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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions*

@crankedanvil.bsky.social
795 followers 1.8K following 51 posts

Writing Prizes | Indie Press | New Writing | Est. 2012. | crankedanvil.co.uk | EIC: Paul Dunn bsky.app/profile/pauldunnwriter.bsk…

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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The long list for our inaugural playwriting competition has been announced today on the website. Congratulations to all the playwrights on there, and thank you to ALL the writers who submitted. The next submission window is now open. #amwriting #playwright crankedanvil.co.uk/2026/09/02/j...
crankedanvil.co.uk
June 2026 – Play Long List
We had a fantastic, international response to our first ever audio playwriting competition. The standard was incredibly high, and the judges have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the eligible entries…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Are you entering our competition? THE DEADLINE is MIDNIGHT UK time. www.crankedanvil.co.uk/flashcomp/ #iamawriter #writerslife #writingcompetition #newwriting #fiction #writingcommunity #writing #critique #write #writersoffb #writer #writerschallenge #writingcommmunity #Flash #flashfiction #writers
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Now open for submissions, Cranked Anvil's Flash Fiction Competition. Max 500 words. Open Internationally. ~ Cash Prizes ~ Publication ~ plus lots more ~ Entry fee £5 for 1 story (£8 for 2, £10 for 3) All the details, including entry fees, are on the website. crankedanvil.co.uk/flashcomp/
crankedanvil.co.uk
Flash Fiction Competition
Our quarterly Flash Fiction Competition is now OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS. The deadline for this prize is midnight (UK time) on the last day of:FebruaryMayAugustNovember Your story/stories can be any the…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Our latest #FlashFiction Long List is now published on the website. Well done to all the #writers featured there, and thank you to EVERYONE who entered. #amwriting #writingcommunity crankedanvil.co.uk/2026/08/06/m...
crankedanvil.co.uk
May 2026 – Flash Long List
With such a huge amount of entries, there’s been a bit of a backlog at CAHQ. But the judging for the long list is now completed. Don’t forget – All our competitions are rolling, a…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Deadline is just over 12 hours away for our #ShortStory competition. Get writing - we can't wait to read your work.
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Our good friend Christopher Fielden runs the biennial To Hull And Back Humorous Short Story Competition, and it is now open for submissions. Submission window: 1st July 2026 until 30th June 2027 Word limit: 2,500 words maximum, no minimum Cash prizes & more www.christopherfielden.com/to-hull-and-...
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
CALL FOR AUDIO PLAYS for our ongoing competition. Open Internationally. ~ Cash Prizes ~ Professional audio recording, broadcast on UK Radio ~ Recording available on demand around the world from our website ~ plus more - see our website Details and entry: crankedanvil.co.uk/scriptcomp/
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Another fantastic piece on #nffd2026 #flashflood from Cole Beauchamp @nomad-sw18.bsky.social We're LOVING all this from @natflashfictionday.bsky.social today. Thank you! #flashfiction #amwriting #amreading flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-...
flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com
'The frequency of your life self-cleaning cycle depends on spillage and usage patterns' by Cole Beauchamp
Signs it is time for a self-clean cycle: buildup of grease, odors and heavy emotional residue.  Some say there is no bad time for self-clean...
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
What about this one from @lesleyjayneb.bsky.social? Lesley has a few micros on our website, and appeared in our #flashfiction shortlists a few times. This story of hers on #nffd2026 #flashflood is beautiful. #amwriting #amreading flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/2026/06/alwa...
flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com
'Always the same ice-cream van' by Lesley Bungay
How can you have fresh ice-cream? Chrissy asks. It’s been ten years since we were last here, but the same blue and white van is parked in th...
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Lee Irving made our Flash writing competition SHORT LIST in 2024 with this fantastic story, and we're delighted it's found a home at #flashfood. Head over there and read this, and more, fantastic #flashfiction. #nffd2026 #amwriting #amreading flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/2026/06/fift...
flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com
'Fifteen Ways to Grieve your Mother' by Lee Irving
Fifteen Ways to Grieve your Mother  (after Paul Simon) Learn to cook the Mother Of All Roasts, complete with high-rise Yorkshire puddings, a...
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
The brilliant @alisonwassell.bsky.social has been placed 3 times in our #writing comps in the past. No wonder, with brilliant writing like this... 'Mary Randall's Back' on #nffd2026 #flashflood. Check it out. #amwriting #flashfiction #shortstory flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/2026/06/mary...
flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com
'Mary Randall’s Back' by Alison Wassell
Mary Randall moved to Munich, or Berlin, or Geneva, so Agnes heard, but here she is, squeezing avocados in Sainsbury’s, wrinkling her nose, ...
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
WOW! 'A Brief History of Atomic Time' by @fionamckay.bsky.social published on NFFD's #flashflood Fiona won 1st prize in our #flashfiction competition in 2021 for her brilliant story 'Glass', and this one is another triumph. Nice one Fiona! #nffd2026 flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/2026/06/a-br...
flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com
'A Brief History of Atomic Time' by Fiona McKay
In the staffroom, Kate plugs in a fan which swings from side to side, moving the stale air around. Beside her, a physics textbook is open, a...
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
We're just catching up with - and revelling in - the amazing #flashfiction published by NFFD in their #flashflood. Starting with this one, The Final Toll by J P Relph, who was placed in our Flash Competition back in 2022. #nffd2026 #amwriting flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-...
flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com
'The Final Toll' by JP Relph
Beneath an ash filled church, under a ruined city at the end of the world, we cling to loved ones, strangers, mostly ourselves as the bell s...
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
#WRITERS. Are you entering our #flashfiction competition? DEADLINE is TONIGHT, midnight UK time. See our website for all the submissions details and the fantastic collection of prizes on offer. #amwriting #writingcommunity #shortstory #wip #sundaystorm #writing
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
#WRITERS! Looking for an awesome #WritingCompetition? We have THREE! #ShortStory #FlashFiction #Playwriting crankedanvil.co.uk ~ Open Internationally ~ Low entry fees ~ A FANTASTIC prize package, including cash prizes What are you waiting for? GET #WRITING!
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
We have THREE writing comps open for subs now, with FANTASTIC prizes on offer. #ShortStory #FlashFiction #PlayWriting See the website for all the info crankedanvil.co.uk #amwriting #WritingCommunity #wip #writerslift #writer #competition
crankedanvil.co.uk
Cranked Anvil
Writing Competitions - Story, Flash and Playwriting | Digital Publishing Services | Audio Productions | Feedback/Critique Service | Indie Press | Est. 2012
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
OUR WRITING COMPETITIONS ARE BACK. #SHORTSTORY #FLASHFICTION #PLAYWRITING Low entry fees. Great prizes. ~ Cash Prizes ~ Publication online ~ Future digital anthology ~ Your work professionally produced, recorded and BRODCAST ON UK RADIO, and around the world online. SUBS OPEN NOW
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
ALL our #writing competitions are now OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS. #amwriting #writingcommunity #flashfiction #shortstory #playwriting
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Our writing comps are back - and they're bigger and better than ever! #shortstory #flashfiction #playwriting ~ Cash Prizes ~ Publication ~ Inclusion in future digital anthology ~ Professional Audio Recording, broadcast on UK radio and around the world online DEETS ON OUR WEBSITE crankedanvil.co.uk
crankedanvil.co.uk
Cranked Anvil
Writing Competitions - Story, Flash and Playwriting | Digital Publishing Services | Audio Productions | Feedback/Critique Service | Indie Press | Est. 2012
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
NEW PLAY WRITING COMPETITION Just gone live on our website Submissions open now OPEN INTERNATIONALLY Have your audio play professionally produced and broadcast on UK radio and online AROUND THE WORLD crankedanvil.co.uk/scriptcomp/
crankedanvil.co.uk
Play Writing Competition
Our NEW quarterly Play Writing Competition is now OPEN for INTERNATIONAL submissions. We have teamed up with UK radio station RADIO NORTHUMBERLAND for this fantastic play writing competition. Your …
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Our SHORT STORY and FLASH FICTION competitions ARE BACK. And the prizes are better than ever. Go to the website now to see what's new crankedanvil.co.uk
crankedanvil.co.uk
Cranked Anvil
Writing Competitions - Story, Flash and Playwriting | Digital Publishing Services | Audio Productions | Feedback/Critique Service | Indie Press | Est. 2012
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
The shortlist and winners of our FINAL short story writing prize are announced today on the website. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all those who entered. crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/09/14/j... #shortstory #amwriting #writingcompetition
crankedanvil.co.uk
June 2025 Short Story Prize – Short List and Winners
The stories have been read and re-read, the judging has taken place and final decisions made, and today we’re delighted to announce the short list and winners of our final ever Short Story Wr…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
We'll be at #EdFringe2025 from tomorrow. Hit us up with any recommendations - especially new writing stuff! #theatre #newwriting
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
The longlist for our May25 Flash Fiction Prize is announced on the website today. congratulations to all those authors featured there! crankedanvil.co.uk
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
It's your LAST CHANCE to enter the Cranked Anvil International Flash Fiction Prize. (The current round of submissions will be our last ever flash writing competition.) The deadline has been extended to midnight UK time on Sunday 1st June 2025. Enter via the website: www.crankedanvil.co.uk
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
It's your LAST CHANCE to enter the Cranked Anvil International Flash Fiction Prize. (The current round of submissions will be our last ever flash writing competition.) The deadline has been extended to midnight UK time on Sunday 1st June 2025. Enter via the website: www.crankedanvil.co.uk
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
The short list and winners of our Feb25 Flash Fiction Prize have been announced on the website. Congratulations to all the writers, and thanks to all who entered - we LOVE reading your work. The next Writing Prizes (Flash and Short) are currently open! crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/04/24/f...
crankedanvil.co.uk
February 2025 – Flash shortlist and winners
The judges have announced the shortlist and winners for our Feb25 Flash Fiction Prize, and we’re pleased to announce it here today. But before we do… NEW SHORT STORY PRIZE! Our Internat…
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Juno Baker @junobaker.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Looking for a short story to ease you back into work after the long bank holiday? Just read a brilliant one on the @crankedanvil.bsky.social website. Here's 'Observation' by EJ Taylor: crankedanvil.co.uk/2024/07/16/o...
crankedanvil.co.uk
OBSERVATION by E J Taylor (1st place, Apr24)
A pigeon nestles, invisible, on a steel branch behind three security cameras, each angled towards the road. A whirring too slight to disturb the bird emits from the cameras when their data transfer…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Our Feb25 #flashfiction Writing Prize LONG LIST is announced on the website today! Congratulations to all the authors featured there... crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/04/16/f...
crankedanvil.co.uk
February 2025 – Flash Long List
Congratulations to the following authors, who have made it onto the long list of our February Flash Fiction Writing Prize: Joyce BinghamMara BlazicSharon BoyleJude Luttrell BradleyLesley BungayAnne…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Our #flashfiction and #shortstory competitions are open for submissions. ~Cash Prizes ~Publication ~Any theme/genre www.crankedanvil.co.uk ##amwriting #writingcommunity #writer #wip #writerslife
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
A new #microfiction published today on the website. GOLDFISH FUNERAL by Neil James crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/03/28/g... #amwriting #writingcommunity #flashfiction #wip #shortstory #writerslift #writersofbluesky
crankedanvil.co.uk
GOLDFISH FUNERAL by Neil James
I’m telling the goldfish funeral story, so Natasha stays the night. Lamplight low, we’re fully clothed on the bed. It’s a funny story at one a.m. and I miss the sound of laughter in this place. “My…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Our #flashfiction and #shortstory competitions are open for submissions. ~Cash Prizes ~Publication ~Any theme/genre www.crankedanvil.co.uk ##amwriting #writingcommunity #writer #wip #writerslife
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Just over 24 hours left to enter our #FlashFiction Prize. Details on the website: crankedanvil.co.uk/flashcomp/ #amwriting #WritingCommunity #writersofbluesky
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
We've published a new double-bill of #microfiction on the website today. THE SHIPPING FORECAST by Rachel Parker BAD ATHEIST by Ian Davis & Fiona H Evans #writingcommunity #amwriting #amreading #flashfiction #wip #shortstory crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/02/20/m...
crankedanvil.co.uk
MICRO DOUBLE-BILL #2
We have another little micro-treat for you today – a double-bill of superb microfiction. We hope you enjoy… But before you do… We’ve set up a small ‘Donations’ p…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Just over a week left to submit to our Flash Fiction Prize. 500 words. Deadline 28th Feb. All the details on our website: crankedanvil.co.uk/flashcomp/ #writingcommunity #amwriting #flashfiction #competition #writing #writer #wip #shortstory #prize #amquerying #writersofbluesky
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Another Success Story: Past Cranked Anvil Prize Winner Publishes Short Story Collection. crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/02/16/a... Congratulations Hannah Retallick! #WritingCommunity #amwriting #flashfiction #shortstory #wip
crankedanvil.co.uk
Another Success Story – Past Cranked Anvil Prize Winner Publishes Short Story Collection
We’re delighted to report on the success of another of our former writing prize winners. In November 2024, Hannah Retallick released her debut collection of literary short stories, called Som…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Just over a fortnight left to enter our current #FlashFiction Prize. Deadline midnight UK time 28th February. All the deets on our website: crankedanvil.co.uk/flashcomp/ #WritingCommunity #amwriting #writers #shortstory
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
A new piece of #microfiction published on our website today. ALMOST by Fiona Dignan. Please Read. Enjoy. Share. crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/02/13/a... #WritingCommunity #amwriting #flashfiction
crankedanvil.co.uk
ALMOST by Fiona Dignan
I buried you beneath the barren snag. I think I’ve trapped you inside the tree; there’s a delicious irony in thinking of you as Daphne. I’m the one who remains, even my bruises have faded to an alm…
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Our #flashfiction and #shortstory Prizes are now open Internationally for submissions. Go to the website for all the details and to enter. www.crankedanvil.co.uk
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Thinking of submitting to our Writing Prizes? Read how we helped one of our past entrants go on to get an agent and a book deal!
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Our #flashfiction and #shortstory Prizes are now open Internationally for submissions. Go to the website for all the details and to enter. www.crankedanvil.co.uk
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Gary Finnegan - writer @finnegag.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
First time entering @crankedanvil.bsky.social - very happy to be shortlisted Congratulations to Chris & Laura - two worthy winners (both of whom have helped bring my own flash writing along over the past year or so) Read their pieces! @chriscottom.bsky.social @laurabesley.bsky.social
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Richard Hooton @rjhooton.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Many thanks to @crankedanvil.bsky.social for their support of #TheMargaretCode. I've been fortunate to do well in their competitions & would encourage writers to take part - it's well worth a shot!
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
NEWS: Past Cranked Anvil Prize Winner Lands Agent and Book Deal. Congrats @rjhooton.bsky.social Read all about it here: crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/02/10/p... #WritingCommunity #amwriting #amquerying
crankedanvil.co.uk
Past Cranked Anvil Prize Winner Lands Agent And Book Deal
One of our former prize winners, Richard Hooton, is to have his debut novel The Margaret Code published on 10 April by Sphere, an imprint of Little Brown. The voice-led whodunnit follows eighty-nin…
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Matt Kendrick @mattkendrick.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
"But perhaps Salma’s or Saarah’s or Sadie’s lover doesn’t celebrate her success. Perhaps her lover isn’t kind." Stunning piece from @laurabesley.bsky.social Love the way this twists one way then another, how it plays on the various tensions, the power of those repeating motifs
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Matt Kendrick @mattkendrick.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
"Suzie’s a snowflake in our nursery school Christmas Gala, petticoat-frothy, with her hair pinned tight" A whole life on a postage stamp in this wonderful piece from @chriscottom.bsky.social; great use of fracturing to skip through time; so much in the white space
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The Welkin Press @welkinpress.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
A new slice of brilliance from @welkinprize.bsky.social shortlistee @laurabesley.bsky.social
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Cranked Anvil *OPEN for submissions* @crankedanvil.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
A cheeky little Sunday #microfiction published on the website today. THE DISCOVERY by Cecilia Maddison crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/02/09/t... #WritingCommunity #amwriting #flashfiction
crankedanvil.co.uk
THE DISCOVERY by Cecilia Maddison
Jack pried apart the foliage with gentle fingers. Inside the nest lay three small, sky blue eggs. A robin fretted on a nearby branch, head cocked, glaring.“It’s okay,” Jack whispered, retreating st…
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Chris Cottom @chriscottom.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
Delighted by this. Thank you to Paul at @crankedanvil.bsky.social; congratulations to @laurabesley.bsky.social; and thank you to @raecowie.bsky.social and several non-BlueSkyers for their help with this one. Full disclosure: I really am a ballet fan.
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