The Clevedon LitFest Flash Fiction Award 2025 has officially opened for submissions, inviting UK-based writers aged 16 and over to participate in this celebrated short story competition.
Entries will be accepted until Friday, August 8, with a submission fee of £5 per story. The competition offers a first prize of £200 and two runner-up prizes of £25 each.
Flash fiction is a challenging storytelling form limited to 500 words, requiring writers to craft a complete and compelling narrative within a very concise format. Participants must carefully select every word to maximize impact, avoiding clichés and unnecessary details while using vivid verbs and sensory imagery.
Paul Truan, poet and trustee of Clevedon LitFest, emphasized the competition’s growing reach: “This year, Clevedon LitFest’s story competition is going bigger than ever before by seeking the talents of writers across the UK. We have two excellent judges who want to be wowed by your fiction — just keep it under 500 words.”
The panel includes local writers Judy Darley and Jackie Hales. Darley shared her expectations, stating, “I want to be moved by what I read. A flash fiction tale should work like a pebble dropped into a pool of water, casting ripples that travel beyond the page.”
Hales added, “I look for writing that prompts a response in me, drawing me into its world through originality, impact, and engaging characterisation — with a hook and story arc that make me want to read to the end.”
For full competition details, submission guidelines, and entry rules, writers are encouraged to visit clevedonlitfest.
