Menu

More apps built by Reedsy

Assemble a team of professionals

The writing app for authors

Writing courses, events and memberships

Get your book reviewed

Weekly writing prompts and contests

Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Kathleen Veltkamp

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Sep, 2026

Stories
Comments
Library
2 Followers
1 Following

3 Stories

43 karma pts

?

Regnante Ira

“It still lives with me.” It’s here right now, too. This year’s 4th therapist tapped a pen against the clasp of his clipboard, musing over what to reply. He had been pleasant enough so far, maybe, hopefully he could be the one to actually help. Even if he can’t see it…no one ever sees it. Not when I describe it in such amazing detail. Not when I try to sketch it out or give it a name or slap a label onto it. Never when it stalks me so brazenly its shadow turns my bones into ice and its violating gaze bakes my skin. Therapist #2 said personif...

0 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Incendium

Weekly Contest #374

Another rib snapped beneath my boot. The thorn-in-my-side strained an arm forward, clawing at the scorched dirt. Strange symbols began to glow in the air around her hand. A dagger through the wrist promptly extinguished them. No exclamation of pain ever escaped from her. Impressive. If she weren’t worm food, my soldiers might benefit from this display of stoicism. Too bad. My foot remained on the wretch’s back, while we both waited. Staring into the shade of a trampled forest edge while the midday sun gazed down on us. Heat slunk under my ar...

8 likes 2 comments 2
Read story

Burning Butterflies

Weekly Contest #373

The sun yawned, rubbing away the night’s concerns with a gentle dawn. The forest glittered in the emerging light – rainwater clung to the greenery. Shelly Langstrom unzipped her tent, scratching at the silence of the morning. If she hadn’t woken up already full of so much noise, maybe she would have realized a morning in the mountains is never this quiet. Embers from last night’s fire released threads of smoke. Shelly slumped into a cheap camping chair; she had forgotten her sturdy, expensive one at home. A checklist formed in her head. Get ...

12 likes 2 comments 2
Read story