“Mabel Baxter speaking.” “You’re not supposed to answer the phone like that, Mabel. They could steal your identity, or clone your -” “Don’t be ridiculous, Ian. Nice to hear from you, dear. How’s it all going out there? You haven’t got an accent yet, I’m happy to say.” “Ha, no. Um, yeah, fine, and you? … Continue reading SOMETHING TO TELL YOU by Charlotte Phillips (2nd place, Prompt Sep22)
Author: Cranked Anvil
LATE LUNCH by Mandy Wheeler (3rd place, Prompt Sep22)
‘Excuse me madam, the gentleman you’re waiting for is in reception.’ ‘Is he a tall man? Walks with a limp, carries a silver topped cane?’ ‘He’s not. But he says he was due to meet a young lady for lunch an hour ago.’ ‘It’s been an hour, has it? After thirty years, what’s another hour?’ … Continue reading LATE LUNCH by Mandy Wheeler (3rd place, Prompt Sep22)
September 2022 – Prompt Long List
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
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
