Prompted, Issue 02: Reedsy's literary magazine

by Reedsy Ltd, Various

The second issue of Prompted weaves together a poignant collection of original stories exploring legacy, love, and loss. Guest edited by Senica Maltese (Pushcart Prize-nominated writer and editor), this genre-crossing anthology follows gryphon-slaying bards, aging stars, stressed-out moms, and many other unique characters navigating grief, the weight of past mistakes, and the pursuit of success.

In this issue:

Charlene Boyce’s FLOUR AND FIRE · Rachel Dzengelewski’s SUZANNE · Rachel Kenley Fry’s I LEAVE THE SIX BLANK · Patrick Samuel’s SOUTHERN COMFORT AND THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS · CJ Rodgers’ DINER AT THE END · Laurel Hanson’s OF HARPERS AND HEROES · Laura Jarosz’s NO FORWARDING ADDRESS · Tom Bombadil’s THE FIRST IDOL · Shane Ransom’s FAVORITES · Beth Jackson’s THE HALLOWED GROUND · Deidra Whitt Lovegren’s WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR BOOK · John Merino’s SLEEP STORY

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2023

About the author

A community of over 1,000,000 authors and publishing professionals. We help authors create and market the best indie books 🤓 PROMPTED is our literary magazine that features prize-winning stories by Reedsy Prompts authors.

Reviews

[David Pampu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crafting short, tight stories focused on a theme is a challenging endeavor. I used to assign students similar exercises in the middle school classroom. The prompts issued by Reedsy on a weekly basis are always imaginative, always thought provoking. The stories in Volume Two, written by some very excellent minds, answer the challenge. I found them inspiring (motivational for my own literary efforts) and often warm and heartfelt, with a little of the spirit of Rod Serling sprinkled into the mix. I enjoy reading these stories. Please keep them coming.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good crop of short stories from Reedsy. I found this issue’s bunch to be more inner-focused than the previous edition. I’m not a big fan of the short story form, but I found these ones crisp and entertaining. I like that the original prompts that generated the stories are included. It makes me think about what I would write. Four of five stars on Goodreads.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astonishingly good. Nice selection of stories ranging from humorous to thought provoking.

[John Fazzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prompted is a great literary magazine for new voices that is edited by a great team. Reedsy online is a great place for aspiring writers and more seasoned writers to meet and hone their craft.

[Jessica Grissom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

It was entertaining! The writers painted vivid word pictures with their tales. It was a good book with lots of variety.

[Anisa Daniel-Oniko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was perhaps better than I expected, and I did expect it to be good!

There were a bunch of short stories that I really enjoyed, and the variety was amazing. I'd say my favorites were Suzanne by Rachel Dzengelewski and Southern Comfort and the Kindness of Strangers by Patrick Samuel. What You Can Do with Your Book by Deidra Whitt Lovegren was hilarious and relatable, and Diner at the End was unique. Favorites was so brilliantly emotional, and The First Idol was cleverly and humorously written. I enjoyed all the rest, and I think the Reedsy editors did a great job picking the winners!

All in all, a great read.

4/5 stars.

[Geraldine Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading a variety of stories though they are mainly US based. My favourite was 'The Hallowed Ground'. It had plenty of imagery with a sad but original ending.