Flash Fiction Challenge: Planning for Retirement

clearwater falls oregon june 2001 Flash fiction prompt ALL RIGHTS RESERVED KS BROOKS
Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution.

O’Malley spent eight years on the hijacking case before he retired. It was a difficult endeavor. The exact position of the plane when the hijacker ejected was not known. Thousands and thousands of acres of inaccessible wilderness could hold the secret forever. Neither the body nor the money was ever found. At least, that’s what the report read.

All those eight years ago, O’Malley had had no trouble locating the loot. That bit just didn’t make it into the report. The body was a different matter, though. Striker had been alive and well when O’Malley met up with him. But he took care of that. No loose ends. He left the money in place, biding his time until retirement – until today.

Mexico, here I come. But the money wasn’t there…

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 “Alien Paintbrush” 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 "Alien Paintbrush" Flash Fiction Story Gets Your Vote?

  • Terveen Gill (61%, 17 Votes)
  • Jon Jefferson (39%, 11 Votes)

Total Voters: 28

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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: Alien Paintbrush

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

Professor Goodwin always enjoyed taking his class on hikes through this section of the refuge.

But today, something was different – wrong, even. The trees were covered in this strange, colorful substance, unlike anything he’d ever seen before.

“What’s this stuff?” Jimmy asked, touching it.

“I don’t know,” Rachel answered. “But it wasn’t here before that UFO flew over last night.”

Without so much as a word, Jimmy collapsed…

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 “Fruits of His Labors” 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 "Fruit of His Labors" should win a spot in the anthology?

  • Zack Lester (51%, 24 Votes)
  • Doreen Strom (34%, 16 Votes)
  • A. L. Kaplan (15%, 7 Votes)

Total Voters: 47

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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.