Writing Challenge: Explain the house fire, get published in Writer’s Digest magazine

It’s that time again … Time for Your Story. Your Story is the lone venue for fiction in Writer’s Digest magazine, and in every issue we offer a new prompt…

It’s that time again … Time for Your Story.

Your Story is the lone venue for fiction in Writer’s Digest magazine, and in every issue we offer a new prompt for readers to respond to for possible publication.

The stories are eclectic (recent winners have featured a trick bunny riffing on his departed magician owner, a serial killer chatting over dinner, and a teacher surviving her first—and last—day on the job) and always make for an intriguing read, and once the editors have narrowed the pool of entries down to five picks, readers vote on their favorites over at the WD Forum.

Are you up for the challenge?

In 750 words or fewer, funny, sad or stirring, post your story in the Comments section below by July 10 and it'll be entered in the competition (if you don't want to post your piece, you can enter by e-mailing it to yourstorycontest@fwmedia.com). By posting below, you’ll also be automatically entered in our occasional around-the-office book swag drawings. (If you’re having trouble with the captcha code sticking, feel free to e-mail your piece to me at writersdigest@fwmedia.com, with “Promptly” in the subject line, and I’ll make sure it gets up.)

??The latest prompt, from our July/August issue, follows. Good luck!

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WRITING PROMPT:
Your Story No. 27??

Start your story with: “I never would have purchased this house if I’d known that …” End it with: “That’s why tomorrow I’m setting it on fire.”

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Zachary Petit is a freelance journalist and editor, and a lifelong literary and design nerd. He's also a former senior managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine. Follow him on Twitter @ZacharyPetit.