Brenda pulls the mop from side to side across the kitchenette floor, slapping it to the kickboards on either side. It’s too wet, and she curses herself for not wringing it out enough in the first place, because now the floor won’t dry in time so she’ll have to give it another once over. ‘Morning, … Continue reading Brenda Has The Patience To Endure It by Joanne Leonard (1st place Jul19)

The loudspeaker crackles and all the passengers look up expectantly. I strain to hear but can only make out the muffled words: ‘Ealing Broadway’ and ‘delays’. I sigh. ‘Bloody hell,’ the man next to me says. ‘Always the same.’ The temperature in the subterranean world is stifling and sweat is beading on his forehead. I … Continue reading Hypogeal by Michele Seagrove (2nd place Jul19)

I go to Waitrose every Saturday morning to eye up the men I wish I’d married. I leave my reusable, upcycled cup in the bike trailer and queue for a complementary flat white served in a single use waxy cup that will take longer to decompose than my still living corpse. Then I meander like … Continue reading Reduce Reuse Recycle by Sonia Trickey (3rd place Jul19)

Our quarterly short story competition is clearly growing in popularity, with even more entries this time round than for our first. Once again, the judges thoroughly enjoyed reading the entries we received, and the job of chosing our placed stories was even more difficult. After much deliberation over the longlist, the three placed stories have … Continue reading July 2019 – Shortlist and winners

Another great response to our most recent short story competition, with some excellent stories spanning all sorts of different genres. The first round of judging has taken place, and we’re delighted to reveal our long list of authors for the July 2019 competition: Jeremy Green James Harvey John Holland Lynda Kirby Joanne Leonard Fraser Lucas … Continue reading July 2019 – Long List

It’s Friday, and she’s gone. They’ve talked - it’s all they’ve done for weeks, because words are what she’s good at - but now the house is quiet. On the table is the manuscript, her first novel, the final draft, the version everyone will see. It’s thinner than he expected, and on the cover is … Continue reading Nothing but Ashes by Jason Jackson (3rd place Apr19)

In my hand is the black and white photo taken by Dad with his Box Brownie camera the last summer my family went to the beach. Behind me is the pier. Hovering in the shadow is a hazy figure. The picture is black and white, but now the pier has been repainted and is garlanded … Continue reading A Black and White Summer by Alyson Hilbourne (2nd place Apr19)

“Good looking vanner you got there.” The old man wearing ratty jeans and a thin blue jumper curls gnarled, swollen fingers through Gerry’s long black mane. “I might know someone who’d be interested.” “Don’t want to sell but...” I shrug. “Me mam’s not well, we’re stoppin’ in the town for now. Not much need for … Continue reading Horse Trading by Barbara Young (1st place Apr19)

Our first short story competition attracted a large amount of interest, and the judges thoroughly enjoyed reading the entries we received. After much deliberation over the longlist, the three placed stories have been decided. Congratulations to: 1st: Barbara Young - Horse Trading 2nd: Alyson Hilbourne - A Black and White Summer 3rd: Jason Jackson - … Continue reading April 2019 – Shortlist and winners