~~~
Welcome to the collection of our short story monthly challenges
written by fans of our beloved show
— celebrating creativity —
and our favourite Cartwright.
~~~
AUGUST
All of the August stories were written using
the picture prompt below…
~
A Fine Line
By Bakerj
It was only meant to be fun. Until it wasn’t.
Rated: PG Word Count: 1000
A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE
By littlejoefan
Joe gets the blame for a grave injustice.
Rated PG. Word Count 1052
For His Own Protection
By Beppina
On a quick trip to town, Joe finds himself in Roy’s jail.
How did he get there? What had he done?
Rated GA Word count 1000
Injustice
By smp4ever
This time Joe was in the right place at the right time, but it put him in grave danger.
Rated PG Word Count: 1546
Home Free
By janajnbc
Joe becomes a pawn in someone else’s game and finds himself in a dangerous place.
Rated PG. Word Count 1000
Hopes and Dreams
By jfclover
Joe prays for a miracle.
Rated: G Word Count: 1000
Simply the Truth
By Marcella Petillo
Joe wakes up in prison, accused of things he doesn’t remember. How will the Cartwright, racing against time, uncover the truth?
Rated: G Word: 1941
JULY
All of the July stories were written using
the picture prompt below…
~
Changing Dynamics
By jfclover
A trip to Virginia City doesn’t go as planned for Joe and Candy.
Rated: G Word Count: 1000
Justice in Sweet Springs
By Bakerj
Candy and Joe face a deadline to avert disaster.
Rating: G Word Count: 1966
Saturday Afternoon
By Beppina
It’s Saturday afternoon in Virginia City. What could possibly go wrong?
Rated: G Word count 1,030
The Sense of Friendship
by Marcella Petillo
Friendship is important to Joe, even vital. When Candy is in trouble,
Joe steps in, no matter the cost.
Rated: G Word Count: 1981
JUNE
The challenge for our June stories was to write a
~ Missing Scene ~
Following the Trail
By Beppina
Joe finds Sport near Salt Flats, but Adam is nowhere to be found.
Ben and Hoss ride to join him, and together they start a desperate search
that bridges the missing hours of The Crucible.
Written for the 2026 June Round-Up Challenge.
Rated: G Word Count: 1216
SHOT!
By jfclover
Missing scene for S-7 Peace Officer
Rated: G Word Count: 1000
The Price to Pay
By Marcella Petillo
What happened after Joe was wounded in the battle with General Tsung?
A missing scene from The Day of the Dragon.
Rated: G Word Count: 1809
The Stillness Between
By Bakerj
After driving Miss Dobbs away, Joe is left alone with his darkest fears.
A missing scene from The Stillness Within
Rated: G Word Count: 1000
The Third Sundown
by janajinbc
How did Joe end up in the hands of the Lassiters?
A missing scene from Five Sundowns to Sunup.
Rated: G Word Count: 1000
MAY
All the May stories were written using the title and theme of:
~ Misery ~
Misery
by Bakerj
On this round-up, misery didn’t need an invitation.
Rated: G Word Count: 1000
Misery
by Beppina
Six months after losing his wife and in the depths of despair, Joe Cartwright finds himself in a town called Misery.
Rated: G Word Count: 1560
Misery
By jfclover
Misery is a constant in Joe’s mind.
Rated: G Word Count: 1000
Misery
By janajinbc
Ranch duties turn into an ordeal for Joe.
Rated: G Word Count: 1000
Misery
by smp4ever
A fun hunting trip turns out to be anything but for Joe and his two friends.
Rated: PG Word Count: 1,000
APRIL
All of the April stories were written using
the picture prompt below…
~
A Debt Yet Owed
by Bakerj
An unexpected meeting in Virginia City proves some debts don’t stay buried.
Rated: PG Word Count: 1,303
A Second Chance
by janajinbc
Sometimes, offering a second chance is all you can do.
Rated: PG Word Count: 1,634
The April Round-Up
by Beppina
Will Joe survive his date with destiny at Virginia City’s April Round-Up?
Rated: GA Word Count 1500
Too Save a Brother
by jfclover
Joe practices his fast draw. Is he ready to face down a killer?
Rated: G Word Count: 1000
MARCH
All of the March stories were written for the prompt
~ Don’t Look Back in Anger ~
(Taken from the Oasis song)
A Dozen Steps – A Dozen Seconds
by Beppina
Joe meets the past. And lets it go.
Rating G Word Count 1000
A Good Man’s Name
by Bakerj
Rumors spread fast in Virginia City. Sometimes faster than the truth.
Rated: G Word Count: 1,286
A Letter From Away
by Marcella Pettilo
Can a letter from far away ease Joe’s anger and pain?
Rated: G Word Count: 1996
Looking Back
by janajinbc
Joe struggles with an injustice perpetrated against his brother.
Rated: G Word Count: 1224
Remember
by smp4ever
Injured badly, a family takes Joe in. What happens is unexpected.
Rated: G Word Count: 1994
The Woman Wasn’t a Lady
by jfclover
Joe goes to town for supplies, but there’s always more to the story, isn’t there?
Rated: PG Word Count: 1000
FEBRUARY
The challenge for our February stories was to
~ Send Ben and Joe on an adventure ~
A Relaxing Fishing Trip?
by smp4ever
A relaxing fishing trip for Pa and Joe turns into anything but that.
Rated PG Word Count: 1027
Thankful
by Bakerj
For Joe and Ben, the ride home isn’t always the hardest part of the journey.
Rating: PG Word Count: 1,216
The Bookkeeper
by jfclover
Because of an ongoing disagreement, Ben and Joe aren’t thrilled about
travelling together.
Rated: G Word Count: 1001
To the Rescue
byjanajinbc
A simple journey to help a friend turns dangerous for Ben and Joe.
Rated: G Word Count: 1314
What Happened in Placerville…
by Beppina
Ben and Joe take the stage to Sacramento. What happens on the way?
Rating PG Word Count 1092
With an Open Heart
by Marcella Pettilo
A business trip, offers Joe the opportunity to open his heart and reveal his
innermost thoughts to his father.
Rating: G. Words: 1569
Just Joe Bonanza Fanfiction Library 