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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 Noni's Thantophobia ” by Alifia Afflatus

Submitted to Contest #24

Me and my husband newly moved out permanently stay to an abandoned house adjacent by the old Dutch town, such a historical site people went for aesthetic pictures thanks to the Dutch who used to occupy the land hundred of years ago. The house itself used to be a wood trading company, as I read on the banner upon there, surely a part of the elite colonial civilization. The façade had made me being amative. It was eerie, yet evocative. The buil...

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“Two Flights” by Clay Kelly

Submitted to Contest #24

Two flights landed at Heathrow Airport on that day in 2026, the story of one you should remember the other you would not. Lou had tired of on line dating over a year before. In fact, everyone she knew fell into roughly two categories, people who met their partner through on line dating and people who had given up. It was fine though. As it turned out, Lou was a pretty big fan on being on her own and she had her friends. She didn’t have too many of those either, I mean where do you meet friends if you don’t have a partner, kids, or a do...

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“ANOTHER LOVE STORY” by Klyn Akwarandu

Submitted to Contest #24

"You are mine, forever... right?" Chika beamed at her boyfriend, holding up a rose that had lost a few of its petals, which she had picked up from the garden floor. Kay was busy distracting himself, fascinated with how excellently the ants climbing the only tree at the backyard were dutifully passing on a tiny piece of biscuit someone had carelessly dropped close to the base of the giant tree. He paid no attention to Chika who he had convinced to come over for the weekend, since his whole family had left earlier this morning for Lagos, leavi...

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“The Flower of Ryder” by Samantha Garcia

Submitted to Contest #24

Has a letter arrived for me?" Rosalina asked, looking up from the history book"No, my lady," Jenna said, folding the towels"I wonder why he hasn't sent a letter?" Rosalina said to herself, worrying "My lady, you have to remember he's a knight of the kingdom. It's not going to be easy," Jenna explained "I know, but he should've received the letter by now. I'm just worried. What if something happened to him," Rosalina bit her thumbnail "None of that negative thinking, my lady. Sir Ryder is a strong man, he wouldn't let anything ...

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“Was It Real?” by Nicole Lee

Submitted to Contest #24

Looking over his shoulder for what seemed like the hundredth time since the traveling group started out that morning.Caleb was sure there was someone or at least something following them!The road seemed to be a banded so far from town. Scarcely a person was seen.Becca tucked her small hand in his, smiling up at him. Though they hadn’t much money to their name and two small sugar sacks that fit everything they owned, they were happy. Happy because they had each other, which is all they needed.Caleb should have had nothing on his mind but the ...

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“The Time the Sun and the Moon eloped” by Kara O

Submitted to Contest #24

Lunar sneaked into the aquamarine chambers of his darling Solar. His steps, dainty and silent among the marble pillars, raised the ocean waves below his feet. Solar sat on a throne of cotton clouds, her legs of a shimmering copper stretched out upon a green hill footstool. Her hair was a halo around her round face, which wore a bored expression with her full lips pulled in a pout.She did not perceive him at first, for his face was but a faint outline in the blue sky. When he called out to her, her heart flowed with joy, casting rays so ...

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“THE INTRUDER” by Hillary Nwaigbo

Submitted to Contest #24

The Facebook conversation: AcquaintanceOn the 3rd of January, still in ecstasy of the New year’s celebration, she received a friend request from an unknown lad. Not wanting to turn down the request as it wasn’t in her nature of doing such, she accepted and there goes the tête- a- tête: Man 1: Hello ma’am. “Can we get acquainted”?Miriam: Hmm… (racing thoughts enveloping her frontal lobe, not knowing what to reply and again never wanting to upset her “newly found acquaintance”) she texted… “No problem Mister. I’m Miriam by name,...

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“The Scientist” by Genevieve Dickinson

Submitted to Contest #24

Her hair is beautiful. Long and black, flowing down her back in a perfect cascade. She stares into the mirror, brushing her hair with an expression of joyful anticipation. Even in the harsh light of the room, her eyes sparkle.I watch her in silence from the air vent near the ceiling. I sweep a claw to my right to bring up my optical display. A few taps on the digital projection record the details of the room: temperature, lighting levels, and other details that she’s chosen for optimal comfort. With another motion, I dismiss the display and ...

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“The Swamp, A Jealous Lover” by Deborah Trahan

Submitted to Contest #24

Macie changes lanes again in the roundabout and feels frustrated, she’s circled the block of Beau’s office building for the fourth time, and he’s yet to appear curbside. Managing traffic through any central business district’s congested paradigm seems pointless if nothing ever changes. She calls him. “Beau, where are you?” Macie asks. “How many times do you expect me to drive past your building and see you’re still not out front?” “Issues with the elevator. I’m on my way, babe,” Beau says. “Sorry, taking the stai...

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“Prey” by Philip Hines

Submitted to Contest #24

The campsite was set as Wes Sinclair and his fiancé Abigail Marsh climbed into their tent to gather warmer clothes. The temperature had dropped considerably since they had found their spot three hours before. The sun had long since set behind the trees, retreating from the sky like an ill prepared army in battle. Eric admired how Abigail’s long brown hair flowed over her bare shoulders, accenting her green eyes ...

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“It came from the Theatre” by Cody Ell

Submitted to Contest #24

The sound of something hard, like bone, grated against my ears in the darkness of the underground car park. We were three floors down and I crouched behind a parked car in the mostly deserted space, only a few lights were left flickering, making pools of darkness in which the monster could stalk us, but remain unseen.God, how did we get here? It had seemed like such an ordinary day, my girlfriend Rachel and I had been going to the movies, I hadn’t really been paying attention, mostly absorbed in her. We didn’t get to spend a lot of time toge...

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“The Granddaughter ” by Odessa Esco

Submitted to Contest #24

“Will you tell me again why I’m dead? For the last time I promise” she lied. The nameless child glided excitedly towards my weak body from the corner of the room. I never gave her a name, it never felt right. I am filled with warmth as she settles on the end of my bed careful not to squish my cold feet. She is the most beautiful girl the world will never see. The type of person that makes you wish you could paint because a photo just isn’t enough medium to capture it all. Smooth light brown skin and black sparkly eyes that can re...

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“Narcissus” by Isabella Lee

Submitted to Contest #24

"So, I had to leave her there."I tried to swallow, but my throat stuck together instead. My eyes glazed over the room, and ah, it was the damn air vent. Its low hum resonated in sync with the focus I was capable of maintaining."Mhm... And how did that make you feel?"You couldn't care less could you? I heaved a heavy breath and eased my aching lungs. That feels better."Well, I guess I feel like I lost myself," my brows furrowed for a moment, and I paused for that second.This was important. Really important, and I only began to realize that I ...

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“Shifting Colors” by Audrey Bergen

Submitted to Contest #24

I revel in dread and anticipation at the box lying on my doorstep. I debate whether or not I should open it; images of dead cats carefully placed there by disturbed teenage neighbors flashing through my mind. Or a pristine glass case capturing innocent bugs and beautiful butterflies in their final moments. As I bend down to pick it up, making sure to lift with my legs like my mom always tells me, my attention is drawn toward the edge of my perfectly manicured, trimmed-twice-a-week lawn; where the bushes are moving back in forth despite the l...

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“Her untold Murder” by Harmony Andrews

Submitted to Contest #24

It had been twenty - four hours since Almeretta Anderson´s death. She had been a kind soul to everyone she knew. She was always surrounded by the love and support from her family, friends, and even neighbors. Almeretta also had a charming and smart boyfriend. Sometimes after a long day of school Almeretta would babysit to save up for college savings. She was the one of the top students of her class and always got good grades. She was also a part of a lot of school organ...

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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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