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!

#268: Reap What You Sow

It’s that time of year again — days are getting shorter, leaves are beginning to change their colors, and birds are starting to head south. While farmers across the world look to reap the rewards of their hard work, destiny too has its own harvest in mind…


The winds of fate are blowing over our short story contest this week, with prompts centered on getting what you deserve. What goes around comes around, as many like to say — so, whether your story is about someone reckoning with the skeletons in their closet or finally getting their just desserts, embrace the season of change and spin a tale where actions have consequences.

This week's prompts

Your character gets everything they ever wanted — only to realize the true cost.

Short Story – 73 stories

Write a story about someone seeking forgiveness for their past actions.

Short Story – 93 stories

A character’s life of deceit unravels as their past catches up with their present. What are the consequences?

Short Story – 40 stories

Start a story with someone receiving a message from their past self, warning them of the consequences of their actions.

Short Story – 33 stories

Center your story around a character’s attempt to escape a bad situation that inadvertently leads them back to the source of their problems.

Short Story – 47 stories

Stories

“Return of the Prodigal Son” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #268

“Hi, my name is Daniel Forseegan.” He showed his identification to the nurse standing at the reception desk. “My father is a resident here.”  She gave him a quick suspicious glance as she took his identification, his Michigan Driver’s License. “Mr. Forseegan, I’ll have someone escort you to his room.”  “How is he?” Daniel asked as she handed him his license back to him.  “I can’t tell you that, but since this is hospice care, I’m sure you will understand.” She sighed.  “Mr. Forseegan?” An orderly appeared at the desk.&nbs...

7 comments 7
Read story

“Weight” by Sreedevi Jagannath

Submitted to Contest #268

WEIGHT.A short story by Sreedevi Jagannath.“I don’t know what I’m doing here.” Frida closes the musty, velvet curtains behind her. Joel, if that was even his real name, but who would make up a name like Joel for a psychic? It sounded so normal.Joel, a few steps ahead of her, rounds a table that is bereft of anything but an ashtray. He settles into a very comfortable looking wingback chair. Frida is staring, she knows it, but she can’t stop herself. Joel tosses his curly, dirty blonde hair and lights a cigarette. Sprawled like that, he looks ...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Taking the Fourth” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #268

Christine’s phone buzzed at an incoming message. It had gone to voice mail. She clicked on it and began reading the transcript. ‘Hi, Chris, this is James. Been a while. Hoped we could talk. I owe you an apology. Let’s meet so I can offer it in person. If not, I get it. Hope you’re well. Let me know.’The voice mail started before she’d finished reading. Hearing James’ voice, she almost dropped the phone.The phone rang. Startled, she answered reflexively. “Hello?”“Chris!” It was James at his cheeriest. “What do you want?”“Thanks for picking up...

12 comments 12
Read story

“Lucy Lusitania” by Ken Cartisano

Submitted to Contest #268

Lucy Lusitania. (2230 words.) You’re seated in the back of the room when the Chairman gavels for order. “We have been charged with the task of investigating the tragic implosion of the submersible vehicle Lucy,” he says. “We are not here to assess blame or culpability, people. Not at this time, so, let’s all try to be civil.” The grumbling in the room subsides to the point that you can hear the traffic noise from outside. You watch him as he gazes at the assembly of witnesses, their friends, family, lawyers, congressman, photographers, jou...

7 comments 7
Read story

“The Average Teenage Girl Experience” by Fatima Lalla

Submitted to Contest #268

It starts as most things between handsome boys and shy girls do - with a crush. I'm walking to AP Latin. The crowds in the corridors are booming with excited pubescents hurrying along in bright lavender bomber jackets. It's basketball season, and everyone's beaming for the match this afternoon. I'm not. Obviously. I rarely ever beam. It's not a word to be associated with me. I snark at most. And I'm snarking up a storm currently. People keep bumping into me. Smelling too much like teenagers and cheap cosmetics for my liking. I have to wait...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Let's Chat” by Donna Sims

Submitted to Contest #268

“Here you go! One large extra-shot latte with oat milk, and one medium Americano, no cream.” She set both cups down on the table. “Your avocado toast will be right up.”  “Thank you,” they both said in sync.  As the server walked away, Emma watched and marveled at her long brown hair and how she looked great in horizontal stripes. The sweater hung below her thin hips, and her long, lean legs jutted out. Emma remembered being that young, that trim. She envied the server’s youth. She would never be that young, or that trim, again...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Please Forgive the Lady in Red” by Philip Alexander

Submitted to Contest #268

In a gloomy town of Monmouthshire, there lived a woman, Lynn Jones. She was a bartender in a grimy haunt of a tavern — Old Peg Leg. Lynn would toll the clock, Wednesday to Friday, at a humdrum pace, serving the thirsty brutes of Pontypool. The place wafted in pipe smoke, the ceiling hung low, burnt with ash. It resembled a coal pit in a hole in the earth. Drunkards guffawed at stupid stories and swivelled on rickety stools, demanding more ale for their flagons. In a rhythm, Lynn would yell at the lunkheads to “shut the hell up” while she pou...

4 comments 4
Read story

“A Calculated Risk Escape Clause” by Suzanne Jennifer

Submitted to Contest #268

I have often wondered if I’d have been better off with a different name. Bronson Steele. Sounds like the name of a double agent in a spy novel. A daring, chivalrous, sword wielding hero who faces the enemy and rescues the people from doom. My parents may have believed in the power of a name, hoping I’d live up to it. I must admit I've let them down.Thrill seekers to the max, my parents lived up to their names. The Steeles, Rowan and Jade. Outdoorsy. Adventurous. They were the couple who did every extreme adventure that came their way. Skydiv...

5 comments 5
Read story

“You, But Not You” by Heidi Fedore

Submitted to Contest #268

I’m lying on my usual bench in front of Alimaster High School waiting for my boyfriend, Andrew, to pick me up. Late as usual. My foot jiggles off the end of the seat and my other leg is draped over the back of the bench. My mother would have a lot to say about my slouchy, improper position. At least, I’ll give her credit for keeping her peace about Andrew, who she says isn’t good enough for me. Like we all are given a value or something and should be with people who are on par with us. It’s hotter than usual for early June and I regret weari...

2 comments 2
Read story

“The Cost” by Kate Simkins

Submitted to Contest #268

The day came that he had to start again, from the very beginning.“Lucifer?” A gentle voice spoke, a kindness in the dark.His eyes opened before he felt it; the great gnawing emptiness. It should have been full; of life, of light, the joy of peace eternal. But it was gone.“Where am I? Assie, where are we?” Lucifer’s voice was panicked, uncertain, reaching for Asmodeus’ hand. He found it, waiting, as it always was.“You’re out, Luce. We are all out.”Lucifer looked at him for the first time, eyes adjusting to the pre-dawn light. “Out?” He whispe...

6 comments 6
Read story

“A lesson to learn” by Paul Simpkin

Submitted to Contest #268

He stood in front of the classroom. All the children were all looking at him waiting. Silence. He looked round the room but couldn’t say anything. It was the end of his first month of teaching. 14 years earlier... He had never met a talking rabbit before. It had yellow and green stripes. It had an American accent. The rabbit gave him a present. It was a big chocolate cake. He woke up. He knew it was an important day but he couldn't remember why. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Don’t know.” "Do you want to be a footballer?" "Don't...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Choose the field ” by Kenzie Weitzeil

Submitted to Contest #268

Dear Mackenzie,I have meticulously crafted this letter to ensure it reaches you at just the right moment. It is absolutely imperative that I share this message with you now. The life we are living—filled with joy, love, and endless possibilities—began with a single, seemingly small choice made on this very day. That choice, though it may have seemed insignificant at the time, set the course for everything that followed.I know you might be feeling uncertain, standing at a crossroads, wondering which path to take. It’s easy to get caught up in...

0 comments 0
Read story

“A Message from the Past” by Vera N

Submitted to Contest #268

As the first rays of dawn crept through the gaps in the curtains, Alex woke to the persistent buzz of his phone on the nightstand. He squinted at the early light filtering through the curtains, its pale fingers stretching across his room. Groggy but curious, he reached over and fumbled for his phone. The notification light blinked insistently. As he picked it up, he saw a text message notification that seemed oddly out of place. The sender's name read: “Alex - 15 Years Ago.” Alex blinked, rubbing his eyes, thinking it was a trick of his stil...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Doll Food ” by Han Ly

Submitted to Contest #268

TW: Substance abuse, eating disorder, hints of DV. In biology 101, we learned about dopamine receptors, our feel-good hormones. Millions of those things are activated when we play games, use social media, and drugs. Now I'm curious—how many dopamine receptors will fire when I eat this jelly donut?The shiny, glazed pastry stares back at me from my desk , pencil spinning between my fingers, a rare positive trick I learned from dad. I suppose homework could be done after I eat. I can't think when I'm craving. It's only my second one, the first ...

6 comments 6
Read story

“Rockstar Rockenrolla traveling without moving” by Đorđe Marjanović

Submitted to Contest #268

In a world where time is a twisting stream,Lived a man named Rokenrolla, a surreal dream.More deaths than life, an endless cosmic ride,He delved into the Akashic Records, no place to hide. Rokenrolla, a seeker of truth,Through the simulation, he found his route.He hired Star Light Alliance, heroes of might,And faced God's Judgment in Orion's cosmic light. In the realm of endless possibilities,He ventured through the cosmic seas.With the Alliance by his side so brave,Together they traveled, souls they aimed to save. Rokenrolla, a seeker of tr...

2 comments 2
Read story

$250

Prize money

286

Contest entries

128

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 20, 2024 EST

Won by D Gorman 🏆

Title: An Apology to Mankind, Two Days After First Contact

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.