Write about someone who has been nominated for a prestigious award, but isn’t sure they deserve it.

Posted in Sad on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 25 stories

“Just Ask for Mercy” by Cecilia L. Maddison

🏆 Winner of Contest #147

*Content warning- some violence and gore*Something is eating the hostas.It’s a tricky section of the garden- shaded and north-facing- but the foliage thrives under my watchful eye. I ensure it grows lush and verdant, and only I can coax it from sulking in this hot, dry weather. I’m pleased to see the blue-green tones of sieboldiana flourishing beside the golden variegated undulates leaves.I‘m outraged by the pock-marked damage I’ve discovered, and search for the culprit amongst the ovate leaves. There! A snail clings to the underside of a le...

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“A Week in the Life of a Reedsy Writer” by J.C. Lovero

Submitted to Contest #147

(TW: swearing, sassiness, and schadenfreude)FridayYou read over the story one more time, checking for any rogue adverbs, split infinitives, comma splices, or anything that could violate the terms of service. Clock check: 10:59 PMCrap. One more hour, and you blink rapidly at the cursor on the screen. Does this even fit the prompt for this week? Too late to change. You’ve never been one of those prodigies that could whip out a story in the same day like Last-Minute Lacey. While you spend all week shining that one thousand nine h...

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“Cass Was Right” by Rose Parkstone

Submitted to Contest #147

Cass was right. I didn’t deserve any of this. The endless amounts of praise and pats on the back. All of the fluttering lights and confetti-stuffed balloons. My name being advertised all over Thistle Park High’s beige, concrete walls. The polished mahogany stage, patiently waiting for me to walk up and accept my ten-thousand-dollar scholarship. And yet there I was, sitting in a dressing room backstage; about to rob hundreds of artists who are far more deserving than me. I’ve been entering the Southwest Community’s Upcoming Artist schol...

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“Judged for Duty: The Face of the Lost” by Futurama Delivery

Submitted to Contest #147

If you want to kill, join the military legally.That's the thing about soldiers—it looks like they are upstanding citizens, but they are trained killers. They are veterans at stalking their prey through the blood-stained trenches. And we reward them.Whether it's a scorched desert bristling with crumbling, yellow-encrusted sand, they can slaughter anywhere. Soldiers wait months to feel the slightest movement, like a slow-growing plant, enveloped in deathly heat, even in a freckled sauna.They can fight in the thick forests with limbs stretching...

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“The Last Day of Camp” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #147

TW: Violence and swearing.Looking at my colleagues from the stage as I receive employee of the year it is hard to describe how much I want all of them to die. Every one of them has a glass of wine in their hand. “Raise a toast,” I say. “We all drink together. Today is a celebration. To the death of rats.” My voice echoes in the dance hall. Uniformed guards raise their glasses and say it with me. “To th...

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“Six Bullets” by Kay Hamilton

Submitted to Contest #147

Session One “Do you know why you're here?” I was ready to jot down notes. “The commissioner told me I need to see you in order to get back on the force. I’m pretty sure you’ve seen it all over the news,” Officer Marcus was all over the couch. “I did see it. A hero- how does that make you feel?” “It was nice to get the award. Being in the lights where all eyes were on me. It was nice to be the center of attention. Holding the trophy felt great.” “The award made you feel great because you deserved it. Now, how did the shooting make y...

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“Daddy's Chair” by Keri Dyck

Submitted to Contest #147

Once upon a time, there was a little girl. Her name was Rana, and she lived on a farm. Her family was made of a dad, a mom, six brothers, eleven cows (Bessie died last fall), two dogs, and three cats. This day started off quite ordinary. Her brothers were milking the cows.Rana took her little bucket and walked carefully to the first milking stall. Annabelle, the biggest cow, looked at her with big, solemn eyes. Randy, her brother who was leaning against the cow’s side with his hands working the teats, looked at her with sleepy eyes. “Go...

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“Victory” by Faith H

Submitted to Contest #147

TW: vague allusions to killing and death, murder, explicit details about metaphoric blood.I cradle the glimmering golden trophy in my arms, an equally dazzling smile plastered on my face. Camera lights from all directions flash in my eyes, the spotlights to my victory. “Emily! Emily!” One reporter hollers. “What are your thoughts on being awarded the Youth Acting Award?”“Tell us what you feel about being the youngest nominee!”“Miss Coffey, what are your secrets to being such a great actress?” With practiced poise and confidence, I ...

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“Salesman of the Year” by Bruce Friedman

Submitted to Contest #147

Author's note: References to violence. Sexual innuendos.I was sitting at my desk at work, twiddling my thumbs. It was a time when New York seemed to have won the battle against COVID and the rules for working in the office had been relaxed somewhat so I came in a few days a week. To be truthful, I was getting bored and fed up at home. My wife had decided to change the family rules of who was responsible for what in terms of chores so the quality of my life there had seriously diminished. I had not previously viewed my office as a refuge but ...

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“Breakfast at Hugo's” by Ren B

Submitted to Contest #147

In one of my first assignments as a junior New York Times film critic, they flew me over to Los Angeles to cover the Oscars ceremony. I got there a couple of days before the event. I was excited to stay at the fancy Sunset Tower, a classic hotel in Hollywood. One day I decided to get breakfast nearby at Hugo’s. This place is known for its healthy options and for the occasional celebrity you can spot from time to time. I sat at one of the booths inside. While waiting for my coffee, I couldn’t avoid eavesdropping on the conversat...

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“Head Start” by Nathan Hoang

Submitted to Contest #147

Adrian shuffled his feet, stuck backstage in an oversized suit with a tie that was tied a little too tight. His shirt was sticking to his neck, despite the attempts to peel the two away from each other. The emcee was doing his usual bit, entertaining the audience in between segments. The other nominees were quietly chitchatting, smiling politely then glaring whenever people weren’t looking. Adrian awkwardly coughed. It took all of his willpower to not leave the venue right this moment. He promised himself and the others he would see this thr...

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“The 'Best'” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #147

The 'Best' Stewart Schneider entered Schneider Productions' outer office and everyone burst into applause. Nonplussed, he thought they were joking. He raised his arms like Rocky and danced in a circle. He didn't get it. He hadn't heard. Jill, his secretary, rushed up. "You got nominated!" "I did? For what?" "Best Producer, silly." She hugged him. "Our show, 'Shadow Banning, Private Eye.'" Stewart called out to the staff. "Thank you! Thank you! You all know, I couldn't do it without you." Cheers joined the applause. Jill followed him into h...

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“The Humble Award” by Judi Wallower

Submitted to Contest #147

“Good evening, ladies, gentlemen, and the youth of our community. Most of you know me and for those of you who may not know me, I’m Steve Glendall. I am this year’s Chairman of the Youth and Community Guidance Committee. But it’s not about me. I am surrounded by good-hearted people who come together to help lift each other’s spirits and anyway they can. The Humble Award has always stood for prestige, compassion, tenaciousness, and honor. Well, the recipients of this year’s Hu...

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“Writer's Block” by Annette C

Submitted to Contest #147

Another day another dollar or penny I should say commented Barry to himself as he walked yet again in the rain to his office. For over a year Barry suffered from writer’s block. He wanted to quit and just find another job, but he knew that his father would throw it in his face about his choice of flushing his money down the toilet when he graduated with a degree in writing. “Why’d you need a degree in writing? Just write you damn loser,” said his father the last time he spoke to him. Things spiraled out of control as his mother tried c...

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“Monday Before Taco Tuesday” by Sjan Evardsson

Submitted to Contest #147

Stephen J. Steyr III missed his old life. Humanity’s ambassador to the Galactic Combine, he had been plucked from his position as a professor of linguistics at Kenyon College, Ohio. He knew he had to follow along and make nice, smile without showing teeth, and accept the award graciously. He also knew it was undeserved. As the Speaker of the Combine read off his “heroic” deeds, Stephen wanted to curl up in a ball and disappear. He hadn’t done anything they said he had. “The Honorable Ambassador Steyr from Terra is the true definition of he...

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Contest #147

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Ended on 23:59 - May 27, 2022 EST

Won by Cecilia L. Maddison 🏆

Title: Just Ask for Mercy

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Write about someone who has been nominated for a prestigious award, but isn’t sure they deserve it.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 25 stories

“Just Ask for Mercy” by Cecilia L. Maddison

“A Week in the Life of a Reedsy Writer” by J.C. Lovero

“Cass Was Right” by Rose Parkstone

“Judged for Duty: The Face of the Lost” by Futurama Delivery

“The Last Day of Camp” by Graham Kinross

“Six Bullets” by Kay Hamilton

“Daddy's Chair” by Keri Dyck

“Victory” by Faith H

“Salesman of the Year” by Bruce Friedman

“Breakfast at Hugo's” by Ren B

“Head Start” by Nathan Hoang

“The 'Best'” by John K Adams

“The Humble Award” by Judi Wallower

“Writer's Block” by Annette C

“Monday Before Taco Tuesday” by Sjan Evardsson

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with two people sitting in a movie theater, waiting for the lights to come back on.

Start or end your story with someone realizing that life isn’t like the movies, for better or worse.

Write a story about someone who keeps being cast as the hero but is actually a villain (literally or metaphorically).

Write about a relationship that has been greatly impacted by a movie.

Contest #147

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

179

Contest entries

94

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: