Write a story where a rumor starts to spread. Your protagonist is either the topic or the source.

Posted in Short Story on Jun 7, 2024

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✍️ 53 stories

“The Mayor's Secret ” by Greta Dickerson

Submitted to Contest #254

Chapter 1: The RumorSpringfield was a quaint town, the kind that people thought of when they pictured idyllic American life. Mayor Thomas Hale had been its steadfast leader for over a decade, winning every election with ease due to his commitment to the community and his genuine, approachable demeanor. But as the upcoming election loomed, a dark cloud gathered over his re-election campaign.It started as a whisper. A rumor that Mayor Hale was having an affair with a high-profile businesswoman, Claudia Reynolds, who had recently moved to Sprin...

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“The Latest on Dit” by Porsche Jay

Submitted to Contest #254

The candles flickered throughout the great ballroom of Blackwood estate. The room was filled with blushing misses and their dutiful Mamas hovering closely by. Lords, a mix of young and old, looking after the young misses and looking for one of their own, were also close at hand. His Grace, Isaiah Blackwood, the Duke of Essex and his wife, the Duchess Anastasia, stood at the edge of the dance floor watching their eldest daughter, Aurelia, entertain one of many suitors filling her dance card this evening. Anastasia, in her navy blue ballg...

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“Whispers of the Past ” by Bradley Larsen

Submitted to Contest #254

Chapter 1: The Spark In the heart of the quaint town of Oakridge, nestled between rolling hills and dense forests, stood Millie's Diner—a small, family-owned establishment known for its hearty breakfasts and homey atmosphere. The diner was a staple in the community, a place where locals gathered to share news and catch up on each other's lives. It was also the workplace of twenty-seven-year-old Sam Miller, a waiter with a hidden past. Sam had moved to Oakridge a year ago, seeking refuge from the chaos of his former life. He rented a small ap...

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“The Cricketer” by Patricia Parent

Submitted to Contest #254

St-Roch neighborhood has always been known for being Canada’s capital of strange people and events, but for five weeks in 1952, it was full-blown collective hysteria. Our neighborhood had the highest number of convicted felons by square foot across all the Americas. It was not uncommon to witness a grown-up man snatch an ice cream cone from a kid in broad daylight, or to catch a kid stealing your copper pipes at night, but what happened that summer was entirely different. It was a psychological attack that touched mostly ...

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“Malingolingo International rumours” by Kaoli Chona

Submitted to Contest #254

Write a story where a rumour starts to spread. Your protagonist is either the topic or the source.Malingolingo International rumoursThirteen October twenty twenty one marked the beginning of a new chapter in my career. After years in the Civil Service, I was stepping into the role of Director of Legal Services at Malingolingo International, a multinational company producing agricultural products ranging from tractors, seeds to herbicides. I was eager to compare the professionalism and productivity in the private sector with that of the publi...

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“The discovery of an Elmore's new self” by Ana Paola Velázquez

Submitted to Contest #254

The morning of December 12th at the Earl Elmore’s was an unusually sunny day. The Elmore family was conformed by the couple Lady and Lord Elmore, who had an eighteen-year-old daughter named Elizabeth. It was 8 o’clock in the morning, which meant it was breakfast time. “Good morning sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” said Lady Elmore as Elizabeth entered the dining room. “Not really, I had a nightmare. I believe it is because today is December 12th” responded Elizabeth with a frown on her face as Lord Elmore gave his wife a confused look “What ...

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“Rumors?” by Les Painter

Submitted to Contest #254

The office buzzed with the usual hum of keyboards and murmurs of conversation. George leaned back in his chair, eyeing his colleagues, Ed and Ahmed. "I'm telling you guys," George said, leaning forward, "there's no way that 'The Troll' is eligible for hiring here. She doesn't know the programs. Sure, she talks like she does, but she's just offloading her work onto her staff. I saw it firsthand when I asked to help. I would gather evidence through my assistance and expose her. When I questioned why she refused my assistance, she told me to mi...

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“Dorothy” by Ali Rose

Submitted to Contest #254

She walked through the town with her head held high, parasol resting daintily on her shoulder to shield her from the sun. She knew what they had said about her, the rumours that blew through the town worse than wildfire in the summer brush. Rumours that just happened to be true. Still, she would not be defeated by a secret that should never have been made to be kept in the first place. She was the same lady as she had always been, and would continue to be so. No matter what people may think. People stopped as she passed, to stare or wh...

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Write a story where a rumor starts to spread. Your protagonist is either the topic or the source.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 53 stories

“The Mayor's Secret ” by Greta Dickerson

“The Latest on Dit” by Porsche Jay

“Whispers of the Past ” by Bradley Larsen

“The Cricketer” by Patricia Parent

“Malingolingo International rumours” by Kaoli Chona

“The discovery of an Elmore's new self” by Ana Paola Velázquez

“Rumors?” by Les Painter

“Dorothy” by Ali Rose

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story at a Regency-themed fair.

Write a story about two characters who start as mortal enemies but learn to embrace their differences.

Write a story where an important conversation takes place during a dance.

Write a story in the format of a gossip column.

Contest #254

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

217

Contest entries

88

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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