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!

#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

“Apples are Sweet” by Sandeep Kaur

Submitted to Contest #63

The ground remained hidden under the multiplex shades of orange that shifted every now and then when the blowing wind meets it and sweeps it up taking it to places. The air felt chillier than usual on that morning but that never stopped her from taking a step in the world outside of her warm and fragrant cottage. She rarely enjoyed the cinnamon burning on the stove early morning, but she never complained. The morning felt special in a way every morning does to someone who is introduced to the subject for the first time. She took a fo...

Read story

“Is there a full moon tonight” by Josie Gilbert

Submitted to Contest #63

“Is there a full moon tonight?” Archie asked. “Not quite. Maybe tomorrow or the day after. Why are you asking?” Stan replied. “I was cycling down the lane that runs behind the vicarage and out towards the home farm this afternoon. You remember that abandoned house? The one with the long garden with the fence round it?” Stan nodded silently. “The Bramley apples are ripe now and they’re falling off the branches that overhand that lane. I thought we could do a bit of scrumping, like we did when we were lads. No-one will see us and I fancy reliv...

Read story

“THE LAST VILLAGE ON THIS ROAD” by Sonia Chauhan

Submitted to Contest #63

They meandered over a moss covered mountain. The road was slight patch of freshly laid tar, barely enough to contain their hulk of a Jeep. He was at the wheel while she rode shotgun, one hand resting over her churning stomach. “God damn it, there’s that goddamn bus,” she grumbled, pulling a grimace. The bus rushed at them as if being driven solely by gravity, its rickety frame rattling the mountain quiet. It stopped an inch away, barely an inch away. She gripped the overhead grab handle. “He'...

Read story

“ApPle PicKinG” by Ryan Norwood

Submitted to Contest #63

The air was crisp and invigorating as Bear drove down his street with his windows down. The beauty of the leaves in their red and orange garb highlighted by the approach of the holidays made it so that he couldn't help but be grateful for the change of season. One more perk of Fall was that he got to spend his weekends watching football, and as he pulled into his driveway after work that Friday, he had no other plans for the weekend other than doing just that. Just then he got call from his girlfriend Louise. "Hey, Bab...

Read story

“it's not like it seems ” by Cyrine DRIDI

Submitted to Contest #63

Childhood isn't just a bunch of years we spend enjoying innocence and free time after school. It is the the inspiraion of great decisions we make in our lives. Steve and I got the chance to know each other since we were 1 day old. We were born in the countryside where neighbors are part of the family. His mother and mine were best friends, we could just call them sisters. They believed it was a sign of a delightful life ahead that both of them gave us birth at the same day and exact hour. For them it was a proof of their pure love...

Read story

“MOTHER NATURE'S GIFT” by Gospel Wilson

Submitted to Contest #63

The streets of Lefa were flooded with it’s inhabitants both strangers and citizens as they all hurriedly ran passed each other for safety at the sound of the heavy storm, everyone was terrified. The streets knew no peace, young and old wished the storm was just a nightmare. How cloudy was the atmosphere, darkness covered the city, hearts of men skipped frequently as thunder and lightning frightened all with it’s hilarious sounds as if on a mission to kill someone. Families got...

Read story

“SAVOR” by Tyler Miclean

Submitted to Contest #63

SAVOR By Tyler Miclean Tom was waiting for Ruth to sit down at the coffee table before he said anything. She crossed the kitchen to the cupboard and got out a mug. Tom was a statue, but his eyes followed her around the kitchen. Ruth filled her mug and came over to the table to set it down. She pulled her chair back, dragging it loudly on the wood floor, and plopped herself down. She gave a little performance, sighing dramatically, to make light of her creaky, step by step, morning routine Tom took in a deep breath and...

Read story

“In Bittersweet Spirits” by M. Montoya

Submitted to Contest #63

At John Wiliker's Orchard, the apples are bitter and sour as the wind. At John Wiliker's Orchard, the hayrides are short and the workers are dreary as the drooping leaves on the trees. At John Wiliker's Orchard, there are two apple cider stands, and neither of them are particularly enjoyable. There are only two reasons why the establishment receives visitors year after year, one, their apple fritters, which seem to completely contradict the taste of the apples themselves, and two, the ghosts in the red delicious orchard. James has never li...

Read story

“The Dance of the Great Hornet Queen” by Vincent Charles

Submitted to Contest #63

The Dance of the Great Hornet Queen You can see them with singular focus as they move through the air lilting with the warm September breeze. Each one is returning from a personal mission gathering bounty to bestow at the feet of their glorious summer queen. And for her, they will dance until their heats weaken but for only their their comrades may know the source of such joy. And in those moments they are truly nature’s beauty. A great and constant cacophony of humming emits from their mighty fortress high in a tree amongst a field...

Read story

“Fruit From the Source” by Sandy Buxton

Submitted to Contest #63

The ancient AMC Rambler bumped along the rough sod between the rows of apple trees. The warm smell of the orchard, sweet and fruity mixed with the clean grass scent filled the air as Edith and Agnes opened the doors with a creak. The two women stood looking across the field before turning to get their wooden apple boxes out of the car. Their flowered cotton dresses were covered by serviceable aprons with deep pockets. The dresses looked like ones their mother or grandmother wore while working at home...

Read story

“Of Death and Apples” by Internet Friend

Submitted to Contest #63

It was nice outside. Cool. Crisp. The night air was a welcome change from the musty apartment building. Leaning against the balcony railing, Rose lit a cigarette from a pack she’d found a while ago. She didn’t smoke, but enjoyed the feeling of something warm in between her chilly fingers. Autumn was in full swing, with the trees shedding brown, orange, red and yellow leaves. It was nice to see on whatever excursions she took during the week, but the cold was quickly settling in. She'd have to get a jacket soon. Turning her attention to the c...

Read story

“Dragon Beans” by Sage S

Submitted to Contest #63

Hooves clacked across the tile. Waging a war against the espresso machine, Clover didn’t notice until a shadow fell across her mortal enemy’s shining bulk. Velvety ears flicking in surprise, she looked up to find a satyr smiling at her in amusement. His horns gleamed in the café’s lights, soft fur peeking out from his cozy sweater. His smile scrunched up his button nose, raising the moon-round spectacles higher on his weathered face. “Having trouble?” Clover sighed, wiping coffee grit off her hands, and stepped up to the register. “...

Read story

“Sharing the Love” by Nevaeh Iraheta

Submitted to Contest #63

As the days begin to grow colder, the nights begin to grow longer. Leaves of all vibrant colors, fall in front of my eyes. As I walk to the New coffee shop, I observe the beautiful scenery around me. The kids playing. The people raking. The dog viciously barking. The wind gives me a gentle kiss on the cheek, and the cold caresses the tips of my fingers. "This day can't get any better." I think to myself. But believe me, I was wrong. As I enter the shop, the sweet and comforting smell of home hits me. I'm immediately comfortable. I don't want...

Read story

“Summer was Over” by Zanakharisma Afifiani

Submitted to Contest #63

Summer was over. Leaves started to yellow significantly in the sun. The wind blew off falling leaves. As far as the eye could seen, there was only seem the brown leaves. Why did leaves change color? Yeah, autumn is coming. This story isn’t tell about how wonderfull the leaves falling in the autumn. This story is telling about a coffee shop and it owner, and also their waiters who confused about a new menu of autumnal drink. What should they serve later? “Our coffee shop just opened since summer, and we have not any problems about that.” Gre...

Read story

“When Alien Alex went to Coffee shop” by ABRAR AHMED

Submitted to Contest #63

Dr.Bradnop sat at a coffee shop that’s just introduced a new line of autumnal drinks. To their surprise, she was already wearing her clothes from the evening, and she looked flustered. "I'm trying to find clothes. One of the girls in the store said she was trying to find me something to wear," she said, looking over at Alex, who was staring at her intently. "How do you look? If it's too hot, you should be in the shade," said Alex, finishing her coffee. "Though if you're going to come, can you help me find a shirt? If not, it'll only be a...

Read story

Load more stories

$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!

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 ⭢