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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#60: Face Your Fears

This week is a special edition of the Reedsy Prompts contest because our friends at IndieReader are taking it over with their own theme, prompts, and bonus prize! We'll let them take it from here...

Hi! Amy from IndieReader here. If you’re not familiar with IR, we’re one of the original (paid) review services for self, hybrid and independently published authors, providing professional book reviews since 2009, in addition to unique marketing and distribution solutions.

We know that 2020 has been a memorable (aka stressful) year for many. According to experts, one of the recommended ways to manage stress and anxiety is by thinking about what scares you most and then writing about it. So fittingly, this week’s theme is post-apocalyptic stories.

Don’t worry if that doesn’t sound like your genre, as we’ve written 5 prompts below that work whether you’re into that kind of thing or not. So pour a glass of wine, take a few deep breaths, and start typing. And we wouldn’t be surprised if, after you’re done, the world around you doesn’t look so bleak. At least there aren’t any zombies!

(As a bonus prize, the winner of this week's contest will receive a discount code for 20% off an IR Pro Review.)

This week's prompts

Write a funny post-apocalyptic story.

Funny – 110 stories

Write a post-apocalyptic story that features zombies.

Science Fiction – 178 stories

Write a post-apocalyptic story triggered by climate change.

Adults – 134 stories

Write a post-apocalyptic thriller.

Thriller and Suspense – 144 stories

Write a post-apocalyptic romance.

Dystopian – 196 stories

Stories

“In the year 2045” by Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #60

In the year 2045 "Simply aim and shoot." Mark firmly said as his hands steady his daughter, Janneke's shoulders, as she aimed at the target. With sweaty palms, she pulled back the trigger, startled by the force of the gun, cursing under her breath. "Dad, I just can't do it, " Janneke moaned. "Yes, you can. Just try again." Mark commented in hopes of encouraging Janneke. "Why?" – "Because I need to know that you'd be safe."- Safe from what?" – "You know, j...

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“Uncharted Waters” by Chuck Waldron

Submitted to Contest #60

October 30th, 2022 Most days begin and end in ordinariness. There are days, however, when a life-changing event comes rushing with incredible speed. Little did I know I was about to experience the latter. With a sense of outrage, I first crumpled the letter, compressing it in my fist. It was the confirmation I’d been expecting. Everyone my age was getting one. Unfolding the crimpled document, I smoothed it to reread. Nothing in the letter had changed. They expect me to volunteer. To give up my life. Will I do that … for … my country? Really...

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“Lockdown Party” by Simon Ward

Submitted to Contest #60

Peering out from my bedroom window, I watched the house party over the road. Some forty or so revellers were drinking and dancing in the garden. They were ignoring the lockdown restrictions which had confined people to their homes. Without social interaction, it was no wonder they’d gone stir crazy and needed to let off steam. They must have known they’d get caught but didn’t seem to care as music shamelessly boomed. Party like it’s 1999 had become an anthem for those who wanted to ignore the law. The desire to live an active life stronger t...

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“Handcuffed” by Insha Waseem

Submitted to Contest #60

The shrillness of the pertaining atmosphere and the high notes of the birds were a clear demonstration of an after-happening. The way trees swinged and performed a simple harmonic motion emphasised that the sun is also a star. Sun rays exhibited a different pattern. Much more than that, the moonlight impacted differently. After the crucial and hectic eclipses back to back the previous seasons, it all demonstrated the restoration of the old normal. From bag-carrying students to bag-selling men, everyone was on a pretence mode to normalcy. But...

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“Transformed” by Emerald Baynton

Submitted to Contest #60

I was at work when it happened. Helping a customer find the absolute perfect book to give her nephew for his first birthday. We’d been through most of the children's department, and I was starting to have second thoughts about my career choice when she finally settled on one. I led her to the register, thanking any and all gods that might exist for the reprieve. As we rounded the corner, the earth shook like something I had never felt and never would again. The customer and I collapsed to the ground. I wish I was the kind of person w...

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“Trade off” by Shubhangi Likhite

Submitted to Contest #60

There is one strange fact that goes, “You pass your death anniversary every year without even knowing it.” But I know exactly when my death anniversary will be, it would be after two days from today. No, No I am not going to commit suicide nor I am going to die from long illness, I am going to die because that is what I deserved for my deeds. I will explain more so you all could get better idea of what I am trying to say. It was raining heavily, thunderstorm was declared all over the radio stations and on NEWS channels. I picked up Sarah, my...

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“Face your Fears” by Josh Lamb

Submitted to Contest #60

Fears. Everybody has them. Some big, some small. Some rational, some irrational. In the Shudder House people faced their fears. All of them. Tomorrow Rell had to go through the house. After all, he was 13 now, he had to. He didn’t want to refuse and become a Jilt. Someone who was rejected by society. Who couldn’t hold a rank, and lived very poorly. Rell slipped on his red shirt. He was getting sick of red. Since he hadn’t gone through the Shudder House yet he could only wear red shirts. This was to mark him as rankless. Jilts are also restri...

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“When the Sun Rises in the West” by Ali Anthony Bell

Submitted to Contest #60

My name is Azizz Abdul Hakeem. It’s the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah in the Hijri year 1525 (January 10th 2102 AD). The 1st Muharram 1526 is just 3 weeks away. The smoke has finally cleared from the sky, and the sun is shining brightly this morning for the first time in 30 months. The brightness hurts my eyes after being so long without sunlight so I pull down the blinds to filter it. I learned in my youth that this had already happened in history long ago, in the Hijri year -89 to -88 (536 AD), before the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) as a result of 2 ...

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“Broad Channel” by Matthew Eubanks

Submitted to Contest #60

I have to get out of here.The lights are out. I’m not sure if the subway door will open if I pull on it.Panic. Calm the hell down. That’s panic. I should wait for help.I don’t need to panic because panic doesn’t help anything.No one ever uses Broad Channel station. The most underused station in New York. That's why it's so empty. That's why it's taking awhile.If you panic you won’t make good decisions at all. Be smart.The car just stopped and the lights went out all at once twenty – six minutes ago and there wasn’t any explanation. But I don...

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“The Hallutionations ” by MaKenzie Baker

Submitted to Contest #60

Day one, Saturday 9:00 AM: I feel pretty silly and paranoid keeping a journal over this. But I want a record of my symptoms. In case I did catch something from the guy yesterday. I mean maybe he had some undiscovered virus. A record of my symptoms could help the doctors. I guess maybe that kinda thinking does mean I’m paranoid. What am I doing? I guess I should explain what happened yesterday. I was walking home through a shortcut when I ran into a very sick old man. At first, I couldn't tell what he looked like, because the hood on his coat...

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“Two Ships in the Night” by Mary Fuller

Submitted to Contest #60

It was a sultry evening in June. I was at work and I saw this tall, handsome man enter the workroom floor. He saw me too and came directly over and sat down next to me. I was immediately nervous and excited. He had a beautiful smile and big blue eyes. He was from the south part of the territory and he had a wonderful southern accent which made me melt right there. We started talking. His name was George. He was retired from the military. He told me he had secret information on the third world war and it was coming soon. It was going to be th...

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“The Last Of Us (based off ‘the 100’)” by Jojo Leibundguth

Submitted to Contest #60

Finn and Clarke stood where the camp the 100 built once was, no one was left, the grounders had won. The ark was gone too, they were alone on an earth filled with threats. Finn looked at Clarke, “Who knew we’d be the last of us, I would’ve thought Bellamay would have made it at least, but no it’s just us princess.” Clarke looked back at him, “That name died with Bellamay.” Finn was stunned, was she really not over Bellamay? “Sorry.”“It’s fine, right now I’m just worried about that bullet, and yes I’m over Bellamay.” She said as she kissed hi...

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“'What do you want?'” by Pat Riordan

Submitted to Contest #60

What Do You Want? ‘I’ve put the phone messages on your desk,’ the assistant said as her boss entered. ‘Thanks,’ Brenda Moore answered as she continued into her own office. She stood by the window staring at the commanding view from the window, her mind churning with the enormity of tasks that needed attention and decisions since the past few months of trying to run a business under COVID restrictions ‘This will never do,’ she moaned. Turning from the window, she glanced down at the list of phone and video messages, flopped into her c...

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“An Angel Living” by Anya-Sophia Woods

Submitted to Contest #60

Tw: explicit mention of suicide and death She moved like a faerie. She shined like a star. She was unreal. I can’t believe I found her here. In the cold onslaught of winter I found an angel of peace and serenity in a castle of luxury. She beckoned me in like a succubus of innocence. She warmed me and set out my clothes. She drew me a bath and made me a feast. I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Angel, you look like death.” she said. “I’m aware,” I returned, “who are you?” “Venus, but you already knew that.” “What?” “Nevermi...

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“New Beginnings” by Heather Van Rensburg

Submitted to Contest #60

‘Where am I? Who am I?’ These questions were ringing in my head. I now realised that it was the chirping of the birds that woke me – a sound that was foreign to anyone living in a city. I sat up and looked around; I was sitting in the shade of a tree in a beautiful glade, and everything was peaceful. I tried to remember what had occurred. Why was I here? I had no recollection at all. Slowly the memories started coming to the forefront of my mind. I remember running for my life with my heart thumping out of my body. I heard voices calling me ...

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$50

Prize money

762

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 25, 2020 EST

Won by Ruth Midgley 🏆

Title: Unpaving Paradise

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.

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