Here it is - the results of our latest short story competition. The judges have had a tough time chosing from the longlist of entries. After much deliberation, the shortlist and three placed stories have now been selected. Congratulations to: 1st: Alan Kennedy - The Storyteller's Gift 2nd: Gillian Welby - News Flash In Manchester … Continue reading April 2020 – Shortlist and winners
FULL BLOG
The Storyteller’s Gift by Alan Kennedy (1st place Apr20)
For the fourth time in five minutes, Jimmy Sanderson scrutinises the notice on the door, then his Mickey Mouse wristwatch. He sniffs his armpits, cups his hands to check his breath, licks a mint, rubs it over his underarm hair before popping the sweet into his mouth. He glares at the poster once more. A … Continue reading The Storyteller’s Gift by Alan Kennedy (1st place Apr20)
News Flash In Manchester by Gillian Wellby (2nd place Apr20)
Ellie is on the train to her hometown of Manchester. Courtesy of social media Ellie has been tracked down by little Ann Wheeler - that is to say the daughter of little Ann Wheeler has tracked her down. There is to be a ‘This is your life’ style party for Ann’s sixtieth birthday. Ellie has … Continue reading News Flash In Manchester by Gillian Wellby (2nd place Apr20)
Flip Flop by James Hancock (3rd place Apr20)
Barry was a flip flop. Kid's size eleven, regal blue, with white stripes and a slightly worn underside. He was the right, and his brother, Gary, was the left. Brothers, and similar in most ways, except for personality. Gary was your typical flip flop; laid back and quiet. Barry was the opposite; excitable and talkative.The … Continue reading Flip Flop by James Hancock (3rd place Apr20)
April 2020 – Long List
There's no denying it - it's been the strangest of times over the past three months. The number of entries we receive each quarter continues to grow - and we're certain that, this time round, lockdown has played a part in that. In fact, we've decided this quarter to put on a special offer for … Continue reading April 2020 – Long List
Short story competition – enter 4 stories for the fee of only 3
It's fair to say that most people are finding that they've got more time on their hands in the current climate, with Covid-19 confining people to their homes for much longer than they would normally spend there. We know that professional writers - those who earn their living by writing, in whatever genre or capacity … Continue reading Short story competition – enter 4 stories for the fee of only 3
£255 prize money to be won in our latest writing competition
There's no denying it: the lockdown has had a huge effect on everyone. (Understatement of the year!) But in true British stiff upper lip fashion, we've seen that people have, for the most part, been keeping calm and carrying on. Even here at Cranked Anvil HQ we've finally been able to devote more time and … Continue reading £255 prize money to be won in our latest writing competition
January 2020 – Shortlist and winners
Our competition grows bigger every quarter, and the judges have had their toughest time yet chosing from the longlist of entries. After much deliberation, though, the shortlist and three placed stories have now been selected. Congratulations to: 1st: Nicki Parkins - Turnstone 2nd: Joe Bedford - The House Always Wins 3rd: Sherry Morris - Never … Continue reading January 2020 – Shortlist and winners
Turnstone by Nicki Parkins (1st place Jan20)
I brought the stone home from the beach. I often do that. There are so many beautiful stones and I end up bringing home too many. Then I have to perform triage and take most of them back to the beach, where I drop them among other beautiful stones and fight the urge to take … Continue reading Turnstone by Nicki Parkins (1st place Jan20)
The House Always Wins by Joe Bedford (2nd place Jan20)
The banknotes were transported in several large cases to the Bank of England. From them, a dozen batches were picked for inspection. Staff in rubber gloves examined the print, the watermark and the motion thread. From one inspector, the Chief Cashier took a note and held it idly up to the light. A genuine, newly-printed … Continue reading The House Always Wins by Joe Bedford (2nd place Jan20)
