Author: Cranked Anvil

THE DARE by Kathy Goddard (2nd place, Flash May25)

‘You know the rules, Billy.  If you want to be one of us, you’ve gotta go to the witch’s house.’ ‘Yeah, but you gotta go inside as well.’ I stared round at them. ‘Inside?’ ‘Yeah, like wot ‘e said.  Properly inside.  You’ve gotta wave at us through a window – an upstairs one.’ ‘Aye, that’s … Continue reading THE DARE by Kathy Goddard (2nd place, Flash May25)

May 2025 – Flash Long List

Congratulations to the following authors, who have made it onto the long list of our May 2025 Flash Fiction Writing Prize: Jo BardsleyDavid CairnieChris CottomAnne ElliotKathryn GoddardNigel HallJames HarveyKate HorsleySusan JamesNargis LalVikesh MirchandaniNhung NguyenClaudia NicholsonMatt OliverDenarii PetersJordan RydmanFizle SagarRuth SaundersonMark StockerMandy WheelerAlan John WilsonRachael Yates The short list and winners will be announced on our … Continue reading May 2025 – Flash Long List

Your FINAL CHANCE to enter our Flash Fiction Prize Competition

It's true! Our Flash Fiction Prize Competition has been running for almost five years, but all good things must come to an end. The current round of submissions will be our last ever FLASH FICTION Prize. (The Annual Short Story Prize is still running, and open until the end of June 2025.) The good news … Continue reading Your FINAL CHANCE to enter our Flash Fiction Prize Competition

RITE OF PASSAGE by Margaret Magee (1st place, Flash, Feb25)

The woman walked around the ruin of the house she had fled years back; its secrets sandwiched between the loose mortar of the old walls. It was a perfect June day, laced with the smell of cut grass and the five-note call of a wood pigeon. She slipped out of her court shoes and walked … Continue reading RITE OF PASSAGE by Margaret Magee (1st place, Flash, Feb25)

THE NIGHT DEATH ALMOST GAVE UP by Margaret Davis (2nd place, Flash, Feb25)

Sometimes, Death only whispers from the other side, promising escape and peace, and the soul comes dashing. Often, Death slouches down slightly in the armchair, with a bacon sandwich in one hand and feet up on the stool, grabbing with the other hand, to whip life away too abruptly for it to resist. But this … Continue reading THE NIGHT DEATH ALMOST GAVE UP by Margaret Davis (2nd place, Flash, Feb25)

February 2025 – Flash Long List

Congratulations to the following authors, who have made it onto the long list of our February Flash Fiction Writing Prize: Joyce BinghamMara BlazicSharon BoyleJude Luttrell BradleyLesley BungayAnne ByrneMargaret DavisSteph DunlopGill EdwardsFrances GapperNigel HallKeith HendersonCecilia MaddisonMargaret MageeVikesh MirchandaniGill O'HalloranTony OswickArthur PinckheardHannah RetallickFizle SagarTony WarnerAlison WassellMandy Wheeler The short list and winners will be announced on our … Continue reading February 2025 – Flash Long List

MOUSEGUESTS by William Draycott

These new mice have no respect, no respect for themselves or for the homes they take up in. What ever happened to the neat little arched doorways in skirting boards, with little wooden slatted doors and tiny brass knockers? You’d look inside, and there you would find a little mouse-sized bed with cosy blankets and … Continue reading MOUSEGUESTS by William Draycott