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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

“Penitence” by Reshmi Murali

Submitted to Contest #99

My words make them laugh with delight. Their hearts beat in time as they listen to me speak, waiting for the end in anticipation, for the suspense to be lifted, for them to return home and share these words with their loved ones, and to laugh once again as they relive them. I bring a twinkle in their eyes – eyes that have seen so much, gone through days of fire and smoke, days of anxiety, days without food and comfort. It was still visible. Their tear stains seemed permanently etched on their faces, never drying. I'm standing in front of a r...

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“Light within” by Sonita Chizaram

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: attempted suicide It was summer 2001, we found out, despite the cheerful nature I had, and the sunscreen in my pocket I couldn’t contain the sunlight, you see the irony?, cheerful people are supposed to love the sun, people who carry sunscreen are supposed to have a little hope when it comes to sunbathing, but I had all those things and yet I was burned, it was like each time I decide to step out in the sun, there would be hives on my skin, like my pores open drastically, I don’t know what happens, but when I step out I become a monster....

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“I love you, Grandma Josephine” by Potato Chip

Submitted to Contest #99

My name is Amanda Ashlyn Thomas, and I have the uttermost guilt in my life. I always assumed that my life would be perfect with no problems or guilt. However, I realized this is not the case. I caused the death of my own grandmother, However, to understand my story, we must go back two years. It was July 9th, 2019. The dreary rain accompanied my sorrow. Every single one of my tears fell down, making streaks in my cheeks. Mom had left the church sanctuary to go to the lobby with Andrew. I only wish I had spent more time with Grandma Josephine...

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“Sunshine of Your Love” by David Dicaire

Submitted to Contest #99

It was extremely dark, the night was ink black and the wind sang like a chime. There were no stars or moon to shine the way. Evan walked slowly down the beach and was glad that he had been that way many times before. The logs, stumps, trees and rocks all looked familiar. He had debated about meeting this girl all day long ever since she had invited him. Earlier in the day, he was walking the beach and saw her. Her name was Tanya and she was a very attractive girl. But, she was also a very nice girl, fun...

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“50¢ for Lemonade” by Raelynn Hefferon

Submitted to Contest #99

I take in a much needed deep breath, standing up straight and wiping sweat off my brow. I squint towards where the sun is halfway across the sky, hours from setting. This is the last car, I promise myself. “Hey!” The driver of the car dips his sunglasses at me. “Hurry up and dry those tires. I’ve got places to be, you know.” I sigh before getting on my knees and snatching the rag from my bucket. “Of course, mister.” The driver groans, laying back in his seat and crossing his arms. If y...

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“God in the Sunshine” by Karen Estep

Submitted to Contest #99

It was the darkness that really bothered her. She understood the solitude, but not the darkness. Four days in dark solitude and already she was questioning her choice to join this commune of people. You can do this, You can do this. These words became her montra. She only had three days to go and she will be a sunshine member of the group. The Reality of Life Commune was a blessing to Regina, for what she knew so far.She had been living in the city for two years on her own and still could not...

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“Satisfaction” by Eliza Haney

Submitted to Contest #99

It all started with the swindler four years previous. The man had stolen everything from him. His money, his house, his possessions, he could care less about. But his family? That was another matter entirely. The hotel in front of him loomed, casting a shadow across his face. He glanced down at the card in his hand, checked the address. Yes, this was where the swine lived. The man had grown rich and had moved his base of operation to this hotel, the Apex. He also knew his usual hang out was at the bar, located inside the casino, where ...

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“The Bloody sun, I hate it” by Lunny Muffin

Submitted to Contest #99

He head the phone answer machine beeping sound. “Hi Dad, Mark and ,I are going to the lake this weekend. It would be fun to have you join us. We can pick you up at ten thirty. I’m sure the kids will love to see you too. Call me when you get this message. Bye! Love you and we miss you! Talk to you soon” Another beeping sound was heard before a machine voice added. “End of message” He stood there for another minute thinking about how to reply. He was tired and did not want to go anywhere. He saw the trees and grass in the b...

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“The Day She Told The Story” by Dizzy Pringle

Submitted to Contest #99

The Day She Told The Story: Summer was Andy’s favorite time of year, no school, no teachers to tell you’re parents “Andy did very badly In the History, Science, math, and home economics test….” You could play with you’re best friend Harry and the girl across the street May who you think likes you in more than a friend way. Yes, summer was the best! And now it was time to get the worst part of the summer over with. Visiting Grandma. Oh god every Christmas, Easter and thanksgiving was tainted by having to go to her old smelly house. And now sh...

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“Bambi” by Tea Bland

Submitted to Contest #99

She remembers the heat of that summer. A sticky, persistent heat that had left her with dried sweat crusted to her skin at the end of each day, and hair that frizzed like a halo on her head. It was the hottest summer of her life at that point, and she remembered complaining about it in tandem with her friends in the last weeks of the school year, although, in secret, she had basked in it. Her junior year of high school feels like a lifetime ago now, but that Summer still remains with her all these years later. Her friend Angela—maybe they...

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“Remember When...” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #99

“Well, do you?”“No, I try not to remember, it is easier that way.”“Do you remember the time we went off seeking to be lost? Escape the implied pressures; jobs, family, us?”I did remember, but couldn’t, no, didn’t want to admit that the past makes me nostalgic for something that may never have existed, except in my mind.“Yes, I remember falling up.”“Falling up? What does that mean?”It is a feeling. We take memories from our past and purposely embellish or detract from their reality to make them acceptable for our needs. Th...

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“June 21, 1976” by Ruth Donnelly

Submitted to Contest #99

June 21, 1976June 21, 1976 is a day that I would like to forget but I can't. On June 21st in the year o 1976, my husband and I rented a cottage on a quiet lake...and I do mean quiet. There was not another soul or cottage around.We both had been working very hard at our respective careers. Christopher, my husband is a psychologist/life therapist. Myself, a fledgling writer who enjoys writing horror stories . Well I never suspected my horror stories would come to life.The cottage itself was as plain as they come. No indoor plumbing...no electr...

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“The Boxed Demon” by Ashley Dearborn

Submitted to Contest #99

“Don’t be scared of the demon” I told my grandchild in her super-secret hidey spot. “You don’t need to run and hide” “But its going to get me!” she cried as she itched her butt. “It will get you regardless of whether you run and hide.” I told her. “Oh no, will it get you too?” She sobbed. “Yes.” I replied, and I started to reminisce and tell her of my last scary experience with the demon, many many summers before she was born. There was a knock at the door, and I went to check who it was that my god had brought to my home. It was the ...

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“I Killed Him, You Killed Me, I'll Kill You” by Cheriel Ann Pael

Submitted to Contest #99

[If this entry will be approve, and you want to read another POINT OF VIEW of this story, please read "After The Sunset, I'll Rest", that entry is also contains what happened BEFORE this story. THANK YOU!]Ten years ago I was sitting here in the same spot I’m standing right now. I feel the heat of summer as I feel the heat of the fire of my madness as I’m reminiscing that summer. I was smiling while greeting my batch mates. The whole hall was filled with laughter that blends with the music. Everyone are sharing their stories and listenin...

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“Black Summer” by Maureen P

Submitted to Contest #99

“Thus, the summer ends here” Beverly woke up by the sun gleaming through the windows of her own bedroom. She groaned slightly and stood up from her bed until she remembered something. She dreamed of that bitter summer event again. She shook her head, trying to forget that summer that happened many seasons ago. She went downstairs to see her mother who prepared a delightful breakfast for her daughters. She saw all of her three sisters were sitting on the dining chairs already, their heads immediately turned into Beverly who jus...

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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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