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!

#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

“Celebrity Marriage” by Olivia Fairfax

Submitted to Contest #27

Hello, I'm Marianne Renfrew, wife of Martin Renfrew. You must know him. He's the main presenter of cultural programmes on the Arts and Science Network. This new network has been such a success, I mean really serious television for educated people. Of course, we're a bit out of it when it comes to the science but there is very little Martin does not know about art, architecture, literature, music and of course film which is his speciality.The disadvantage of being the wife of a celebrity is that you have to share him with so many others...

Read story

“The Morning I Killed Tyler Grey” by Sage Henry

Submitted to Contest #27

I don’t feel like I was particularly dedicated the morning I killed Tyler. I hadn’t started the morning with murder on my mind, but sometimes things just happen, spontaneously and not how you really intended them to go. But Tyler was dead and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. “My name is Everly and I killed Tyler Grey.” Saying it out loud felt weird, but I couldn’t stop the words from spilling out through my lips. I couldn’t process the thoughts swimming in my head. Brains have a habit of blocking out traumatic things from our...

Read story

“Open Market” by Lisa Jones

Submitted to Contest #27

The goat man was staring at me from the open doorway. His eyes were a deep seeded red, burrowing deep into my soul. Unable to move, I just stood there, terrified. My senses screamed at me to run, but I couldn’t seem to move. Something drew me to him. He motioned for me to follow and I did so without question. I was scared to go, but more scared not to. The narrow corridor was long and dimly lit. There were several small rooms filled with women just like me. Each room had a small sign attached to the open d...

Read story

“THE WRONG SIDE OF NOWHERE” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #27

THE WRONG SIDE OF NOWHERE It was a lazy afternoon, one of those hot and humid days when people look for a cool place and a cold drink, and dogs seek out the shade to lie down and not move unless they have to. Danny Weston pushed open the tavern door and scanned the premises as he headed to the end of the bar. Not many people he observed. He liked it that way…no witnesses. &nbs...

Read story

“MOTH IN FOUR CORNERS” by Dee Wes

Submitted to Contest #27

I had a dream that jolted me awake in consideration of it. Four silvery illuminated moths had entered her home, each claiming a corner of the squared structure. What did this mean?She was dead, and had been for awhile. This, utterly, surprised me when I found myself in a position of need. I seeked her out, but she was gone, almost a year after our last visit. I began a new path in life-moving along with the new year. This somehow had taken me away from her.Some would think poor of me knowing I didn't notice our separation. Life mov...

Read story

“Enigma” by Dorothy Scott

Submitted to Contest #27

Late November in Roscommon County can be deeply weighted in snow, but not this year. This year temperatures were in the high 50’s….no air conditioning, no heat, and all the windows and doors open. Perfect weather for the yearly Winter Charity Bazaar and Karl’s usual hunting trip. While Karl was away hunting his wife, Carol, would gather the treasures for the bazaar because Karl hated the disorganization of gathering what he called ‘junk’ collectibles. Though Carol enjoyed her role in the yearly bazaar, she had a problem with procrastination....

Read story

“In a cloud of solids” by Malik Pringle

Submitted to Contest #27

In A Cloud of Solids “A man once spoke of a story pertaining to the Wizard against the machine. He would sit up in his castle, making paintings that he supposedly, considers to be prophecies. Graphic images of a small pixel, a dot, remaining unmovable in a prodigious city as the humans around it began to get ripped apart by a storm so random that the apples that they were eating didn’t leave the air. I seen the pictures myself, I seen the deep reds of the blood, the dark grays of the night, and the speck of white that if you really don’t foc...

Read story

“The Ride” by Chass Postert

Submitted to Contest #27

The train was dimly lit, but warm and welcoming when Jenny Green stepped on board and she was glad for it. Outside was blistery cold and the frozen wind was relentless. The kindly old conductor checked her ticket and helped her to her seat with a warm smile. “If you need anything else just let me know miss.” “Thank you.” He patted her shoulder and returned to his duties. Jenny sank down onto the plush red seat and sighed. This was not a trip she wanted to ma...

Read story

“The Ongoing Battle” by Gabrielle Marie

Submitted to Contest #27

The smell of blood wafted through the air, creeping steadily from the battlefield. Screams could be heard, far off in the distance, if you listened long enough. A solider covered in dirt and sweat crawled stealthily to the edge of the trees, hesitating for a moment, anticipating the massacre. How many of her fallen comrades would she see today? This place had become a permanent scar across their landscape. It stretched for miles, with no end in sight. This once peaceful place had become a graveyard for all those fighting for the cause. Invad...

Read story

“Heartbreak” by Chris Casburn

Submitted to Contest #27

My husband, Ryan, would be furious if he knew I was here. I’d broken my promise not to see this young man again, but I had to see him one more time. The choir shuffled noisily onto the stage – not quite the grand entrance their director of music would have wished for. A few younger men broke up the ranks of grey-haired chaps fumbling with their song sheets, but most of them were nearer my age, in their early forties. They were dressed in an assortment of rainbow colours, befitting a predominately gay choir. It was to be an evenin...

Read story

“Spirit Ledge” by Nathan Callan

Submitted to Contest #27

“What are you doing out here Niamh?”, the grey wolf asked. “Same as you; just watching the stars,” Niamh replied. “Yeah… spirit ledge sure is special,” He concurred. The grey wolves sat together, peering up at the dimly lit night sky. The moon gave off a fluorescent glow. Allowing the features of the land and mountains in the distance to be seen. The moon was corralled by stars. The occasional asteroid or space station seemed to narrowly miss its grey figure. The wolves sat looking into the night sky, as if waiting expectantly...

Read story

“Lizzie's Date” by Gretchen Reed

Submitted to Contest #27

Lizzie was sitting at her dining room table with her family, playing a game, eating a sweet salad. It was her birthday. (Or so she thought) She was playing a game with her family, yes, but it wasn’t her real family. She was adopted. Her father left as soon as he found out Lizzie’s mother was pregnant with Lizzie, and then once Lizzie was born, Her mother left her in front of her best friends house. She never found out who her mother was, but she did know one thing. When she was left on the front step, her mother left a note. It said: Dearest...

Read story

“My day volunteering” by Nathan Agustin

Submitted to Contest #27

The wind howled through the quiet hall of the school as the setting sun reflected light from below. The scent of metal billowed throughout the foyer as I dragged some wet garbage across the slippery floor and threw it into the trash can. My name is Aleko Reyes. I’m 13 years old and I repainted the school. Though it was hard to get enough paint all on my own since everyone else was too lazy to help me, I managed to succeed all on my own! I gathered enough paint to completely coat the walls in my favourite colour. Red. You’d think ...

Read story

“Leela” by Lazim Rasheed

Submitted to Contest #27

Since the time of the Bhansalis, India has strived for perfection. A judgement without flaw.Something they never accomplished, credited to the never-ending civil wars and the unforgettable strife. At one point it got so bad, people got together and reminisced times of Karan Singh and old rulers, an era where the wretched East India Company didn’t exist yet.The time of Leela Bhansali, limitless beauty. The ultimate crime of Rajput.___________"Leela, the emperor has ordered for your presence!" One of the chambermaids rushed in to inform her, h...

Read story

“Novel Transit” by Meryl Sigaton

Submitted to Contest #27

Synchronized whirring and creaking of the metal and the gears in the shafts and motor down below, steam slowly fading past my window. The train was at constant speed blazing through the plush countryside, just a little past the city. “Ah, seconds and seconds more… the closer I am to my dear Rosalie. And yet time is merely a concept of the mind”, I muttered as I looked out the glass. “Why not some crisp morning air…” I said to myself, enticed by the tall green grass and fresh cerulean skies. A cool gentle breeze calms my senses and I catch a ...

Read story

Load more stories

$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!

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 ⭢