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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#277: Something Wicked This Way Comes

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ReedsyWicked to share your stories (and potentially get featured on our social accounts)!

If you’re a musical lover like me, you’ve probably marked your calendar for the release date of the upcoming Wicked film adaptation. With gorgeous costumes, a superstar cast, and new renditions of beloved songs like “Defying Gravity,” the movie is sure to be a treat for Wicked fans around the world.

I first saw the Wicked musical in my late teens, and although more than a decade has passed since then, I’ll never forget how much it moved me. In addition to its breathtaking special effects and impressive performances, the musical also has heart. It shows the origin story of a notorious fictional character, the Wicked Witch of the West, and explores relatable, resonant themes — from identity and self-acceptance to the notion of “good” versus “evil.”

This week, let’s conjure up some stories inspired by Wicked. Set your story in a fairy tale land, write about a misunderstood, overlooked character, or do something completely unexpected with the prompts… it’s up to you!

This week's prompts

Write a story about an outsider or social outcast who will do anything to fit in.

Angst – 40 stories

Start or end your story with two friends who become enemies/rivals, or vice versa.

Dramatic – 22 stories

Write from the POV of a fairy tale character sharing their side of the story.

Short Story – 110 stories

Center your story around a character who longs for something they’ve lost.

Dramatic – 86 stories

Write a story with the word “wicked” in the title.

Short Story – 65 stories

Stories

“The Outsiders Dance” by Amy Bowles

Submitted to Contest #277

She grew up in the in-between. In between the vibrant culture of her immigrant family and the unfamiliar life of a young teen in America. English wasn’t her first language, and while she worked hard to mimic the valley girl slang around her, deep down, she was just a southern girl, new to California and trying to bury her southern drawl like a secret. Her parents had chosen this private junior high school, believing it would offer a safer, smoother transition into their new life. They were right—sort of.The school was smaller, which gave her...

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“She's His Best Friend's Girl” by James Barrett

Submitted to Contest #277

My name is Margie Rabinowitz. Years ago, when I turned twenty-one, I decided to go out with my friends to finally drink legally and get seriously hammered. My boyfriend’s name was Marvin. He was okay, I guess. We’d been an item since high school. We had sex once and a while. “Having sex’ is an accurate description. ‘Making love’ doesn’t apply. At least not for me. Marvin was much more into it than I was. Marvin had no idea that I was bi-sexual. Neither did anybody else. I made sure of it. I never did anything, even in jest, to suggest that I...

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“Beyond Elysium” by Filip Cucu

Submitted to Contest #277

This is a longer short story, so buckle up! Clinging to the movement of the sea’s tides, a lonesome cloud seemed to be heading towards the horizon’s cliff, slowly. Somewhere painted on a lavender canvas, the sun had emerged out of its shelter, ready to belight the world. All resembled a timeless cliché of perfection, especially from James’ vantage point above the mangrove trees. He couldn’t take his eyes off the departing cloud as it was almost outside of vision. And there it went, swallowed. Subsequently a similar-looking cloud appeared in ...

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“Rivalry or Rescue” by Tiffany Wright

Submitted to Contest #277

Monica tried to hide her nerves as she sat in Mr. Pepper’s plush leather desk chair. The first day at a new job is daunting enough, but the real reason she came to St. Louis also loomed in her mind. She could handle being unsuccessful at this job, but she couldn’t handle being unsuccessful in her search. She attempted to shake away that thought as the jovial & ruggedly handsome CEO of Rob Hospitality group wrapped up his phone call and focused his attention on her. “Monica, we’re so excited to have you here.” He enthusiastically stated. ...

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“A Poignant Incertitude” by Gabriel Brogden

Submitted to Contest #277

A Poignant IncertitudeBernie Gabriel BrogdenFor money or love thereof, is my prized possession which I value deeply. My confessions, however, I hope may yield another dimension of life worth cherishing. For now, today, for tomorrow, and forever I will loathe the absence of my trophy. Happiness is also something of value that can be extricated from the web of evilness or plucked from the vine of goodness. Throughout my lifetime, regretfully, I chose from the web, not the vine.Since childhood, for various reasons, I've never been truly h...

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“Meat Locker on the Water” by Zachary Roybal

Submitted to Contest #277

Cassandra Vale walks carefully down the cold metallic hallway of the ship she was on. Cruise ship? No. Instead it was a fishing ship that Cassandra was graciously allowed on to research the fish being caught along their route. Specifically, Cassandra was hoping to do some possible observations on the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna species that a majority of the world partakes in. The size variants throughout the last few months have been irregular from the data received from these very same fishermen. Cassandra’s higher up however, wanted an “educate...

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“The Last One” by M. A. Black

Submitted to Contest #277

Being a match is not that fun.Born from a wooden stick, you just sit all day in a thin box, forced to spend the rest of your time with about fifty of your own kin. Your head is painted usually pale and all you know is that one day you’ll be lit on fire. The absurdly humorous thing about being a match destined to burn in flames is that you know exactly how you’re going to die. It will be swift, short, sort of spectacular and a tinge over the top as you’ll be ignited, but kind of sweet. You know that you’ll bring comfort to people, that your s...

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“Sandy Claus” by Nicole N

Submitted to Contest #277

Year after year, Mrs. Claus, would organize the helpers, plot Mr. Claus’s course for the year, create toy plans, test Christmas recipes, feed, train and groom the reindeer and wrap presents. Millions of presents (and the number only grows year after year). All the while, “Santa” gets the credit, the cookies and milk, cards, praise, pictures, parades, and nobody thinks of “Mrs. Claus”. Even the reindeer get treats, songs, and gifts. Year after year, Sandy Claus kept to herself, stayed in “her lane” and accepted her role and the duties that ca...

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“The Wolf's Lament” by Kelly Howell

Submitted to Contest #277

The wolf lived happily in the woods, feasting on critters, running with his family, and enjoying his kills. But then one day something strange happened in the woods. Creatures on giant beasts came. They hunted in our woods until nearly nothing was left. The creatures cut down swaths of our forest limiting our home and hunting range. These creatures set up tents and started fires. At times the fires became dangerous destroying more of our lands. They did not live in harmony with the woodland. The trees they chopped down became wood homes of v...

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“The Realm of Redemption.” by Michael Blight

Submitted to Contest #277

In the heart of a dense, ancient forest lived a peculiar wolf named Lupin. Unlike other wolves, Lupin had a fondness for human culture and an odd fascination with the lives and habits of those who lived in the nearby villages. His curious nature often led him to explore human abodes, not with malice intent, but with a strange, almost innocent desire to understand and experience their way of life.One crisp Autumn morning, Lupin's sharp nose picked up the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from a quaint little cottage nestled at the edge of ...

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“The Wish-Granter” by McKenna Rose

Submitted to Contest #277

When someone finds themselves in a terrible predicament, of which there is no obvious or immediate solution, three responses are often taken:To give up entirely, begrudgingly accepting the fate of their God.Curse their God.Pray.Alternatively, one could opt for all three, in which case, the order is typically backwards.Prayers are powerful things, but they were also cumbersome, mindless things that tended to hover in the air like stars until they crumpled in on themselves. Sometimes,...

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“Mirror, Mirror” by WRL Battle

Submitted to Contest #277

Look at me. Really look at me. I used to be somebody important. When I was first enchanted, great and powerful kings came to me for advice. I’d give them a view of enemy camps, planned battle strategies, and sought out criminals. I have been a staple of the royal family for generations. I have been nothing but a humble servant of the throne, and I only ask for recognition in return. This kingdom wouldn’t be anywhere it is today if it weren’t for me. I’m not being boastful when I say that either. I always speak the truth. It...

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“Red Blood to Black Ink: Ursula's Trade ” by Laurie Jordan

Submitted to Contest #277

It is not that I needed her voice. I have my own. Yes, hers might be brighter and full of hope, but mine tells my story. It is gruff, I’ll give you that, but that is because the sides of my voice box are torn, ripped from me clawing my way through the terror and grief of a thousand dark and lonely nights. Oh? Suddenly interested, are we? Well, I shall tell you everything, but… perhaps should I ask for a small fee? It is only fair. ***** Father Poseidon was particularly hard to live with. His father, Grandfather Cronus, set about putting hi...

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“The Pied Piper and the Rats” by Anastasiia Shafran

Submitted to Contest #277

My leg twisted even further this summer, contorting my toes in the wrong direction. The burning pain would relentlessly nag me most of the nights. With effort, I pushed myself off the bed, relying on my worn wooden crutch for support. Slowly, I limped towards the window. It rained. The heavy droplets cascaded onto the decaying wooden frame, filling the room with a sickly damp odour. I could feel the rats' presence. Their incessant scratching and faint squeaks emanated from the corners of the room, from the ceiling, and even my straw-filled b...

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“Fairy Godmothers” by Burton Sage

Submitted to Contest #277

Fairy GodmothersbyBurt Sage “You’re a fairy godmother, aren’t you?” Ray asks. “How could you tell?” Ruby asks sarcastically. “Well, the dress and the magic wand kind of gave you away,” Ray replies. Looking Ray up and down, Ruby says, “You’re not a sorcerer. This is a sorcerer’s convention. How come they let you in?” “I really don’t know how I got here,” Ray replies. “I just suddenly found myself here. Kind of like the orchestral music you hear on TV as a detective investigates a dark alley looking for a perp. That music is just there. I’m j...

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$250

Prize money

323

Contest entries

120

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 22, 2024 EST

Won by Troy Phillips 🏆

Title: The Three Little Pigs Incident: A Building Inspector’s Report

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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