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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

“The Special Apple.” by Mariah Danielle

Submitted to Contest #63

Once upon a time there lived a beautiful girl in a huge castle. Her Castle was made of snow. It was the softest, whitest, and most plush snow anyone in the world has ever seen. She lived in the castle all alone besides her pet which was a polar bear. The polar bear was a miniature and talkative anyone has ever seen. She held the power of the winter season, which means she controls the snow and ice. She loved Christmas for more reasons then one, but this year she was losing her power and growing ill. She needed to figure out why and fast… her...

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“Apple Orchards and Admittance” by S Smith

Submitted to Contest #63

It was a cold autumn day, perfect for apple picking in Kristine’s opinion. She shivered slightly as a crisp breeze blew in and shifted closer to the person next to her. It was her best friend, Cole. They were at Maple Farms, their favorite orchard in the state. It was also owned by Kristie’s aunt, which meant free entry. For seventeen years, Kristie had been coming to Maple Farms. She had barely been six her first time, not even up to her father’s shoulder. For the last thirteen, Cole had come along too. He was practically ...

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“The Apple Falls Far From the Tree” by Meli Mangos

Submitted to Contest #63

I stood leaning on the side of my beat up black Honda civic in the gravel parking lot of Herman’s Farm in the section next to the orchard. My stained grey converse fit right in at the farm and my ripped jeans, not bought that way, made me look like every other basic white girl going apple picking. Today my green-dyed hair was pulled into a side braid that laid across the plain yellow t-shirt on my left shoulder. He would be here soon, I hope. The time on my phone told me he was already twenty minutes late. The parking lot was filling ...

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“The Montgomery Apple Grove” by Autumn Rebecca

Submitted to Contest #63

Leaves hovered the ground, twirling around Hazel Bryson and Charlie Montgomery's ankles as they raced toward the apple grove. The sweet sound of juvenile laughter filled the air as Hazel sped past her best friend. "You never let me win!" Charlie complained as he finally caught up. He leaned against a tree to catch his breath and smoothed his charcoal black hair. "You're such an old man." Hazel's 17 years old, sapphire eyes gleamed as she teased the olive complexioned boy. Every time she ran, she couldn't help but get lost in all the wo...

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“The Child” by Ash Hale

Submitted to Contest #63

“Momma! Momma! Terry is scaring me!”Emilia ran down the stairs and into the kitchen to feel the safe comfort of her mother’s arms around her.She hugged her mother’s legs from behind, unable to reach the fully grown adult. She was a very small child.Terrance followed her, bubbling with laughter at his sister’s expense.His mother gave him the devious eyes and said “Terrance” in a B flat, which meant that he was in trouble.“Aaawwhhh! Mum! You know I was just joking around with her.”But he knew he didn’t stand a chance against his teary-eyed sis...

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“B&B” by Melissa Olivo Heller

Submitted to Contest #63

October had spread across the countryside painting the leaves in its wake. The crisp breeze rustled the already fallen leaves as they ventured out to the orchard. The local orchard, Bees and Blossoms, was less than a mile from their home by foot. Over the past twenty-five years that they had been married this back-wood walk had become a family tradition. She remembered when they had first found the “orchard” path the first year that they lived on Morningstar Road. She had spied the small wooden arrow when they cam...

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“You're why I love Fall” by Andy B

Submitted to Contest #63

The cold Autumn air was nipping at my nose as I stood in one of the uniform rows of the orchard. I smiled as I fondly remembered why this was my favorite place in the whole world. Even though the air was frigid and it was supposed to snow soon, I felt warm. Fond memories flooding my mind. I plucked an apple from a tree branch before sitting on the blanket I brought and tossing the apple over in my hands. The red skin on the apple made me smile, she had red hair. Bright, beautiful, red hair. I laid down and held the apple close, closing my ey...

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“Apples only fall on fall” by Claudia Mendez

Submitted to Contest #63

Autumn was never her favourite season, she preferred summer way more. The only thing she could appreciate about autumn, was the litterfall. Even if she knew it wasn’t very hygienic, it was still fun to jump or lay on it. It was curious how a bunch of leafs could feel so comfy. And the sound it made when it crushed? Very satisfying. However, this time the leaves didn’t crush under her feet. Even when she added more pressure, they didn’t break even a little. They weren't small either, in fact, they were so big she could cover her face with ju...

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“Coffee Shop” by Macey Camp

Submitted to Contest #63

It was chilly outside as Abigail walked down the street to where the local coffee shop was located. The leaves were bright orange and red color as they caught the breeze and floated to the ground. "Abby!" A female's voice called from down the street. Waverly jogged to where I stood. "Where are you going?" "The coffee shop, I heard they had new drinks out," I reply cheerfully. "Can I join you?" Waverly asks breathlessly. The few moments she jogged must have exerted her. A nod and we walk inside where the warm atmospher...

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“An Autumn moment” by Julie Adamson

Submitted to Contest #63

I was so excited my favourite cafe had added an autumnal menu. The food was filled with amazing stews and casseroles. What got me excited was the coffees and their added spices. The smells in the cafe were filled with warmth. Sitting at my usual table I wait for my lover to arrive. It had been a cold day and was surprised when he suggested we meet. He usually wanted to come over to my place where we would eat something I cooked and binge watch Netflix. We’d then make love and he’d leave. I ofte...

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“Autumn at the Corner Cafe” by Arizona Foster

Submitted to Contest #63

When the door to the corner cafe opened to let a chatty couple out onto the sidewalk, their hands full of coffee take out, an unexpected plume of pumpkin and spice rushed to greet me. I took a deep breath to let it consume me and smiled with glee. It was officially autumn - my favorite season.Autumn always held a special place in my heart. When I was little, my parents, my older sister, Lydia, and I all piled into my parent’s blue Mercury Sable and drove out of the city toward the mountains to see if the tree leaves had changed colors yet.&n...

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“Mola Shandy” by Simbarashe Nyatsambo

Submitted to Contest #63

They say a day at the coffee shop can lead to you meeting a stranger who will change your life. I never believed that, assuming it was a way of movie stars to sell people dreams of romance that never existed. A feeling in my stomach still gave me the intuition that perhaps this lie they sold had some truth to it. “Come on Kelly, we need to be early for seats at the autumn premier!” shouted Larry with a hint of irritation ruining the delightful excited tone of his. Larry had counted down to the special autumn launch at the Miko’s café. He w...

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“Love Jitters” by Alisa Burdick

Submitted to Contest #63

"Chey, I need you at the front counter." Carol Jean, owner of C.J.'s Roasters called me to my area in record time. We were the newest establishment in Springs Creek. We took a place next to where a baby was found two winters ago. I never believed in magic until I moved here. Carol took me under her wing when her best friend; my mom, Patty, left. I admit I was 20 but it was always my mom and I. I stood anxiously awaiting this god on Earth to enter. He was always my first customer. I knew his order like the back of my hand. "Hey, how's my fav...

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“Beans and Booze” by Laura Boynton

Submitted to Contest #63

The coffee shop made my choice to work from home a more mature and accountable one, at least for those two to three afternoons a week. I had to actually shower and work up an effort to care enough to make sure my clothes were somewhat matched and didn’t smell of my stale life. My long curly hair also had to appear to be under control in same dull pony tail, or pulled together cohesively into a messy bun or tucked behind my ears. Most of the time, I did pull off the illusion of creative women writing for the n...

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“Jingle of a Bell” by Serendipity May

Submitted to Contest #63

Autumns Brew's They had the best coffee any coffee shop could have to offer, anyone who lived in the city would say that I would be right. You see the same people, at the same time, every single day week after week, after week. They all had the same faces but dressed up in different clothes. Normal, everyday people, nothing new, nothing different. Which I was okay with. With my slow and casual pace, I walked to the brightly-lit, autumn-themed cafe that was open year-round. I didn't have to work today, which was rare for me, so I was going...

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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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