Storytime with Writers' Playground

Writers Playground

Listen to the winning stories, by writers from around the world, from our Playground Challenge: A Fiction Short Story Writing Competition. Follow us on our website for more: www.writersplaygroundllc.com

  1. FEB 26

    Suicide Protocol by Lucy Joyce

    A science-fiction piece that takes place once Earth has become uninhabitable, and humanity is sending some of its survivors to Mars, and others on exploratory missions through space in search of other habitable planets... "Suicide Protocol" won 2nd Place, out of 553 entries, in our One Year Anniversary Challenge. Lucy Joyce is a terrific writer who has placed multiple times in our writing competitions. She lives in New South Wales, Australia, working as a teacher and she is enjoying life on the coast. You can read more of Lucy's work on her website, clippings.me/lucyemmajoyce and recently, she has been focusing on her poetry, which you can read on Instagram, @poemsbylu. Read more of the winning stories from our competitions on our website, writersplaygroundllc.com

    28 min

  2. FEB 12

    Outside Jolly's by Merick Humbert

    Set in the 1950s, a shop owner tells a story about regret to some neighborhood boys... This episode is dedicated to Tita Moreno - In Loving Memory and Always in Our Hearts...

    27 min

  3. JAN 29

    A World of Men by Alex Atkins

    A young girl finds peace by the river while the world finds itself once again at war... "A World of Men" won 3rd Place, out of 642 entries, in our Ninth Playground Challenge. Alex Atkins is a talented writer from Utterson, ON, Canada, and she is a chronic genre-hopper. She won the NYC Midnight Prize for Flash Fiction for her science fiction short story “The 4:10 to Tarick” but also enjoys writing horror, romance, creative non-fiction, and more. Check out her website, atkinswrites.com to read some of her publications. Alex also has written a novel called, Them Bones, which is is the first novel in the “To the Grave” duet. It’s a gritty, grungy, coming-of-age romance set in the nineties. Available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook. You can find it on Amazon, as well as on her website. You can also follow Alex on Instagram @alexatkinswrites Read more of the winning stories from our competitions on our website, writersplaygroundllc.com

    29 min

  4. JAN 15

    At the End by David Ley

    A story about an old wizard on a time-sensitive pursuit, and some young mages who stand in his way... Out of 462 entries, "At the End" won Honorable Mention in our Fifth Playground Challenge. David Ley is a talented writer from London, UK, and you can follow David on Instagram @david_ley. You can also read more of the winning stories from our challenges on our website, writersplaygroundllc.com

    25 min

  5. JAN 1

    Shane Lives in Allouez Now by Michael J. Vowles

    A story about an adolescent girl and her relationship with her father... "Shane Lives in Allouez Now" won 3rd Place in our Second Playground Challenge. Michael J. Vowles is a talented writer who lives in London, UK and works as a copywriter in financial services. You can follow Michael on his website, tumbleweedwrites.com/ and check out his book of short stories, Fractured Threads, which you can find on Amazon. Read more of the winning stories from our competitions at writersplaygroundllc.com

    26 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    The Tragedy of Montague Bellot by Ryan Fleming

    Tired of waiting for God's justice, a priest is compelled to take action in this classic tale of revenge... "The Tragedy of Montague Bellot" won 1st Place, out of 553 entries, in our One Year Anniversary (Fourth) Challenge. Ryan Fleming is a Hospital Administrator from Birmingham, Alabama. He is a talented writer and frequent guest on the writing podcast "Writing in Progress" hosted by Justin Creps and Jon Woolley. Ryan also won Honorable Mention in our Seventh Playground Challenge, and that story, along with all the other winning stories, can be found on our website, writersplaygroundllc.com. Follow Ryan on Instagram @ryan.david.fleming

    27 min

  7. 12/04/2025

    A Suitcase of Colours by Anne Wilkins

    A colourful journey on a train for a young girl... "A Suitcase of Colours" won 6th Place, out of 606 entries, in our Seventh Playground Challenge. Anne Wilkins is a sleep-deprived primary school teacher from Auckland, New Zealand, and she is a talented short fiction writer who, one day, hopes to actually get around to publishing some books and longer work… Check out her website, annewilkinsauthor.com and follow her on Facebook or Instagram @annewilkinsauthor, or on Bluesky @annewilkins.bsky.social... Read more of the winning stories from our writing competitions at writersplaygroundllc.com

    24 min

  8. 11/20/2025

    Time Like Water by Ashley Evans

    An ancient shape-changing being haunts a pool of water, feeding on passersby. Can it change its nature for a man who refuses to fear it? "Time Like Water" won 5th Place, out of 570 entries, in our Sixth Playground Challenge. Ashley Evans lives in Bethlehem, New Hampshire with her husband and one very spoiled dog. She enjoys working from home as a graphic designer by day, and dabbling in making art and writing by night. Check out her website, aevanswrites.carrd.co/ and read more of the winning stories from our challenges at writersplaygroundllc.com

    30 min
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Listen to the winning stories, by writers from around the world, from our Playground Challenge: A Fiction Short Story Writing Competition. Follow us on our website for more: www.writersplaygroundllc.com

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