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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#63: Autumnal

It’s finally fall in the Northern Hemisphere. While the leaves are being slow to change out my window this year, the air is crisp and the pumpkin spice products are out in full force. Time to break out the sweaters!

Beyond all the colorful trappings, though, fall is by definition a season of change. So as you craft your stories this week, try to think about how the events you’re writing will change your characters' lives, whether fundamentally or just a little. After all, even a seemingly mundane afternoon can be the turning point of your entire life…

And if you want to drink some apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte while you write, more power to you!

This week's prompts

Set your story in a coffee shop that’s just introduced a new line of autumnal drinks.

Fall – 161 stories

Start your story with the line, “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire.” (Whether this is a literal fire is up to you.)

Teens – 324 stories

Write about a character making fall decorations out of construction paper.

Kids – 45 stories

Write a story from the perspective of a bird migrating for the winter.

Winter – 128 stories

Write about two characters going apple picking.

Fall – 249 stories

Stories

“When is a Latte not a Latte” by Peter Doyle

Submitted to Contest #63

There was a table and a blackboard outside the front door. Written in chalk on the blackboard were the words “Order Here” with a big smiley face. Mike and his friend Shane looked around; the place seemed deserted. The small round metal tables and chairs were empty except for a young couple deeply absorbed in their computer tablets, ignoring the two paper cups with lids on the table in front of them. Coco Coffee sat in a newly opened mixed development, a glass fronted coffee shop situated below overpriced apartments, alongside...

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“A Special Brew” by Sam Newsome

Submitted to Contest #63

A Special Brew Nat awoke feeling the chill. After a warm September, he had yet to begin to heat his apartment, but now there was a coolness in the air and a definite harbinger of the coming winter. In mid-October, fall had definitely arrived—not only on the calendar, but also in Nat’s aching muscles. After arising and getting his morning shower he descended to the street and heard the sound of rakes and even, at an early hour, the sme...

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“Fall For A Drink” by Threese Belivett

Submitted to Contest #63

"Coffee is life."“Black plain, black with cream, 3-in-1 coffee, chocolate drink...”, sigh.“There’s not much to choose in this machine. I tasted all of it when I set foot on this land.”Of course I murmured it, but I think the lady heard me. I cringed. I continue walking around and grab something to eat.I’ve never gone far outside in our building where I live, aside this nearest convenience store. I just stayed in my flat because I’m not familiar yet with the place. I arrived about 2 days here in New Zealand to study and I’m very much excited ...

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“Festival of Tribute” by Scott McHenry

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time Caotegan stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Not actual fire, mind you; the color of fire. The fall had arrived seemingly overnight and brought with it a changing of the colors of the valley. Where before the valley was carpeted in hues of green treetops, now those same treetops had an orange covering to them. The changing of the season brought cooler weather as well. Summer was fine, but Caotegan enjoyed the cooler weather. This also brought about the Festival of Tribute, where vendors far and wide would venture to Thunder...

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“A World of Colors” by Jadalin Cheney

Submitted to Contest #63

A World of Color By Jadalin Cheney “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire.” I stared in awe of the beauty around me, my eyes growing misty. I twirled around as all the color's danced in and out of my vision, not ceasing my momentum, even as I became dizzy! When I finally came to a still I allowed myself to roll onto the ground that was filled with leaves the color of flames. I allowed myself to pick apart every hue I see in this beautiful moment all while remembering what it was like when I could only see gray, bla...

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“Fallen leaves” by RABI CHATTERJEE

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire with the death of Avinash. The blood was still sprinkling from his neck. He was under that old cherry tree. Winter leaves were falling from the tree. People were already gathered around him in the early morning. I never thought it would end like this. He was a neighbour of mine, a very dear one. It started with his longing for money. He had been too greedy. He never thought where he was heading. A vicious circle of friends had acquired him by preaching the overnight rich method but ...

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“Fallen. No more” by Anthony David M

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I walked right to the corner in the courtyard of my neighbour Carlos. He was standing close to the collection he had made of the dry leaves. He had set fire to them and was warming himself at that fire. It was a chilly evening. I too stepped close to him and said, "Hi Carlos! Nice fire!" &...

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“Burning Leaves” by Shelby Schwartz

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I don’t just mean with the colors of oranges, yellows and reds or the way they cover the ground and light up the area around them. I mean each leaf falling towards the ground, lighting up in a bright glowing flame of fire. They look like candles floating slowly down to the cold ground. As they land on top of ashes, they themselves would burn up and fall apart into soot. It covers the decaying grass as winter begins to come upon us. This happens every year. Always when the leaves ...

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“The Stranger” by Ellie Gregory

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I wasn’t in any direct danger yet, but it was approaching. The world was going up in flames, the leaves on the trees being burnt to crisps while the fire ravaged the once beautiful forests of California. It was still somewhat far, but from my vantage point on the hill, I could see it advancing slowly. I watched as my neighbors piled into their cars and left, packing their lives and families into their vehicles and leaving their homes behind. I had no plans to leave. I didn’t know what I...

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“The coffee Shop” by Paul Arch

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time i stepped outside the leaves were on fire. Its was october so there wasnt many left hanging from the trees as it was, although this tree in which my eyes locked onto had a unuseual amount left which only acted as more fuel. I just moved here 2 weeks ago and finally built up enough will power to walk into town. As i was scanning my surroundings, including the people walking down the side walk both in the same direction as well as oncoming. thats when i saw it, a tiny little coffee shop practicly 2 blocks down from where i sto...

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“The Curse of the Nightcoma” by Alana Bates

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside the leaves were on fire, glowing like red embers in the twilight of the sinking sun. A chill breeze caught my collar and whipped it up around my chin, and I pulled my coat closer to keep out the bite of the wind. A carriage rumbled past me and splashed a muddy puddle of water up the front of my trousers. I brushed it off with my hand and then crossed over the dirty road and made my way to the cemetery. The wrought iron gates stood slightly open. As dusk crept down the dark places within began to look lonely an...

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“Fall Beginnings” by Crouton 828

Submitted to Contest #63

“By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire,” I said, finishing the reading of my short story to my class. “Wait, what do you mean ‘by the time you stepped outside, the leaves were on fire’?” my teacher questioned, “Is that the end of the story?” When I nodded, she made a mark in her gradebook and said, “What kind of ending is that? That is not how you finish a story. I’m giving you a D!” I winced. I knew that they wouldn’t understand. This assignment was supposed to be a made-up story about fall, but while trying to write one, I...

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“Fires Inn; The Mind” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #63

Fires Inn; The Mind “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Do you think that is a strange way to answer a question I proposed to my class about life?” “I guess if I had to be truthful, and I always am, as lies as you know, are nothing more than an attempt to win an argument with yourself. I’d say it was a pertinent question, and promotes a revealing answer.” &nb...

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“Aurora's Chosen Ivy” by Lindsey Albright

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Every fanned blade of foliage had combusted all on its own and all the orange resplendence that had once been so prominent in the sunset just hours before was reduced to blackened embers and licking flames. The air was thick with smoke that climbed ever higher towards the waxing moon. It was the final sign. The one I had been waiting for for so long and I could hardly believe my luck. I was going to be the witch that greeted Aurora Incarnate. It was coming straight to my door. Ye...

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“Flames to Love” by Sweetie Morris

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I was totally confused and didn't know what to do at the moment. The smokey cloud covered my view. I had a very bad feeling about my trip to Huacachina if only I had listened to my instincts, the story would have been a different experience. As I inhaled the thick smoke down my nostrils, I feared the worse. Jose! Jose! I cried for the concierge who was a Spanish guy. A very humble individual. I could hear him cough as he tried to find me in the (tinieblas) also known as darkness. At thi...

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$50

Prize money

907

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 16, 2020 EST

Won by Masha Kurbatova 🏆

Title: come to atlanta!

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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