2023 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 27
Write a piece of flash fiction each day of February with the February Flash Fiction Challenge, led by editor Moriah Richard. Each day, receive a prompt, example story, and write your own. Today’s prompt is to write about a small bookstore.
One of my favorite places in the world is a small, locally owned bookstore. They sell both pre-owned and new copies of books, have a small coffee shop inside, and there's a beautiful garden with tables and chairs behind the store.
For today's prompt, write about a small bookstore.
Remember: These prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you.
(Note: If you happen to run into any issues posting, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue. Fingers crossed there are no tech hiccups!)
Here’s my attempt at a story about a small bookstore:
Small Messages
There were four copies of The Westing Game on the shelf, all of them previously owned. I ran my fingers over the spines and pulled the third one off the shelf. As I turned it over in my hand, the book fell open to reveal an envelope pressed between the pages.
I put the book back on the shelf and thumbed open the envelope. A single fortune cookie fortune was inside, pressed totally flat.
All your hard work will soon pay off, it read. My chest tightened.
“Finding everything you need?” an employee asked.
“Yeah, I think so,” I said.
Since obtaining her MFA in fiction, Moriah Richard has worked with over 100 authors to help them achieve their publication dreams. As the managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, she spearheads the world-building column Building Better Worlds, a 2023 Eddie & Ozzie Award winner. She also runs the Flash Fiction February Challenge on the WD blog, encouraging writers to pen one microstory a day over the course of the month and share their work with other participants. As a reader, Moriah is most interested in horror, fantasy, and romance, although she will read just about anything with a great hook.
Learn more about Moriah on her personal website.
