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!

#256: Going for Gold

We're entering into a major summer of sports. From the Euros and the Copa America, through Grand Prix and grand slams, to the Olympics and Paralympics, you can barely switch on the TV without catching something. Even those of us who aren't usually sports fans seem to be finding ourselves caught up in the fever-pitch of excitement.

And there's a reason for this: sports bring us together. Whether we're viewing for the spectacle, for tales of heroism and tragedy, or for a feeling of community, there's just something about it. This week's prompts invite you to channel the experience of athletes and fans, and to capture that atmosphere in writing. We look forward to seeing who takes gold!

This week's prompts

Set your story in the stands at a major sporting event.

Fiction – 40 stories

Write about someone who has trained all their life for one moment.

Character – 45 stories

Write a story about an underdog, or somebody making a comeback.

Character – 42 stories

Write about a moment of defeat.

Angst – 54 stories

Write a story about two sporting rivals having to work together.

Funny – 23 stories

Stories

“True love” by Bruce Callahan

Submitted to Contest #256

True love is never a wasted effort. Be open to it, share it even in the darkest of times.As the sun set, he went to work doing for them in death, what he couldn’t in life, protect them. Grabbing a spade from the barn, he dug a grave for each. Deep enough to keep out the coyotes, each freshly tilled mound, capped with a fieldstone. He had watched in disbelief as Penny and the entire McCormick family were skinned alive by the ravenous horde of locusts. Their skin, clothes, hair, organs, all devoured in a rapacious clou...

Read story

“The Boxer From The Sun” by Paul Betts

Submitted to Contest #256

The Boxer From The SunThe Olympic Games 408 BC. Aeschylus stood out from the throng of men who had formed a circle around a bronze statue of Zeus. He was a full head taller than most of the other men, and to honour his god, Apollo, he was clean shaven. He had a muscular build, the result of months of training for his debut at the Olympics, and his face was far more handsome than any of the other boxers who waited for the official to arrive that would determine who would fight who in the days competition.There were men of various ages, shapes...

Read story

“ I sat, I walked, and I dreamt.” by Clarissa Venter

Submitted to Contest #256

I never ran much. I was supposed to, but days went by where I could only sit at the end of my garden, whistling Piano Man to any old bird who could hear me. In my imagination, I dashed through warm light in the meadows, my hands becoming as refringent as water droplets. It was a dance against the dark dirt when I floated for a moment in between those leaps of faith. The wind became oil paint smeared across the canvas around me in monumental colors. It did not matter how fast I ran, but rather, it mattered how the deer ran alongside me and ho...

Read story

“Hand-to-Hand” by Dmitrii Jeraux

Submitted to Contest #256

Tearing up the ice from underneath the ring they were inseparable. Flying across the whole circle, clouds of snow off left and right. She was a graceful, black dress with “diamonds” glistening along with the snow, he was her shadow lifting her up for the whole invisible audience to see. Companions in skating are viewed as a couple by most, with the exception being athletes themselves and trainers. They glided across. Jane was dancing, Tim – running. “Lift! Lift!” – yelled coach, his commanding voice echoing thro...

Read story

“Get the Gold ” by Kit Farley

Submitted to Contest #256

I was spoiled with the luxury of choice. Ice cream or brownies for dessert? Swimming or running over the summer? Race for fun or seriously this time? Perhaps because I had all of these moments where I could casually decide my destiny, regularly met with a fork in the road, and harbored this freedom marred by a sprinkle of slothfulness, I did what any spoiled child may do: I let someone else decide for me. I incited a sort of Double-Slit Experiment type situation. By disregarding how my actions affected my future, I handed my destin...

Read story

“Ground Zero” by Jeannie Labelle -Potvin

Submitted to Contest #256

Ground Zero and Square one sometimes seem to blend together. Once when I was in my 50s, I asked my mother a rather simple question.“Mom, if you had it to do over again, would you have had me?”My heart, if not in my throat, was throbbing quietly to a fear that scrambled for escape.My mother, a rather taciturn blend of Scottish, Irish, English genes was somewhat unpredictable.She could morph from a sweet loving woman who would allow you to nestle beneath her ample bosom into a straight laced Victorian prude who removed you firmly from that spo...

Read story

“Fuller Than My Chest” by Jay Dotson

Submitted to Contest #256

We were all giddy to see the look on Callum’s face. The archetypal “Big Man on Campus.” Captain of the football team, president of the Gamma Delta Tau, and so connected that he could strangle a professor in the middle of an exam and still walk the stage as valedictorian. Guys like him float through this world, knowing that consequences are only for the “little people,” like me. But he won’t float much longer. The plan was mine. Garrett, Holly, Nick, and Natasha were eager to play their parts. To the average student, the name “Callum Ho...

Read story

“The Big Game” by Derrek Carman

Submitted to Contest #256

Glen was up to bat. The final inning. The score was tied. He gripped the bat tightly. A bead of sweat went down his forehead. He looked over at the other players. If he can get just one of his teammates back home, they win. He starred the pitcher down. He knew his strategy. Curveball. Glen knew he would do it. Glen also knew he might trick him. It was fifty-fifty. The pitcher was ready to throw. Glen’s heart raced. He could feel it in his chest. He took a deep breath as the pitcher pulled his arm back. He started the throw. Glen could see th...

Read story

“First Rival, First Floor” by Poppy LaC.

Submitted to Contest #256

“What floor?” “First floor.” I pressed the ‘one’ button, looking him up and down. Everything about him was just so…annoying. “Like what you see?” “Ew, no. Anyone who's never seen you must be blessed.” I rolled my eyes, watching his eyes narrow. We’ve been in the same hotel for A WEEK! I don’t know if I can even be in the same state as him anymore, he is driving me CRAZY! “This elevator is taking a while, isn’t it?” He looked at me, then looked away quickly. “That's the one thing we can agree on...” I watched the...

Read story

“A Last Adventure” by Delsin Jagr

Submitted to Contest #256

Matt sat in his seat, eyes still wide with amazement as he surveyed his surroundings. **A few hours ago, he had been waiting to climb aboard the school bus and head home. Just like he did every school day. But today had been different. Waiting at the curb, leaned against his car, calm, cool and collected, was his father, John. And he had a surprise. An adventure. Matt had peppered his dad with questions. But all he got was a sly smile. Every single time. For every minute of every hour they drove. Even when they stopped at a diner for a bite...

Read story

“Straight and True” by Lily Page

Submitted to Contest #256

“So!” Kiernan’s shoulder rocked hard into Imryn as he threw himself down on the bench. “What are the odds that Cyneric actually shoots at the target this year?” Imryn’s retaliatory shove sent his much slighter brother tumbling down to catch himself on his forearm. Not one to take that lying down, Kiernan kicked Imryn’s shin. Imryn pinched his little brother’s ticklish side and barely dodged a fist to his own ribs. A cough from Esme made them both look up at their sister seated a row above them, and her disapproving glower put an end to...

Read story

“Remembering the Old Memories and Making New Ones” by Grace Stone

Submitted to Contest #256

The sun was blaring down making a hot July, even more sizzling. Sweat rolled down Charlotte’s back and her curls became more defined. Piper and Kenzie were decked out in their Angels gear, head to toe. Kenzie even had an Angels baseball purse. Who knew?! “Since we are early, we can stop by the team store and get you a hat, Charlotte.” Kenzie glanced up at Charlotte’s hair and nodded, watching the way the breeze blew her dark curls across her face. The three of them walked across the hot parking lot, watching the heat waves rise from th...

Read story

“Cash In” by Joey Madden

Submitted to Contest #256

My name is Bryan Danielson, and all of my life, I wanted to be WWE champion. At Summerslam of this year, I had my opportunity. I did everything right, and yet, I left empty-handed. All because this company never believed in me. They made me a promise so that I wouldn’t leave, and they lied to my face. It all started when I was young. I grew up watching Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, all of the legends of old. I wanted to be just like them from the moment I started watching, and that ambition never wavered in my mind. I ...

Read story

“A PLACE ON THE HILL” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #256

A PLACE ON THE HILL Jack Thomas strode from the bullpen across the outfield grass. The pitching mound was all he saw, oblivious to the crowd and its raucous mood. It seemed so far away. It was tough being a rookie in New York City, having to learn the hitters and finer points of pitching. Add to that expectations of New York fans and media for the large contract he received. Yet, what made it more difficult was replacing the ico...

Read story

“The Final Match” by Jonathan Chen

Submitted to Contest #256

Chapter 1: The Preparation Liam’s training regimen was relentless, pushing him to his limits every single day. His father, a former Taekwondo champion, believed in the power of discipline and hard work. Each day began before dawn, the first light of morning barely piercing through the canopy of the forest surrounding their home. The morning air was always crisp, sometimes biting with the cold. The ground, often slick with dew, made each step a challenge. Liam’s breath came in visible puffs as he ran beside his father, the rhythmic sound of t...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

204

Contest entries

102

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 28, 2024 EST

Won by Melissa Van Rensburg 🏆

Title: Injury Time

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!

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 ⭢