LATE SHIFT AT THE MUSEUM OF SMELLS by Chris Cottom (1st place, Flash, Feb24)

I’m working afternoons on our enquiries desk. ‘Old leather walking boots?’ asks a raincoated lady who reminds me of Gran. ‘Freshly buffed with beeswax dubbin?’ I’m gagging for a cup of tea. ‘Sorry, madam. The museum’s banned bee-based treatments.’ Across our cavernous hall, kids are staggering out of our ‘Monarch Immersion Experience’ clutching their heads. … Continue reading LATE SHIFT AT THE MUSEUM OF SMELLS by Chris Cottom (1st place, Flash, Feb24)

THE UNIVERSAL SOUP by Richard Hooton (2nd place, Flash, Feb24)

Our anniversary meal was plodding along same as the previous thirteen when I noticed there was a universe in my soup. Eddying in the centre, a vast blackness teeming with galaxy clusters that reflected and refracted like diamonds. I tore my eyes away; the restaurant’s walls, plates and tablecloths as clinically white as a hospital … Continue reading THE UNIVERSAL SOUP by Richard Hooton (2nd place, Flash, Feb24)

Short Story Competition Closes

After much deliberation, here at Cranked Anvil we've decided to streamline our operations in the coming months. As a result, we are closing our short story competition with immediate effect. All the entries we received for the April 2024 deadline are currently with the reading judges, and the results of that one will be announced … Continue reading Short Story Competition Closes

February 2024 – Flash Long List

Congratulations to the following writers, whose flash fiction has made it onto our latest competition long list. Saira ArianCath BartonVincent BartonJean BaurGillian BrownJerry CastleLuanne CastleColette CoenChris CottomDebra A DanielWilliam DraycottAnne EyriesEsme FordHelena GjoneRichard HootonNatalie HornerMarwood JonesJosie LaneGwenda MajorMadeleine MilliganElaine MulcahySharika NairVictoria O'RourkeDenarii PetersJo ScottDominik SlusarczykJeff TaylorAlison WassellMandy Wheeler Congratulations to you all. We’ll be announcing … Continue reading February 2024 – Flash Long List

New microfiction at Cranked Anvil – Fiction 1-2-3

Microfiction’s popularity is ever-increasing, and here at Cranked Anvil we want to be part of that, to give writers a chance to submit their mini-masterpieces and be published. So from today, we will be publishing brilliant microfiction, submitted to us from anywere around the world, on our dedicated Fiction 1-2-3 microfiction page. What is Fiction … Continue reading New microfiction at Cranked Anvil – Fiction 1-2-3

Loads of new Writerly Stuff coming your way

First of all, we want to say a big Hello and Welcome to our new subscribers! We've had quite a few come on board since our website had its big refresh earlier this month, and we're happy to have you as a member of the Cranked Anvil community! If you have any writer friends who … Continue reading Loads of new Writerly Stuff coming your way

January 2024 – shortlist and winners

Our regular readers and subscribers will know that our writing competitions took a break at the end of 2022, but a year later - due to many messages and requests - we've been delighted to bring them back. And today we announce the shortlist and winners of the returning Short Story competiton. Congratulations to the … Continue reading January 2024 – shortlist and winners

MY HANDS by Dominik Slusarczyk (1st place, Jan24)

[EDITOR'S NOTE: this story deals with themes that some people may find upsetting] I We came last. The other teams laughed at us. Most of them did it behind our backs but a few of them were brave enough to laugh in our faces. You have to be brave to laugh at Jimmy: he might … Continue reading MY HANDS by Dominik Slusarczyk (1st place, Jan24)