The Gathering is an opportunity to share the story you wrote for Prompt Quest #4. Give us a brief teaser and then add the link in this discussion thread. Be sure to stop by throughout the day and engage with your fellow adventurers. The Lunar Awards is a place to discover and to be discovered, and we want to connect you with community. If you’ve already posted your story in the original prompt discussion thread, that’s okay! You can post it both places, so it gets optimal readership.
Many of you stretched your creative muscles for these two prompts, and amid the busyness of life you managed to get stories written. We gather to share today, but the discussion thread will remain open should you decide to try your hand at the prompts in the future. Come back and add a link to your story. Even if the fire grows cold, we still maintain our burning desire to read good science fiction and fantasy.
Woo! First! "Against Destiny" is a fantasy short story set in the Môrdreigiau Chronicles universe (hello sea dragons) and is a bit of lore about the winter solstice ... and a foreshadowing of "Obsidian and Flame", a new serial coming in 2025.
Elspeth’s grin widened. “Oh, it’s so much worse than that. The Day of the Hollow Crown isn’t just a holiday, Bell. It’s an elaborate, surreal theatre of subjugation—a mad mix of superstition, performance, and cosmic bargaining. It’s not just about thanking the God-King. It’s about keeping him entertained.” Day of the Hollow Crown- https://substack.com/@alexandrahill2/p-152292954
And a little pitch for you. This is based on the sci-fi prompt. On being woken up unceremoniously from his comfortable little cryosleep, our hero finds the ship is being attacked. As we join him, he is desperately trying to get to an escape pod. Or does something far more appealing wait for him? He will need the help of an AI, though, as you do. Unfortunately this AI doesn't appear to be functioning nominally.
This is absolutely not going to end the way you think it will.
I did it in my postmodern movie style, so if you are into a bit of humorous, action-sci-fi, you may like it.
I did actually wake up three times during the night, and each time I had a different story idea roiling around my head. I only half forgot them, but then during the morning a different one also popped up, and that's the one I went with. Once I thought of the first few - very funny - lines, I couldn't not do it. And also because the other ideas were sort of 'serious' sci-fi, and this one is just pure fun. And we all need fun during these darker months.
I think I'm going to hold on to that prompt, though, and do one of my serious ones, especially because of the potential mythological/afterlife allusions it conjures up, since it made me think of Pluto and Charon.
It was a great prompt, and I really loved this little challenge! Thank you!
Thanks again for participating, Evelyn! Although now I feel guilty for keeping you up all night. 🤣 As a positive note, you're getting multiple stories out of it! But hopefully no more sleepless nights.
lol! Don't worry - you didn't keep me up all night (I'm in France so we're on a different timezone of course). I do often wake up briefly during the night - usually with ideas floating around my head. The trick is remembering them, of course... Dream journals, that's what we need!
“Orion Stalks The Night “, is a techno-novel about a young scientist that experiences unintended consequences from giftedness, friendship, scientific curiosity and family. The book intertwines multiple stories in a non-linear timeline that features detailed character, place and occasion descriptions that are sure to draw you in. Being released in four chapter serial installments, at two week intervals in text and weekly in single chapter installments in audio featuring the author’s reading of his work.
The first 48 of 100+ chapters of the novel are available as text at:
Hi Gary, is this in response to the two prompts? If not, this would be better suited for The Pitch discussion thread, which will likely run next in January.
Oyster can't wait to be done with dried mackerel and the Myth of Ariella, and head back to the ocean after 40 days and 40 nights on the island. But once her brother disappears in the middle of the night, Oyster rushes to find him only to find out that fact is stranger - and scarier - than fiction.
Captain Rob J. Saunderson and his pilot, Mac, arrive at humanity's new home, Earth 2! Or, maybe not.
https://indianamichael.substack.com/p/expedition
Woo! First! "Against Destiny" is a fantasy short story set in the Môrdreigiau Chronicles universe (hello sea dragons) and is a bit of lore about the winter solstice ... and a foreshadowing of "Obsidian and Flame", a new serial coming in 2025.
https://projectstarfish.substack.com/p/against-destiny-an-obsidian-and-flame
Woo!
— 'Star Child' - A long time ahead, on a planet not too far away...
Thank you, Brian, for a prompt that sparked a small slice of science fiction silliness to be secreted from my sometimes scattered brain! 🤪
Here's the result: https://reiditwrite.substack.com/p/star-child-a-short-story
It seems we have two humorous entries! I love it when prompts bring out different takes than expected. Thanks again for contributing, Johnathan!
My pleasure, Brian. Never a dull day when you have starry smiles, woke wiles and a full bladder! 👀😳
Elspeth’s grin widened. “Oh, it’s so much worse than that. The Day of the Hollow Crown isn’t just a holiday, Bell. It’s an elaborate, surreal theatre of subjugation—a mad mix of superstition, performance, and cosmic bargaining. It’s not just about thanking the God-King. It’s about keeping him entertained.” Day of the Hollow Crown- https://substack.com/@alexandrahill2/p-152292954
"Conjugation" is a fantasy/horror story about an aristocratic family and their special ritual.
https://douglasmcclenaghan.substack.com/p/conjugation
“Look, I got it. Oxygen levels... Perfect.”
“Gravity?” she went on.
“Perfect.”
“Pathogens?”
“None detected,” Adam replied again, but he frowned. “Too perfect.”
“What do you mean?” asked Eve, moving closer to him.
Perfect Conditions - https://aroundscifi.substack.com/p/perfect-conditions
I managed to complete the quest and my challenge! I wrote a story in six hours today! And it's great fun!
Here's the link: https://open.substack.com/pub/inadifferentplace/p/johnny-gone-to-charon-act-iii-finale?r=2s9hod&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
And a little pitch for you. This is based on the sci-fi prompt. On being woken up unceremoniously from his comfortable little cryosleep, our hero finds the ship is being attacked. As we join him, he is desperately trying to get to an escape pod. Or does something far more appealing wait for him? He will need the help of an AI, though, as you do. Unfortunately this AI doesn't appear to be functioning nominally.
This is absolutely not going to end the way you think it will.
I did it in my postmodern movie style, so if you are into a bit of humorous, action-sci-fi, you may like it.
Nice! I never doubted you 😁
I did actually wake up three times during the night, and each time I had a different story idea roiling around my head. I only half forgot them, but then during the morning a different one also popped up, and that's the one I went with. Once I thought of the first few - very funny - lines, I couldn't not do it. And also because the other ideas were sort of 'serious' sci-fi, and this one is just pure fun. And we all need fun during these darker months.
I think I'm going to hold on to that prompt, though, and do one of my serious ones, especially because of the potential mythological/afterlife allusions it conjures up, since it made me think of Pluto and Charon.
It was a great prompt, and I really loved this little challenge! Thank you!
Thanks again for participating, Evelyn! Although now I feel guilty for keeping you up all night. 🤣 As a positive note, you're getting multiple stories out of it! But hopefully no more sleepless nights.
lol! Don't worry - you didn't keep me up all night (I'm in France so we're on a different timezone of course). I do often wake up briefly during the night - usually with ideas floating around my head. The trick is remembering them, of course... Dream journals, that's what we need!
“Orion Stalks The Night “, is a techno-novel about a young scientist that experiences unintended consequences from giftedness, friendship, scientific curiosity and family. The book intertwines multiple stories in a non-linear timeline that features detailed character, place and occasion descriptions that are sure to draw you in. Being released in four chapter serial installments, at two week intervals in text and weekly in single chapter installments in audio featuring the author’s reading of his work.
The first 48 of 100+ chapters of the novel are available as text at:
https://garywsherwin.substack.com/s/orion-stalks-the-night
The book is also available as and audio-book at:
https://garywsherwin.substack.com/s/orion-stalks-the-night-audio-book
Hi Gary, is this in response to the two prompts? If not, this would be better suited for The Pitch discussion thread, which will likely run next in January.
I responded to the email I received. Sorry, I thought this was what you were looking for. Till later.
Oyster can't wait to be done with dried mackerel and the Myth of Ariella, and head back to the ocean after 40 days and 40 nights on the island. But once her brother disappears in the middle of the night, Oyster rushes to find him only to find out that fact is stranger - and scarier - than fiction.
https://open.substack.com/pub/hugohaire/p/a-selkie-aboard-short-story?r=4m43qo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web