Flash Fiction Challenge: Special Guests

flash fiction writing prompt copyright ksbrooks 275 mr and mrs claus at ladells 12202014
Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution.

Every year, Mabel set out milk and cookies for Santa. Every year, she threw them away the next morning.

This year, the milk was still there but the cookies were gone. Her refrigerator door was open, and what was left of her Christmas ham was out on the counter.

As dawn brightened, Mabel saw the silhouettes of reindeer in her front yard. She rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was dreaming. But them she saw the trail of empty beer cans and cookie crumbs leading into the living room…


Welcome to the Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. In 250 words or less, write a story incorporating the elements in the picture and the written prompt above. Do not include the prompt in your entry. The 250 word limit will be strictly enforced.

Please keep language and subject matter to a PG-13 level.

Use the comment section below to submit your entry. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. No political or religious entries, please. Need help getting started? Read this article on how to write flash fiction.

On Tuesday night, judges will select the strongest entries, and on Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll so they may choose the winner. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday.

On Saturday morning, the winner will be recognized as we post the winning entry along with the picture as a feature. Then, at year end, the winners will be featured in an anthology like this one. Best of luck to you all in your writing!

Entries only in the comment section. Other comments will be deleted. See HERE for additional information and terms. Please note the rule changes for 2015.

Which “Sauna Time” Flash Fiction Story Gets Your Vote?

Vote5It’s that time again…time to choose your favorite flash fiction story of the week! The judges have whittled down the entries to a select few, and now it’s your turn: time for the public to have the final say. It’s super easy – choose your favorite and cast your vote below for this week’s Flash Fiction champion.

Remember, the winning entries will all be included in the next edition of the IU Flash Fiction Anthology.

Check out this week’s entries here we’ve even labeled the finalists to make them easier to spot. Make your decision, then use those share buttons at the bottom of the post to spread the word.

Voting polls close Thursday at 5 PM Pacific time.

Which "Sauna Time" story should be in the anthology?

  • Chris Sparks (42%, 23 Votes)
  • Daniel Peyton (35%, 19 Votes)
  • Christopher "Irish Goat" Knodel (9%, 5 Votes)
  • Doreen Strom (7%, 4 Votes)
  • AP Bose (5%, 3 Votes)
  • Joe Wocoski (2%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 55

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NOTE: Entrants whose submissions are not relevant to the prompts and/or exceed the 250 word limit are eliminated from the poll. ONE VOTE PER PERSON, please. Duplicate votes will be deleted. The results displayed above are unofficial until verified by administration.

Flash Fiction Challenge: Sauna Time

2014 May Day 4 Sauna Flash Fiction Prompt
Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution.

John’s phone had been ringing off the hook all day. Emails came in one after another. People were in and out of his office like he had a revolving door. He’d been trying really hard to get a big proposal done by the deadline, but it wasn’t going to happen unless he could get some quiet time. Going home wasn’t an option with family visiting for the holidays.

He thought maybe the men’s room would be a good place to think, but even in there, co-workers managed to find him. John couldn’t believe that people were rifling questions at him while he was in the stall.

There was only once place left in the entire building where he could go to possibly have a moment’s peace: the corporate sauna. John hated being hot, but he didn’t have a choice. He stripped down, wrapped himself in a towel, and hoped that no one found him in there. For about twenty minutes, John was making great progress, until…

Welcome to the Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. In 250 words or less, write a story incorporating the elements in the picture and the written prompt above. Do not include the prompt in your entry. The 250 word limit will be strictly enforced.

Please keep language and subject matter to a PG-13 level.

Use the comment section below to submit your entry. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. No political or religious entries, please. Need help getting started? Read this article on how to write flash fiction.

On Tuesday night, judges will select the strongest entries, and on Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll so they may choose the winner. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday.

On Saturday morning, the winner will be recognized as we post the winning entry along with the picture as a feature. Then, at year end, the winners will be featured in an anthology like this one. Best of luck to you all in your writing!

Entries only in the comment section. Other comments will be deleted. See HERE for additional information and terms. Please note the rule changes for 2015.

Which “Snow in the Forecast?” Flash Fiction Story Gets Your Vote?

Vote5It’s that time again…time to choose your favorite flash fiction story of the week! The judges have whittled down the entries to a select few, and now it’s your turn: time for the public to have the final say. It’s super easy – choose your favorite and cast your vote below for this week’s Flash Fiction champion.

Remember, the winning entries will all be included in the next edition of the IU Flash Fiction Anthology.

Check out this week’s entries here we’ve even labeled the finalists to make them easier to spot. Make your decision, then use those share buttons at the bottom of the post to spread the word.

Voting polls close Thursday at 5 PM Pacific time.

Which "Snow in the Forecast" story should be in the anthology?

  • Diane Selby (55%, 62 Votes)
  • Victoria Ann Carr (42%, 47 Votes)
  • Dusty May Jane (3%, 3 Votes)
  • Doreen Strom (1%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 113

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NOTE: Entrants whose submissions are not relevant to the prompts and/or exceed the 250 word limit are eliminated from the poll. ONE VOTE PER PERSON, please. Duplicate votes will be deleted. The results displayed above are unofficial until verified by administration.