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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#27: Agatha Christie

It's no secret why one of the most-repeated writing tips is: to read. You can learn endless craft wisdoms by reading the works of literary greats — and also lesser-known authors, too. Reading, in general, is simply a valuable way to improve your skills as a writer.

This week, we're pulling inspiration from the author behind two of crime fiction's most beloved sleuths: Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Yes, each of the below prompts relate in some way to themes, symbols, or other common elements in the writings of Agatha Christie.

Want to learn more about the Grand Dame of crime fiction? Check out our Agatha Christie reading guide!

This week's prompts

Write a short story that takes place on a train.

High School – 128 stories

Write a short story about a jury of people tasked with making a decision. (It doesn't necessarily need to be a court jury.)

Adults – 29 stories

Write a short story in which a specialist is called upon to carry out a job.

High School – 36 stories

Write a short story that ends with a twist.

Mystery – 155 stories

Write a short story that takes place in a quaint, idyllic, English village.

Fiction – 31 stories

Stories

“Eger” by Brittany Lapidus

Submitted to Contest #27

I let out a huge sigh of relief and nestled into an empty window seat. Two hours. I had two full hours to relax and enjoy the scenic ride into northern Hungary. This was the first time in a week I didn’t have to worry about navigating throughout a foreign city without speaking the language. And since sitting is my favorite activity of all time, these next two hours were ideal. My plan was to read my handy Rick Steves’ guide book to refresh my memory about all the exciting things that awaited me in Eger. I also wanted to make sure I took in t...

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“Catching Ashley” by Gia Volterra De Saulnier

Submitted to Contest #27

The train was running a bit late, but that wasn’t anything unusual. A man on the platform sipped his coffee and wrapped his coat jacket around him as the wind was starting to pick up. A young girl with the curly blonde hair and big blue eyes was shy against her tired mother’s feet. “Are you excited for the train to come? It should be here any minute now.” I said with a gentle smile. I could usually get anyone to talk to me. I knew I could be that friendly face that everyone looked for. The person who knew everything, who could say anything ...

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“Phantom” by Ray Everblaze

Submitted to Contest #27

The train pulls into the station, sputtering steam as it chugs along. A silent shuffling crowd fills it, mostly children being sent away. The year is 1940. A terrified mother ties tags around her daughter's neck. "Remember. You are just a girl. Don't speak back, and know that I love you." The girl's eyes are brimming with tears as the suitcase with her whole life is handed to her. But she couldn't pack her mother's hugs. She couldn't pack the feeling of Autumn sneaking up to you like it did in London. She couldn't pack her mother's smile, no...

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“Just One Stop” by Rachael Richey

Submitted to Contest #27

The intense heat of the late afternoon sun beat down on Maisie’s face as she leaned back against the wall, the hot stones hard and rough through the thin cotton of her summer dress. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, savouring the warmth and soaking up the peace of the deserted station. Bees were buzzing lazily behind her in the briar hedge, and high above she could just make out the beautiful song of the skylark. She felt she was in a little bubble of her own. Far away and protected from the horrors of the rest of the w...

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“My Senior Year In High School” by Angie DiCervo

Submitted to Contest #27

He used the newspaper he had in his hand to touch me in my private part on the train, it was so uncomfortable, but I was so young I did not know what to do. I was on my way home from school, and I took the train because I had to get to New Jersey. I did not tell my mother what happened because I felt like it was my fault, plus her, and I did not have a normal mother and daughter relationship. When I got married, I told my then-husband about the incident, and he said to me, " did you enjoy it?" I was shocked when he said that, and I realized ...

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“The color of a queen ” by Nicole Gray

Submitted to Contest #27

I plop myself down on the cold, hard seat. I breathe in the smell of the train. Smoke -weed, if we’re being technical- and urine. It was a familiar smell. A smell which my nose had already grown to be acquainted with. I don’t put my headphones on. Instead, I just stare straight ahead and listen to the silence that seems to be defining. I take a long, deep breath and smile to myself. The smile falls immediately. I try again, this time with my head held up a little higher and my shoulders a little straighter. Princesses always smile and never ...

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“The Young Soldier” by Annie Percik

Submitted to Contest #27

The young soldier moved through the train, trying to shift his weight to compensate for the rocking motion. He was still quite new to the train crew and hadn’t yet become used to the constant movement of the ground beneath his feet. He had a private message to deliver, from The Driver to the Baggage Master, which required traversing the whole length of the train. It would take him nearly half an hour to reach the rear carriage. His boot heels chimed on the smooth floor, announcing his approach to those further along. Uniformed crew members s...

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“ The box troll and the train.” by Kenna Shelton

Submitted to Contest #27

There once was a box troll that was looking for a home but could never find it, She searched and searched for a home that would fit her but she never found that home til she saw a train and she thought that would be perfect for the time being so she hopped up and started making it comfortable to her liking. Finally the train started moving she was confused but she didn't mind it she was comfortable. When the train stopped she hopped out to see where she was she was a bit confused because she was a park but she liked where she was at. She loo...

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“Her” by Katt Ester

Submitted to Contest #27

I was nervous, of course I was. It’s weird to think about sometimes, how I can still get nervous even after all I‘ve fought, but here we are. I adjusted my satchel bag and squeezed it’s leather strap in a hidden attempt for reassuranc, then realized with a sigh, that I had nothing to be anxious about. That didn’t help it, obviously, but I tried. Peering around, I decided to take a look at any fellow commuters. I felt a little out of place, seeing as they all looked casual and calm compared to me, but whatever. A girl caught my eye just as a ...

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“Crossing the Tracks” by Lex Matthysse

Submitted to Contest #27

Usually bustling with travelers and commuters going about their daily business the station was eerily empty and silent. The ticket master’s box was empty and shuttered, no trains were expected for hours yet. Only one man sat on a bench, checking his watch now and again, his foot tapping the wooden platform. He didn’t have any luggage with him, only a coat draped over his arm even though the night was chilly. Sweat was forming beads on his forehead and he swiped at it in an absent way, his eyes on his watch. Rumor said, that there was a thirt...

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“Rush Hour Daydreaming” by Emma Preston

Submitted to Contest #27

The 17.17 train had been cancelled, so the 17.37 was stretched to full capacity. Reg pushed his way through a crowded vestibule at the head of a hoard of boarding commuters and found – against all logic and expectation – an empty seat, one of four clustered around a table. On any other day, he would rather have stood (surely, he reflected, the designers had no grasp of the British public, if they thought that spending a journey trying to avoid eye contact with strangers was preferable to staring at the back of a seat), but today he couldn’t ...

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“Two People On A Train” by Savannah Bainter

Submitted to Contest #27

“Okay, okay. I’ll be there in 25 minutes, at least. If I catch the train on time.”“Uh, wait. You still take the train? When are you going to get your car fixed? It saves so much time and you could actually get here early. Nevermind, don’t answer that. Worry about getting here on time. I have to get back to work. I'll see you in 25 minutes.” “Wait-” *Beep beep beep* ‘And she hung up.’ Natalie said to herself. Natalie had to take the train because she was issues with her car and she was scared to drive it. Some say she’s just paranoid, so...

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“Charlotte's Journey” by Anna Alikin

Submitted to Contest #27

As soon as she stepped onto the platform, she remembered what it felt like when she first got to ride on a train. That was a long time ago, when she had been a little girl of ten, with brown pigtails. But strangely nothing seemed to change. The train was still the same shiny red she remembered, the steam billowing out of the locomotive, the familiar whistle, and the station being as busy as it was all those years ago. Charlotte Brewer was now in her eighties, and she had returned. She herself looks different now. The brown hair she onc...

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“The Passenger” by Isla Vance

Submitted to Contest #27

The Passenger This is my first train ride. A year of firsts. The train has a waiting room quality. A faux modern look. It’s not as noisy as I expected. Quiet conversations around me are welcome distractions from my thoughts. I’m glad I don’t know anyone here. I'm shit at waiting room chitchat. The kind that is expected on long journeys in close quarters. I am grateful to be seated alone. I feel slightly nauseous and want the freedom to get up quick if needed. Without trip...

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“Train to Hazaribagh ” by Sahil Agarwal

Submitted to Contest #27

"May I have your attention please, train no 14423, New Delhi to Hazaribagh via kanpur, Allahabad is arriving shortly on Platform no 1."As soon the announcement hit, Sumit hang up the phone and rushed towards the waiting area for his luggage. He took all his baggages and staring at his ticket moved towards the platform. He was carrying a sleeper class ticket and was looking for his coach.Hazaribagh, 1100 km from Capital is a historic town in Indian state of Jharkhand. Ruled by Akbar in ancient times and the spot of Internment camp for Germans...

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$50

Prize money

379

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 07, 2020 EST

Won by Natalie Frank 🏆

Title: Seaglass

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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