Welcome to The Writer's Arena, home of our weekly free short story contest! Every week two authors each write short stories based on a single prompt. Then, you the audience read the stories and cast your votes for the winner. Those votes will be weighed against the verdict from our judges. Only one story can emerge victorious! Sit back, and enjoy the show.
“The Queen’s Cure” by Joseph Devon vs “Impossible Wings” by David Webb Greetings, short story lovers, and welcome to the very first prompt of the very first round of this year’s tournament. Nothing ever stays the same. But some changes are more…noticeable than others. As readers you are no … Continue reading
He never felt like he spent long enough being Tom. He was Tom when the alarm went off, and Tom as he showered and dressed. He was a bit less Tom as he alternated bites of toast with gulps of tea while he gathered papers into a briefcase and tied … Continue reading
In the fall of 1689, the queen became gravely ill. The king immediately summoned the wisest men and women from all corners of the land to try to make her well again. They examined the queen and began to converse. Their conversing soon led to arguing. Galiven from the cold … Continue reading
Not only did Phil Melchers write a story for us last week, he also created a wonderful new libation he calls the “One of Nine.” Read his story, try his drink, and be sure to let us know what you thought of both. One does not need a degree in … Continue reading
Well this is still a little awkward. Monday dawns and we still only have one story, so you know the outcome but let’s have some fun with this anyway. Also, Phil Melchers decided to invent a cocktail for his story and that’ll be out tomorrow. We’ll need our booze loving … Continue reading
“One of Nine” by Phil Melchers Well it’s a weird week here at the arena, short story lovers. There was the obvious confusion that Labor Day Weekend brought us and the delay there, and then for this week’s battle we only wound up with one competitor’s story. However, we … Continue reading
The morning sun shot through the cracked roof, a gilded spotlight shining over the surrounding decay. The rusted land, once an ambitious factory complex, now remained in desolate shambles, a home for only one, the princess. It is here that she slept on a pile of spoiled work uniforms, repurposing … Continue reading
Fingers working over the lock for the Fiddich House. A simple mechanism. A bolt and some gears. Broken down and rebuilt in no time. Last item of the day. They’ll pick it up tomorrow. Time to clean up shop, close my doors, spend another night locked away from the garbage … Continue reading
Labor Day decided to throw the arena into chaos. Judgement on a Tuesday? What is this madness? We sincerely apologize for the delays that this week is facing. Due to the upcoming tournament our schedules have been tweaked, set on fire, chopped to bits, and finally spread as mulch. Great … Continue reading
“Antwerp Bound” by Tony Southcotte vs “A Stolen Heart” by Alicia Aringdale Greetings, short story lovers, and welcome to this week’s prompt. It’s time for a caper here in the arena. We’re in the mood for a sting. We want ourselves an owl job. What on earth are we talking … Continue reading
“Eleanor, are you sure this boy is worth it?” Eleanor Descoteaux bristled at the question, narrowing her golden-brown eyes at her older brother. Her mare sensed her frustration and let out a soft nicker. She ran her hand over the horse’s sleek gray neck and soothed her back into silence. … Continue reading
In her final will and testament, Jamie Norris stated that her remains were to be cremated and pressed into a diamond. It only made sense with her line of work. The clear mineral had been the focus of her labor for the better part of a decade. It didn’t matter … Continue reading
Monday has flown in on unknown ships looking to experiment and probe us all. Monday also brings another round of The Writer’s Arena to a close. Unidentified Flying Objects have taken on many forms throughout our history. Some people saw them as flaming chariots in the sky, others as angels … Continue reading
“Maconochie Man” by Albert Berg vs “The Lights of Wasashe Springs” by Donald Uitvlugt Greetings, short story lovers, and welcome to this week’s mystery prompt. Oh, we know what you’re thinking. “UFOs? But hasn’t the arena had aliens in it many times before?” Yes. Yes we have. But who said … Continue reading
The trenches stank of death. Even after all these months the smell made James want to retch. He fought the urge. He needed his strength for tomorrow. Tomorrow he was going to die. He worked away carefully at the hard biscuit from his ration, dipping it after each nibble into … Continue reading
At the end of a scenic drive through the majestic Ozark mountains stands the picturesque Wasashe Springs Motel. A thoroughly modern establishment, the motel boasts such amenities as a color TV and mini-refrigerator in every room. But more than its contemporary comforts, the main attraction of the motel is … Continue reading
Children are being dragged kicking and screaming back to their places of learning, but the Arena never left. Sure, it slumbered for a week but we are back to providing you the most pulse pounding short stories on the internet. This week is particularly daunting as you can hardly see … Continue reading
“Shallow Monsters” by Joseph Devon vs “Endangered” by Christina Durner Greetings, short story lovers, and welcome to our next prompt. Shark! Okay, so maybe there are more circumlocutious ways to get to the prompt, but really what more do you need? These freaky fishies have captivated the public consciousness … Continue reading
My father owned his own boat when the first girl was found. I was nine then, so I didn’t go out on the thing except to putter over to the gas station by the oyster bar and wave to him as he left for blues some Saturdays. I can only … Continue reading
It was a warm afternoon in late April when Caraleigh first met the marine biologist. Walking along the rows of books in the library where she’d worked, he had stopped her to ask where he might find a copy of Orwell’s Animal Farm. She didn’t know it then, but he … Continue reading
