Author: Joshua G. J. Insole

A three-time winner of the Reedsy contest, Joshua G. J. Insole is a British writer who lives in the Austrian Alps. Author of several other shortlisted stories, he published his first book in 2020. Joshua’s favoured genres are horror and science fiction.

Read my short YA horror story, ‘The Hands That Rattle the Cage’!

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Hey there, everyone! Back again! Sorry for the radio silence, but I moved to a new apartment and was without proper internet for roughly a month. I kept writing though — I’m always writing! So, on with catching up on the Reedsy backlog!

This one was written for the contest You’ve Got a Friend in Me. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about two people who meet and become instant friends.” The title of my story is The Hands That Rattle the Cage, and you can read it either here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!

“Hey!”

The shout startled her from her reverie. Jackie opened her eyes and squinted up at the sun. It was about midday, by her estimates.

“Hey, you!”

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Well, that’s about it for today! I’ll be catching up on all the others over the coming days! In the meantime, stay safe, everyone!

Friday Afternoon Frights: Harsh

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“The harsh reality of life is that the truth needs explaining,” he explained, in a lecturelike manner.

—

“Yes,” agreed the police interrogator, “which is why we’d like you to tell us what you did with the bodies,”

Feel free to participate, and add your own two-sentence shocker inspired in any way, shape or form by the prompt! This week’s word is harsh.

Friday Afternoon Frights: Enthusiasm

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“My mom always said the best way to success is enthusiasm!” he said with good cheer.

—

I still wished he’d gone to medical school.

Feel free to participate, and add your own two-sentence shocker inspired in any way, shape or form by the prompt! This week’s word is enthusiasm.

‘Blind Visitors’: Next one on the Reedsy list!

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Hey, all! I hope you’re all well during these trying times. I know I write a lot of horror, but at heart I think I’m a big softie. So, from the bottom of my heart, look after yourselves, look after each other, and always be kind.

Okay, that’s enough hippie philosophising, Josh… Time for the story! This one is called Blind Visitors, and I really like it! It was written for the contest Earth to Writers. I chose the prompt, “Write a story that begins and ends with someone looking up at the stars.” You can read Blind Visitors here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!

It’s looking up at the stars. Or is it looking down at them?

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Well, until next time, guys!

‘No Bubbles’: The next short (of breath) story of the Reedsy backlog!

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Whoa, we’re getting there, aren’t we? This next one was written for the contest The Game is Afoot. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about someone who keeps coming across the same stranger.” The title of my story is No Bubbles (which I really like). As always, you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!

I should have seen what was wrong with the scene sooner than I did.

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Well, that’s that, for now! I hope you liked this one, I had a blast writing it! Stay tuned for more of the Reedsy backlog.

Next part of the Reedsy backlog: ‘Ten Fingers, Two Hands’!

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Continuing the wave of uploads, working my way through the Reedsy backlog! As there’s one contest a week, I’ve got quite a few kicking around. This story was written for the Dear Diary contest. I chose the prompt, “In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who’s up late at night because they’re having trouble sleeping.” The title of my short story is Ten Fingers, Two Hands, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile! (As always!)

Wednesday 13th April, 2:33 a.m. — Dear Diary, I have lied to you.

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Well, that’s that for now! I hope you like the story — I’ve had this idea kicking around in my mind for some time now, and it was nice to get it out of the system, so to speak!