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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

“Interwoven” by Rett Fay

Submitted to Contest #99

Wen awoke to the distinct smell of sage burning as she often did. Her sister would be preparing their home for the solstice. An uncommonly warm breeze carried the scent through her open bedroom door. She heard her older sister's rich voice mindfully speaking their cleansing mantra. Minnie was starting earlier this year. The sun was barely peeking above the Cornish tree line. The sun rising was magical. Wen intentionally took in the moment, the smells, the sounds, the sights, the feels, the energy. She loved this day, more t...

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“Sunrise Brought Us Dawn” by Nina March

Submitted to Contest #99

“Why do you only appear to me at Sunrise?” I asked him the question like it was such a natural thing to ask. But there was nothing natural about having a conversation with my dead husband. “How should I know. I’m here because you need me here.” He told me bluntly. “And you. “He added as he sweetly patted my pregnant stomach. I shrugged my shoulders as if his answer was a natural response. But like I said. There was nothing natural about our situation. Every morning for the past three months since my husband had died, I spoke to him at sun...

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“Not Even A Tick” by LOUREN JAY CABALLERO

Submitted to Contest #99

It was sunrise, and the sun was about to scorch the field with its sizzling heat. I was lying in my bed looking at the bare ceiling over my head, attached a two-winged fan with massive dirt all over it. Not a three-winged ceiling fan anymore because I accidentally broke it when I cleaned it with a broom, and it got stuck in the fan, which causes my fall bringing with me one of the wings. My mom used to remind me that it is called blades, but I refuse her term and called it wings because it sounds good to my ears when I say it, and also it so...

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“CRAVE” by Ebube Alaka

Submitted to Contest #99

CW: sexual assault, violence Audrey tapped her heel against the carpet-covered floor of the bright office. “Please be patient miss Hawke, the will can't be read without him being here.” She narrowed her eyes at the white-haired old man behind the office desk. “Why? I'm her only family. Why should an outsider be at the reading?” He clamped his hands together, giving her a pitying look. “Your grandmother must have her reasons.” Just then, the door opened. “Sorry, I'm late,” a husky voice said, an...

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“Picking Up Peony” by Ella Fritz

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: eating disorders Peony looked more beautiful than ever, stepping out of the house in her bright green bell bottoms and a tight white blouse revealing her warm, sun-kissed chest. Emmett was always excited to visit her during the summer, but what Emmett didn’t love was the amount of bags Peony wheeled behind her, as though she wasn’t pulling a thousand pounds of luggage down her driveway. Well, it was her driveway, and the gaudy ‘For Sale: SOLD!’ sign didn’t seem to help make this fact any less apparent. “Your girlfriend is ab...

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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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“ My Sweet Apple 🍎” by Jade Orien🍀

Submitted to Contest #99

I was only 9 years old when I lost my mother to terminal cancer. At that time I remember thinking why was this happening to me? My mother was more than just my parent she was my best friend and taught me vulnerable lessons about life. Today is my mother's birthday and every year my father and I cook a delicious supper as family and friends join us.After supper, I sit outside on the swing that is in my parent's backyard. This swing brings back so many memories of that summer 5 years ago. During my mother's dying days, I did all I could to spe...

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“Complete Sentence” by Jamie Harvey

Submitted to Contest #99

I, Martha Jae, am leaving this place today. I have waited six long years, but today I am leaving. Breakfast was cold porridge and dry toast with a glass of water. Just like every day for the last six years. The last 2,190 breakfasts have been exactly the same. It was warm already. The thermostat by the table where I ate said 82 already at seven-thirty in the morning. The summer humidity in June in North Carolina filled the air and weighed everything down. It was the time of year when everything fel...

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“Love Me Tender” by Bee Phillips

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: murder and suicide The sunset was beautiful. Red as blood and just as violent. Strains of vermillion and iris light smeared across the black Corvette’s hood, swirling across the paint like an oil slick. One of the headlamps was shattered and the fender was dented, not to mention the bullet holes peppering the rear, but it was still the most beautiful car Jacy had ever sat in. And next to her, holding her hand on the gear shift, was the most beautiful woman she had ever sat beside. “Bella,” Ja...

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“Midsummer 101” by Marie McLaughlin

Submitted to Contest #99

It was the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in Middleton. Early in the morning, a group of college students studying Agronomy at their local community college walked into the campus classroom for their next Agricultural lecture. The students, all ranging in age from anywhere between 18 to 40, all took their seats, got their notebooks and pencils ready, put away their phones and tablets, and looked towards the professor's podium. A few moments after the class got settled in, the professor walked in the classroom and took his place...

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“Sunrise, Sunset” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #99

Have you ever seen anything in your life more wonderful than the way the sun, every evening, relaxed and easy, floats toward the horizon and into the clouds or the hills, or the rumpled sea, and is gone– Mary Oliver, “The Sun” What is Oliver’s poem really about? I only ask because the poem came to mind as I was looking out the big bay window facing the river. I had read the poem so many times that it resided in me somewhere, probably inside my rib cage, on the left side, just above the sternum. But my skeleton is not the topic he...

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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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“I Was Home” by Mellanie Crouell

Submitted to Contest #99

As she drives on the dark, lonely, quiet highway. She admires the shadows of God’s green earth. She continues to drive to the sunrising over the trees. This has been her encouragement for six months that things are going to be better. She would pray and talk to God knowing he was listening. She just wanted to make sure she was listening. She looked forward to the sunrise each day she had to make that hour drive. She didn’t know what to expect once she gotten to work. Driving up to her job, she sits in the car observing and taking in the view...

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“Chaotic Road Trip” by Penny Polendina

Submitted to Contest #99

“WE’RE GOING ON A ROAD TRIP!” “GAAAK!” Yuki cried, throwing the book she had been reading on the floor out of shock. She stood up, glaring angrily at Rosi. “Rosi! Don’t scare me like that!” “And where exactly are we going?” Kuri inquired, poking her head out from her bedroom door. “We’re going on a cross-country road trip to the Wild West!” Rosi declared, jumping onto the sofa…and then falling onto the floor. ...

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“The Sun is a Bully” by Ken Guidroz

Submitted to Contest #99

The Sun is a Bully The sun is a bully. Not a mean one like that kid in fifth grade. But more like that friend who doesn’t just come to your party, but makes an entrance. He yammers loudly, seems to be everywhere at once, with remarkable dexterity and consistency he redirects all conversations back to himself. Once tired of with redirects, he just starts talking over everyone. After a while he has exhausted all your guests, making them content to stew in their muteness, wondering which TV show awaits them on their DVR when they return home. Y...

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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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