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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 Watcher” by Sam Nickerson

Submitted to Contest #24

The smell of sulfur roamed the room. The small gusts of breeze coming through the front window, brought the smell throughout the whole house. ‘Death, he’s going to pass soon.” The whole house has been stiff, filled with emotions. The old fashioned blue farmhouse was well- lived in. I’d be alone soon, with Reagan gone on a work trip and Dad on his deathbed. The feeling of hurt chilled my entire body over the past few days. Feelings are hard to express, but loneliness. I’ve had to help Dad over the past few months. Staying with him has b...

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“A PURPLE BOX” by Hikmat Quadri

Submitted to Contest #24

“I’ll get that!” I yelled through the house as I rushed to the door. It was about time that my boyfriend, Josh arrived, he was always late for our dates. “I have a package for Dana Carlson” It wasn’t Josh, just a deliveryman. “A package for me?” I thought for a moment, I wasn’t expecting any packages.“Are you Dana Carlson?” The deliveryman asked.“Yes, I am.” He handed me a small purple gift box.“Sign here” “Who was at the door?” My aunt Linda asked. “What is that?”“It’s a package for me.” I replied, still trying to figure...

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“The Crystal Horse” by Alexandra Lindquist

Submitted to Contest #24

Quinn was sitting at his desk wondering where his next job would come from. He stood up from his chair and stared out the window when the door opened. A beautiful dame walked in with long flowing black hair and purple silk dress. She was tall and when she moved it looked like she floated. She sat down across from Quinn. “I need you to find my crystal horse. I was admiring it on the mantlepiece when all of a sudden it vanished.” &n...

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“The Unknown Truth” by Samantha Garcia

Submitted to Contest #24

Being a newbie in the workforce is not all sunshine and rainbows, it's blood, sweat, and tears, literally.•••••••••"Lukas!" Someone yelled, but Lukas knew who it was Detective Ulysses, his mentor and trainer. Ulysses took him under his wing when Lukas got hired. It's been hard for Lukas as he has to learn so much more that he didn't learn in school."Yes, Detective Ulysses," Lukas stood in front of Ulysses desk"Lukas, how many times do I have to tell you that it's just Ulysses, don't add detective in the front," Ulysses sighed, a small s...

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“The Price of Love...” by Sarah Taylor

Submitted to Contest #24

Sun-kissed skin absorbed the warm rays beaming down onto it. The day was bright, but her smile was brighter. Immense feelings of love hit deep in Harper’s stomach, but hesitation held her back from expressing her thoughts. Harper loved to admire Mia. Her dirty blond hair, golden complexion, the way she moved, her smile, Harper couldn’t get enough of Mia. Harper herself was short and pale with brown shoulder-length hair. The two were opposites in appearance. Dancing around a dorm room had never been Harper’s thing, but anything was possible w...

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“They All Cry Murder” by Maranatha Lamb

Submitted to Contest #24

Murder! Murder! Murder! That is the word I most often hear in my line of work. People come walking through my door claiming a crime has been committed, begging me to solve it for them. They drop their coin on my table claiming they will pay any price, they beg and plead and threaten. Sometimes I say no, Most times I say yes though, I need the coin, it doesn’t pay to be stuck up. Many times the case is easy to solve, a loved one turns up passed out in a bar somewhere, sleeping i...

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“The Companion” by Patrick Maddocks

Submitted to Contest #24

Johnny sat there with his head in his hands wondering just exactly how to tell the detective why he was holding an arm in his hand. Johnny had been picked up on the side of the road and was still trying to find his voice. He had not yet said anything to the police who picked him up or to the detective. He was still trying to come to grips with what had just happened to him. The detective was leaning forward with his arms on his desk. A desk that was full of all the usual things, a computer, many files, pens, pencils, notebooks, a phone and a...

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“Death's Sweet Kiss” by Sarah Paris

Submitted to Contest #24

“Murders happen when it’s dark or cold or rainy, and if it’s all three, then you better watch out. That’s why nobody ever goes outside when it’s like that.” “That’s not entirely true.” Ricky chuckled. “Yes, it is! I’m going to be an even better detective than you are. Everybody knows that murders never happen when it’s sunny and warm.” &nbs...

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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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