July 2026 Micro Fiction Challenge

Welcome to our monthly micro fiction prompt! This is a space for unplaceable fiction—stories that blur genres, bend categories, and resist easy classification. Whether your piece leans literary, speculative, horror, fantasy, romance, historical, or exists in the spaces between, all approaches are welcome.

Each month I’ll post a prompt with an inspirational image, inspired by life as it happens. This month is inspired by a hidden waterfall in Vermont last summer.

I started reading these aloud on Instagram and TikTok and would love to read yours at the end of the month, too! Check them out @author_kimberly_shyu.

“Did you ever own sea monkeys?” she asked…

• Word limit: 300 words maximum (aim for 150-200)

• Genre: Any and all—embrace the unplaceable! Mix genres, bend conventions, surprise us

• Format: Use the prompt above to form the beginning of your story (all first lines will begin with that prompt and branch into endless possibilities from there). Post your complete story in the comments below

• Deadline: July 31(ish), 2026

• Don’t feel confined to a single genre; let your story evolve naturally

• Consider: What are sea monkeys? Who is ‘she’ and who is she talking to? Why does she want to know? What does it have to do with a waterfall in the mountains?

• Trust your instincts if your story wants to shift between realistic and fantastical elements

• Be supportive and encouraging in your feedback to fellow writers

• If you comment on someone’s story, consider what worked well and what intrigued you

• Remember: unplaceable fiction celebrates the unique and unexpected

Can’t wait to see where this prompt takes you! Drop your micro fiction in the comments below. I sincerely love to read other people’s work! I’ll read at least one post from each month’s micro fiction library on my Instagram and TikTok channels to promote you! Links in bio.

Next month’s prompt will be inspired by another moment from my daily wanderings. Stay tuned, and happy writing! Save your money! Subscribe for free!