by Editor
on February 14, 2016
WINNER
The 2016 Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition
By CL DALKIN
It was over. After seven long years, he’d done it. Seven years of mad, unhinged, up-and-down emotions. A rollercoaster, his sister had said.
He’d ended it the only way he knew how. By packing a rucksack and walking out. Everything else belonged to her anyway. Just the shirt on his back—light as a feather, mate. It felt good. Closed the front door—click! And he was off. Very satisfying.
Oh, all right, there had been a bit of a fight. She’d flown at him—screaming, pleading—and he was propelled backwards, over the arm of the sofa, taking her with him. [continue reading…]
by Editor
on February 14, 2016
FIRST HONORABLE MENTION
The 2016 Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition
By BARRY CHARMAN
The conditions were challenging, but Suzette didn’t mind. Exhilaration had a price, easily paid. Ever since she’d first glimpsed the field, driving past all those months ago, all she’d been able to think of was painting it. She set up on a small ridge so she could see the field fully as it extended into the distance. A river of golden wheat, glowing like a sea beneath a sun. The wind blew colours her way. The view seemed to change by the moment. Down at the far end of the field an old black mill, hunched like a wounded animal, was the only thing that seemed to stay in place. At least, until she noticed the figure. A man, she thought, some local? He was just standing there, unmoving. She continued to paint, greys now whirling into black—such a sky—but his fixed presence began to distract her. She almost thought of going down to talk to him, when she suddenly realized it must be a scarecrow. Of course. Some farmer must have added it after she’d first scouted the field. It was annoying, but she could overlook it. [continue reading…]
by Editor
on February 14, 2016
SECOND HONORABLE MENTION
The 2016 Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition
By STUART RIDING
You find yourself in a wood surrounded by bracken and undergrowth, the moonlight dappled between leafless branches. You are thereby mildly inconvenienced – pausing for a moment – but you soon untangle yourself and start moving. Moving on all fours.
On all four paws.
Fast. You are fleet-footed.
You pause again to look down at your fur . . . dirty dark-auburn moonlit brown. You look back around at your off-white tail.
You think: Fox.
Again! Yes. We are going for a little walk, you think. Escaping a dim memory of vague, intangible threat you take yourself down to the beach. The moon’s still out. It is low tide. [continue reading…]
by Editor
on February 1, 2016
An Illustration For Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Painted In 1793-1794 By Swiss Artist Johann Heinrich Füssli
One Contest Closes, Another Opens!
The Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition for short-short stories on a supernatural theme is now closed to submissions. Thanks to everyone who sent us a story—you’ll be hearing from us soon. The winner and honorable mentions will be announced and published on February 14.
Meanwhile, The Ghost Story Supernatural Fiction Award contest for full-length short stories that incorporate an uncanny element is scheduled to open on February 15, with cash prizes of $1,000 for the winning story, $250 for the first Honorable Mention, and $100 for the Second Honorable mention—plus publication on TGS.
This will be the third time we’ve run The Ghost Story Supernatural Fiction Award. Our previous winners are available for your reading enjoyment. May they provide you with some inspiration—and a pleasurable shudder!
