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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#245: Heavenly Bodies

On Monday, a total solar eclipse will pass directly over North America. Dubbed a "Great American Eclipse", huge areas of the continent will be plunged into darkness for four minutes. Miss it, and you'll have to wait another 20 years to see the next one.

Just like the millions of people who will watch on Monday, we've been looking up at the sky and asking questions about what we see since time immemorial. We've explained the movements of celestial bodies through myth, science, and ritual, and shaped our lives around them. This contest's prompts are inspired by this week's astronomical event, and the way objects trillions of miles away can impact us here on Earth.

This week's prompts

Set your story during a total eclipse — either natural, or man-made.

Fiction – 72 stories

Write a story in which a character navigates using the stars.

Adventure – 24 stories

Imagine an origin myth that somebody might use to explain an eclipse, or some other celestial event.

Fantasy – 48 stories

People have gathered to witness a once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon, but what happens next is not what they expected.

Mystery – 43 stories

Set your story in a world where astrology and the movements of celestial bodies deeply impact the lives of inhabitants.

Fantasy – 36 stories

Stories

“A Moment of Darkness” by Melissa Anne

Submitted to Contest #245

A Moment of DarknessJune 16, 1806Eighteen-year-old Elizabeth Bennet was shopping in Bond Street with her Aunt Madeline Gardiner. Just as they stepped out of Hatchard’s bookstore, they noticed an unnatural darkness descending and looked toward the sun, seeing it fade as another round body appeared to cover it up. Over the next several moments, they watched as day turned to twilight. Everything around them seemed to stop.“Oh, Aunt, I read about this phenomenon in Father’s newspaper just before I left for town. It is an eclipse; the moon will c...

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“A Day to Herself ” by Hollie Newton Wilkes

Submitted to Contest #245

She would take a day off. For truly, when was the last time that she’d had a break? She couldn’t think of a single afternoon, a few minutes even, when she hadn’t been at work. ‘The Golden Girl’, shining bright. Born and raised into stardom. Watched. Adored. Famous the Earth over. She was exhausted by it. Her time - her life, it seemed - belonged to others. And now she wanted some for herself. Just 24 hours. Without the gaze of the world upon her. “Perhaps it might do them good to miss me for once?” she thought. For hadn’t they...

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“The Bulbous Thing In The Sky” by Farai Gotora

Submitted to Contest #245

*** Depictions of racial insensitivity.***From 1789 to 1792 a series of volatile events erupted in France and collectively became The French Revolution. For decades, the ordinary and unheralded people of France took increasing umbrage with the absolute rule of the monarchy and engaged in actions that ultimately saw the dissolution of the French monarchy and the beheading of King Louis XVI and his patronizing wife, Marie Antoinette. These acts plunged France into a new era and this sent shockwaves amongst French nobility and across Europ...

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“Dark Skies ” by Kenzie Weitzeil

Submitted to Contest #245

Warm, humid, and dark, the cloud bank high in the sky didn't look like it would be going anywhere anytime soon. The air was heavy with moisture, making everything feel wet. Caroline glanced ever so quickly at the sky, confirming what she saw: a full-on solar eclipse casting an eerie shadow over the landscape. The brightness of the day never had a chance to show itself, replaced by an otherworldly dimness as if nature itself held its breath. Caroline couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. It was a rare event that just made t...

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“Eclipse Trials” by Lady Senie

Submitted to Contest #245

"Are you ready for this?" I looked at my love with disdain as his eyes fell to his feet in shame. What the hell kind of question was that? This event was likely to leave me scarred and bloody. I could die. Was I ready? The answer of a resounding no!The only reason this was even happening was Jerika Dookins had seen us making out three moon cycles ago. Everyone knew that Quentin Lirauge was off limits to everyone but her. The golden boy of Shainen Village, every woman wanted him. And why wouldn’t t...

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“Marylou” by Linda Kenah

Submitted to Contest #245

<<->> Friday - JonesyJonesy had the weekend all planned out. He was leaving after work on Friday to go camping with the guys. He really wasn’t too thrilled about camping, but this was the first time they had included him, so he was reluctant to decline the invitation. Plus, the girls were coming to the campsite on Sunday morning. They were going to bring coffee and stay to watch the solar eclipse. Viewing was supposed to peak at noon on Sunday. Marylou would be there, he had heard. He would do almo...

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“BELLA'S ECLIPSE” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #245

I opened my eyes to a world I don't remember. A blanket of emptiness surrounds me. Who am I? I keep asking myself that question every day for the last four weeks. Today is a brad new day and yet I still don't remember me or my life. Mercy General, a hospital I am currently at is in a frenzy. Something amazing is happening today. Nurse Allison, the nurse who is taking care of me tells me a total solar eclipse is happening today at noon. Nurse Allison gives me special glasses so my eyes won't hurt when I see the eclipse. It's almost noon. Nurs...

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“The Celestial Lovers” by Tiffany Delozier

Submitted to Contest #245

Eons ago when the cosmos had just come to be there were just two beings. The first one is a giant being named Solaro; he has yellow skin that glows and bright white eyes that will blind you if you look at them too long. He gives off a warmth that can break through any chill and he wraps his arms around our world to keep us warm. The second one is a slightly smaller being named Celestia, she is almost as dark as the night itself but her white eyes help lead lost travelers home. She is not as warm and inviting as Solaro which is why it is stra...

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“The Two Lights” by Brittaney Gambrell

Submitted to Contest #245

Sensitive content warning : violent death/human sacrifice The sky grows dark as the pains come closer together. I fight against them, begging my little one to stay safely inside. He can’t come yet; I won’t let him go. But my body engulfs the thought as a flood of pain nearly drowns me on the bed. “You’re doing great Mary, you’re almost there.” The midwife encourages. &...

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“15,7 hours to Kar One” by Lili Margareta

Submitted to Contest #245

You’d think that interstellar travel would make getting from A to B easier, but galactic rush hour is the absolute worst. Thank the gods for Autopilot- even if the computer flying the ship is a complete- “Thinking swear words will result in a swear-jar penalty. Would you like me to remind you of the terms of our swear-jar policy?”AstroNav, lovingly called Navie, exasperatedly called the “Zero-G-Twit-Machine,” (Zero for short) asked.“No, thank you Zero.” Vega crossed their arms. Just a few more hours.“Loading: Terms of the Nebula Noodle’s swe...

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“Star Light, Star Bright” by Hazel Carter

Submitted to Contest #245

Kelly was growing increasingly excited about Monday, April 8th. Her father, Charles (also known as Chuck), had promised to take her to the mountaintop to witness the eclipse. Chuck had been planning this outing for the past week, and Kelly had always been thrilled about stargazing; she firmly believed in other worlds' existence. Kelly was only 14, but she held fast to her beliefs."Dad," Kelly asked excitedly, "When do we start climbing to the top? It will take us about three hours, right?""Yes, so we need to leave around 6. That will give us...

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“Avraám & his Sons” by A.J. Williams

Submitted to Contest #245

Note: A.E. (After-Event) refers to the new dating system in-universe. In the year 2012, a massive solar flare hit the Earth, sending the human race back into the Dark Ages. A Second Dark Ages. City of Athens, Greek Union of Cities August 17th, 2145 (133 A.E.) "Iakovos, please bring the feather and ink. Tonight's sky is clear, and we need to begin documenting the stars," ordered Avraám, the Star-Gazer of Athens, a respected role held in high regard by the Greek community. "Of course, Father," replied his son. "The Council and the King requi...

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“I Will Wait” by Heather Bresslaw

Submitted to Contest #245

The hot sun beats down on the crowded stone port of Ugarit, an ancient city. The Sea Peoples’ primitive ships wade in the shallow water, ready to pounce if anything were to go awry with their regular trade run. The Sea People are fearsome and are known to be excellent navigators of the stars. A young couple are shaded by a small stone and plaster wall, near the wharf.“I have angered my God, your Gods, not to mention my father, look up at the sky, you can see”. Kostas tilts his head up as his sage green eyes gaze towards the sky and he sees t...

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“The Dark” by Suzanne Munn

Submitted to Contest #245

This story contains mention or suggestion of rape, murder and possible mental health issues. None are overly explicit and are essential to the story.She had known for most of her life about this day. The inevitability of it dulled the dread of something she had insufficient knowledge to understand, yet instinctively knew was evil. Despite her mother’s confused protestations and the servant’s hopeful reassurances she recognised the incomplete rationalisation for what it was. Fear.Simogen tossed and turned in the soft sheets, and sweat prickl...

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“Opportunities” by Kevin Alphatooni

Submitted to Contest #245

The horn sounded its’ loud warning tune, echoing far beyond the wooden walls of New Haven. Everyone who heard it stood frozen and listened, fear gripping them tighter with each subsequent blast. Birds picked up from their roosts and took to the skies, squawking frantically. Five times the horn sounded. The dreaded fifth was seldom heard in New Haven. Men, women, and children all stopped what they were doing and ran. Shops were abandoned, work fires were put out, and those in fields took their tools with them as they beelined to the tow...

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$250

Prize money

223

Contest entries

89

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 12, 2024 EST

Won by Olivier Breuleux 🏆

Title: Everything is Connected

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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