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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

“Nice And Easy Does It” by Sonia Dixon

Submitted to Contest #27

Coome was a quaint, idyllic, English village which had become incorporated in 1849, 2 years before the Great Exhibition in London. Agnes at 81 years old had lived and worked there all her life. After her husband's death, her son, John, had decided to leave home to pastures new. Agnes watched her son, John, tentatively. He had always seemed too busy to visit before. Now he was especially attentive since her collapse with a suspected heart attack.The residents of Coome elected B.S Fields (John's friend), as their first Village President. Prope...

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“Love quest” by Mahnoor Fatima

Submitted to Contest #27

The other end of the scale was peculiar. From spending every second of my life behind closed doors, safely confined in my own little bubble, this was a refreshing alteration. Every single person here held a promising smile as if betrayal wasn't in their vocabulary. Right off the bet, this made my purpose here far easier. Still, I couldn't lay back and let life take matters into its own hands. I had to be the one to find her. To find the one. As royalty, it was absurdly impossible for me to place my trust in just anyone. Being heartbroke...

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“The paper girl ” by Honor Jacobs

Submitted to Contest #27

It was in one of those villages where houses stood at least a quarter of a mile apart. To get to most of them you had to walk down a long, dark, dirt foot path before you could even reach most of the doors. In the middle of the village stood an old small white house, it was so old most of the white paint had started to strip off the sides to reveal the naked bricks underneath. Inside, the damp had become such a problem you had to really push the front door to open it, it was so old the bottom had absorbed so much rain over the years it had e...

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“The wishing tree” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #27

Morning sunrise always starts off with a rooster somewhere down the road telling us all it's time to get up. I shift in bed and look around, my eyes squinting as the bright morning sun shines through my window and onto my bed just beside it. There is a tree outside my window, the tree of magical wishes I called it as a small child. We all said if you whispered your deepest desires to it the tree would grant them to you. I stopped believing when I was 10 and I asked for it to bring my dad home from the war alright. His body was never even fou...

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“Barely Alive” by Eva Korošec

Submitted to Contest #27

For the first time in quite a while, Mrs. Merlyn Marble wakes up with a smile on her face. What a beautiful morning, she thinks, quiet and peaceful and fresh. A breeze of morning air is coming through her open window and she half sits up, regarding the curtains in their slow morning dance against it. Getting up, she crosses the room to catch a glimpse of the view from her bedroom, for the day outside was truly something to behold. Her garden blooming with spring flowers, her grass greener than green, and the slow-paced stream of the River Ey...

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“An Unforgivable Treachery ” by Naomi Lee

Submitted to Contest #27

“Go on.“ The woman called out urgently as her younger son set off to do the task she gave him . “Make sure you deliver all the bread on time.” The boy carried the basket and replied impatiently. “I will, mama!”The woman continued. “Don't come back too late. I have other tasks for you!”An 11-year-old boy with chocolate brown hair and deep blue eyes, Ethan thought he was old enough to avoid being nagged by his mother anymore. He walked along the path leading from his home to the main street where he could easily get to the other houses. One of...

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“The Train Violinist” by Haley Roth-Brown

Submitted to Contest #27

The train was bound for somewhere far away. The sounds of the engine and the wheels, the chugging, were all anyone could hear for miles and miles until the violinist started to play. Anthony heard it first while asleep, head leaned up against the window, slipping down every now and again to half-wake him with a jolt before he settled back again. He hadn’t been able to afford the bed car, but he had settled his belongings all around him to dissuade any new arrivals from sitting with him. The last two days had passed in a haze of cornfields, p...

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“Where's My Inhaler!” by Krystal Morris

Submitted to Contest #27

The smell of urine and heat singed my nose hairs as I hesitantly walked down the stairs to my platform, my heels sticking to each step as I went. I could hear the invisible substances each time I lifted my feet. Reaching the landing, a homeless man, adorned with tattered, black denim and a dingy polo shirt I assumed was once white, held out a mason jar, jingling the coins a few singles in it. I made the mistake of making eye contact. Not because I harbored any negativity toward those in need, but because I rarely carried cash and now I ha...

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“Train Station Getaway” by Tammy Radecki

Submitted to Contest #27

One foot in front of the other, Victoria walked with a stride to the ticket counter. Bags in both hands that she had neatly packed yesterday. Her head was held high so that her unseen fear of the unknown wouldn’t be seen. Her ticket is purchased, and her travels are set. A sigh of relief that she has gone through with her plan. You can do this, she tells herself. The train is long, and she passes by many travelers saying their goodbyes. Some folks hug each other and some are mere handshakes. Looking do...

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“The Special Train” by Ruth Donnelly

Submitted to Contest #27

He stood on the platform; his fedora hat pulled down to shade his face. His shoes had been polished, the pants cleaned and creased, the plaid shirt pressed. He wore a brown corduroy suit jacket that had a torn sleeve but that didn't bother him. After all, he had to change his disguise. The crowd about him mingled about the platform as the train pulled into the station. The man felt comfortable, almost invisible and that he was thankful for. The crowd had been buying tickets to their destination, grabbing snacks and reading material. A bus pu...

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“Cabin 11” by Tedi Carey

Submitted to Contest #27

Take a vacation they said. You need a break they said. What do they know! I, for some stupid reason, listened to my sisters. My marriage was in shambles. My husband of twenty two years was divorcing me. Our sixteen year old son was in juvenile hall for attempting to blow up our local high school. The stress was taking its toll on me. All I wanted to do was hide in bed all day! I was tired of going to various courtrooms for one or the other legal issues facing me. Each time I had to be in court, my sisters and I trekked to the county...

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“A short story that takes place on a train.” by Bernard Ebiau

Submitted to Contest #27

I proudly come out of the plane, after an eight-hour-direct flight from my country. It’s my third international flight and a second landing via Heathrow airport. The first having been on transit, this one was special to me! It’s 7:00am London time. I am to use a 9:00am, modern train for the first time, heading for the Keswick Conference, in Cumbria. Checking out of Heathrow, I meet a soft spoken medium sized man. “You’re welcome sir!” He says. “Oh thank you, I reply” “Can I have a look at your travel document, please?” I look at his sh...

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“The Smell Of Her Hair” by Yvonne Albers

Submitted to Contest #27

By Yvonne Albers – South AfricaThe platform was full of 4 pm commuters waiting for the 4 pm train to take them home. Andy was reading the rest of his newspaper that he had bought that morning. When a scent caught, his attention. He looked up to see what appeared to be a woman walking past him. The scent hung in the air while proceeded to a better point on the platform to get onto the train.She turned slightly to the right, which made him smile with some relief. Laughing at the funny thought he had in his mind. He stared at the back of her as...

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“X-ing Over” by Jessica Curtis

Submitted to Contest #27

Thomas tugged his hood more securely over his head against the wind. His thin hoodie was barely enough to keep the cold at bay, considering the other people waiting for the train were bundled in winter coats and scarves. He could see the train rumbling down the tracks towards the cluster of people. It squealed and groaned to a halt, sending the people scurrying for the nearest door. Thomas headed a few carriages away from where most of the others boarded. It was mostly empty, given the absurdly early hour, and he managed to find a free seat ...

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“Dynamic Cardiologic Integer Reversal” by Devon Flynn

Submitted to Contest #27

Lakes. Rivers and streams. Forested mountains. There was always something in the passing landscape that would normally capture the eye of passengers, but they passed by in seconds, always missing the gaze of the young man in the last train car. Instead of the geographical features on the other side of the window, he was more drawn to what was in front of him. Inside of his heavily worn jean-style backpack that sat atop the floral patterned matte-blue seats were several books. Hardcover books, text books, all thi...

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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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