Monica Ali
“Let’s start with the title - it has to earn its place. The titles will have a job to do here."
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Flash fiction is the art of a very, very short story. You will have heard similar terms like micro fiction, postcard fiction and micro story. It's all the same, although there's no widely accepted definition of length - some competitions have word limits as low as 250 words (such as ours), while others can be up to 1,000 words.
Flash-fiction often contains classic story elements: protagonist, conflict, obstacles or complications, and resolution. However, unlike a traditional short story, the limited word length can force some of these elements to remain unwritten - just hinted at or implied in the written storyline.
The Flash Fiction competition is open to writers of any nationality from any country.
Entry fee: £8 for each flash fiction story submitted. You may enter as many stories as you wish.
“Let’s start with the title - it has to earn its place. The titles will have a job to do here. Then I will be looking for flash fictions that aren’t all about a punch line, an ending that contains a reveal. I am hoping for micro-stories that are beautiful enigmas, that leave me wrestling with them long after I’ve put them down. I don’t love opacity. I do love layers. I am not averse to a little humour. I’m in awe of anyone who can write decent flash fiction, it’s a tough business, so I am wide open to all the entries and very much looking forward to reading them”.
We know writers usually have multiple draft versions of their work. Please double check you have the correct version of your flash fiction story ready to upload. You won’t be able to substitute work once it has been submitted.
Postal Entry3 x £100 for Highly Commended
"It was nothing short of amazing to win 3rd Prize in the Bridport. I often 'write in the dark' with no audience - so winning was affirmation that I'm not only a writer but a good writer at that.
The Bridport Prize IS a big deal, I mean a really BIG deal because it's an internationally renowned and recognised prize so winning meant that my writing is 'good enough' not just nationally but globally. Since my win I've started looking for an agent and possible publishers for my work. Winning the Bridport Prize has given me the confidence I lacked and the inspiration and encouragement I needed - yes, I've got my mojo working. Expect to see me in print!!"
“Let’s start with the title - it has to earn its place. The titles will have a job to do here."
Read more
Monica Ali is an award-winning, bestselling writer whose novels include Brick Lane, In the Kitchen and Untold Story. She was chosen as one of Granta’s 2003 Best of Young British Novelists. Her work has been translated into 26 languages, and she has judged a number of literary prizes including as Chair of the Asian Man Booker. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications including the Guardian, the Times, The New Yorker, and the New York Times, for which she is a literary reviewer. Monica has been a guest editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, and has presented several editions of the Radio 4 show, A Point of View. She is a Fellow of the RSA and of the Orwell Prize. She has taught creative writing at Columbia University, New York, where she was a visiting Professor, and she is currently Distinguished Writer in Residence at the University of Surrey.
Monica says:
“Let’s start with the title - it has to earn its place. The titles will have a job to do here. Then I will be looking for flash fictions that aren’t all about a punch line, an ending that contains a reveal. I am hoping for micro-stories that are beautiful enigmas, that leave me wrestling with them long after I’ve put them down. I don’t love opacity. I do love layers. I am not averse to a little humour. I’m in awe of anyone who can write decent flash fiction, it’s a tough business, so I am wide open to all the entries and very much looking forward to reading them”.
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