Thanks to all the longlisted writers for your patience while we re-read the stories. The shortlist is now shown below. Readings are still anonymous until I have made my decision so only story titles shown here. Well done to these writers, and to all that made the longlist too.

Running Away Themed Flash Shortlist

• How Not To Feel
• Resolution
• The Book Group
• The Bunker
• The Names of Stars
• The Hanging Tree
• Unfinished

I will now read all of these again and announce final results soon.

The deadline for the next themed flash competition is 31st March and the theme is fire. There’s £400 in cash prizes available and winners get published on the website. Get all the info on how to enter here; and you can read previous winning stories here.

If you’ve got some flash stories that have been gathering dust in a drawer, then we’ve just launched a new weekend course – Flash SOS – which will help you revive old stories and get them out in the world. Get all the info on the course here.