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Looking for a steady supply of creative nonfiction short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

150+ Creative nonfiction Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. The creative nonfiction stories on this page deliver exactly what it says on the tin: true stories told in weird and wonderful ways.

Creative nonfiction Short Stories – Page 6 of 10

My version of the classic ‘bun in the oven’ recipe

Submitted to Contest #306

This is one of my favourite recipes and one I have been fortunate enough to make successfully in recent years. It can take time (and a lot of luck!) to get it right so please don’t be disheartened if it takes you multiple attempts. If your preferred eggs or seeds are not available do consider purchasing alternatives; you might be pleasantly surprised by the results. Ingredients- Dozen eggs (one is fine if it’s all you have)- 500g seeds- Dash of cautious optimism or low expectations (this is really down to personal preference)- A dollop of h...

2 likes 2 comments 2
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Explaining Myself to my Ghost One Entry at a Time

Submitted to Contest #306

1st entry.Hello me. I know we haven't always been a ghost. COVID did that to us. One day we had a career and focus, optimism even. Then the world changed and dragged us along. I admit, we have been a bit of a frog in our focus on how to effect genuine social and environmental change.Our friends always seemed to agree we need kinder, cleaner, more effective ways to make a living in order to function more consistently at peak energy.Then one day my optimism crashed. I realized we wern’t going to get there. Plastics and forever chemicals are in...

9 likes 8 comments 8
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Fracture Lines: Craniotomy Notes, Day One

Submitted to Contest #306

June 23rd, 2021AMAnother day, another dollar. I am doing my best to remember these daily entries to keep myself focused and composed. Composed? How cute that I think I could ever be composed. I am feverish to write and yet never quite know where to start or end. Irrelevant, these cheap little writing exercises I give myself upon waking feel tiring. I am writing, though. Every day I am writing, it is a habit, a ritual, and a promise I keep to myself. I am a bit anxious today about some meetings at work, maintenance is coming to the house duri...

16 likes 15 comments 15
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Screaming Lasagna

Submitted to Contest #306

Allowing my hairy paws to trample through the early morning dew on the spring grass. I'm used to it. Must be early May, feels like summer must be on the way. My golden coat of fur to warm my exterior wealth. Went by Jessie's she must of overslept. Not a chance of romance early today. I'll catch her a little later. She always needing a cat nap or two, three. I had to stop off at old Romone's though, Mr. Devineer, show star. Had a late niter out with the boys. Looks and sounds like I missed out on a real showstopper of a good time down by the ...

2 likes 1 comment 1
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Dear Self

Submitted to Contest #306

Dear Self: It’s okay to remember. Memories are like the weather. One day, the sky is clear and bright, and then the wind of doubt forces its way into our thoughts, causing us to question who we are and what we want for our future. Don’t worry…yesterday is gone, but it doesn’t mean we can’t learn from our mistakes. Why am I hesitating? Don’t be frightened…each heartfelt memory reminds you the sun will rise again. Memories are like floods. Once the water is released, returning it to where it came from is impossible. As if tur...

8 likes 4 comments 4
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The Inescapable Phone Call

Submitted to Contest #306

“This is the last time that I am calling you and tell you to come home.” The voice of my mother is shrieking at me. “As usual,” I think, “she is on a good one and hysterical." I stay quiet and let her scream. It's easy now because she is thousands of miles away from Los Angeles.I am sitting in our Hollywood apartment on Franklin Avenue, on the couch. My four Swedish roommates and I stole the couch out of the lobby of a building on Hollywood Boulevard. I am smiling, about the couch and what my mother would scream about knowing that the couch ...

4 likes 0 comments 0
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Silly

Submitted to Contest #306

“Silly” a text from my son, August, after sending him a picture of Aronne’s menu. A keepsake I brought back from Orvieto when John and I visited the ancient Italian hilltop village. August and Tessa had spent a few days of their honeymoon there a week before and gave us recommendations. We toured the town’s stunning 12th century duomo, and a 2500-year-old underground city with holes carved into stone walls for pigeon nests, a staple when under siege. We got a table at Aronne for lunch and ordered a traditional local dish, “bird nest” lasagna...

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FULL FIGURE

Submitted to Contest #306

A man's love is what any woman would want. For Porsha, love alone couldn't heal the damage the world had carved into her self-worth. Her fiancé is a plastic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Taylor, a man many would call a dream—loyal, kind, driven, and most importantly, in love with her for who she was. Despite the warmth he offered, Porsha still felt cold inside. Her reflection was her worst enemy and each morning, as the sun spilled into their shared apartment in Houston, Texas. She finds herself staring into the mirror, analyzing every curve, pinch...

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The Man That Wasn't There

Submitted to Contest #306

The Man Who Wasn’t There I am lying naked in a crowded room. I seem to be of no interest to anyone, save for whichever white figure had haphazardly dropped a towel over my crotch. “Thanks for small favors, right?” seems appropriate…but I said nothing. The table is cold metal. The room is unbearably bright... but it does not bother me. There are people encircling me like pigeons stalking the last French fry in the parking lot. Faceless white blurs point around the room adjusting things and giving orders. The closest to me seem...

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Joys of Grandparenthood

Submitted to Contest #306

Me answering cell: Hi Cindy? How are you?Cindy: Call the Spencer Children’s Hospital and tell them I’m driving in with baby Sydney now!?Me: WHAT? WHERE are you?Her voice falters, it sounds like she’s in a wind tunnel. Cindy: He has a 106 degree fever… he’s listless.Me: Okay. I’ll call you back.I swipe her away and call the hospital.Me: Hello, my daughter-in-law is bringing in her 14-month old son to the ER. He has a 106 fever.Spencer ER: Ok, we’ll see her when she gets here.Hearing this conversation, my husband comes into the kitchen. Me: Ci...

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13 Steps to Raising a Child as a Single Parent

Submitted to Contest #306

13 Steps to Raising a Child as a Single Parent ****4.7 14 REVIEWS 226,000 PHOTOS (get a grip) This is not a foolproof recipe. Results may vary. Submitted by Heather Joy Updated on June 11, 2025 SAVE RATE PRINT SHARE Prep Time: 18 years Yield: one human child (fur baby recipe on the next page) Ingredients one spinal epidural (to be administered by an anesthesiologist) drugs (kept vague on purpose, wink wink) formula/breastmilk (as needed) diapers (better get a membership to one of those bulk stores) money (duh) village members (to include ...

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I Was Here

Submitted to Contest #306

Tuesday, April 14th Today, after school, we went to Ruby's diner like we always do on Tuesdays. Me, Frankie, Alice, and Ginny took our bikes and rode up there still in our uniforms from St. Margaret’s, all wrinkled and sweaty from the gym class. Frankie got a run in her stocking during jump rope, and she didn’t even care. Ruby was working the counter today. She always gives us the glass bottles instead of the paper cups, like she does for the little kids. I think she likes us. She called us ‘’her Tuesday gang’’ winked, and then she gave Gin...

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Charles

Submitted to Contest #306

***Missed call from Joshmaboi Tuesday 10. June 18:20***...Sms, Tuesday 10. June 18:23 from Joshmaboi. Hi dad, me and Mara definitely want to watch the cats when you leave for Trinidad. Just called to confirm the dates - it's 01/07-20/07, right? Week 27, 28 and 29?...Sms, Tuesday 10. June 18:37 from Birgitmess.Charlie! Thanks for today, you are such a lifesaver I really needed that time off so thank you again for covering my shift. Are you going to the summerparty on friday? There's def a beer or two in it ifn you do! And maybe you'll teach m...

29 likes 18 comments 18
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A Girl's Guide to Mending A Defective Heart

Submitted to Contest #306

Trigger/Content Warning: Mental Health, Body Image, Mention of Scars. An easy recipe for recovering from open heart surgery - valve replacement edition! Cook time: 4 - 8 weeks. Ingredients: For the body...2 packs of hospital grade bandages or 1 box of gauzes, 1 bar of antibacterial soap, 4 sports bras or 2 velcro binders, 1 bed, 1 heart shaped pillow, As many rectangular pillows as needed, 3 over the counter medications (aspirin, tylenol, and ibuprofen), 1 loop diuretic prescribed by doctor, 1-2 breathing tubes (for lack of better words), ...

9 likes 3 comments 3
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Recipe for a Magical Journey: Wonderland Stew

Submitted to Contest #306

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes Serves: 4-6 Wonderland wanderersIngredients:1 Cup of Curiosity (Best harvested in the garden of wonder, during the first signs of morning mist)3 Sprigs of Uncertainty (Pick while the wind is blowing east; they have a special taste when gathered in a rush)2 Large Thoughts of Doubt, peeled (Only the ripest doubts work best—those that have been hanging around for far too long)5 Lively Dreams, chopped (Be sure to use fresh dreams; those left on the shelf to...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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