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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

“The Storm Queen ” by Svara Narasiah

Submitted to Contest #99

In Honeyrain, there was no summer. Clouds would shield the world from the sun, depriving its inhabitants of sunshine and making the land go dark. The once-green grass was dimmed to an ugly brown, and the people, who used to wear gorgeous smiles on their faces, walked with their heads downwards and their mouths in a straight grim line. If one was to visit Honeyrain, all they would see was a big flat plain with various houses and other buildings scattered around. Often they would feel the cold splatter of rain on their faces, or hear thunder...

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“It was Monday” by Kristin Neubauer

Submitted to Contest #99

Warning: Story includes themes of suicideThe first rays of the July sun flashed off General Burton’s glasses and onto the refrigerator as he applied three drops of lubricant to the slide rails of his Colt .45. One, two, three on one side. One, two, three on the other. Two drops on the barrel. One drop on the engagement lugs. One drop on the interior of the barrel bushing. Re-assemble. His fingers moved over the parts with a command accrued over seven decades. But his arthritic joints and knotted...

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“Life is a lottery” by James Pendleton

Submitted to Contest #99

This was the happiest day of Stanley Murray’s life. As he sat on the toilet thinking about what he was about to achieve, he couldn’t help but whistle a merry tune. As he flushed the toilet he could have sworn that he heard a noise in the kitchen but he quickly put it down to jitters, bearing in mind what he was about to accomplish. His life was about to change. He opened the bathroom door and walked into the hallway. He hadn’t remembered leaving the apartment door open, but it was slightly ajar, so he closed it then returned...

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“How I spent My Summer Vacation” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #99

It seems like an eternity ago, but it was more like ten years. I was in sixth grade, and my teacher, Mrs. Feldman strutted around the classroom wearing her two-tone green knit sweater and a brown corduroy skirt that seemed to be stretched to its seams around her enormous bottom. Mrs. Feldman was trying to get the attention of the class, but we were all too pumped with excitement. It was the last day of school be...

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“The Power of Memory” by Silver Pen: Temporarily Inactive

Submitted to Contest #99

The car rolls smoothly on the empty road, heat stuffing the car despite the attempts of the whining air conditioning. My crayon makes quiet scratches on the tan-colored paper, watching the hours fly by. Asher’s driving, quietly humming music to himself and tapping his wedding band on the steering wheel as we pass the rainy landscape.“Whatcha drawin?” asks Zach, leaning towards me from the backseat. Smiling, I twist away so he can’t see.“You’ll see in a little while. What about you, bud?” I ask. He holds up his work with a gap-toothed grin.“I...

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“A STUNNING BLOW” by Sudhir Menon

Submitted to Contest #99

Surya switched on his TV to see the ICC World Test Championship final between New Zealand and India. In the pandemic caused by Covid-19, and having to be confined to his home for months together, his retired life received some solace from the ‘idiot box’, of seeing some exciting serials, movies and cricket matches like the one in question; all this, when he was not busy otherwise in his various pursuits and hobbies.What a relief to see the cricketers all in white with light cream-coloured pullovers having the classic double borders; a far cr...

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“The Body” by Victoria Lucas

Submitted to Contest #99

The summer that I turned eleven years old some friends of mine found a dead body. It was floatin around in a little creek not too far from my house. After Danny and Ray found it they asked me if I wanted to take a look see before they went and told anyone else about it, but the news of the discovery alone was enough to turn my stomach six shades of sour. “You sure you don’t wanna go?” Danny asked. “Ain’t that far from here.” “I think it might be that Peters girl they been talkin bout on the radio.” Ray added. “They was thinkin she don...

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“Road trips during the summer?” by Clinton Siegle

Submitted to Contest #99

I have gotten to go to many places during the summer. From Ekalaka, Montana the end of the world. To Colorado Springs, Colorado springs hidden in the mountains. To Caracato Bolivia to Sunnyvale California to Orlando Florida to Goleta California to Richmond Washington to Tuscon Arizona. I have traveled via truck from Plentywood Montana to Topeka Kansas. From some small place in Oklahoma through Texas egad their bugs are huge and days hot all the way to Billings Montana. Road trips? Which was the most memorable? I think the road trip fr...

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“Of Little Light” by Jasey Lovegood

Submitted to Contest #99

OF LITTLE LIGHTTrigger warning: Self-harmIn a dark world like hers, Harlow couldn’t stand the light. It was difficult to withstand the brightness when her whole life was covered by an eclipse. She was afraid the light would kill her if she was exposed to it for too long. Her bedroom door suddenly opened, breaking her thoughts.“Hannah, breakfast.” Her mother called, and Harlow abruptly sat up in bed. She wasn’t Hannah, was she? How long had she been in this room if she had forgotten her own name? For a second, she wanted to burst out of her r...

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“Life” by Melody Frost

Submitted to Contest #99

I am on standing on top of the edge of a haunted factory. I can see buildings covered in a thick cloud of dust. I looked at my phone to check if I have any missed calls before entering the next world. What did I expect, as if there is anyone who exists to call me? Today is March 20. Mom, I am coming to you. I don't like this world. You were correct. I can't trust anybody in this world. ** A security guard who was passing by the haunted factory got frightened when he heard a loud sound. He didn't believe in ghosts, so he rushed ...

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“One Sugar or Two” by Kira Krieger

Submitted to Contest #99

"Only if I can bring my books and we get a lot of ice cream," Steven announced at the dining room table as he rolled his peas around his plate. "Then it's settled." Rylee pushed himself up from the table. "Let me put those peas out of their misery and you can start packing." "Love to," he said, nearly tipping his chair over while running away. Rylee smirked as he grabbed the plate and everything that went with it. In busperson style, he carried them into the kitchen. "Steven still not eating his vegetables?" Jaxon asked from the far corn...

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“East of the Sun” by Daisy Torres

Submitted to Contest #99

Golden sunlight dripped from the leaves as we swung through the forest. I was careful not to touch the sticky substance. My tail tightened around a thin branch, which I used for balance as I vaulted myself towards Sphynx. "I can't believe it," he said in his odd language of clicks and whistles. "I can't believe the melting seasons are already here." He shuddered from his position as he hung from the tree. "I've heard about it of course, but I never realised how sad it is to leave home." I pulled myself into a squatting position above h...

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“The Single Rose” by Rosie 95

Submitted to Contest #99

I stand in the middle of a field, or, a used-to-be field. I remember. Well, actually, I don’t remember, but I heard it in the history lessons. Fifty-two years ago, this field had the greenest and most beautiful grass in the country, and throughout the whole field, it blossomed with flowers, from roses to pansies to lilacs. The sky was as blue as the clearest lake, never having a single gray cloud. And even just nine summers ago, even though some of the grass was a little yellow, most of the flowers were gone, it was still beautiful. &nbsp...

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“Beneath the Two Suns” by Link Arneson

Submitted to Contest #99

The larger of the two setting suns was barely visible from up here, a sliver of light on the horizon painting the clouds pink and gray. It was Dex’s favorite time of day, the twilight between the two sunsets when the heat dissipated and long shadows crept over the desert. It had been a month since they crash landed on this planet, a month of searching wreckages and junk heaps for the parts necessary to fix their spacecraft. Only the natives of the planet - the species and planet name a mystery to Dex - with their tough, scaly skin and ...

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“"Hymns Of Sorrow"” by IStole YourToast

Submitted to Contest #99

Title 1: "Rebela"She held up the flower with tempting hands and inhaled its fumes with rising anticipation. A sweet savory smell poured into her nostrils pleasing every sense of self she could muster. She looked at the flower; eyes staring with wide pupils. The sunlight poured into her eyes and got lost in the abyss the pupil's darkness. She could feel the rush of blood around her heart. She gazed upon its white membrane like petals that danced around purple branch like stems protruding from the center and held it gently around its green ste...

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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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