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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#99: Summer Solstice

In the Northern Hemisphere, June 21st is the ‘summer solstice’ — the longest day of the calendar year and, in astronomical terms, the beginning of summer. In my part of the world, this season evokes a plethora of scenes: sunbathing on river banks, al fresco dining with friends, and trips to the seaside, all punctuated by the heady scents of summertime — potent florals, sunscreen and food sizzling on the grill.

The solstice celebration has its roots in ancient Paganism — where people would gather at sites like Stonehenge and wear protective garlands of herbs and flowers to ward off the evil spirits who, according to Pagan folklore, walk the earth more freely at this time. From a spiritual standpoint, the solstice is all about embracing the sun and its awesome power. Whether you love basking in the sun or prefer to stay inside with the curtains drawn, I thought this week's prompts could be a way for us Reedsians to mark the advent of summer too. Happy writing!

This week's prompts

Begin your story with somebody watching the sunrise, or sunset.

Fluff – 275 stories

Write about the longest day of the year, or a day that never seems to end.

Summer – 99 stories

End your story with somebody stepping out into the sunshine.

Summer – 211 stories

Write a story about somebody reminiscing on an event that happened many summers ago.

Summer – 217 stories

Write a story about characters going on a summer road trip.

Summer – 104 stories

Stories

“Karmas back ” by Shadow Of Dread

Submitted to Contest #99

CW: rape, murder At beginning ,in this story a man sees (Frist character) who were go for his summer trip and thinking of good and joyfully trip,but who knows what's gonna be happen ....he's name was Alexender which character is very bad,selfish and he's play boy ,he's just crazy about girls ....he's weekness is girls ,he never control himself when it comes girls....one day he go for his summer trip to his farm house for holiday by the car ,all things good and he's happy but suddenly one girl standing on the road side and the girl saying 'pl...

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“Road to the night show” by Thabo Diutliuleng

Submitted to Contest #99

It’s well into the morning now, I don’t know what time it is exactly, I don’t really care, summer vacation just started yesterday after all, so it feels like I have forever to do what I want. I live in Culver City, Los Angeles, I lay on my bed playing my guitar as I say this, my name’s Neo by the way. My mom’s a doctor and Dad’s an architect, the guy loves Floyd Wright so much he designed our house to fit a contemporary household theme which “Channels his creativity”. I like our house though; the color schemes and palettes go well with my go...

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“TURN OF THE HERMIT” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #99

(This story is set in earth’s twin planet GAIA2 which is 800 years younger and is evolving.)He is a hermit. It was his 70th birthday and he sat recalling a significant event of his past which happened 20 years ago:‘Far in a wild, unknown to public view/From youth to age a reverend hermit grew;/The moss his bed, the cave his humble cell,/His food the fruits, his drink the crystal well:/Remote from man, with God he pass'd the days,/Prayer all his business, all his pleasure praise./' That introduction can’t be put better than by that poet*...

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“AFTER SO LONG ” by MALIK 1

Submitted to Contest #99

After all the requesting and analysis, it was finalized. We were going on a trip. OH MY GOD! We haven't been on a family trip since forever; not any that I remember; we may have when I was like 2-3. It doesn't matter; I was going on a trip with my parents. I was super-super excited. I had never felt so good in my entire life; my father is always busy with office work; he could never join mum and me for any trip but, he got an off; isn't that AMAZING. Also, we decided that to make it more adventurous and fun, we will take the car. Life just k...

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“A Rambunctious Ride” by Holly Hanlon

Submitted to Contest #99

“Have you got everything?” Nick asks the group of three that are sitting on the couch as he walks in. He is mostly ignored besides Ian who glances his way, the other two’s eyes trained on the large flat screen in front of them. Ian smiles at his friend, “Yep, I’ve been packed since yesterday, these two just finished throwing things in their bags.” Nick rolls his eyes before narrowing them at the other two that still haven’t acknowledged his presence. “I’m not letting you guys borrow anything on the road.” He tells them, knowing for...

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“If Only” by F. G.

Submitted to Contest #99

I knew I had to make it stop. I closed my eyes, breathed in slowly, held it for a short time, and then released it just as slow. Out of instinct alone, I reached for the still cold ground. My hand thrust through the soil and I felt the roots. I started combing them with my fingers. The cicadas yawned from too much sleep and began to sing their song.I opened my eyes and watched them climb up the old oak tree. The one that grew the tallest at the center of the land. ( I don't remember a time when it wasn't there.) I sat on the ground listening...

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“The Foreboding Sunrise” by Ashley Dearborn

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: child abuse The sunrise came. I hated sunrises. They reminded me of when my old elementary school had burned down that May. Fiery reds and oranges, dancing in the sky, clouds like smoke in the air. This intensely red and orange sunrise with the smokey clouds seemed like a normal morning for everyone else, but it just made me scared and sad. I was scared of my new school with this sunrise looming over it, and sad that my old school was gone. I heard rumors of this school, but my mom told me they weren’t true. I walked in the giant ...

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“Project Camping” by Mona Del Valle

Submitted to Contest #99

I was pissed. I turned away from Han and exhaled audibly. Great… four days into the life of our dreams and we were already arguing. While I stared out of the dusty window, watching the green forest leisurely passing by, I did not notice the whites of Han´s knuckles. Clutching the steering wheel, she tried to suppress a sob. *** The silence was unnerving. Tiff usually never stopped chattering. Never. In this ringing silence I was hyperaware of every clunking noise the cups in the back of the van made. We should secure them better, I thoug...

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“FOREVER” by Alviya Meenam Z

Submitted to Contest #99

"Get your lazy ass up Ruby or you will be late for your wedding . God! what am I supposed to do with her !" 3 2 1, the door of my room opens with a bang , so ladies and gentlemen let me present you my dear mother her face mirroring an expression of shock and surprise . Yes surprise, because I had been late to many important events of my life like my graduation and many more, but here I am all showered and ready to go to the venue. Oh ! wait did I introduce myself ? alright I have short term memory loss just kidding . As its an important day...

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“My Ray of Sunshine” by Anna Kerr

Submitted to Contest #99

My Ray of Sunshine “This sunset is beautiful.” “Not as beautiful as you” he replied back with a smile. She giggled and playfully shoved him. “That was so lame” she replied, though in truth she had found it very sweet. Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink, so she turned from him to hide her slight embarrassment. “After a five years, you’d think you would be use to me” he chuckled, wrapping his arm around her and kissing the top of her head. She closed her eyes when his lips touched the top of her head so gently.&n...

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“Artsy” by Ron Connors

Submitted to Contest #99

I saw her approaching. My goodness but she is fetching. My English has improved with my travels, fetching is a word of the elite. “That’s who she is! She is that beautiful woman from the lacquer painting class. An Aussie I thought but maybe a kiwi. Shoulder length brown hair perfectly coiffed to expose the exquisite lines of her beautiful visage, she had one of those faces designed to smile. She would never age; added years would do nothing but further expose her grace. “ My thoughts raced as I imagined the conversation we would have.&nbsp...

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“Sunset: A Hope” by Ananya Mishra

Submitted to Contest #99

Sun, sea, the sand, and Shehnaaz! Perhaps, her only way to escape the downcast reality. How gravely she wanted her fortune to change. She wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth. This made her envious of the rich high class society. She herself claimed sunsets to be her only way of detoxification of her mind. Her family involved her mother, father and three siblings. She dreamed of being an fashion advisor but most candidates were born with silver spoons in their mouths. Rarely do they come from middle class families. Belongin...

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“On the Road” by White Koi

Submitted to Contest #99

Road trips were always a headache for Kathryn; they forced her to pack up two days before the trip, check to make sure she had everything, and then panic because she remembered something she was missing two hours before she had to leave. Nevertheless, she was being dragged, against her will, to travel with her friends to Oregon. The reasoning? “To have fun.” What that meant, she didn’t know. “Kat, hurry up! J’s literally going to leave you behind, I swear.” Kat sighed. “Doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” Kat’s best friend, Willow, grabbed her ...

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“Still” by Anneliya Lydia

Submitted to Contest #99

Gray. Blue. A hint of purple. A stripe of red. Yellow. Orange. The center of the sun. I catch hints of it on my drive home, only glimpses between houses and trees and power lines and the smudge of transparency that I call a window. The sun is rising in the East. A few cars are on the street: some, like me, heading home after working the night shift, others only beginning their day. The sky paints a story around us. A story of hope and of second chances. Most of us ignore it, though, too tired to take our eyes off the street. Still, each day,...

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“The Day That Never Ended” by Sarai And Skylar World

Submitted to Contest #99

I just had to deal with the day that would never end. It was a rather interesting day, considering that my life is pretty boring. But I was, at least, called responsible enough to drive to the music festival with my friends, Calliope and Natasha. I don’t think I was ready, though. I’m only sixteen. Here’s how it all started.June 21st I woke up at eight o’clock with a smile. I usually never wake up like that. Waking up that early felt really good. I made some breakfast, but it was not successful.I was too focused on my toast to check on ...

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$50

Prize money

909

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 25, 2021 EST

Won by Tom Vandel 🏆

Title: The Men and the Lake

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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