As we have already announced, our competitions are winding down as this year draws to a close, and today we are able to announce the long list of our last (for now) prompt competition. There is still one more quarter of our Flash comp still open, and you can still take advantage of our 4 … Continue reading September 2022 – Prompt Long List
Author: Cranked Anvil
August 2022 – Flash shortlist and winners
As 2022 draws to an end, we have decided to take a bit of a sabatical here at Cranked Anvil. competitions are winding down, with the current Short Story and Flash Fiction comps (deadlines the end of Oct and Nov respectively) being the last ones (for now). But we're still sticking to our promise to … Continue reading August 2022 – Flash shortlist and winners
THE BIRDS AND THE BEES by James Harvey (1st place, Flash, Aug22)
Snow everywhere. Smooth, crisp snow covers the garden like freshly laundered Egyptian cotton on a huge bed, and I watch from the window – this window where I have sat for so long now, watching, just watching – as the harsh wind whips up the soft surface flakes and whirls them around with blizzard-like ferocity. … Continue reading THE BIRDS AND THE BEES by James Harvey (1st place, Flash, Aug22)
PARASITE by Sarah Byard (2nd place, Flash Aug22)
It is five years, two months and one day ago, and I am meeting her for the first time. We are talking and she is getting closer, closer, closer… We are in her bedroom. I am watching her unravel beneath me and trying to hold her in one piece, but she is shattered glass. She … Continue reading PARASITE by Sarah Byard (2nd place, Flash Aug22)
COLOURING ROSES by Anita Goodfellow (3rd place, Flash Aug22)
Another letter from school. I handed it over to Mum and looked at the stains on the kitchen floor. When she had finished reading she said I had to control my anger. ‘Where are your listening ears?’ I’m ten not five. I didn’t say this I just mumbled ‘sorry,’ before hurrying to my bedroom. Then … Continue reading COLOURING ROSES by Anita Goodfellow (3rd place, Flash Aug22)
August 2022 – Flash Long List
The long list for our August flash fiction competition has been finalised today, and we're pleased to announce it here on our website: Ruth BradshawJennifer BraunfelsGillian BreckellSarah ByardLucy DanielKate DurrantRowan EvansMary FrancisAnita GoodfellowJames HarveyHugh HayleyEric LeeGwenda MajorJane May MorrisonTony OswickJohn PayneGordon PinckheardJules RobinsonChrissy SturtAlan John Wilson Congratulations to you all. We will be announcing the … Continue reading August 2022 – Flash Long List
July 2022 – shortlist and winners
With the Summer break well and truly over now, it's full steam ahead again here at CAHQ. A couple of weeks ago we announced that we're collaborating with Manchester-based writer Dr Tania Hershman, as she puts together a print anthology of flash to raise money for fuel poverty organisations. You can read all about that … Continue reading July 2022 – shortlist and winners
THE MILL STREAM’S STORY by Gwenda Major (1st place, Jul22)
The mill stream has always been the artery of the village. In the old days it powered four mills as it splashed and gurgled its way under the slum dwellings down to the river. But nowadays the cottages are smart second homes and holiday lets. Mill Cottage has a little courtyard where the stream still … Continue reading THE MILL STREAM’S STORY by Gwenda Major (1st place, Jul22)
Cranked Anvil 