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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

“A cross of the sun´s wheel...” by Lis Lovén

Submitted to Contest #99

Lin woke up one early ´morn, and saw the sun hit the window with a glowing glare. A brilliant tone of light from the spheres above. And this glare, this very gaze, the eye from the window was a silly salute to the dawn. A poetic heritage this Midsummer day. Lin turned around in bed, still sleepy. Still not wanting the day to chase her to yet another work. No, she was not a workaholic. As a matter of fact her work at Samhall, a state-owned company, was a place for handicapped people. Handicapped both physically and mentally. But the sun...

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“SEEING THE SUNSHINE THROUGH THE STORM ” by Suyan Budhoo

Submitted to Contest #99

SEEING THE SUNSHINE THROUGH THE STORM On a warm summer’s morning I was pleasantly woken up by the refreshing sprinkle of water from the ocean and a light kiss on my forehead from the sun that was just starting to rise. It was my 18th birthday week so when asked what I wanted for my birthday I naturally asked my parents to take me to my favourite place, the beach. The night before was beautiful, spent with my family, who brought in my birthday with a delicious tiramisu cake and barbeque. The night turned to mornin...

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“The Siblings” by Mingyuan Du

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: Violence, language “Oh brother of mine, can we please stop at The Jelly Donut on our way back?” “Be quiet. It’s almost time.” The nearby bridge was overrun with pedestrians. The morning rush hour was in full swing. Katie sat next to her brother on a park bench. She was twisted around, watching the sunrise behind them. The sky was clear and there was a light crosswind. Her older brother, Ralf, was watching the commuters walk by. Ralf wasn’t going to let her stop at the donut shop. He never let her stop there. Not that she want...

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“A little chaos” by Laura Monaghan

Submitted to Contest #99

The dawn tip-toed its way into the sky, fusing the inky blue with bursts of amber and gold. But I was not as smooth as the sunrise and marched rather unceremoniously up the mountainside. As I went, the sweet singing birds burst from their perch in the trees above and flew in search of someplace undisturbed. I didn’t spare them a second glance. Instead, as I wound through the trees, my eyes followed the sky. Where the faint glimmer of the moon still lingered, as if it couldn’t bear to give up the night to the sun’s fierce radiance. &nbsp...

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“Strawberries and Cream ” by Amber Lynn Perry

Submitted to Contest #99

Chapter one: Golden Syrup Echo sighed as she shifted her position on the silk pillow she rested on. Her mother-of-pearl wings glistened in the spring sunrise, her head full of morning cobwebs. She sat up and stretched her legs, and looked over at Princess Ligh. The princess had fallen asleep last night while looking at the book titled A Brief History of Sewing. A bit of drool fell onto her brown hair that spread out on the pillows. Echo looked up at the window that spilled its light onto the floor below her window seat. It reminded her of ...

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“Shall Do Us Part” by ANYANGO NYALANG'O

Submitted to Contest #99

Shall Do Us Part By Anyango Nyalang’o The orange sun dived straight for the horizon in the west as the darkness from the east rose. It was time. A time they’d hoped would never arrive but had. Mark placed his palms on her cheeks and squeezed. Looking into her eyes he said, “I will miss you. I’m thankful I was able to get one more chance to see you and tell you that you were the best thing that ever happened to me.” He took her hand in his and ran her fingers on his lips, “this smile is because of you. I will always love you.” At that moment ...

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“Sunrises and Goodbyes” by Carlo Sarrosa

Submitted to Contest #99

The phone’s 5:30 AM alarm played the first of its shrill tones, only for my hand to turn it off in an instant. The only sound left in the room was my chair creaking, as I finally stood up and took a break from the dim laptop screen. A more optimistic version of myself had set those alarms, hoping against all hope that I’d finally decided to sleep early. But looking out the window now, as the first rays of the sun broke through the retreating night, I had plenty of time to think about how stupid that thought was. I sat beneath the wi...

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“A BOY AND A GIRL” by MALIK 1

Submitted to Contest #99

This is no ordinary fairy tale; there is no prince nor a princess. Just a boy and a girl. The sunrise that day was unique; it was different. The sun rays appeared in the sky one at a time and the cold breeze of the summer morning cools the place. Nick was enjoying this beauty when his eyes met her face; she was anything to his eyes but existent, her beautiful, deep blue eyes and her silky blonde hair and mostly her face and her body covered with the shiny rays of the sun; it was a magical moment. She was smiling; it felt to Nick like he had ...

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“When The Sun Sets Down” by Chloe :)

Submitted to Contest #99

Content Warning: Mentions a Victim of Suicide The sun was setting down. Lower and lower and...lower. Lower and lower and lower until just the tip of his head was visible. Hardly a sliver remained, yet a bright one at that. So bright still that if you looked in his direction you would see the sky around him still warm, still a-light. So bright still that it wouldn’t be long before your eyes began to burn, to water. The sun was trying his best to stay up as long as he could so that he could catch a last glimpse of his beloved moo...

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“Into The Shadows” by Astrid K

Submitted to Contest #99

Kriss eyed the edge of her blade under the setting rays of the sunlight. The myriad shades of the honeying orange intertwined with the pinks and reds of the sky reflected off the gleaming surface of her dagger. She stood up and dusted down her pants as she watched the crowded streets below her from the top of the clock tower. While the setting sun initiates the end of the day for most people, it was the opposite for Kris. She ran her eyes through the crowds and spotted the tall, auburn-headed girl drifting amongst them. She leapt d...

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“An Underlying Current” by Elle S

Submitted to Contest #99

It's like staring at a masterpiece, an artistic impression upon a canvass of infinite blue.Far into the distance, the sun dips lightly into a horizon of ocean, casting a magnificent glow of coral across the cloudy sky above and the foamy waters beneath. Wisps of tiny clouds float wistfully across the warm glare of the solar, gargantuan orb.The creator of worlds is not only an excellent alchemist, but an endearing artist as well.The remarkable display of color throws dancing shadows upon the creases of her majestic face."What if she find...

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“Providence” by Calen Cross

Submitted to Contest #99

It’s hard to find peace at the end of the day, staring down a sunset that, unlike most days, was a bright pink rather than a pale, waning yellow. But today, as I watched the sun drop below the horizon, I knew that nothing was going to be the same. The day started off the same as most do, before sunrise, arising to an aching back, sore arms and scabbing wounds on my hands. I tended my very small plot of plants that gave the rumble in my stomach some ease, some water for my parched mouth, some water on this summer day for my parched cr...

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“I'll be Fine. ” by Oluwapelumi Adewole

Submitted to Contest #99

It began again tonight at exactly 11.05pm. The music was loud as usual to drown the screaming and shouting. We were both awake; I and Uloma. She was shivering already, grasping the sheet like they could stop the turmoil raging in the living room .I trembled.‘Lord, please keep mom safe.’ I prayed silently. Uloma was sniffing loudly digging her nails into the pillow. “Stuff your ears with the neck pillow, it would help”. She only nodded while I handed over the pillow —it did nothing. “Wh… .en would mama and pa..pa stop yell...

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“The Longest Day” by Carol Carll

Submitted to Contest #99

The airport in Portland was so quiet at 4:00 am. I guess not that many people were traveling at 4:00 am on January 30th, 2021. The echo of my phone ringing bounced off the empty walls, floor, and window. The call I dreaded, more than any other, in my seventy-five years had come. I knew who it was calling and headed for a bench. “Hello,” That word began the longest day of my life. My sobbing granddaughter stuttered out the most hurtful words of my life. “He’s gone, Grandma!” I was weeping as I went into a merciful fog ...

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“Purgatory” by Lucine Hanna

Submitted to Contest #99

I suddenly woke up to light peering through my window, but it wasn’t a new day. It was the same day as yesterday. And the same day as the day before that. I turn around in my bed, pulling the comforter over my face. Eventually, I’ll get out of bed when my Mom gently knocks on my door. She'll end up pleading with me to get out of bed. Then, I’ll drive to school and show up a few minutes late. Between periods, I’ll slowly walk to my next class in a trance-like state. While everyone around me is joking with friends or trying to get last-minute ...

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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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