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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

“The way we die.” by Gabriel Ojeh

Submitted to Contest #27

He walked into the bus station, hefting several bags over his shoulder, flipping a coin as he did so. He thought it seemed cool, at least had seen it amongst a few gangsters… gangster movies, of course. He paused for a moment, catching the coin deftly and sparing the intricate yet old pattern of the coin a glance. A piece of Aztec gold, thought to have been cursed by mages past. He chuckled to himself. The only curse in this coin is the man who seeks it, he thought, flipping it again as he kept going.Ansat Lifurce stood at an inconspicu...

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“There is No Need to Speed” by Michaella Hynes

Submitted to Contest #27

Lightning filled the sky with flashes of white fury, echoed by the rumbling thunder that could easily be heard for miles. Rain impaired the visions of all who had the unfortunate need to be on the road this evening. Mrs. Davis, in her old broken-down guzzler, was one of these unlucky people. Her tires struggled to gain traction on what felt like a river flowing beneath her car. The playing music was barely heard over the pouring rain, which seemed more intense than usual. Although nervous, Mrs. Davis refused to slow down her speeding car. La...

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“the Cabin” by Richa Saran

Submitted to Contest #27

The steam swirling up from the mug of fresh coffee in my hands slowly condensed on the tip of my nose as I held the rim of the cup just to my chin, not yet willing to risk a sip at the risk of burning my tongue. A burnt tongue was not a death sentence, but it would definitely mar the sweetness of Granny Clarice’s special holiday cookies. I’d have to wait for my much-needed caffeine hit, as I would wait for those notoriously decadent cookies. Good things come with time. Waking up at the crack of dawn, I spent the entire morning making what...

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“An Encyclopedia of the City's Legendary Forgotten Histories” by Hannah Speller

Submitted to Contest #27

If I could change one thing it would be... Well that would be telling, how about we go back to the start. I live in a quiet town in the middle of Scotland. Saying nothing ever happens would be a lie, we have a usual amount of crime and news stories but it’s not super interesting, nothing that I would even bother telling you about. One day that all seemed to change. That’s a bit melodramatic. What I mean is that one day my life changed, the town didn’t seem to change at all, just my perception of it. I found out a major secret that would...

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“Too Much for a New Job” by Meryem Biyikli

Submitted to Contest #27

I am woken up when the plane starts trembling, like someone’s hands before a speech they are nervous about giving. To me, it feels just like driving a car on a badly-built road, the small rocks and uneven cement on the ground causing the car to jump up and down. Except for that there is no badly-built road when you are on an airplane, so it is slightly unsettling to me when these two instances feel very similar. It is just a turbulence, it happens, my rational side tells me. Yeah, that makes sense. It wil...

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“The Elements” by Brianna Moore

Submitted to Contest #27

“This is one sacrifice I will not regret.” the witch dressed in blood-red spoke under her breath. The three others crackled, “Don’t be dramatic Hestia.” Yet they agreed. This child was the key to bring back their fallen sister. The only way to restore spirit to their circle. The sorceress in deep forest green silently asks the underbrush to make a path leading to the house they were looking for. The plants part- obeying. It reveals a small wooden cabin. Light could be seen all throughout the home. “You know what to do, Anemoi? Gaea asked the...

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“Dresses and Blades” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #27

The phone rang early that morning. Sasha rolled to the other side of the bed, jarred from her sleep, and picked the call."Good morning, Sash. Just calling to tell you Tola and I are going to the park this afternoon. Is that okay with you?" Her aunt's voice drifted over the line, and Sasha smiled at the mention of her daughter."It's alright, thanks Aunt D. Send Tola my love. I really appreciate you doing this for me.""How is the case going? Have you found him?" She asked in true Aunt D fashion, brushing away thanks as easily as they were give...

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“For Just A Moment” by Jeri Torrance

Submitted to Contest #27

For Just A Moment I was tired of all the fighting. I just left the office of the mediator, and once again, my soon to be ex-wife had decided not to show up with my kids. No one loved those kids more than I did, and it was killing me that I hadn't seen them in almost three months. What was she telling them about me? Knowing how mad she had been when she wrote the note, her she was probably painting me as the bad guy, the one that couldn't make time for his kids. I just needed to hold all three of them in my arms. It had been too long, three m...

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“Half-a-Bubble-Off” by Rodney Savary

Submitted to Contest #27

In hindsight, it seemed that even as a toddler, Josiah had a predisposition for spatial order. He’d crawl across the floor to the open doorway between the living and dining rooms, lean against the jamb to pull himself to a standing position while keeping the ceiling molding in sight, then look down at the baseboard near his feet, following the wall’s edge with the sort of intent attributed to those having an extreme attention to detail. Finally, he’d shake his head and yell, “Jaba-jaba, gaba-gee!” Sometime...

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“Melissa's Gift” by Kaylie Jackson

Submitted to Contest #27

Melissa deserved the world. If I could give it to her, I would in a heartbeat. I was the type of boyfriend who showered his girl with gifts just to catch a glimpse of her bright smile. Melissa didn’t need to ask for anything. Whatever I thought she would like I got, and I had a knack for knowing the right gift when I saw it. We’d been married for eight years and the tradition never ceased to fade. Until three years ago, Melissa began asking for something specific, something a little more challenging than I was used to. Normally, I bought her...

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“The Carolinian” by Pridgen Green

Submitted to Contest #27

At the rear of the Carolinian train, a small commotion was brewing. A man lay slouched against the train’s wall, ragged breaths sputtering out irregularly. He appeared to be trying to say something.“Breast pocket.” he managed.Could anyone even hear this man? By now, my interest was piqued. This was a drastic deviation from my normal rides on the Carolinian. All of my other trips had been exceedingly unremarkable. This, however, was something different. I could tell. I looked on with interest.“Breast pocket,” the man repeated under his b...

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“The Red Tavern” by D Crichlow

Submitted to Contest #27

The Red Tavern Sara Hume split her attention between her customers and Jim Raines, who sat alone at the bar, hovered over his drink like a protective daddy. The sight of his red-rimmed eyes and sour face pained the bar’s owner. Jim was in his pity-drenched world again. She clucked her tongue in disgust. “Evening, Sara!” The friendly face of Randy Kane greeted her with his booming voice. “How about a cold one?” “You got it.” She poured the big man a Samuel Adams and shared in some gossip. Th...

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“Prisoner 2912” by Harita Rao

Submitted to Contest #27

Friendship is the only relationship which you chose by yourselves. If you made a good one that's a life time achievement but if it is bad one then it's the worst disappointment. Why I am saying this because I experienced this worst disappointment. Being intelligent and wise are two different terms if you can understand. Your intelligence may get rusted in sad circumstances but your wisdom will never let you fall in one. We were of the type always helping each other. I used to help her in lessons of classes and she used to teach me lessons o...

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“I WANT TO PLAY PAUL BUNYON” by Ted LoRusso

Submitted to Contest #27

The afternoon of July Fourth was moist and sticky. Outside, in Mike and Debbie’s backyard, the heat was like a steam iron pressed against bare skin. Inside, in the air-conditioned kitchen, the men sat around the table in tee-shirt and shorts, drinking, smoking, patting their bellies. The women sat around the table in shorts and modest tanks tops, drinking, smoking, lazily fanning themselves with bare open hands. Phyllis and Jen sat with their backs to the wall, Jimmy and Debbie directly across from them; Chuck was in Mike’s seat at the head ...

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“Gone” by Jaydah Aldridge

Submitted to Contest #27

I trace my fingers along the high points of his face, hoping to see his eyelids part and strike me with the irises of amber I love most. It’s the best good morning wish. He isn’t budging. I credit his deep slumber to his long nights at the office. He hasn’t had a weekend off in ages. I love the passion he has for his work, but surely it’s exhausting. His five o’clock shadow has evolved into scruff. His boss minds, however I have no complaints. Coming to our mountain home became a rarity once he was promoted for the third time, adding to...

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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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