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!

#242: Fine Art

Museums are magical places. There’s something so special about admiring art in sacred, silent spaces, together with complete strangers. In museums, time is suspended; you can forget about the outside world and lose yourself in the paintings, sculptures, and other artwork around you.


This week, let’s write some stories inspired by art and museums. Think about some of your favorite galleries, or consider creating a brand-new museum the world has yet to see. Let your imagination run wild, and maybe even try writing in a new genre. For this contest, the sky’s the limit!

This week's prompts

Write about a gallery whose paintings come alive at night.

Fantasy – 66 stories

Write about someone who accidentally destroys a museum’s most valuable artifact.

Funny – 31 stories

Write about an art thief who is struggling to commit the perfect heist.

Adventure – 31 stories

Write about two characters who meet and/or fall in love in a museum.

Romance – 98 stories

Start or end your story with a character who gets trapped inside a museum overnight.

Thriller and Suspense – 38 stories

Stories

“When Past and Present Collide” by David Willett

Submitted to Contest #242

The corridors of the Capital City Museum were draped in darkness. They were an endless labyrinth of stone pillars, statues, and paintings by long-forgotten artists without living descendants. Occasional strobe-like light illuminated the depths. Johnathan assumed the latest flash was lightning as he turned down another cavernous hallway. He investigated every surface, every signpost, and every restroom for an indication of an exit or human life. Instead, all he found was more emptiness that felt as dead as the taxidermy wildlife that haunted ...

1 comment 1
Read story

“The Trip to the Museum” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #242

It’s Saturday morning and Oscar is getting ready to watch Matlock. Matlock is Oscar’s favorite show. He watches it so much that Dolores can’t stand to listen to it anymore. At the sound of the theme song, Dolores screws up her face and clenches her fist. She barks, “Oscar! You’re not going to watch that show again, are you? I swear you’ve seen every episode at least fifty times!” With his eyes glued to the TV, Oscar mumbles, “I’ve never seen this one. This one’s new.” Dolores rolls her eyes a...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Sacrificial Sister” by Addison Cardenal

Submitted to Contest #242

“Watch your step.” Tucker or Tuck, breaths right into my ear as I hold on tight to his uncomfortably sweaty hands over my eyes. This isn’t what I signed up for nor what I was expecting when my sister said she found a great guy for me with connections in the art industry. I wouldn’t exactly call nighttime security at the Metropolitan connections. “And you're sure this is legal?” I laugh nervously as he tries to guide me to this secret spot he has our date planned. “I get paid to hold the keys to this place. If I wanna take a hot dat...

2 comments 2
Read story

“SCHISM” by Hazel October

Submitted to Contest #242

Ash twitched, wincing, a pain—acid sharp and hot seared through the index and middle fingers on his left hand, they were stuck, jammed between the cubicle door and the marred tile underneath—it must have slammed on his fingers after he’d passed out last night on the floor of the disabled bathroom.  He dared himself to look at his hand and regretted it instantly. Blood pooled down his arm, sticky and warm, bits of it dry and crusted towards his forearm, while the part near his fingers was still fresh and gushing. The fingers themselves h...

2 comments 2
Read story

“The Final Delivery” by Frank Lester

Submitted to Contest #242

People snorting bad shit?Tommy straightened up at the accusation.“My shit? Fuck’em.”Growing up in the projects hardened one’s view of life.“It’s their choice, man. I only sell it. What they do with it . . . who gives a shit?” he said, his voice flat.“The shit you’re putting out on the street is bad. Poison.”Tommy shrugged and went back to stacking the bricks in a large canvas bag.“Yeah. Probably somebody wants a bigger cut and’s spreading bullshit,” he said without looking up.“It ain’t bullshit, Tommy. The cops are shakin’ everyone down. You...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Mona Lisa's War” by John Jenkins

Submitted to Contest #242

(Note: There is mention of war in this story, and in the title.)It was a cold day in summer at Le Louvre and Bernardine had a problem. He'd lost his keys again. It was time to lock up for the night and he was at a loss for how he would accomplish his duty. In record time, he sprung into action. Was it in the African section? The Middle Easter tapestries? Was it in the bathroom? He knew he'd left his set of keys there before. All the while, time was ticking away. As he was looking around, something felt heavy in the palm of his hand, but...

6 comments 6
Read story

“The Permanent Collection” by D.J. Bogner

Submitted to Contest #242

“I can’t get that painting out of my head. I’ve got to go back again.” Gabby studied her husband. “What, you mean, as in, now?” “It’ll only take a few minutes.” Gabby leveled her eyes at him. “We’re standing here in our bathing suits. The sandwiches and drinks are in the cooler at your feet, which you’re going to carry.” She tapped an oversized bag on the floor with her foot. “That’s our towels, blanket, suntan lotion, and chips.” She raised her hand and dangled a keychain in front of him. “I’m holding the car keys, Charlie. But you’re telli...

1 comment 1
Read story

“The Drenthian: A Gothic Pastiche” by Drew Herman

Submitted to Contest #242

Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the premier issue of Gundersen’s Christmas Annual, published in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in December 1894. One of the myriad general interest periodicals that flooded the market during that era, the magazine came out at irregular intervals through 1914, its producers apparently feeling themselves constrained neither by the “Christmas” nor by the “Annual” of its title.As for Gundersen, clearly the driving force in a provincial attempt to emulate Godey’s or The Delineator, only fragmentary ...

2 comments 2
Read story

“painted in.” by Lara Deppe

Submitted to Contest #242

Fallon caught a glimpse of her reflection as she finished washing down the last sink in the first-floor bathroom. Fallon’s bruise surrounding her left eye was a patchy red but fading to yellow at the edges. She looked at herself in the mirror. She wasn’t missing her last job where all the other girls on shift would pepper her with questions about her life. She didn’t like explaining her situation. It had always been complicated. She graduated from high school last month and she was determined to find something else. Mrs. Waltham, her Englis...

3 comments 3
Read story

“Just Gregs Luck” by Megan Flores

Submitted to Contest #242

Greg, a 32 year old man living back home with his parents was laying stomach down on the twin size bed that he has had since he was a kid. The alarm clock next to his head began to blare obnoxiously, echoing throughout the household. With a grunt, Greg rolled over, placing the pillow on his head to block out the sounds.  Loud stomping made its way across the house as Greg's mother ripped the blanket off his body and with a surge of anger and annoyance she ripped the plug of the alarm clock straight out of the wall. “Greg! I swear to god...

1 comment 1
Read story

“The Moustache Bandit's Confession” by Daniel Legare

Submitted to Contest #242

My name is Charlie Benson. By day, I just go by Charlie. But by night, I go by a different name. In Germany I am known as the Schnurrbartträger. In India, the Munchh Daku. In Vietnam, I am the Kẻ cướp ria mép.I am the Moustache Bandit. And this is my confession.I am the Van Gogh of Van Dykes. The Michelangelo of moustachios. The Hokusai of the handlebar. I have travelled far and wide to freely display my art for the world. And while some may call me a criminal and a vandal, I see myself as simply another artist. For what is art but an induct...

3 comments 3
Read story

“Taxidermy Love” by Noted Moments

Submitted to Contest #242

Introduction: The UnorthodoxIn the heart of Fort Collins, where the air smelled of pine and adventure, there stood an unassuming building; The Fort Collins Museum of Quirky Artifacts. Its exterior was adorned with gargoyles wearing multicolored scarves and a sign that read, “Abandon Normalcy, All Ye Who Enter Here.”Evelyn, a collector of oddities and seeker of the extraordinary, had stumbled upon the museum years ago, during a particularly peculiar afternoon. The manager knew she'd be perfect for the job. He brought her in swiftly. The...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Trapped” by Coumba Soumare

Submitted to Contest #242

She's beautiful. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my 22 years of life. She's frozen, like a moment in time staring out at a distant scenery painted in different shades of green and other warm colors; yellow like the sun, orange like rotting leaves. Her black coily hair contrasts stunningly against her smooth dark brown skin. The white of her smile is all-consuming, taking up almost half of her face. She's wearing a pretty sundress that stops shortly above her knees; a white dress patterned with yellow flowers. I am drawn to her, so...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Dishonored Loyalty” by Daniel Harder

Submitted to Contest #242

Dishonored Loyalty: A Short Story by Daniel Harder, 03/17/24“As I have repeatedly vowed in my speeches out on the campaign trail, I will bring an end, once-and-for-all, to the crime-ridden streets of Detroit. No longer will families be afraid to take their kids to the park for a stroll at sunset. No longer will the man walking in to work at his office job downtown have to worry about his car not being in the parking garage when he clocks out. And never again will your child have to walk past drug-dealers and prostitutes on their way to the ...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Artful Dodger” by Joe Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #242

"Just steal someone, and then you are done!""A gallery patron? An exhibition attendee? A…”"Whatever!"We met by happenstance at the museum. Then, we were off to the gallery across the street. I thought things were going well, but something didn't click. Emily was done with me, and I had no clue why.My opening play for her attention was an imaginary escapade with a speeding getaway boat, confused gendarmeries in hot pursuit, and shots in the dark. My easy insults for modern art, "Anyone can do that!" and "Look at all the cracks on that one ove...

0 comments 0
Read story

$250

Prize money

264

Contest entries

118

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 22, 2024 EST

Won by Niamh O'Dea 🏆

Title: Do Not Touch

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250.

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

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 ⭢

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250.