short stories
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Looking at the title of one of the books on my shelf, the following story came to mind: Escape I stop, tears streaming down my cheeks. Soft whispers caress me, building in sound slowly, the harshness of the words with them. The snap of stiff wood to my right, a yell of triumph to my…
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Attention writers! I’m looking for YOU! If you’d like your writing to appear on this page, please contact me here or by e-mail: esthernewtoneditor@outlook.com. I accept stories, poems, articles – in fact, anything and everything. All you have to do is make sure your prose is no longer than 2000 words and your poems no…
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The Reader’s Digest 100-word short story competition is back! With a first prize of £1000, it’s a competition that’s certainly worth an entry. What’s more, it’s free to enter. There are three categories – one adult category and two for schools. You have plenty of time to enter – the closing date is February 19th…
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Continuing my run of flash fiction, here’s another bite size story: The Return He came for me yesterday. I hadn’t been expecting anyone on such a viscous night. I had just stoked the fire when the knocker thudded, once, twice, three times. Somewhere inside me, a familiar sensation exploded, memories prodding and poking their way…
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The London Magazine is holding a short story competition for stories of up to 2500 words. Here are the all important details for you: Entry fee: £10 per short story (this may seem steep, but you can send in as many entries as you like) First Prize: £500 plus publication in the magazine Second Prize: £300 plus publication…
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One of my short story tips is to take a single word and then to create a story around it. In the book I’ve been reading the word ‘envy’ stood out. It set my mind working on a story… Envy I look around at my colleagues with envy. “Are you ok, Jamilla?” Shirley…
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Now for the sixth instalment in my writing workshop series. I’ve covered the short story ending as well as the opening. I’ve guided you through dialogue and focused on the importance of taking time to do things properly. Last week, it was a competitions refresher. This week there’s some advice on the art of the…
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As many of you know, I have a passion for flash fiction so, when I saw the advert for this writing competition, I knew I had to share it with you: Competition: The Writers Bureau Flash Fiction Competition Word count: up to 500 words Closing date: 30th November 2017 Prizes: 1st: £300 2nd: £200 3rd:…
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And here’s another piece of flash fiction for you: Destruction I touch his face, my fingers caressing his lips, catching on a ragged ridge of chapped skin. I press my own to them, tasting the tang of tears as they cascade down my cheeks. I drink in his warmth. Or what’s left; it won’t be…
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I’m slowly getting my writing mojo back, with a penchant for flash fiction at the moment: Tommy Coats: pink, blue, yellow, green and others every colour of the rainbow covered the pegs. All except one. Tommy Brown, outlined in bold black letters, stood above the empty peg. His blue coat wouldn’t ever rest on the…
Esther Chilton 