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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

“Running away from love” by Maya Wen

Submitted to Contest #99

June shakes my shoulder softly. “Wake up, Rosie! The sun’s rising!” I rise up slowly, and look around. I am in the Fuji Mountains, where one of the most beautiful sunrises takes place. The sun glows fiercely, the sky a shade of purple. But the sky isn't the only beautiful thing I’m looking at. I turn to June. She’s grinning at the mountains, her black-purple hair blowing in the wind. Her hazel eyes are staring at every detail, probably memorizing the sight. That’s what I love so much about her. She can never get enough of beautiful sights. I...

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“Promises” by Elia Christensen

Submitted to Contest #99

Last summer, I wrecked my life and took others'. I never wanted to, but somehow, life has its way of messing with you, torching you. And watching my 5-year-old sister die before my eyes were the cruellest trick the world could play on me. And yet it was my fault. I can still remember her small body, life fading.***I say nothing, gawking into the empty face of my sister. My sister that I love so much; my favourite person in the world. It must have been hours sitting next to Carrie, but I refuse to leave. Someone has tried to force me away but...

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“He Told Me So” by A Dead Poet .

Submitted to Contest #99

We used to play chess together. I knew that he was done for when I was walking past his window early in the morning. It was closed, but I knew that it should have been open. He was a sick man. He couldn't complete a sentence without interrupting himself with a cough or a shriek, spitting all over the place. Whenever he talked, he looked as if he was dying. It was an amusing sight. I was up late (pulled an all-nighter) because of my older brother Jeremy. He had told me that tomorrow, just after the sun rises, there will be a solar eclipse. Af...

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“Fire in Arzúa ” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #99

Noite de San Xoán is a couple of days away and in Galicia that means widespread participation in the bonfire event, with as cacharelas, as lumeiras, and half a dozen more terms. Lavinia was learning about the vast lexicon that was just waiting to be a source of pride to Galicians. When she was invited to spend the afternoon and evening in Arzúa by Pilar and Daniel, she didn’t hesitate. Her friends were all going, and she knew she would learn a lot by observing and asking questions.“Would you like to come to Arzúa with us?” Pilar asked, and w...

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“ Seeking Redemption ” by Marianna Mills

Submitted to Contest #99

Sensitive subject : Michaela finished packing, the SUV almost ready now, as the sun rose to a warm glow of pink hues on that July day. The day she would go back. She'd been debating on a road trip anyway, it has been awhile since she went away. Work, her boyfriend Nicholas,who was a young ambitious lawyer in political affairs. Their relationship had been a journey to say the least, the ups and downs, building the trust that took time, and patience, as well as the therapy she had to endure. Nothing was easy. It was her way to persevere wh...

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“Three for the Road” by Angela Guthrie

Submitted to Contest #99

Author’s note: I don’t approve of animals smoking, drugging farmers, or picking up strangers.😉“Turn it up girl, because this party is about to be lit!” Cassie grabbed a cigarette from Heather and struck the match with her polished hoof, giggling as the flame ignited the cigarette. Heather leaned over to turn up the radio, before smoothing out her ruffled feathers, while reclining in the passenger seat.“I’m so looking forward to this vacation in the big apple. My cousin Thomas says to be sure and take a big bite out of it,“ Heather stated. “I...

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“Slay the dragon” by Hylan Durham

Submitted to Contest #99

Disclaimer: This story deals with mentions of death, self-harm, and depression. If these topics disturb, or could disturb you please avoid reading. This account is personal to my family and I hope if you are reading this and are facing your own dragon, remember youre not alone. This story is something ive worked on a for a while in my life. I hope you enjoy it and see the message I am trying to convey. Falling, that's all I remember. I don't think there has been a time where the falling wasn't there since the accident. This primal fear r...

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“A Great, Glowing Orb” by Anna Cutchen

Submitted to Contest #99

An orange pre-dawn glow rims the horizon, slowly banishing the hazy periwinkle twilight. Soon driving this direction will be almost unbearable, the strong clear rays of the rising sun burrowing into my eyes. I choose to beat the sun, and slip a pair of square black sunglasses over my face. Vintage, $5, super cool. They make me feel like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, even though they don’t really look like his sunglasses at all. As my 14 year old brother would say, “Issa Vibe.” It’s a vibe I’m grateful for as the sun’s rays fi...

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“Metamorphosis ” by Christina Marie

Submitted to Contest #99

Caterpillars rained from the sky that summer. The sticky, squishy, hairy creatures destroyed trees and suffocated crops, crept up legs and crawled down necks. The lettuce in our garden fell victim to their hunger and the cornstalks wilted under their weight. They survived the heat. They persevered through rain. They gripped on to life with astonishing strength against the constant threat of swinging brooms and stomping boots. “Change is coming,” Grandma said, gently tugging a mottled orange string of fuzz from her shoulder and placing ...

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“Lego Meritus” by Elias Nader

Submitted to Contest #99

The day finally came. Kay and Tes were more than excited. This was THE trip of the year for them. Kay and Tes are young adult girls who were best friends since high school. They have slightly different characters and that’s what made them a strong duo. But what units them the most was their passion for social media. They are influencing bloggers or as we call today Vloggers. Indeed, they established wonderful pages on several platforms with different pictures and videos showing their daily activities. And this event in particular was ...

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“Let these wings of mine fly ” by Theo W.

Submitted to Contest #99

Blake keeps switching the radio station which is annoying but I don't say anything because it makes her happy. We have only four hours to go until we hit the California Border, maybe five with the way Blake is driving. "Do you think Mom is going to be mad?" Blake says this as another car speeds past us giving us a look. "It's probably going to take her a week to even notice we are gone," I say. This makes Blake laugh but it's true. Mom isn't the most attentive. I think I get that from her. "Yeah, but we did steal her car." "We did not steal ...

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“The Final Verdict” by Jenyfer Pegg

Submitted to Contest #99

"Ms. Davis? Are you alright?" My eyes flashed up to my lawyer, waiting and ready to finish my defense. Her question asked for an answer I thought was obvious. No, I was not okay. I could feel his eyes boring into me from where he sat at the prosecution table and waiting for me to take one look at him. I had to focus on the glass of water sitting by my hand so I wouldn't look at him. And there was a battle going on in my brain, because I knew I shouldn’t look at him, but every part of me wanted to. He was someone I loved. But that's the t...

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“The story of keesh” by Hasini Mada

Submitted to Contest #99

KEESH lived long summers ago on the rim of the polar sea, was the head man of his village through many and prosperous years, and died full of honors with his name on the lips of men. And the winter darkness, when the north gales make their long sweep across the ice-pack, and the air is filled with flying white, and no man may venture forth, is the chosen time for the telling of how Keesh, from the poorest IGLOO in the village, rose to power and place over them all. He was a bright boy, healthy and strong, For each winter the sun leaves the l...

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“Blue Pyjamas ” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #99

“Come on young man, time for bed.” Mum called me from my newly decorated bedroom. The sun was disappearing behind our garden’s lonely apple tree. I padded barefoot from the bathroom, proud of myself. Two days running now, I have brushed my teeth all by myself. “There’s a good boy, let me see.” I opened my mouth wide. The minty smell of Colgate escaped, causing us both to grin. “Good job. Do you want a story?” I handed her my Rupert The Bear Annual, battered and old. It was my dads. I not only loved those stories but more much more. I could r...

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“The Midsummer Tree” by Tom D

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: murder Midsummer, and the sun was dipping behind the broad-leafed beeches, staining their crowns with crimson. Up on the downs, shadow was mantling the recumbent fields and shrouding the hedgerows and thickets in night’s cool embrace. From somewhere in a hawthorn tree, a blackbird shaped smooth, rich notes into twilight melodies. From his bedroom window, Peter watched the sunset in silent anticipation. One of the longest days of the year was drawing to its close and his wait was almost over. He glanced over at the torch on h...

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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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