A Story for the Ages: 50-Word Flash Fiction Competition Returns with “Generations” Theme

Every word matters when Lincoln Book Festival relaunches its popular flash fiction competition – inviting budding authors to craft a compelling short story in precisely 50 words.  
 
Wannabe wordsmiths can submit their own super short stories on the theme of “generations” for the chance to win prizes and have their creative work championed at Lincoln Book Festival 2024.

The competition challenges authors of any ability to produce an original short story of exactly 50 words – no more and no less – on a chosen theme, which entrants are encouraged to interpret as broadly as they wish. So your story on this year’s theme of “generations” might reveal a connection between young and old in poignant prose – or you could opt to push the boundaries of space and time in a far-out sci-fi spin.  
 
Authors of the best entries in three age categories (primary, secondary and adult), as chosen by a panel of judges, will each win book tokens as their prize. Winners and highly commended runners-up will also have their stories published on the book festival website with the opportunity to read them aloud to audiences during the festival.  
 
School classes in particular are encouraged to take part in the competition and resources can be offered for teachers to help set the creative writing challenge for pupils of different ages and abilities. The schools with the winning author in the primary and secondary age categories will also receive book tokens, in addition to the winner’s individual prize.  
 
Lincoln Book Festival is an annual celebration of new fiction and non-fiction writing located in the beautiful and historic city of Lincoln. It returns this year from 26-29 September, promising a bigger, more diverse programme of events and activities than ever before. 

To enter the Lincoln Book Festival Flash Fiction Competition 2024, download the Entry Form (available as a Microsoft Word file or editable PDF) below and submit your entry before the deadline of midnight on 31 August 2024. Please read the competition Terms and Conditions before entry. These include more information on how to submit your entry. A Teachers Resource Pack (PDF) and poster are also available for schools in the links below to help engage pupils in this fun creative writing challenge for different age groups.

Competition Terms and Conditions

Competition Entry Form – MS Word

Competition Entry Form PDF

Flash Fiction Competition Teacher Resource Pack (PDF)

Lincoln Book Festival Competition Poster