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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#75: New Year, New You

For many of us, the last year was like living through a low-budget disaster movie — but the good thing about the new year is that it gives us an excuse to start fresh. And even though flipping a calendar doesn’t necessarily fix all our problems, it’s still good to take a moment and think about everything you do have the power to change.

In that spirit, this week’s prompts are all about fresh starts. From small, personal achievements to huge goals that will change the world, everything starts with the decision to try. What sort of things will your characters achieve this year? What sort of things will you?

This week's prompts

Write about someone who has finally managed to succeed at a long-standing New Year’s resolution.

Winter – 98 stories

Write about someone whose job is to help people leave their old lives behind.

Adults – 246 stories

Start your story with one character making a vow that they never would have made the year before.

Holiday – 102 stories

Write about someone who doesn’t remember their past — and doesn’t want to.

Thriller and Suspense – 205 stories

Write about two characters who each want to change the same thing, but resolve to go about it in very different ways.

Teens – 84 stories

Stories

“Paper Animals” by Kelsey Diggs

Submitted to Contest #75

As Entrant #38267 left the small, gray cubicle, Oscar allowed himself to let out a long breath. He had one more Entrant to settle before he was able to take a break, and he was looking forward to loosening his belt and reading a few chapters from the new book he’d picked up yesterday. He could see it sitting on the small table next to his desk, a red paperback, the brightest spot of color in his otherwise muted office. There was no rest for the weary in the Department of Emigration After Death, affectionally shortened to the “DEAD” by its e...

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“Her Nightmare” by Omoniyi Damilola

Submitted to Contest #75

Henry Kageyama placed his hand on his knee cap as he stretched out his prosthetic leg before placing his foot back on the floor. He repeated the process before shifting his chair and pressed the intercom. "Next." Henry said then adjusted on his seat waiting for his next client to come in as he checked the email his secretary forwarded to him of the details of his next Patient. "Hi, Dr Kageyama." A soft voice called. "Miss Adriana Ross." Henry frowned saying out loud the name of his next client he read on his computer. He raised his he...

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“Pessom and Optom” by Sarah Linseed

Submitted to Contest #75

File 560329 ~ Abigail Scotch Age: 68 RestDay: 11/8/2048 Profession: Accountant Living Family: Melissa Scotch (43-Daughter), Emmanuel Scotch (39-Son), Georgia Scotch (65-Sister), Ian Scotch (70-Husband), Emily Mane (11-Granddaughter)...see more Departed Family: Lisa Elm (+Mother), Mason Scotch (-Father), Daniel Scotch (+Brother), Casey Elm (-Grandmother), Ferdinand Scotch (+Uncle)...see more Top Achievements: $1000 donation to Animal Society Shelter (+), Protested twice against gay marriage (-), Cheated with friends husband (-). Classificat...

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“We - The Humans” by Thiago Mendes

Submitted to Contest #75

A large city like London has its fair share of alleys; it's inevitable. Rats exist all around and it is in these dark and poorly sanitized alleys that they find each other and fraternize. And in all human history there were those who erected powerful lights without caring for how many shadows would come out; and how many would live there, the so called delinquents, criminals, murderers and the poor.As such, a small bar would shine on the dirty world of those who lived in the shadows. It was called “Sons of God”, although the letter “o” was m...

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“The Memory Game” by Luna G

Submitted to Contest #75

TW: mentions of home invasion, gun violence “Have you thoroughly considered the risks?” “Yes.” “Have you seen a specialist and tried other avenues?” “I have,” the woman took out a manila folder and handed it to the man. “It contains my medical history and a signature from my therapist.” He took it, flipped through it, and then placed it down on the small table beside him next to the voice recorder. “Thank you, we’ll call the number to corroborate your story. Just a few more questions left.” The woman shifted in her seat, crossing and uncross...

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“Choices” by Danielle Arpon

Submitted to Contest #75

The rain battered the bright yellow umbrella on a brisk Tuesday night, placing Lettie in a trance. Rain is rare in Southern California, but when it came it was beautiful. Lettie stood with closed eyes and inhaled the saturated asphalt smell that filled the street. She could never get enough of the rain. But she had a job to do. Removing herself from the trance, she eyed the house that laid before her. It was a small creaky home with peeling yellowed cream paint and a dirt lawn encaged by a rusty chain-link fence, a small gate in front of her...

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“The New Mew” by Kat Dawson

Submitted to Contest #75

“Welcome! Please come in. Yes. Yes. Sit down. Of course. Not there… No… There. Perfect. Give me five minutes. Look around, make yourself at home. Do not touch the things you cannot name. Ideal. Patience is a virtue, maybe a cliché, but one you’ll forgive me for.” Minutes pass and your hands go numb beneath your ass as you avoid making eye-contact with the various stares that surround you. Do not touch the things you cannot name? Don’t touch anything. You could label everything, but a name can be sacred and who are you to authorize such a per...

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“A Memorable Reversal ” by Diyana Gurusinghe

Submitted to Contest #75

A Memorable Reversal- "I remember how the sky looked that fairy night. I was under a galaxy then. The sweet breeze carrying a hint of vanilla wasn't as gentle to be pleased with. It was a small town children, but there were indeed too many mouths to feed. It was a fortnight after Christmas when a man arrived, dressed finely. The polished shoes, brown hat, golden almond glasses and poised posture was mismatching in contrast to our little town. The way he carried himself made us gawk at him. He looked over his thin rimmed spectacles and made...

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“Last Job” by Pram Martonohadi

Submitted to Contest #75

*WARNING: Some violence, supporting character is a domestic abuse victim*Today marks the second anniversary of my starting this covert job. All my clients were runaways; most of the times, their photo ends up on the news for being wanted by the authorities, or their house (their former house, of course) would be sacked by members of the mob that were looking for them. I am actually proud of my impartiality, therefore anyone with the right amount of money can just come up to me and disappear from their old lives within days.Well, not anyone. ...

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“Death and the Dancer” by Seyna Elizabeth

Submitted to Contest #75

"What's happening to me?" The woman couldn't have been older than twenty-five. She was a dancer, a ballerina. It was the latter fact that put her in my charge. It was the former fact that made me pity her. I laid a hand on her shoulder and nudged her along. It was time to begin. "I am afraid that you have died, my dear," I said in my gentlest voice, "I am here to lead you to the next place." This bit always required a bit of patience and I, with the so-called blessing of immortality and nothing else to do, rarely ever found myself with a l...

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“The SS January Sails” by Mike Burgess

Submitted to Contest #75

As a holiday, this completely sucked. At the beginning of day three, Nick was ready to bail out. Given any means of returning home, he would snap it up quicker than, well, quicker than the quickest thing you can imagine. His only chance was to steal a lifeboat and row back east. Perhaps he might fashion a pair of oars from some of those glossy brochures people kept handing out.Rarely known for his sunny disposition, what little remained when embarking had upped and went. Only the wine rendered it palatable. Even that was so bland and overpri...

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“The Horned Owl's Name” by Mae Welton

Submitted to Contest #75

Alma Neiman was known for nothing. Which in her line of business, was to her benefit. The Horned Owl, however, was known for her skills in relocation throughout the kingdom. She had been employed by assassin and mark alike, and that gave her the kind of power she needed to guarantee herself and her clients' safety. It was best no one recognized her, she knew. And among her clientele, in the palaces of the far-reaching kingdoms and in the dungeons of unfriendly nobles, she was grateful for it. But on days like this, when s...

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“The Curse of the Silver Lining” by Elaine Entenza

Submitted to Contest #75

He could erase your mind if you asked. Every drop of memory, from deeply imbedded past lives to your latest thought about the most recent news report. He could erase all of it. But you wouldn’t know it, unless you knew to ask. His massage suite was just off 85th and Lex. Very unassuming, as most small businesses are in New York City; you wouldn’t necessarily even know it was there unless you read the listing on the sign: Baden’s Bodywork, LLC, Suite 5, 2nd floor. He had a steady business; he was a talented therapist with a solid following, ...

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“The Spring Zone” by Jessica Coello

Submitted to Contest #75

668 “Next,” the woman behind the counter uttered unenthusiastically. I stood up, number in hand, and made my way to the metal desk at the front of the room. “Number, please,” the woman demanded, as I approached. I handed her the ticket with the number 668 printed on the front, and waited as she gave me the next set of instructions. She told me to look forward and smile in front of the white linen backdrop to the right of her desk. I rearranged my position and stared forward. Even though the sides of my mou...

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“A Study in Cyber” by A Mehendale

Submitted to Contest #75

“Hey, you! Got a name yet?”The girl looks up. Gone is the braided hair, the pin laden denim and crimson boots. The sides of her head have been shaved smooth to reveal gleaming new implants, straight silver lines that run flat and parallel along the curve of her skull. The same metal glints at the corner of her mouth - he makes a mental note to talk to Janyx about offering clients amateur piercings. Again. She looks confused. Hesitant. “Um, its Neyr, sir.”He shakes his head, dismissive. Every goddamn time. Twenty-three years in the game,...

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$50

Prize money

735

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 08, 2021 EST

Won by R. A. 🏆

Title: The Violinist

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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