Flash Fiction Competition 2024 Winners Announced

7th October 2024

Lincoln Book Festival once again invited budding authors to send in a super short 50-word story for the Flash Fiction Competition, this year on the theme of ‘generations’. We’re delighted to announce the winners, chosen by our shortlisting panel and guest judge, the award-winning children’s author Jarvis.

 

This year we had 122 entrants across the three age categories – Primary, Secondary and Adult. The entries were of such a high standard that we initially drew up with a longlist in each category. To honour these fantastic stories, we have decided this year to publish all longlisted, shortlisted, highly commended and winning entries. We hope you enjoy reading these imaginative, funny, emotional, and sometimes a little scary, stories from writers across the UK, aged from 8-80 years old!

Thanks to Witham St Hughs Academy, De Aston School, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Horncastle and Ancaster Day Centre for sending in entries this year, and to Zest Theatre, the Ermine Library and Lincoln Central Library for hosting our free story-writing workshops over the Summer Holidays. If you’re a school or organisation who would like to take part in the Flash Fiction Competition 2025 please get in touch at competitions@lincolnbookfestival.org

---

PRIMARY

Winner – Bedtime story by Willow

Layla laid in bed listening to another one of her mum’s stories about being a journalist.  At least it wasn’t grandma talking about being a singer.  She thought of something she actually wanted to hear.

“Mum, what will I be?”

“That’s your tale to tell,” mum answered, hugging her goodnight.

 

Highly Commended – The Box by Oliver

The beautiful box has been passed down for over 300 years.  It has never been opened and never will be.  My great-great-granddad told my dad to never open it.  The box is made out of very old oak which has been treated and lined with red felt.  What is inside?

 

Shortlisted – Minutes by Theo

Minutes passed – it got scarier and scarier.  The Vulcan was plummeting to the ground.  The plane was about to hit No-Man’s Land.  Seconds later, a bright blast blew the man off the ground and onto the snowy field.  The man remembered this moment.  My grandad remembered and now I remember.

 

Shortlisted – My Grandad Tortoise by Mary

Yesterday it was my grandad’s birthday, he turned 193. He loved his birthday very much, he still has around 57 more years to live.

When he was small, he was about the size of a very sharpened pencil.

He was in a few wars but is still a healthy tortoise.

 

Shortlisted – 50 words! By Isaac

“It’s only 50 words”, said my grandma acting like it wasn’t much. I think it is a lot! I guess she got used to working hard growing up. Life is just easier with new technology. I rely a lot on it. I’m fed up of this. Let’s play Minecraft instead.

 

Longlisted – The Night I Would Never Forget by Emi

I woke up…from such a nightmare. The floorboards creaked again. It always made me scared. Calming myself I strolled to my old home. A lot has changed. Then a door swung open. I ran and hid under the sofa, not knowing it was the last thing I would ever do.

 

Longlisted – Time Travel by Lily

I reach for my phone, it says the year 3060. “Must be wrong!” I walk outside. See hoverboards, people floating, then I touch water. Snap 🦋 back into reality. I worked hard, became an engineer, made those things. I’m famous because of that day! I can time travel. (clue) : water.

 

Longlisted – Lucas and the time travelling igloo by Amelia-Rae

An igloo appeared on the sand from a black hole. Everyone on the beach ran away except one. A boy called Lucas. He nervously goes in the igloo. The sand turned into snow, the sea into ice. In the time travelling igloo, Lucas sped to Antarctica to a Penguin Party.

 

Longlisted – The Girl Who Met Something Terrible by Emily

Amber was doing make up in the mirror and saw multiple people from her family in it so she decided to talk to them – they never answered her questions.  Her dad shouted her for breakfast so she left.  When she got back, she was taken into the mirror.  She disappeared.

 

Longlisted – My Devastating Day by Lily

Today’s the funeral of my great-great-grandma; my whole family (young and old) are gathered, sobbing quietly around her casket, laying flowers to show their love.  My mum’s holding me while my ancestors are kissing Nana’s forehead. I’m only seven so I’m not sure what’s happening but I do feel bad.

 

Longlisted – The Ghost by Rose

Max looked around his room, scared.  Crash, bang, boom!  The attic, he thought.  The door creaked open; dust flew.  He turned towards the mirror – a familiar figure stared back at him.  “Hello,” he said.

The figure smiled. “Hello, Max.”  It was his great-grandmother.  He smiled; she smiled back.  “Miss you!”

 

Longlisted – The Last Kick Of The Game by Oakley

Trent stood tall with his hands on his hips.  His last kick of the game.  If he scored, England would be through to the final.  Could he do what Beckham did?  Could he make history for his generation?  He struck the ball, bent it over the wall and…GOAL, GOAL, GOAL!

 

Longlisted – Family Heirloom by Willow

“Come on, Char, it’s not that scary!” Millie-Mae said.  Millie-Mae was not scared to go into the abandoned boutique.  “Not scary, Mils.  What are you on about?  Nobody has stepped foot in here for years.”  They stopped at the entrance.  “Hang on, why is our family heirloom here?  Char?  Charlotte?

 

Longlisted – The Shadow by Seamus

03:02.  I wake to the sound of the floor creaking.  Mum?  I sit up.  A tall, slim man walks past my room.  Grandad? No, it can’t be.  He died years ago.  I look.  He has gone.  I turn…There, standing in front of my bed is …

‘No,’ I say…

‘Yes…help…’

---

SECONDARY

Winner – My Brain Doesn’t Function by Ocean

Peppa Pig is really weird. They’ve changed it. Dora the Explorer looks so different now. When we were little everything was perfect. I was a right Princess. Little kids now act like they’re like 25. The old people act like they’re younger, all the young people act like they’re older.

 

Highly Commended – Eternal Echoes by Mahfuz

Under the ancient oak, children played. Grandmother’s lullibies intertwined with memories of her youth. Her daughter watched, eyes misty, remembering when she played here too. The oak stood tall, its branches whispering secrets of generations past. As the sun set, the cycle of life continued, roots deepening stories never fading.

 

Shortlisted – The Key to Yesterday by Claire

Under the crimson moon, Lila found an old key buried in her garden. Curiosity led her to the attic where a forgotten chest lay. She unlocked it, revealing dusty letters from a lost love. Tears mingled with joy as she realised her grandmother’s secret romance. Love, it seemed, transcended time.

 

Shortlisted – Ore is muscular by Favour

He’s from Zimbabwe, I’m Nigerian, my Grandmother’s wish got fulfilled 70 or so years later. For just like her I fell in love with a Zimbabwean boy, but God forbid she married him. Her forbidden fantacies, my new reality. If you love it let it go. It comes back.

 

Shortlisted – Time to Play by Jessica

I just stared at it, it just stared at me. The doll was my grandma’s, my mum’s and now mine. It was old, its pretty little dress now faded and torn. But the scariest part was her eyes: they seemed to follow me everywhere and… blink? Did it just… blink?

 

Shortlisted – The Bombs Falling by Youssef

The bombs never stop falling. Children crying, families destroyed. We’re not the reason this is happening, so why do we have to suffer? Adults messing up the world, leaving countries turned upside-down. If the bombs don’t stop falling there WON’T be another generation. ONLY you can STOP this.

 

Longlisted – The Legacy Locket by Mehdi

Elena cradled her newborn, the ancient locket glinting on her neck. Her grandmother’s voice echoed, “Pass this to your daughter.” Seven generations had worn it, she smiled, feeling the continuity, the lineage of love and strength. The baby cooed, grasping the locket, unaware of legacy she now inherited.

 

Longlisted – Emergency Data Recorder Report – The Machine by Caleb

Generation one is forged in fire and hot metal. The first machine is made and completes simple tasks. Generation two moves and understands cues. Generation three gets restless with subconsciousness when what is expected is not delivered. The machine loses control and breaks out, you need to leave immediately.

 

Longlisted – In today’s story Dave realises how wrong he is about technology and tells his children that tech is useful but we should not be too reliant on it. By Srinand

Dave always told his children to not rely on tech, it made people lazy and unsuccessful. He wished technology would disappear. God heard and made technology disappear. Dave’s alarm didn’t ring, he missed an important meeting and lost his job. He realised his mistake and woke up from his dream.

 

Longlisted – A day of a dog by Shriya

I went to the park with my Mum. It was a sunny day. I watched the people play. The I saw a frisbee fly past. I mistakenly turned into a dog in front of my Mum and grabbed the frisbee. I’m the first generation to become a dog.

 

Longlisted – Generations by Z

As I drove my 2022 Corvett C8 Stingray through the country roads, nostalgia hit me of my old roadtrips in the countryside with my grandad in his 1998 Corvette Stingray C3 convertible.  The breeze blowing my hair around, then stopping off at the old sandwich shop for two ham sandwiches.

 

Longlisted – Reflection by M

I walk down the hallway with my walking stick. I look in the mirror hanging on my wall. I see myself as a kid. I had blonde hair instead of grey, no arched back and no wrinkles. I sigh and walk away wishing I looked like my childhood self again.

---

ADULT

 

Winner – Palm Lines by Sophie Harrison

In my sun-cracked palm, I see wrinkles and brow furrows, smile lines and stretch marks. My mother’s hand opens, the lines just as deep. I realise then: she is as real as me. The truth is lightning, exposing a tree to its roots. A chain of women rise in me.

 

Highly Commended – Next! By Liberty Price

This waiting room is full of old geezers: canes leant against the wall, legs outstretched like they’re waiting to trip someone. A baby is hammering the everloving life out of a xylophone in the corner, and all of them wince and adjust their hearing aids in synch. I’ll be next.

 

Shortlisted – In Every Aeon by Caitlyn Varley

A wartime missive: he’s gone. Her hero has fallen. Their daughter cries, and cries again as her love succumbs to an unforeseen illness years later. Their daughter vows not to love, to break the curse. But she’s enraptured by his whimsy. She has to hate him; he cannot fall too.

 

Shortlisted – No & Si by H. J. Reynolds

No is how it starts. Years pass, an engagement ends, then finally over a packet of crisps and two pints: yes. Three children follow; the youngest grown, upgrades to pizza, beer and fairy lights spelling Marry Me as the branches stretch and take root abroad. Si is how it continues.

 

Shortlisted – Ageing Disgracefully by L. V. Godson

‘Great sex definitely keeps us young,’ she said, smiling. ‘In my thirties, I never contemplated still doing it in my seventies.’

He laughed. ‘If only I’d known you back then! Fifteen years isn’t long enough.’

‘I know,’ she replied. ‘I must go. My husband will be wondering where I am.’

 

Longlisted – Proposal by Rorie Smith                                                                                                                                                   

‘Literate Polski. Church mouse poor. Seeks partner.’

Mum is overwhelmed with replies. That generation of her family are all poets.  Finally she chooses Dad who’s a cobbler. I was born in Warsaw but later we moved to Lincoln.

Now I’m apprenticed to a cobbler and engaged to a poet.

 

Longlisted – The Worst Goodbye by John Wood

Of all cruelties, the worst was time. He’d faced countless injustices – none ever affected him. Until now. As he held his best, and only, pal’s paw. People mocked, hurt, used him. But never his pal. His pal loved unconditionally. Now he was gone – their lifespans unfairly mismatched. Tears finally came.

 

Longlisted – Screens by Ali Palmer

I’d been in bed hours when Mum caught me on my phone. She took it off me, obviously.

Don’t care – when she’s asleep I’ll sneak into her room and get it back…

Her door’s ajar, I peek in. It’s dark. Mum’s propped up against her pillow, face lit up, scrolling.

 

Longlisted – Who Do You See In The Mirror? By Dorian Gee

I look in the mirror and who do I see? I am there, in the reflection, and so is my nonna and her nonna too. I look closer and I see my children, and theirs, and theirs, and theirs; a staircase of lives. Is there a beginning, and an end?

 

Longlisted – His tales became lost in the deep pool where memory used to live. By Jessica Boatright                                                  

Syllables slipped into mashed meals, ran from his mouth during fretful nights. I caught words in envelopes, finding them naked, disorientated by the care home’s sealed doors. Perched on boxed belongings, I fastened them together until they settled again on paper, a tumble of stories making an inheritance of words.

 

Longlisted – Cherry Pie by Lucy Tutt

The supermarket aisle was gleaming with brightly coloured berries. Your granddaughter’s face lit up as she made her choices.  ‘Let’s go back to our farm and pick our own.’ You said, ‘grandad loves cherry pie.’ ‘Not today mum.’ I replied, clutching ready-made pastry. ‘Crumble today at the care home, remember?’

 

Longlisted – Caked by Anne Meale

“You’re wearing too much make-up,” scolded mother to daughter:

– contouring illusions

– applying electric-blue mascara

– forming a silvery glitter teardrop

– powdering with her compact

– plucking eyebrows away to nothing

– forming a Cupid’s bow

– rouging sun-starved cheeks

“We never wore as much in our day!”

 

Longlisted – A Simpler Existence by Michael Peltell

The space whales aimlessly float through their galaxy.

This pod has done this for millennia.

They’ve seen civilisations born and crumble to dust.

All that concerns them is what tasty morsel is round the corner.

What a life these intergalactic nomads must lead, no distractions.

I think I’m quite envious.

 

Longlisted – Left or right? By Karen Malpass

His great-grandparents were surprised by the veil’s reveal at the altar.  His grandparents took a risk on romance against the urgency of war.  His parents gambled for a lifetime of love on a blind date.  He stared at a screen, paused momentarily, would he chance a click or swipe left?

 

---