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!

#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

“THE OLD LADY'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE CAT” by Mary-Rene Hackett-Collier

Submitted to Contest #41

It wasn't always like this. There was a time that when I got together with my family and the talk all around was cheerful and uplifting. Well, maybe Aunt Maude complained about her swollen ankles a bit and Uncle Andy went on about how bad the stock market was doing, but for the most part my Mama insisted talk around her table be confined to what she called, 'happy happenings'. And so I grew to womanhood taking a dim view of folks I tagged, “complainers”. In later years I would find ways to...

Read story

“Growing up with Gracie” by Kinsey Curo

Submitted to Contest #41

Growing up, Gracie was my best friend. She still is, only much much better. She was the only one who ever understood what I was going through. Sure, I had other friends at school, but they didn’t truly know me. Only Gracie knew me. They say that a dog is a man's best friend, but in this case she is my best friend.Every day after school I would walk home through the dull countryside. to find Gracie sitting on the front porch waiting for me to play with her. I never understood how she got out, or the fact that she never ran away. I always lock...

Read story

“Galaxies of Art ” by Bethany Gibson

Submitted to Contest #41

Golden Gate Park was rather popular and the DeYoung Museum one of the marvels of the city. The spot was busy but not overrun, perfect for a tour with a newbie. My eyes scanned the crowd in an attempt to find my friend. It is quite the triumph to be able to claim the title of friendship to this particular individual. Technically, I think it is the very first of its kind. “Joanna!” a voice cried.I turned to find the object of my search striding towards me. Behind his opaque sunglasses, I knew his solid unblinking eyes would be fixed assur...

Read story

“The Guardians” by Chloe Cheatwood

Submitted to Contest #41

Until yesterday, I had never heard of a gremlin. Then again, until yesterday, I had never known that my family was supposed to spend their entire life fighting these creatures. My apologies, I know I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me rewind just a bit. Hello, my name is Jacob Wethers and I am completely normal, and boring. I love to write, especially after the creative writing class I took in 7th grade but that’s about it. I used to write short stories for my dad to read, but then he disappeared. &nbsp...

Read story

“The Keibe” by Shelby Touchstone

Submitted to Contest #41

Journal entry 1: My name is Daniel Thorne. In my friendship with the royal garden’s caretaker, I have discovered the existence of a special species of bird. As of yet, I do not know much about this creature. I have borrowed a few of the caretaker’s books to study more. I intend to go on a journey to their habitat in the forest in the next few days. I will be taking this journal and the books so that I can continue my writings. Journal entry 17: It has been over two weeks since I entered the forest, and I have finally found the nest. It'...

Read story

“The Creature” by Adrian Tan

Submitted to Contest #41

Late in the chilly night, the lone spiralling mountain road laid dormant. One side protected by the mountain, the opposite side was bare to a steep and sharp drop down the forest below. Anyone worth his or her salt knew better than to go up or down such a treacherous mountain in the dark except for the unusual daredevil such as the single truck speeding down the winding road. No doubt the driver had someplace else he wanted to be. No doubt he was cursing why the government did not just bore a tunnel through the terrain instead of making him ...

Read story

“ "The Octopicklefintreeod"” by Liv Howard

Submitted to Contest #41

The weight was so heavy, my foot disrupted nature's peace, echoing the branch beneath my feet. Staying quiet was the safest option I could think of; stumbling upon this unknown creature. I should have never come out here so unprepared, especially not alone. Before I could look toward it, it was gone. With fear in my heart, I ran out of the trees back to the Lazareth Lab. Here I was an intern studying under Precious Pope. Pr...

Read story

“The Beginning of Jane” by Marin Hunt

Submitted to Contest #41

Jane walked along the forest path, enjoying the cool breeze as it brushed against her face while she strolled in and out of the sunlight, turned a light shade of green by the rustling emerald canopy above. She looked up and sniffed; there would be a storm soon. She could tell not only by the damp air and the tension that seemed to float in the forest, but also from the sight of it. She watched as it rolled in, pushing the sunlight aside as little flickers of lightning erupted from within. Then, it gave out an unhappy grumbl...

Read story

“The Mabreet” by Kai Dalcassian

Submitted to Contest #41

I was four when my mom told me I couldn’t have a guinea pig. Or a mouse. Or a hamster. I was distraught for about ten minutes, and then she told me to go play outside, and I got distracted.I was poking holes in the ground with a stick when I saw it. Not a mouse, or a rabbit, or any usual creature. It wasn’t even remotely recognizable, but I knew what it was. The word just sort of popped into my head: mabreet. It was a mabreet.I picked it up off the ground and held it cupped in my hands. It was small, like a mouse, but so much softer than any...

Read story

“The Bobs ” by Sarah Brittain

Submitted to Contest #41

Earth, or what remains of Earth is simply fascinating. I have multiple degrees in human studies and relations, but I have never before been able to set foot on their planet. This planet is 6,378 kilometers (3,963 miles) at the equator and 6,356 kilometers (3,950 miles) at the poles if I chose to refer to the measurements humans use. I know everything about this great blue orb but have never had the privilege of settling down upon it. Although this Earth is quite smaller than my planet, it still has plenty of room for thousands of species to ...

Read story

“Dogo's Search for Fofo's Breath” by Khant Rain

Submitted to Contest #41

Girl Dragon Fofo puffed her chest and blew air out as hard as she could. Every dragon of the Dragon Village Ma had surrounded her with their eyes fixed.No fire came out of Fofo.Denying what had just happened, Fofo tried to blow air out again, but that attempt also failed miserably.“Seems like you can’t produce fire, my child. How about trying another kind of breath. Try poison,” one of the old dragons suggested.“You have green and pink scales, so you might be able to breathe out poison and flowers! Don’t give up, Fofo!” a sharp male voice so...

Read story

“The Seven Year Spell” by Zac Grace

Submitted to Contest #41

And then, her friends started poking for holes in her mother’s story.She could see brown-haired Yoshua scrunching up his nose, the turning gears in his brain almost obvious. He was about to ask a difficult question.Pellard and Maya were in a whispered discussion, their voices so quiet that they must be reading each other’s lips.Gerry, Bobby and Paxine were, without a question, scared. And by the looks on their faces, their mothers were terrified.Kira looked at her own mother, at the same time perplexed that she had caught all the attention t...

Read story

“Overprotective” by ALLISON FRANCIS

Submitted to Contest #41

The tall one was back again. My ears lifted as I heard the growl of his mechanical beast driving up to the house. I had memorized this sound, so I would always know when sister needed my help.I jumped off my chair and rushed to the front window. I lifted my paws and hopped up onto the window ledge. I peered out the window and growled as I viewed the tall one take my sisters hand. How dare he touch her! I continued to watch the scene intently when, suddenly, the tall one leaned towards sister and pressed his lips to her cheek."Get away from h...

Read story

“Mixed Breed” by Tim Benson

Submitted to Contest #41

“MIXED BREED”It seemed like everyone I talked to gave me the same advice; the best way to get over the loss of a pet is to get a new one. I knew they were right but as I sat there in the parking lot of the rescue shelter it didn’t seem so obvious. Daisy had been part of our family for fourteen years. The boys were in high school and picked her from a litter of Yellow Lab puppies and named her on the way home. In time they decided they wanted no part of a job at the nuclear plant where I worked so they went off to college and careers elsewher...

Read story

$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!

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 ⭢