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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

“Roadtrip” by Taylah G

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: Weapons, Death, Torture, Grief My smile was larger than life, blonde hair billowing in the wind. My head was out the window, and my eyes were closed. Beside me, Peter laughed. It was loud and gleeful. I loved his laugh. He took one hand off the steering wheel to place it on top of one of mine. My other arm dangled loosely out the window; my spirits instantly lifted. I leaned back from the window for a moment, only to kiss Peter on the nose. “This road trip was a good idea,” I told him. He had the goofiest grin. I loved him. “I told you...

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“A TWISTED ADVENTURE” by Sinead Mwale

Submitted to Contest #99

"Just a few more minutes and we will be done with this," I said to myself. Finally, I was almost done with my last exam in University as an undergraduate. I was done writing , just proof reading everything and and making sure everything is perfect. I was so excited because after this my friends and I had planned to go on a girls trip to Siavonga. This is something we have been planning since the beginning of the year. I looked at my friend Stacy , who seated a few meters from me as this was the rule to avoid any rigging and copying. She did ...

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“Summer(fate)” by Ola Ade

Submitted to Contest #99

It's that time of the year Meg,Sonia and I are always excited about.The three of us have been best friends since 5th grade and now we are in our senior year.Now,what are we so excited about? Our summer trip! “Ana,do you know where my blue romper dress is?"asked Ally.“Do I look like the owner of the dress,how should I know where it is"?said Ana,rolled her eyes.“It was a simple question,Ana!"frustrated. I left the room angrily to the living room annoyed of Ana's reply and the search of my dress without finding it with my searching for almost...

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“Hand in Hand” by Amber Haggerty

Submitted to Contest #99

15 years. Somehow or another we have been together for a total of 15 years. How did that happen? Where did that time go? How do you celebrate a milestone that so few reach in this day and age? A road trip! Just the thing for a couple that ALWAYS gets along in the car. We have the whole summer to ourselves and no plan whatsoever. I can’t wait. Thomas loaded the van with everything we thought we MIGHT need for the summer. Now there is only two seats available to sit in for our trip; his and mine. Time to get on the road. What is our destinati...

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“Lonely Summer Paradox” by Eagle Vision

Submitted to Contest #99

I get up, and nothing gets me down. You gotta tough, I seen the thoughest around. And I know, baby just what you feelin. You gotta roll roll roll with the punches, I give you best swinging. Can you see here I am get back my back against this record machine. I ain’t the worst that you seen. Can you see what I mean? Might as well jump, go ahead jump. Might as well jump, go ahead jump. “ On a plain white mattress in a cheap rented flat, a second year West Valley High School student who had just finished the 1976-1977 Final Tests. It would be su...

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“Wish Upon a Summer Romance” by Abbey Long

Submitted to Contest #99

“Come on Jen, the holiday is almost over by now!” Brad jeers out from the front of the van. “Give me a second, doofus,” I yell back, as I finish locking up my house. “I’m going now!” He pretends to drive off, as I lug my suitcase over to the van. “Very funny,” I say to him, and Micky helps me put all of my lu...

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“The Bayou Ballad” by Christian Sica

Submitted to Contest #99

Verano. Town of gold and love. The semi rusted sign read. “So, are we almost there yet. We’ve been in this death trap for ages.” Danny groaned. “It’s dad to you, buddy. And yes, we are.” His dad retorted. The tangled woods of the dense Florida trees began to open up as they drove further. They drove over a bridge overlooking a narrow river, bending, and curving as it went along. Marvin, Danny’s dad kept his course as they began to drive into town. After a few twists and turns they made their way down a short dirt road, giving view to their v...

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“Road Trip” by Mark Markum

Submitted to Contest #99

Alexander's ride from the rideshare app turned out to be a young woman in her mid-20s driving a tan, beaten down Ford Taurus. She wore a tank top, bleached jean shorts, and a face - curtained by wavy, shoulder length blonde hair - that was deadened and lifeless, like a house that had been boarded up.They met on a clear July day at a Chevron near the interstate in North Salt Lake. The sun was just peeking over the valley's mountain peaks, casting its rays through the light morning smog."I'm Annabel, you can call me Bel," she introduced hersel...

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“Another Day at Work” by Haylie Parkison

Submitted to Contest #99

Watching the orange-yellowish sunset from the comfort of her office in an administrative building, Lenora could only smile as she leaned against her seat and gazed at the beautiful scenery through the wide, glass window. With stacks of paper stacked on her desk, she felt relaxed after weeks and weeks of immense stress she faced with her boss. It was the end of the summer solstice, and yet, Lenora found herself occupied with her duties as a state security to bring peace to the government. Her report had indicated that the number of people e...

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“Summer Solstice” by Stefan Schmitt-Regelmann

Submitted to Contest #99

“This time, it’s going to be purple.” “No, green, definitely.” “Oh yeah, so just how do you know?” “Remember last year…?” “I remember every year since…” “…since when, tell me!” “Since my first solemony.” “And how long’s that been, ay? And don’t you start telling me about how you knew the elders and their pagan foolishness…” Amy took the old women’s chatter in, had heard it time and time again, just as if it belonged to summer solstice like the ceremony itself. But today was different, today she couldn’t move, couldn’t took her eyes of Sol...

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“Black on Blue” by Raveena Weerabahu

Submitted to Contest #99

The symphony of colour began to fade as the sunset succumbed to the inevitability of time. The reds, golds, oranges, and pinks that had cast a dappled reflection on the choppy waves all turned into muddied hues before being swallowed up by an expanse of deep blue. Even as the last tell-tale rays of light reached pitifully like a drowning victim against the horizon there was not a smidgen of mercy to be found in the vast expanse that made up one half of a marbled sphere. A lonely mammal breached the surface in a graceful arc - so large and ye...

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“The calm Within the Storm” by Asher Russ

Submitted to Contest #99

Mark drank his coffee as he watched the sun rise. He used to do this with his wife, but marriage was something that he or his wife Jennifer could seem to master. They got married young assuming that they would learn how to manage a marriage as they went, but they did this with no luck. Their little girl was the only thing that kept them from divorce. 8-year-old Maggie was the love of their lives. But they did not feel the same about each other. Mark and Jen had loved each other when they got married at 19 and 20, but now well into their 30’s...

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“Hope” by Dj Camagay

Submitted to Contest #99

I was sleeping with my face lying on the table where I work when the alarm I set rang loudly. I searched for my phone using my right hand to turn it off and as I did that, I slowly open my eyes. The sight of my messy work table welcomes me. I groaned cause I'm too lazy to clean it as soon as I wake up. I, first, went to the bathroom to wash my face before wearing my gray hoodie which was lying on my bed, and my eyeglasses. I started walking lightly towards my first destination which is the famous cafe near my place. The employee assi...

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“The Elevator” by Danielle Cole

Submitted to Contest #99

The Elevator The heat sweltered down from the ruthless sun and then radiated back up again from the unforgiving black asphalt in unbearable waves. He took a fine white linen handkerchief from his suit coat pocket and dabbed the beads of sweat off his sunburnt skin. The day was hot- well over a hundred degrees, and humid, but he still wore all of his finest things: tight black leather dress shoes (freshly polished), white cotton dress shirt (freshly pressed), and a ...

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“Our Light” by Mikayla Babin

Submitted to Contest #99

Robert breathed out steadily, filling the air with swirling mist. The wrinkles around his eyes settled into a familiar pattern as he smiled contentedly; the crisp morning was filled with promise. They were perched on a worn bench atop a grassy bluff. Far below and away, the sea met the sky in a reflective mirror of orange and pink. Still morning air smoothed the waves. Breathing in once more, his nose was filled with the scents of eucalyptus and salt, with an undercurrent of morning glory. They’d been coming up here since she was so young th...

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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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