We received 984 flash fictions on this occasion. Thanks very much to everyone who entered. The interesting stats this time are that we had almost half and half new people and returning writers entering, 43.76% were international. 56.24% from the UK. It’s nice to see that flash fiction is still making its mark far and wide.

We’ve stopped issuing the Last Minute Club badge.(it had a good run since 2018). But that still did not deter hundreds entering in the last week. As always the readers were on the case throughout the months] of the Award and picked up speed in the final days. Big thanks to them as dedicated admirers of this short short form. We’re always astonished by the soaring heights of flash! (Which is why we posted this picture of a huge tree!)
We appreciate everyone for continuing to trust us with their words and hope stories that did not reach our lists find a home elsewhere.

Alison Woodhouse judged the Award for this round and has written an excellent report and comments on the winners. You can read them on the judge’s page linked here. We love the fact that she read the stories again and again and each time more was revealed. The hallmark of brilliant flash. She selected five stories from the UK this time. Writers from many other countries feature in the shortlist and longlist.
First prize goes to Anne Howkins with her story. ‘The egg-wife easy-jogs to market‘
Second prize goes to David Swann with his story ‘Damage’
Third Prize goes to Cecelia Maddison with her story ‘Albermarle Street’
Highly Commended goes to Sara Hills with her story ‘Nao Yare Nbadi Yonni’
Highly Commended goes to Kate Horsley with her story The Siren Squad Tries a New Flyer’

The next round of Bath Flash Fiction Award opens on July 1st and is judged by award winning writer and writing teacher, Jo Gatford (also a previous first and also second prize winner in two different Bath Awards). The 34th round closes in early October. Interview with Jo coming soon.