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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#261: Gratitude

Unfortunately, it's true what they say — all good things must come to an end! Today marks my last Friday at Reedsy, and my last week as the host of Prompts.

Before I get into this week's contest, I'd like to take a moment to thank this wonderful community, for sharing your creativity and enthusiasm with me over the past few years. I have been truly moved and inspired by your entries, and am consistently amazed by the talented, prolific writers who make up Prompts. It doesn't escape me how lucky I am to have read and enjoyed thousands of your stories, and to have been given a glimpse into the worlds of so many authors. It's been a great privilege.

With that in mind, this week's contest is all about gratitude. Whether your characters are thankful for a gift, a person, or a change in circumstance, I hope they find a way to express it.

You'll meet your wonderful new Prompts host Isabella next Friday; but for now, all that's left to say is — thank you!

This week's prompts

Write a story about a character trying to find a way to express their gratitude to someone.

Character – 62 stories

Write a creative nonfiction piece about something you're grateful for.

Nonfiction – 69 stories

Write a story about a cynic who has been told to start a "gratitude journal," and does so — begrudgingly.

Funny – 55 stories

Write a story about an unsung hero.

Character – 53 stories

Write a story in the form of a series of thank you cards.

Narrative – 64 stories

Stories

“Thank you for that” by Michael Palmieri

Submitted to Contest #261

Dear Jennifer,It’s been years, decades even. I never got a chance to thank you for the impression and experience you left on me, and I wanted to do so now, although I know this letter will never reach you, much less leave the confines of this room, just like the dozen or so other letters I will be writing. I was eight, and you were ten, if I remember correctly. We were in the back of my dad’s pickup with the cab on it. It was the most excellent place to be at the time. We sat there, and out of nowhere, you turned to me and demanded I kiss yo...

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“Thanks to you” by Peter Wilson

Submitted to Contest #261

Detective inspector Barnes looked up the 6 stairs that joined the small, ground level, terrace house to the busy Sydney street. At the top of the stairs stood constable Vin, hands behind back, feet a shoulder width apart, his police blue uniform immaculate. "Morning Sir," Vin said, nodding slightly.Barnes slugged his way up the stairs, knees grinding with every step. "What time did you catch this?""About midnight sir. I was first here."Something about the way he said "first" twigged Barnes. "First?" he asked, pausing on the landing, nex...

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“Dear Gwrdlwgly” by Connor Lindsay

Submitted to Contest #261

Sensitivity Warning: Physical Violence, Gore, Mental Health Dear Gwrdlwgly High Priestess Shandra asked me to write a thank you letter to Your Slimeiness so that I can show a modicum of gratitude for the prize you’ve given me. Thank you for allowing me into your service. Thank you for excising the unnecessary from my life. Thank you for giving me a purpose. When I was brought to your temple I was nothing but you showed me with the culling how much we have to give. When it began I was scared, terrified, of what would happen, to me, to m...

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“To: You, From: Me” by Caroline I.Night

Submitted to Contest #261

August 15th, 2023 Dear Martin, I’m sure you’ll be surprised by this card; you probably think it’s an incredibly cheesy one, but I just wanted to thank you for these two incredible weeks together. I’m glad this year you’ve been a camp counsellor with me – it’s been way easier and more fun to put up with the teens! Especially since half of the girls had a crush on you, haha! I thought they were going to kill me when you asked me to dance with you on that last night at the camp. Anyhow, I do hope it’s not the end of our friendship and that yo...

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“Letters I Can't Send” by Maria Nulot

Submitted to Contest #261

Content warnings: Suicide, substance use Dear Leo, You know I don’t write letters. I’ve always been more into physics than philosophy. Maybe that’s just an excuse. It’s hard to talk about how I feel. I mean, that’s how we were brought up, to keep everything inside. Look at me. You’re–you’re not even here and I’m having trouble writing the words down. What I mean to say is, I am so, so sorry. And thank you. For everything. -J Dear Leo, I’m gonna try again. That last letter was bad. Micah loves details. Tina, ...

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“The locket” by Justin Diaz

Submitted to Contest #261

5/15/2024Dear Andrew, I wanted to start off by saying thank you, I know I more pressured you into helping, but it was important that you tell me what you knew. Your well regarded for your expertise which is why I sought you out. Andrew Jones, the private investigator who helped reunite a father and daughter who had been separated for years. I must admit I was hesitant at first because they also said you weren’t reliable, That I was wasting my time by eve...

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“School Thank Yous” by Rocina Daez

Submitted to Contest #261

TW: Mental health & Physical abuseDear Mrs. Carter,Thank you for being my teacher for 2nd grade. At the dollar store mom said I could get you a present. I've always loved those little snow globe thingys. I couldn't find one that said Teacher, so I got the one that said Mom instead. I figure it's' close enough.Johnny (age 7)Dear Mr. Dietrich,Thanks for teaching me 7th grade! You are my favorite teacher. (Way better than grumpy ole Puggly last year. We called her Ratface- when she wasn't around.) I liked it best when you taught us about th...

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“Love, Della” by Jane Horsman

Submitted to Contest #261

Kent, Ohio Miles sighed, his chin resting on his hand while he watched out the front window of the small apartment. He had been waiting at least an hour already, and he was running out of patience and energy. His eyes snapped open when he heard the doorbell ring, and he rushed to the door to scoop up the square envelope the mailman had pushed through the slot. He smiled. It was another thank-you card. July 15, 1971 Miles, Thank you so much for all your letters, you’re part of my only sanity. I’ve been in contact with the paper, making sure ...

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“Dear Mom...” by Holiday Alcozar

Submitted to Contest #261

Dear Mom, I found the package of thank you notes you bought me in a box in the back of my closet last night. The ones with the butterflies you found in the clearance bin and insisted I needed. The plastic was still on when I found them, because I never wrote a single thank you note. I know you hate excuses, so I won’t say I was too busy or too forgetful, but I will say that I have ten unused cards. Five years may be a bit belated to thank the Goldmens for the fifty dollar bill, or Grandma for the headphones. Anyways, I told them thank you wh...

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“They Should Make a Thank-You Card for That” by Rose Willows

Submitted to Contest #261

They Should Make a Thank-You Card for That Thank-You for coming!7/17/2013Kate,Thank-you for coming to my grad party! Can’t believe you drove 4 hours but it was great to have you there. How are we adults now? College was amazing, especially the last few years with you. I couldn’t haven’t asked for a better roommate. I’m going to miss you so much. Keep in touch!Love,MaryPS- Good luck on your interview! Thank-you…8/15/2013Mary,Everyone at my new job thinks I have a rich boyfriend now, so thank-you very much for those flowers. You’re the best fo...

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“A Poetic Ending” by Riri TS

Submitted to Contest #261

The shadow loomed closer, jagged teeth protruding from its lips. Its face was nowhere to be seen; mist shrouding its beady bottomless eyes. I ran faster, not looking back down the empty hallway as the creature drew closer. With a snarl, its long claw grasped me. Its talons ripped into me-I shuddered, closing the tight bound book with a snap. Horror was not my theme.Familiar walls of solace wrapped around me with comfort, its sepia glow seeping into every crack and nook in the vast bookshelves. All around me, little slices of joy call my name...

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“Friendship Matters” by Dom Murph

Submitted to Contest #261

My name is Ria. I'm British Asian with Mauritian roots, the founder and CEO of HR Matters. People tell me I have everything, brains, beauty, love and wealth. But what people don't see is the hard work and sacrifice that's cost me the best years of my life. I open the door to my office, and there’s a huge vase of vibrant, sweet-smelling flowers sitting on my desk. “What the?” My first thought is Don, and my heart swells. “Hope you don’t mind.” I turn around and see Zoe, my new PA, standing behind me in the corrido...

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“Max & Walter” by Cristina Ochoa

Submitted to Contest #261

“Shmmmenah, hummenah.”Scribble scribble.“Blast it, gnast it.”Scribble scribble.“For the love of—knock me sideways with a feather and tickle my nose! That’s it.”Walter was hunched over the small table in his kitchen, scribbling away on his pad of paper.He had been sitting in that same spot for over an hour—not moving, not eating—trying to find the best words to thank his gardener. Well, he wasn’t his gardener, per se, but rather the young man who came by to take care of his garden every five days or so. Walter knew it was an odd request when ...

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“Mr Stains” by Susanne Howitt

Submitted to Contest #261

In "Ledger Legends Co." Samantha watched as Mr Thompson rambled on in his usual abrasive manner during their weekly meeting. His praise for her work seemed clouded with a condescending tone that raised her hackles. Was he simply trying to manipulate her, to keep her on her toes?She couldn't help but wonder what his true motives were. Did he value her contributions, or was this just another ploy to maintain control over his employees? His erratic behaviour and unpredictable moods left her on edge, never sure where she stood.'Yeah, probably tr...

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“Symbiotic” by Nox Koven

Submitted to Contest #261

``Are you comfortable?`` I heard him ask me. By the sound of his voice I knew he was still lingering in the archway that led into the hall and also the room that had been made prepared for me. I wanted to answer him, but I couldn't find my voice. My eyes stung with the warm-swell of tears attempting to spill down my cheeks. This room was spacious, much more area than I would need, or would require. The floors were a rich marble with silver lining, polished to the mockery...

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$250

Prize money

303

Contest entries

97

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 02, 2024 EST

Won by Sandrine Hu 🏆

Title: Dear Aunt Beth

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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