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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

“Her Boyz” by Skyler Woods

Submitted to Contest #63

My name is Selina Chan and I’m a mother of two boys. My oldest boy, Jamal, is a ten-year-old who loves to play basketball and video games with his dad. My oldest boy looks more like his handsome father and my youngest boy, Isaiah, looks more like his mom. My youngest boy has his mom’s high cheekbones and her small chin. He’s six years old and he loves to collect superhero comic books, especially Spider-Man comics. Yesterday was nice. My husband was at work, and I was at home with the boys making scarecrow decorations out of construction...

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“The Enchanter's Orchard” by Lani Lane

Submitted to Contest #63

Ryder pulled his cloak tighter over his shoulders. He crunched through the frosted grass and stared straight ahead, avoiding the dark forest around him.“Are we there yet?” his sister whispered, hurrying along beside him.“Hush, Skye. Not yet.”Their breath came out in small white puffs in the chilly night. A biting wind whistled through the trees, and Ryder listened to Skye’s teeth chatter.After another ten minutes of walking, they came upon a small sign sticking out of the ground, in front of a particularly thick patch of trees. “The Enc...

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“It's the little things” by Rebecca Lee

Submitted to Contest #63

Making decorations out of construction paper is something that we all have done at some point in our childhood – either during playschool or at church or Vacation Bible School or at school. I can’t even count how many paper turkeys, paper Christmas trees or paper Easter eggs that my parents’ refrigerator held over the years. I flunked cutting in kindergarten … so my lines weren’t always straight. So, why in the world, am I, Shay Dawson, trauma fellow at Atlanta Memorial Hospital, sitting in the doctor’s lounge cutting out shapes with con...

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“All the Things That Cannot Fly” by Scout Tahoe

Submitted to Contest #63

The morning is swimming with threads of pregnant silver clouds by the time I thrust the key into the lock. I twist it around until the doors click open and shadows peck me on the cheeks. Shreds of dust whisper while I think about Kitty and her problems. I still don’t know why she asked me to open the shop’s doors today. Busy, dealing with daydreams, is what I wanted to tell her as my excuse. Instead I asked for a raise and she didn’t reply. I call her Ma when I’m feeling generous, but today I have my own mother to take care of....

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“Curled Leaves” by The-Burrowing-Owl- Author

Submitted to Contest #63

Leaflitter wasn’t supposed to taste like this. Michael took another tentative sip of the warm drink. Even the smell seemed spot on, it was earthy and rich, with undertones of drying plant life. It was smooth and firm, and the taste on his tongue curled like piles of crisp autumn leaves. Leaflitter wasn’t supposed to taste like this. It wasn’t supposed to taste good. It should probably be muddy, not clean and calming.The young man looked up to match the obviously pleased face of his employer. “It’s good?” He smiled questioningly. Al...

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“Warm Cups, Warm Hearts” by A J

Submitted to Contest #63

From deepest ebony to melodic umber hues, from cream softened oranges to the greens that mature into a sea-spun sage - the fall had arrived and is as welcome as a long remembered song.The autumn had dressed for the coming season, donning her most vibrant hues. She had swept into our streets and woodlands with a humble boldness that invited the eye to see more than they otherwise might. We were are all so blessed to witness such beauty. There were the browns that come as some quilt to the earth, yet the rest are the hues of volcanoes, of fire...

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“Kopi Kawa : The Leaves Coffee” by Amy Utami

Submitted to Contest #63

The autumn has come, lead with it the breeze of winter, forced the leaves to give up on its green. The pavement had been buried by yellow, green, and red. The rain has changed its form, no longer a liquid refreshing element, but solid grassy leaves falls upon the change. The weather pushed me to wear more appropriate clothes, as short no longer protect me from what I needed. Only months left before winter comes. Since iced drinks didn’t really served anymore, I hold a competition for all workers in my coffee shops. It’s like a ritual, onc...

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“Fowl Play” by Ben To

Submitted to Contest #63

They sped along in V formation, kings of the aerial highway. Any jaywalker plucky enough to cross them was flattened. Dale was riding near the front, when the leader honked loudly. "There's a nice hole-in-the-wall up ahead. We're stopping for drinks." They’d been traveling since sunup so the gang honked back their overwhelming approval. The smooth surface was icy on Dale's underside as he settled into the water. He shivered. Then, after a moment, began to guzzle lake water. He'd been needing a drink for hours.His gullet full, Dale start...

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“SHTF: The Fall” by Stephanie Albright

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I had lost track of how long I had been living in the tent in the woods, but it had been early spring when it all started. It was clearly now fall, of the same year? I had no idea and I didn’t even really care. Those first few weeks in the woods had been terrifying. I only slept for an hour or two at a time and I didn’t remember eating much at all. I don’t know how many weeks passed before I no longer heard the sounds of diesel engines and helicopters, but it was at least six. I ...

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“Halloween Confetti” by Echo Sundar

Submitted to Contest #63

The school bell rang, loud bell tolls pierced my ears and my hands moved to cover them from the horrid sound. School children jumped from their seats rushing out the door eager to get home to a warm cup of apple cider. I stood up collecting my papers from the day and shoving them in a weathered purple backpack that had belonged to my mother, I zipped it up trying to be as slow as possible so that I would be the only one left in the classroom. I slung my backpack on my shoulder and walked up to the teacher. “Yes?” She asked pausing briefly to...

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“Applesauce” by A J

Submitted to Contest #63

The autumn had dressed for the coming season, donning her most vibrant hues. She had swept into our streets and woodlands with a humble boldness that invited the eye to see more than they otherwise might. The autumn took her pirouette, her sweet turn on the stage all around, and we were are all so blessed to be given such beauty. There were the browns that come as a comforting quilt to the earth, yet the rest are the hues of volcanoes, of firework sparks and festival hoopla. It was as if nature is calling out to the spring and the trees coul...

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“Adorned in Blue” by Molly Leasure

Submitted to Contest #63

Temperance Blue of Blue to Blue was a blue woman. Not literally blue, no, just grim. Her cropped bob was rigid, holding still even in the most torrential storm. A stark contrast to her skeletal frame, which held similar strength against winds that, say, an umbrella might--one donning a floor-length evening gown.Our Gothic temptress had eyes that reveled in voyeurism. Her fixated gaze could devour a full room, giving her an edge in people-watching. And in business. The business she adored, the business her patrons held above all else, the bus...

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“Choices ” by Malz Castell

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The red and golden hues of autumn were a welcome relief from the monotonous green lawns that existed within the four walls of the place I had called home for the last 8 months. I heard the massive wrought iron gate swing shut behind me as I closed my eyes, relishing in the feel of the sunlight falling on my face. There a was different smell in the air, one I hadn't smelled in 8 months. Pumpkin spice, I wondered? No, it was freedom. My contemplative thoughts were broken by a blonde cann...

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“Sunny Shores Duck Retreat!” by P. Jean

Submitted to Contest #63

(Write a story from the perspective of a bird migrating for the winter.)They tell you eat eat eat. You must eat enough to sustain yourself for a very long flight. Of course you know there can and will be stops along the way, as you move south and food is still available but you must guard against storms, headwinds and other unforeseen factors.So here I am, Daniel the Mallard drake, swimming along the shore feeling quite buff and fit . My weight is optimum for a long trip and I regularly take off and land, circling the pon...

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“Okay 🍎” by Ari Berri

Submitted to Contest #63

There are characters from my story, "You've got the wrong girl" in this one. You might want to read that first. If you don't care, keep reading.MAX'S POV:“Max?” Lola says to me, poking my shoulder. I look up. “Yeah?” Lola is my best friend. We’re at her house, and I just told her I have to go. “Do you have a date?” She asks, trying not to smile. I blush, and she laughs. I do have a date. Finally. “It’s with my cousin's boyfriend's best friend.” “What?” She says, wrinkling her nose in confusion...

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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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