53-Word Story Contest

Each month we offer a prompt to subscribers of Prime Number Magazine to write a 53-word story—no more, no less—and send it to us by the fifteenth day of the month. Our editors select one winning story, and the author receives a book from Press 53 as well as publication in Prime Number Magazine. Want to play along? Subscribe to Prime Number Magazine for free and we’ll send you the prompt on the first day of each month.

Scroll down to read our winning stories for January, February, March, and April

“Round and Round” by Amanda Van Regenmorter 

 The fool, complexion mottled and clothing garish, cartwheeled round the court.

“Seas rise, mountains crumble, and I tell the tale!” he sing-songed. Titters followed. “Lords and ladies play cats and dogs whilst the king’s away, but it’s the queen in heat.”

Silence fell as the queen withdrew her hand from the ambassador’s arm. 

~ ~ ~

 53-Word Bio
Amanda Van Regenmorter is a chemical engineer, community theatre enthusiast, and Unitarian Universalist who recently traded bleak gray winters in the mitten state for a home in the sunny southwest. Some of her favorite people include her lovely husband and children and her writing group who still let her video chat into meetings. 

“Walk A Mile” by Sue McMillan

She thinks it’s pebbles in her sock, then remembers she’s not wearing socks.  She takes off her right shoe, shakes it out.  Like a finger puppet, her thumb pokes through the hole in the sole, waggling at her.  

She crosses out “Anything” from “Anything Helps” on her cardboard sign and writes “Right Shoe.” 

~ ~ ~

53-Word Bio
Sue McMillan lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and dog.  She practiced law for a living, sneaking in writing catch-as-catch-can.  In retirement her most knotty decisions are whether to ski, mountain bike, hike, write or read.  Asked if she misses practicing law, she'll respond res ipsa loquitur while raising her wine glass. 

“Ergot” by Deborah Block-Schwenk

“’Twas the grain! Not the devil!” Prudence stood in the entrance to the barn, a knife in her shaking hands. “Look,” she screamed. 

The farmers crowded in. The torn-open bag of rye revealed tiny purple digits strewn among the grains.

“She’s bewitched the harvest, too.” 

They dragged her screaming down to the water.

~ ~ ~

53-Word Bio

A geek at heart, Deborah Block-Schwenk has had a handful of stories published under a pen name with small presses in a variety of genres (science fiction, fantasy, romance). She’s been writing as long as she can remember. Deborah lives in Boston with her husband and four cats, two of whom are black.

“The Magnitude of Trivial Conflict” by Adam Hughes

The young man was dressed sharply in his casket. 

His mother, smiling through her tears manages to churn out a compliment.

"He looks so handsome."

There was a long pause. 

"Don't you think so?"

His surviving brother breathed in deeply before replying back to her.

"I've been looking for those pants for years."

 ~ ~ ~

53-Word Bio
Adam Hughes is an artist harboring a particular proclivity for song writing and poetry. Years of conscientious reclusiveness have preceded a relatively recent decision to share his creative talents with the world. As this new chapter unfolds, Adam hopes to inspire others and to help those who may find solace in his work.