most beautiful ears he had ever seen. “Do you feel like we are being watched.” Mar...

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“The Love in the Woods” by Corey Anderson

Submitted to Contest #24

The wind and the leaves rustled by it are loud this night, but not loud enough to drown out the sound and sensation pounding from Emily Swanson’s heart. The thunderous and arrhythmic beat courses through her as she gazes at the roof of the tent. Her eyes search, as though looking for something, something internal, as though she were deep in thought. Clutching her sleeping bag, she shivers as she holds tears in, drenched in sweat and her chest rising and falling faster and faster. Her sandy brown hair is made a complete mess from all of the s...

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$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!

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