Rapunzel was 12 when her hair fell out — about the same time the witch locked her in the tower. Soon, her hands began to warp into fearsome talons, and her tongue stretched till it could dart chameleon-like from her window, to catch the food her captor left far below. However, with her mouth reshaped, … Continue reading WHO NEEDS PRINCES ANYWAY? by Sarah Barnett
April 2024 – Long List
There's lots going on here at Cranked Anvil at the moment, and we're gearing up for some exciting new things in the coming months. Keep an eye out for announcements, both here on our website and across our social media. If you missed our news round-up post on the website yesterday, you can read it … Continue reading April 2024 – Long List
What’s happening at Cranked Anvil HQ? …our latest news
Hello writers/readers/subscribers! We've been a bit quiet of late - but we've been beavering away in the background, setting up all the writerly stuff we're planning here at Cranked Anvil for the future. The first thing to say is, we've already had a whole load of great micro submissions for our Fiction123, and we're delighted … Continue reading What’s happening at Cranked Anvil HQ? …our latest news
ON THE SHELF by Cath Barton
It was too quiet in the house. Alarm jagged at Ted and he sprang out of bed faster than he’d done in a long time, was down the stairs in big leaps and into the kitchen, staring round at the emptiness. No wife, no dog. He made coffee, stood with his back to the cooker … Continue reading ON THE SHELF by Cath Barton
February 2024 – Flash shortlist and winners
We're pleased to announce that the judges have made their decision on our February Flash Fiction competition.. So – congratulations to the following two winning entries: 1st: Chris Cottom – Late Shift At The Museum Of Smells 2nd: Richard Hooton – The Universal Soup Your stories are published here on our website, and prize money … Continue reading February 2024 – Flash shortlist and winners
LATE SHIFT AT THE MUSEUM OF SMELLS by Chris Cottom (1st place, Flash, Feb24)
I’m working afternoons on our enquiries desk. ‘Old leather walking boots?’ asks a raincoated lady who reminds me of Gran. ‘Freshly buffed with beeswax dubbin?’ I’m gagging for a cup of tea. ‘Sorry, madam. The museum’s banned bee-based treatments.’ Across our cavernous hall, kids are staggering out of our ‘Monarch Immersion Experience’ clutching their heads. … Continue reading LATE SHIFT AT THE MUSEUM OF SMELLS by Chris Cottom (1st place, Flash, Feb24)
THE UNIVERSAL SOUP by Richard Hooton (2nd place, Flash, Feb24)
Our anniversary meal was plodding along same as the previous thirteen when I noticed there was a universe in my soup. Eddying in the centre, a vast blackness teeming with galaxy clusters that reflected and refracted like diamonds. I tore my eyes away; the restaurant’s walls, plates and tablecloths as clinically white as a hospital … Continue reading THE UNIVERSAL SOUP by Richard Hooton (2nd place, Flash, Feb24)
Short Story Competition Closes
After much deliberation, here at Cranked Anvil we've decided to streamline our operations in the coming months. As a result, we are closing our short story competition with immediate effect. All the entries we received for the April 2024 deadline are currently with the reading judges, and the results of that one will be announced … Continue reading Short Story Competition Closes
Cranked Anvil 