#257: Shakespeare
He's the writer who requires no introduction. Probably the world's most famous playwright and poet, Shakespeare's tragedies, comedies, and sonnets have been studied and performed for the last 400 years. You'll be hard pressed to find someone who wasn't forced to read 'Sonnet 18' in English class, or to appear in a regrettable high school production of Romeo and Juliet. But he's a mainstay of our literary education for a reason. His writing is ubiquitous and seminal, and there's really no overstating the influence Shakespeare has had on art, literature, and even our day-to-day speech.
It's almost unbelievable that, in the hundreds of short story contests we've hosted, we've never dedicated one to the Bard himself — and so, this week is the week...
🥇 Winner
“Your Animal Side” by Keba Ghardt
🏆 Winner of Contest #257
⭐️ Shortlisted
“His Big Break” by Howard Halsall
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257
“Chasing Juliet” by Jane Andrews
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257
“Romeo and Juliet” by Kathryn Bidwell
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257
“The Tempest” by Summer Larson
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257
“Two Gentlemen of Verona” by Debra Tillar
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257
“A Tragic Hero Remembers” by Peter Wallace
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257
This week's prompts
Write your story in the form of a script, complete with stage directions.
Narrative – 33 stories
Write a story in which a case of mistaken identity plays a pivotal role.
Funny – 24 stories
Write a story about a tragic hero.
Dramatic – 57 stories
Set your story during rehearsals for a production of a Shakespeare play.
High School – 29 stories
Stories
“Your Animal Side” by Keba Ghardt
🏆 Winner of Contest #257
“His Big Break” by Howard Halsall
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257
“The Untaming of the Shrew” by Alexis Araneta
Submitted to Contest #257
“Much Ado About Nothing” by Mary Bendickson
Submitted to Contest #257
“Not Every Stumper Can be Cute” by Daniel Rogers
Submitted to Contest #257
“Cast of Characters” by Hannah Lynn
Submitted to Contest #257
“Rowena and Julian” by Julia Buzdygan
Submitted to Contest #257
“The Hero Train” by Marty B
Submitted to Contest #257
“HAMLET (THE OTHER ONE)” by Darvico Ulmeli
Submitted to Contest #257
“Just a Boy” by Ty Warmbrodt
Submitted to Contest #257
“Romeo and Juliet” by Jessie Laverton
Submitted to Contest #257
“Dawn Treader of the Mystical Coast ” by Kristi Gott
Submitted to Contest #257
“The Silicon Throne: A Modern Retelling of Hamlet” by Alexandra Noir
Submitted to Contest #257
“Chasing Juliet” by Jane Andrews
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257
$250
Prize money
215
Contest entries
79
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Jul 05, 2024 EST
Won by Keba Ghardt 🏆
Title: Your Animal Side
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!