A few hours after his birth, the child was shown his whole life in a picture book. The title was This is How it Will Be, and the author was CN Strathroy. It took a short while for the boy to realise that his own name was not CN Strathroy and when he eventually went … Continue reading THIS IS HOW IT WILL BE by David Hartley (2nd place, Apr22)
LINDISFARNE, 793 by Alex Hawksworth-Brookes (3rd place, Apr22)
It was the dawn of an age of wolves and ravens. It was the eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord 793. The bells tolled out across the sacred island of Lindisfarne. Today, they sounded different. The usual coordinated and tuneful chiming, echoing off sea and shore to God’s delight, was replaced … Continue reading LINDISFARNE, 793 by Alex Hawksworth-Brookes (3rd place, Apr22)
Order our latest short story anthology NOW!
July 2022 saw the publication of our latest anthology of short stories, How Far The Distance. It features winning and short-listed entries from our competition, submitted between August 2020 and October 2021. And you can order your copies NOW. These anthologies are available EXCLUSIVELY through our website, and the print run is strictly limited – … Continue reading Order our latest short story anthology NOW!
Extending our Flash Fiction special offer
The cost of living crisis... Everyone is talking about it, and everyone is affected by it. Individuals, families, businesses. (We are no exception: the cost of producing our upcoming print anthology has doubled since we published our last one in 2021.) So, of course, everyone is looking for ways to save money or grab a … Continue reading Extending our Flash Fiction special offer
April 2022 – Long List
The latest deadline for our short story competition closed last month, and today on the website we announce the long list. With the launch of our new prompt competition in March, the judges are being kept busy all year round now, with three competitions running simultaneously throughout the year. Our submissions are ALWAYS OPEN! You … Continue reading April 2022 – Long List
March 2022 – Prompt short list and winners
The short list and winners of our first ever Prompt Competition have been decided, and we're delighted to announce and publish them on our website today. We had some fantastic entries - from regular entrants as well as many writers new to Cranked Anvil - and the judges thoroughly enjoyed reading all the qualifying stories. … Continue reading March 2022 – Prompt short list and winners
INSERT VAGUE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE HERE by Keith Henderson (1st place, Prompt Mar22)
It’s a pencil keeping him from sleep tonight. Not an actual pencil, obviously, a metaphorical one. Or should that be a metaphysical one? One or the other, anyway. There are the usual thoughts keeping him awake as well, of course. Has he saved enough to retire? Is that lump on the side of his foot … Continue reading INSERT VAGUE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE HERE by Keith Henderson (1st place, Prompt Mar22)
PAWN TAKES KING by Jonathan McLaughlin (2nd place, Prompt Mar22)
As I sat in my office, stumped over a crossword puzzle asking me for a six letter word for a legendary Greek king, my leg couldn’t stop shaking. My eyes wandered aimlessly over the six blank spaces, unable to focus, lost in my overwhelming urge – no, obligation - to finally visit my old friend, … Continue reading PAWN TAKES KING by Jonathan McLaughlin (2nd place, Prompt Mar22)
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