Well done again to all of the writers who made the shortlist. This has been one of the toughest comps to judge! All of the shortlisted stories are great and in the end, the winners are the ones that stayed in my mind longest and had a different feel to them from lots of the flashes I read at RW. So congratulations to our winners who win the following prizes!
Amanda x
FIRST PRIZE
4 months of mentoring – send flash stories totalling up to 2000 words every month and receive written feedback and a Zoom session with me to talk through the development. Story published on the website.
SECOND PRIZE
3 months of mentoring – send flash stories totalling up to 1500 words every month and receive written feedback and a Zoom session with me to talk through the development. Story published on the website.
THIRD PRIZE
2 months of mentoring – send flash stories totalling up to 1000 words every month and receive written feedback and a Zoom session with me to talk through the development. Story published on the website.
First Place: When the calamity did not come by Sally Curtis
Why I chose it: Lovely use of language and great imagery. It made such a refreshing change that the story ends on a hopeful note and we feel like the future is going to be good for the character.
Second Place: Fillings by Anita Lo
Why I chose it: The storyline is so unique and I loved how the narrator never really questioned why her sister wanted to fill her teeth. It made me think long and hard about the subtext, which is a great thing!
Third Place: A City Break by Fiona Dignan
Why I chose it: Really intriguing opening, great sensory writing and fab setting in another storyline that felt unique.
Congratulations everyone! I look forward to working with you all to help you develop your flash writing further.