Flash Fiction Challenge: Feast of Color

fall mountainside 1997
Fall Mountainside
Photo by K.S. Brooks

Bryson topped the ridge and looked down at the valley, stunned for a moment at the beauty of the resplendent colors.

The air was biting cold and the first snow would not be far off. Bryson knew he would likely die before he could find help, but he had to try.

On the far ridge, he could just make out a thin trail of smoke. In this country, it was as likely to be foe as friend, but he knew he had to do something. His daughter was still with the wagon train. Soon, the convoy would run out of food and the alternatives were grim, though Bryson suspected it wouldn’t be the first time the wagon-master had tasted human flesh.

In 250 words or less, write a story incorporating the elements in the picture and/or 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.

On Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll for the best writing entry accompanying the photo. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday.

On Friday afternoon, 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.

Which Tough Break Story Deserves A Break?

Vote2Ooh ooh ooh. Lots of great stories this week. We need you to tell us which of these stories should win the honor of Flash Fiction Champion. It’s super easy – choose your favorite and cast your vote below.

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. 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 "Tough Break" Story Deserves to Win?

  • Leland Dirks (29%, 8 Votes)
  • Venkatesh Iyer (18%, 5 Votes)
  • AL Kaplan (18%, 5 Votes)
  • Joan Childs (18%, 5 Votes)
  • Michael Seese (11%, 3 Votes)
  • Michael T Heath (4%, 1 Votes)
  • Bjoern Gabler (4%, 1 Votes)
  • Russell Bowman (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 28

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NOTE: Entrants whose submissions 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: Tough Break

cypress reflection magnolia swamp 1996
cypress reflection magnolia swamp
Photo by K.S. Brooks

Breaking out of prison was just the first step and far from the biggest challenge ahead.

Bobby Dupree grew up in swamps like this. He knew the dangers that lay in wait, but the sounds of the hounds behind drove him on.

He surged forward through the shallow, muddy water, looking anxiously about for cousin Jack and the Jon Boat. Twenty minutes later and quite exhausted, Bobby hauled himself up on some cypress roots to rest. As he reached up to swat at a mosquito feasting on his face, he noticed something floating on the turbid water. It was an oar…

In 250 words or less, write a story incorporating the elements in the picture and/or 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.

On Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll for the best writing entry accompanying the photo. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday.

On Friday afternoon, 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.

Which Blood Money Story Should Win?

flash fiction judgeIt’s time again to put on your judge’s hat…er, um, wig and tell us which of this week’s stories should win the honor of Flash Fiction Champion. It’s super easy – choose your favorite and cast your vote below.

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. 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 "Blood Money" story deserves to win this week?

  • Randy Austin (33%, 25 Votes)
  • AL Kaplan (21%, 16 Votes)
  • Leland Dirks (12%, 9 Votes)
  • Christina Taylor (12%, 9 Votes)
  • Michael Seese (5%, 4 Votes)
  • Bjoern Gabler (4%, 3 Votes)
  • Lois Nelsen Lewandowski (4%, 3 Votes)
  • Michael T Heath (3%, 2 Votes)
  • Jon Jefferson (3%, 2 Votes)
  • Timothy Wan (1%, 1 Votes)
  • Roger Pitcher (1%, 1 Votes)
  • Warren Baker (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Venkatesh Iyer (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 75

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NOTE: Entrants whose submissions 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.