#39: Earth to Writers

This was a big week for celebrations. Wednesday was World Earth Day and yesterday was World Book Day.

But to us voracious readers, doesn't every day feel like Book Day? So for this week's prompts, we're giving a big shout-out to the little blue dot in space we all call home.

(And if you'd like to combine your World and Book Day celebrations, here's a sci-fi reading list that's out of this world.)

This week's prompts

One day, the sun rose in the west and set in the east.

Fantasy – 72 stories

Write about a person experiencing the 'overview effect' (a feeling astronauts report having when they first view Earth from outer space).

Science Fiction – 48 stories

Write a story about a Google Street View driver.

Adventure – 39 stories

Write a story that begins and ends with someone looking up at the stars.

Teens – 388 stories

Two people who thought they were the last people left on Earth end up meeting by chance.

Science Fiction – 147 stories

Stories

“The photographs in the car” by Leila Adams

Submitted to Contest #39

It was a dark night that night, and unusually for the city, the sky was clear, affording a very visible view of the stars. The man noted this as he sat in his car atop of the hill overlooking his hometown. The temperature outside was cold, but not bitterly so, nether-less he’d left his coat on whilst he drove, which was not typical for him. On the passenger seat next to him was a photograph album, snaps falling out of the battered pages. The man slotted a cassette tape into the car stereo, and as the familiar sounds washed over hi...

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“Upon a Star” by Said Y

Submitted to Contest #39

She was not feeling herself that night. The stars were looking beautiful that night, it always made Shanna feel better. She always looked up at the sky and would find the brightest star with her dad. He always told her that whenever she was feeling upset, she should look up at the sky and search for the brightest star. He also advised her to close her eyes take a deep breath and imagine something that made her happy. Shanna and her father bonded by telling each other their problems and always shared a laughter at the end no matter how bad th...

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“The Secret of Stars” by Anais Daniella Woods

Submitted to Contest #39

I looked up at Ursa Major and began to sketch its beauty. Ursa Minor right next to it also shone as if it wished to be recorded. The constellations were incredibly vivid tonight. It was as if they were dancing in my telescope lenses or maybe it’s just because I drove out to the mountains to get a better view or- maybe it was them just wishing to be seen? Funny huh? Stars are supposed to be the ones granting wishes but instead they are asking for them instead. Looking up now, I still can’t comprehend the vastness of it all, it was paint...

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“Those Who Found Each Other” by Kate Enoch

Submitted to Contest #39

I’ve been alone for the past four days. All of my fellow astronauts have made the journey home already, leaving me, their youngest astronaut, with orders to stay and man the ISS. My best friend and mentor, Spencer, begged me to go and he stay. “I can’t ask you to do this, Zack.” He pled, his eyes filling with tears. “They say that this space virus thing will self-de...

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“Alpha Leonis” by Silver Morris

Submitted to Contest #39

My semi-peaceful stargazing was interrupted by the sliding of glass, followed by the rustling of Not-Alger stepping out onto the balcony and settling into a chair beside mine. My hands tightened around the hunting rifle I’d shoplifted, but he either didn’t notice or didn’t care. It wasn’t like I could bring myself to shoot him. I had my chance while he was walking up the front steps, and I hadn’t taken it. It was too late now. I’d have to live with the decision. My gaze remained focused on the stars in the sky, but my mind was lost among the...

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“Wishing Star” by A K

Submitted to Contest #39

He stares up at the dark starry night, his gaze shifting from one light of hope to another. They bring comfort to his broken soul. They give him the freedom that he loathed for so long, but never had. Not even the chains around his feet and wrists made him feel imprisoned, for the feeling and thoughts rushing through his mind made him feel as though his soul left his body, as he was one with the silence.The smooth wind against his face, the cold comfort of the air makes him smile as he gently closes his eyes. For once the darkness felt comfo...

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“In the forest with Mr. In-between ” by Matthew Wright

Submitted to Contest #39

Mr. In-between, standing underneath the tall birch trees of the forest, picked up his head and looked up towards the stars. It was a moonless night, where a blanket of void covered the sky above completely and the thousands upon thousands of distant silverfish chewed holes through in the fabric to let some of the always-light in. The night was finally here, so Mr. In-between’s shameful task could begin. He dropped the last of the last of her belongings onto the clearing of grass with a thud. Before him were a pile of cabinets and d...

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“Dreams of Reality” by Kiruthika Shantharam

Submitted to Contest #39

He was walking down a Wonderful Place which looked like a Beautiful Garden. The Sky was blue with Sunshine. He saw different varieties of Flowers, Huge Trees, Colourful Butterflies. He kept walking feeling pleasant. He saw Lilies & Lotus in a lake on his way. There were a few boats. He wanted to go in a boat to the other side of the lake. He felt a good fragrance in the air. So he got into one of the boats & started rowing with the Paddles. He also saw a Crocodile in the lake.As soon as he went to the other side of the lake, the Scen...

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“‘Till the Stars Fall” by Raven Car

Submitted to Contest #39

Lavinia Montoya stared longingly out the Plaza Cafe window.A million stars twinkling like jewels from the heavens, framed against the purplish-black of the Mexican night sky. The light from the stars that light up the dessert‘s sand dunes and cactuses. And not a cloud in sight...“Lavinia!” someone shouted, making the young Spanish beauty jump.“What?” she yelped.“You were doing it again.” growled her boss, Senior Torino, making her flinch slightly. Senior Torino was an ugly man. Not physically; physically he was what one might call handsome. ...

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“Across The Sea of Stars” by Kristi Kisielewski

Submitted to Contest #39

A girl lays on the lush green grass, pigtails splayed out to the sides of her head. She holds her arm outstretched, hand grasping an old, dirty teddy bear. The park’s lamp shines white light on her face, glistening on her lips and in her wide eyes. Her loose plaid blouse makes small waves in what little hot breeze there is. Above her, a world of the unknown. Dots of white cover the sky, spread out across horizons. The moon looms above the far line of her sight, still small and far away.&nb...

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“Look at the stars(see how they shine for you)” by Cindy Bennett

Submitted to Contest #39

Denny, Ferris, Lonnie and Joe, were all present and accounted for. Thank the Gods! I don't know what I would have done if I had lost any of them! This world was already in a dark place and didn't need my grief added to the growing list of misery. It all began one starry night… Someone seriously fucked up! And I know that I was just one of the many wanting to rip this arseholes head off! All he had to do was follow one simple instruction! For chrissakes, Talk about a total screw up! "Momma you gotta let this go! He aint worth it!Oh Denny...

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“A Tale of A Trillion Years and One Night ” by Haruko Otonashi

Submitted to Contest #39

I’ll tell you a story of a trillion years and one night.When you climbed up those perilous hills and gazed up at the star-spangled skies—not now, of course, because you’re probably gazing, with your narrow-sided view, upon that hazy screen of yours—but a few years from now. Or maybe a good couple of decades. Who knows? My memory fails me more than it serves.But regardless of the time, you will.Lugging that heavy, black bags of yours, stuffed to the brim with telescopic equipment. You’d be with a companion or two, people insignificant to me, ...

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“Here and Now” by Harken Void

Submitted to Contest #39

Did you ever notice how reality just… is? Like, it’s there, for its own sake, perfect and complete just the way it is. Nothing needs to load, there’s no glitches, no lag, no error 404 signs. Reality never calls in sick, it never decides to just ‘not be there’ and stay in bed the whole day, leaving us to wing it on our own. I mean, what would it look like if reality stopped existing? Anyway, these are just some of the questions I keep asking myself as I observe cars, buildings and people passing by through the bus window. I’m not listeni...

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“Sunrise of a Lifetime” by Example Classifeid

Submitted to Contest #39

One day, the sun rose in the west and set in the east. “It was a momentous occasion. It was the very first sign of what would come.” “Keep going, Grandma!” You encourage. She manages a weak smile, and in a few minutes, continues; “And absolutely nobody noticed.” “What!?” Grandma grins. “I suppose i’m stretching the truth. Quite a lot of people noticed, but for the first few hours, nobody spoke up. See, the sun didn’t just decide to come back up the other way, it took a few days. First, they noticed the sun began to shift...

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“Earth 3.0” by Tom Moser

Submitted to Contest #39

- - - West Coast - - -“What a spectacular sunrise,” Sam observed while standing in his living room, sipping his morning coffee. The dark gray outline of the Olympic Mountains silhouetted against the early light shining through the window of the newly purchased West Seattle condominium. Their building was located along a street overlooking Alki Beach with views to the west and north.Sam and Ellen had not finished unpacking the boxes after their move from Atlanta the week prior. They first unpacked bedding, followed by boxes marked kitchen ite...

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$50

Prize money

694

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 01, 2020 EST

Won by Masha Kurbatova 🏆

Title: sole mate

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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#39: Earth to Writers

This week's prompts

One day, the sun rose in the west and set in the east.

Write about a person experiencing the 'overview effect' (a feeling astronauts report having when they first view Earth from outer space).

Write a story about a Google Street View driver.

Write a story that begins and ends with someone looking up at the stars.

Two people who thought they were the last people left on Earth end up meeting by chance.

Stories