Submit a next-door neighbor story—one story will be transformed into the final installment of our webcomic series, Next-Door Neighbor.
Submissions Feed
Get social with SMITH
The SMITH Superfeed
All the stories submitted to the site, even ones we write
To help me…
First night in a new town in a new country with people speaking a very foreign language. I was so tired after the long trip, and hard work before coming and the packing and repacking and arranging the house efforts. The first night in a new place it is always difficult for me, because I should learn to hear and understand the sounds and the rhythm of the … Read more »
Boy, was he a prick. When I was on a swing in the backyard, he actually tried to cut it down. My father bellowed so loud my neighbor couldn't hear anything for an hour. One night around Halloween I took his garden hose and put it in the mail slot in his door and turned it on. He woke up to his living room floating into the kitchen. And when … Read more »
Choose Quality Over Quantity Any Day
Leering Neighbor Leans Over Short Fence
Leering Neighbor Leans Over Short Fence
A beautiful, fall evening. After dark. Children are fast asleep. The hubby and I head to our bedroom for a pre-bedtime romp. The cool fall air coming in through the open windows sends chills across our undressed bodies. The 'activities' begin. Outside, we hear a man's voice. The neighbor is walking around in our backyard, talking on his cell phone. We ignore and press on. Suddenly, a neon green light … Read more »
My first apartment was in Cleveland. An iffy border area besides a nicer inner-ring suburb. At least I could walk to a park and stare out over Lake Erie.
In this building dwelt some strange characters. One rebelled at needing a key to get in. So he ripped the lock off the back door. When the landlord installed a new doorknob...he just ripped it out. Consequently a drunk off the street … Read more »
The man across the street, a sour old redneck who hits his dog and yells at his kids (I swear - EVERY fight this family has is always on their lawn), didn't like the Obama/Biden sticker on my car leading up to the election. He made it clear to me with super-subtle comments about Obama's race - "Whatchu votin' for a guy like THAT for?" - every time … Read more »
Heartbreak, agitate, isolate, meditate, chocolate, rejuvenate.
Gold chain, fast car, bad music.
When I was little, Mrs. Carson lived next door. We shared the stoop. I pretended she was my grandmother, because mine were dead and I really wanted one. I often went over to visit, and we talked and talked. She thought everything I said was clever and cute and repeated it all to my mom, who always agreed. I worshiped her and called her 'grand-mom' … Read more »
I am certain that my next-door neighbors, a quiet but observant gay couple, think I belong a mental institution.
They're always outside tending their garden or refilling their bird feeder at the worst moments, like when I'm kicking my front door because it won't unlock, or when I'm muttering to myself about my car. I look over my shoulder, and there's one of them--or both--gazing warily in my … Read more »
In my 20's my best friend, Dana and I lived above an Irish bar in Chicago. We always kept our front door locked because a few of the old Irish men tended to wander up to our place by the afternoon. One Saturday morning our neighbor Joe called to say he was gonna stop by so I ran downstairs to unlock the door for him. Dana and I, still in … Read more »
My next door neighbor is very interesting. First of all, I can see right into their 'dining room' (?) from my kitchen and they have this really weird animal thing... It is FREAKY. It is big and black and they really like to hold it and it's not a rabbit, guniea pig, or rodent of any kind. So every night when I do the dishes (we have no … Read more »
5 years ago when our new neighbor moved in, the yard was a wonderland of floral beauty in every array and manicured with profound care. Driver by's would take pictures of the exuberant bursts. 3 years ago, she professed studying horticulter, rented a mini bulldozer, recreating a curb (un)appeal eyesore of horror.
No fence, backyard tanning, no clothes! It was a beautiful Summer day, I don't blame her for wanting to relax in the sun. However, down-playing modesty had never crossed her mind. She was a voyeur, and in-turn loved when people noticed her. I assumed she had opted for no curtains in her home for one reason: loved the sunlight! I had not paid much attention to her at first, until … Read more »
You know how every relative has one story about you that they tell over and over again? Well, my grandpa's was about how I adopted him into our family.
When I was four, my maternal grandmother-the only grandparent I had ever met-died. As a very serious child, I was heartbroken. When we returned from the funeral, my next door neighbors came over, an older couple named Linda and Wayne Baughman. Wayne … Read more »
My mother was insane. I say this not in the way an ex-husband calls his ex-wife insane. My mother was literally insane. I was a child and it was all I knew. As long as she was not coming after me with a belt or a fly swatter her actions were normal. Looking back I can see just how insane she was.
We lived … Read more »
In my hometown of Coatesville Pennsylvania there is a long standing tradition of outdoor recreation. Hunting usually brings the community together, but not always. My property borders a county park and the woods behind my house are extensive. Every year we climb into the tress and hope to get lucky with a passing whitetail deer. We hunt ethically and legally. This includes respecting harvest limits as well … Read more »
On the corner, in a mannered but 1950's vintage suburban neighborhood stood the "House of Horrors". Okay, so it wasn't actually a haunted house, it just looked like one.
It once was a two-story farmhouse, but now resembled nothing more than a prop on a slasher movie set. The front and back porches sagged, falling under the weight of the sparse slate roof. The paint had … Read more »
As part of our new webcomic, Next-Door Neighbor, we thought it appropriate to have a little contest. Tell us your best true next-door neighbor story, and the winning tale will be matched with an artist and transformed into a webcomic and included as the final installment of Next-Door Neighbor.
No matter how close or how far, we all live next to someone, and we all have a Next-Door Neighbor story. With that in mind, editor Dean Haspiel asked some of his favorite storytellers and cartoonists to create their favorite NDN stories so we could share them with you.
By submitting an entry, you are granting SMITH the right to reprint or republish that entry online or in print, as well as make any necessary edits. See SMITH's terms of service for complete details.
This contest ends September 1, 2008. Prizes are not redeemable for cash and must be accepted as awarded. Winners are decided at the discretion of SMITH judges and all decisions are final. SMITH reserves the right to change the contest rules. Enter as often as you want. SMITH reserves the right to reprint or republish all entries.
By AnaW 2 months ago 
By 1oh1 3 months ago