Hello Cranked Anvillers around the world!
Did you miss us? Because we certainly missed you – and we couldn’t stay away any longer. And, just like Take That, this time we’re Back For Good. (Yes, we did a random Take That reference – what’s got into us since we’ve been away?)
There’s a certain kind of excitement that only comes around when something familiar returns with a fresh spark, and that’s exactly what’s happening here at Cranked Anvil HQ right now.
Our writing competitions are officially back. And not just back, but better than ever.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), this is it. We’ve re-opened both our Short Story Competition and our Flash Fiction Competition, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what you’ve been working on.
Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or someone who’s been quietly nurturing an idea, these competitions are back with a bang, to welcome you in (or welcome you back). No fuss, no stress, just a genuine love of storytelling and a chance to share your voice.
Two Competitions, Endless Possibilities
Our Short Story Competition gives you the space to stretch out, build atmosphere, develop characters, and really immerse your reader in a world of your making. If you’ve got a story that needs room to breathe, this is your stage.
On the other hand, the Flash Fiction Competition is all about precision and impact. It’s short, sharp, and incredibly powerful when done well. A few carefully chosen words can linger just as long as a full-length tale—and sometimes even longer.
Whichever format suits your style, both competitions are open and ready for entries. And honestly, there’s something quite special about seeing how differently writers approach these two forms.
AND NOW – CALLING ALL SCRIPT WRITERS
Yes, we have a brand new quarterly competition, and we’re really excited to shout about it!
We’re teaming up with a UK radio station to bring you a fantastic new PLAY WRITING COMPETITION, and it’s open RIGHT NOW.
The prizes are better than ever
Now this is where it gets interesting, folks, because our prize packages are like nothing we’ve offered before.
Yes, we’re still offering cash prizes for winning entries, giving you not just recognition, but a tangible reward for your creativity and effort. Writing is often a labour of love, so it feels only right to celebrate it in a way that goes beyond words.
Plus, eligible entries will be published on our website, and guaranteed inclusion in future digital anthologies, published on Amazon Kindle.
But there’s more than that…
Your Words, Professionally Produced
Winning and shortlisted entries won’t just sit quietly on our website. They’ll be brought to life.
Selected stories will be professionally recorded, giving your work a whole new dimension. There’s something uniquely powerful about hearing a story performed; tone, pacing, emotion; it all adds depth in a way that surprises even the writer.
We’ve teamed up with Radio Northumberland for our competitions. These recordings will be broadcast on UK radio, reaching listeners far beyond our usual audience. Imagine your story being discovered by someone during their morning commute or late-night listening session.
On top of that, the recordings will also be available online, on demand, through our website. So your work won’t just have a moment, it will have a lasting presence that people can return to again and again.
A Community That Loves Stories
At the heart of all this is something simple: a shared love of storytelling.
Cranked Anvil has always been about creating a space where writers feel encouraged, supported, and inspired. These competitions are at the heart of that; an opportunity not just to win, but to be part of something bigger.
And you never quite know how your words will resonate with someone else until you put them out into the world.
So, What Are You Waiting For?
If you’ve got a story tucked away in a notebook, a half-finished draft on your laptop, or even just the seed of an idea, now’s the perfect time to bring it to life.
Our competitions are open. The prizes are waiting. And there’s an audience out there ready to listen.
So take the leap. Surprise yourself. And most importantly, enjoy the process.
We can’t wait to read what you create.
PS: Make sure you check back to our website soon, as we’ll be announcing a partnership with Reedsy, in which Cranked Anvil subscribers can claim 10% off their upcoming Short Story and Flash Fiction online conference.
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