George Sprung turned his key carefully in the lock. He stepped into the house as if he expected a booby trap, closed the door softly, put his briefcase on the bottom stair, hung up his coat and removed his shoes without a sound. He met his own gaze in the hallway mirror. And there he … Continue reading PIPE DREAM by Will Griffin (2nd place, Jul21)
THE TRAIN TO BRIGHTON by Caroline Ross Tajasque (3rd place, Jul21)
Salim was supposed to go on the tube. But he doesn't do the tube, not since he had a panic attack at Mile End station. The buses were all packed, 8.15 in the morning, you couldn't get a seat and some of them didn't even stop. That was when he'd started to feel it coming … Continue reading THE TRAIN TO BRIGHTON by Caroline Ross Tajasque (3rd place, Jul21)
Author Profile – CHRIS COTTOM
We continue our Author Profile series with this from Chris Cottom, whose short story The Counter was placed third in our competition in April 2021. His stories have also been listed seven times in competitions with Strands International, Segora, London Independent Short Story Prize, and Hastings Litfest. Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself, … Continue reading Author Profile – CHRIS COTTOM
July 2021 – Long List
It's taken our judges slightly longer than usual to draw up the latest short story long list - what with the number of entries growing all the time, not to mention the summer break - but now we're able to finally reveal it. Congratulations to all the following authors on our July 21 long list: … Continue reading July 2021 – Long List
On The Shelf – ROSIE MORRIS
Continuing our regular On The Shelf series here on the Cranked Anvil website, today we take a look at the five books that author Rosie Morris holds most dear. Rosie was placed second in our short story competition earlier this year with the beautiful Through The Rusting Gate. For decades, she says, she stymied her … Continue reading On The Shelf – ROSIE MORRIS
Author Profile – TESNI JENKINS
Our Author Profile series continues on the website today, featuring one of our youngest writers - 17-year-old Tesni Jenkins. Tesni is an aspiring writer and poet who also enjoys playing and listening to music and spending time with her cat. Her wonderfully moving short story Soldier Boy was placed first in our Oct20 competition. Here … Continue reading Author Profile – TESNI JENKINS
On The Shelf – LETTY BUTLER
Our 'On The Shelf' series continues on the website today with these selections from Letty Butler, who was placed first in our most recent short story competition with her story Shindig. Letty is an actress by profession and has written extensively for stage and screen, with plays workshopped at The Young Vic and short films … Continue reading On The Shelf – LETTY BUTLER
We’re one of the best – IT’S OFFICIAL!
We've always been proud of our writing competitions here at Cranked Anvil. Keeping them open all year round, and to any theme or genre. Making sure the entry fees are as low as possible - and not having increased them once since we started in 2019. And keeping them open to international entries. We're all … Continue reading We’re one of the best – IT’S OFFICIAL!
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