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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#41: Fuzzy Friends (or Foes?)

Hey, writers! I'm Tracy Gold, an editor, writer, and mom to a toddler, horse, and dog. And this week, I'm taking over Reedsy Prompts!

As an editor, I've enjoyed working on young adult fiction (like Amanda Searcy's Watch You Burn), non-fiction (like Gary Vikan's The Holy Shroud), and sci-fi/fantasy (like Nikki Richard's Demon in the Whitelands). Visit my Reedsy profile to learn more about me and my work!

My theme for this week is "fuzzy friends." From Hedwig in the Harry Potter series to Enzo in the The Art of Racing in the Rain, nothing captures hearts like a beloved animal. Animals can be powerful antagonists, too: just look at Jurassic Park! Perhaps what I love most about books featuring fuzzy friends (or foes) is that they mine the depths of the human heart by exploring how we interact with animals. I hope these prompts help you sniff out a good story!

This week's prompts

Write about an animal who changes a person's life (for better or worse).

Kids – 232 stories

Write about an animal species that doesn't exist in real life — an alien, new discovery, imaginary creature — it's up to your interpretation!

Middle School – 145 stories

Write about an animal who goes on a journey.

Kids – 69 stories

Write a story featuring an animal who subverts expectations (like a snuggly tiger, or something more magical, like a literal fish out of water).

Kids – 69 stories

Write about an animal who causes a huge problem.

Middle School – 99 stories

Stories

“Deadly” by Ash Hillton

Submitted to Contest #41

Just a typical suburban town... No problems, happy children, strong marriages; everything you could ever want.But... it didn't stay that way...The first few deaths didn't raise much concern... the next five did, but none cared to look into it. After twenty five deaths within the span of two and a half months, residents became concerned. They started a neighborhood watch. It worked for a while. They disbanded soon after the deaths stopped, but they began again. Not quite as harsh as the were before, only two a month, but they s...

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“Zerta” by Cynthia Cronan

Submitted to Contest #41

REEDSY.COM 15MAY2020Writing prompt #190Write about an animal who causes a huge problem.Zerta by clcronan 2020There are definitely times when you have to ask yourself, “ Why am I a good person? Is it even worth it?” Like that time I found the dog crate by the side of the road and took it upon myself to play rescue hero. I spotted it and for some reason started to pull over right away. Then the crate wiggled and that sealed the deal. The mighty trumpets played a superhero theme in my head and I was going to “bring goodness to bear where ...

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“WHAT A DAY WITH FRESH” by Godfrey Collins

Submitted to Contest #41

woke up feeling drowsy, like i hadnt slept at all, like i slept for an hour which to some extent i had. had slept around ten in the evening and had been woken up by my poor bladder around 1 am, and because of my poor aiming had peed myself and the other half was either on the floor or on the sit. having to clean that mess really woke me up, by the time i was done cleaning was definitely wide awake. tried to find someone to talk to on my phone but non were interesting, non were susanna my future wife, damn i love that girl and just mentioning...

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“Blackout” by Peter Amos

Submitted to Contest #41

It was the damn Galloways on Loman Street again. Cal shook his head and rapped his wedding band against the steering wheel in time with the Waylon in the speakers and watched headlights tumble through the dark intersection as he waited for the signal to change. A brick cape cod with gray-and-red shingles and neatly pruned shrubs; the Galloway place caused more trouble than the rest of the neighborhood combined. Not that anyone would say so outside the comfort of their own living room, but the gossip and the in-ground pool and the late-night,...

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“A Newsworthy Jam” by Jessie Val

Submitted to Contest #41

“Detective, you’ve got a call on line two,” Dodge heard as he walked through the station's door to start his day. He had a pretty tough night and woke up in a hangover blur. Now, just barely making it to work on time; he didn’t want to think before he got his morning cup of joe. “Penelope, please just tell whoever it is to call back in an hour.” “I can’t do that sir. It’s Rebecca Rabbit from Carrot & Co. Farms. You know, the big carrot farming industry, on the east side. She has been calling since six this morning about some missing prod...

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“From Out There” by Nolan Tanner

Submitted to Contest #41

From out there it came. It was ancient and beautiful.Aurelia thought her grandmother was also ancient and beautiful. She was old for a grandmother. Women in their family tree for some reason tended to have children after 40. Aurelia sat in the spring air that was somehow neither warm nor cool. She could surmise that it was a strange day. Earlier in the day, there had been a shadow around her grandmother. She was content with the shadow, but Aurelia wasn’t. The shadow made her look even more ancient, but also beautiful.The news on TV was...

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“Skinny Minnie Not So Skinny” by Mike Williams

Submitted to Contest #41

Minnie was a neighborhood feral cat. She would roam the neighborhood as if she was on patrol. Minnie was skinny, very skinny. Thus, “Skinny Minnie.” As a feral cat, she would not allow human contact. Minnie wouldn’t allow you to touch her or even get close to her. Along Minnie’s routine patrol route was an old, large two-story house. In the house, there resided a family of five. Mark and Maureen were raising three girls, all between the ages of five to eight. Two dogs, Jack Russel terriers, were sisters as well. As puppies, they...

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“The Four-Legged Sadist ” by Jae Ross

Submitted to Contest #41

Inspired by true events.The numbers on the illuminated blue clock tell me it’s 3:13 in the morning. Unbelievable. The two white noise machines strategically placed on either side of my head still couldn’t drown out the scratching noise that’s coming from outside. He’s back. And this time he’s interfering with my sleep schedule in a really fucked up way. 11:13pm would have been fine. Hell, even 5:13am would have been acceptable. But this hour is seriously sadistic. ‘How did he get out ...

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“The Three Terrors” by Megan Meyerson

Submitted to Contest #41

Long ago, in a time so forgotten that now only the stars themselves remember, there lived a great wizard. This wizard, although he was great, was foolish, and tampered with things that would have been better left alone. One day, while he was watering his garden, the wizard looked up and found himself face-to-face with a Galeria, one of the darkest creatures known to the magical world. The wizard swallowed his fear, took a step back, and said as calmly as he cou...

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“Puppy Love by Susan Lynn Zenker (2013 words)” by Sue Z

Submitted to Contest #41

Puppy Love by Susan Lynn Zenker “Hey, Clark. I’m here to pick up Mitzie.” I always tease Josh and call him “Clark” because the black frames he wears give him a Clark Kent look. “Oh, hi, Brianna.” He stands up from his desk. Hands in his pockets, eyes on the floor. On the counter sits a bouquet of dying sunflowers, I Love My Pet stickers, and a planter in the shape of an owl. Every seat in the waiting room is taken. I’m suddenly aware Clark is staring at me like my hair’s blue. “You’re acting weird.&...

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“A Corgi from Nancy” by Stenner Evans

Submitted to Contest #41

"I swear, this world is out to get me!" groaned Pamela as she hoisted herself out of her car in front of her house.The credit control office where she worked had sent everyone home to continue their work due to a 'terrible plumbing disaster' caused by her coworker James blocking the one shared toilet all 40 workers in the building used. James was not confronted by the managers about it, but they all knew it was him. The office smelled disgusting so they were all sent home.On the way home, she had been pulled over by a young policeman for spe...

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“Dreamer” by Joshua DeLeeuw

Submitted to Contest #41

The first thing I remember is the smell of his leather jacket. When I was little, just a tiny white ball of fur and puppy breath, he would tuck me into that jacket and I would ride inside as he roared down pavement on his motorbike. Then I sat inside of him as he listened to lectures about statistics and psychology. All the girls in class cooed when I would poke my head out and sneak a kiss on to his cheek. My man, my buddy, my daddy and friend.it was a hard year for him. His sister, his rock had moved away leaving only me to comfort him. He...

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“Barkley” by Gina Burke

Submitted to Contest #41

“Clara, you need to open your mouth. That suck-up is taking credit for all your hard work.” “Why bother, Patti? Mr. Wilder thinks Brad is awesome, ok? He’s not going to listen to anything I have to say.”“Then make him listen. You deserve the credit for this project, not that twit.” “Patti, thank you for always having my back.”“I know talent when I see it. Take it from me, you’re never going to move up in this world if you let people walk all over you. You have the talent to go far, you just need to let people see it.”“Thanks,...

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“Stephanie's Cat” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #41

Stephanie's Cat Stephanie Greenleaf, a pretty 13-year-old, had been taking piano lessons for several years from Mrs. Barton, who always brought Stephanie a present, usually candy or a small toy. On one occasion, when she came to give Stephanie her piano lesson, Mrs. Barton brought a present that was not candy; it was in a small box. "You're going to love her, Steph," she said and opened the lid on the box and took out an adorable Siamese kitten. "Mrs. Barton, she's the best present in the whole world," she gushed looking a...

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“Pot Belly Bear” by Christopher Lane

Submitted to Contest #41

It is the night of Christmas EveAnd a little boy looks out excitedlyOut of a window looking for a lightAs Meema and Poppee will come this nightOh how he loves them soThey will bring him joy, he knowsThey will bring gifts and toys and such That every little boy does love so muchIt’s a magical time for boys like thisA time no family wants to missAs gifts of toys, and clothes and drumBecome treasures for years to comeThe light appears and the boys faceFills with glow as to the door he racesAnd, so Meema and Poppee arrive with boxes and bagsAnd ...

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$50

Prize money

614

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 15, 2020 EST

Won by Jack Basson 🏆

Title: A Cat of Ganymede

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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