Anne Howkins
@anneh23.bsky.social
Charity worker, writer, dancer, tuneless singer, rambler. Discovering the joys of grand-parenthood.
Reposted by Anne Howkins
Who wants something entirely wonderful for a Monday? This month I've handed over my monthly craft article to a dazzle of other writers who've provided tips and prompts for writing effective flash:
prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com/p/tips-and-p...
prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com/p/tips-and-p...
Tips and Prompts for the New Writing Year
January feels a little too early in the year to be fully engaging my brain.
prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Who wants something entirely wonderful for a Monday? This month I've handed over my monthly craft article to a dazzle of other writers who've provided tips and prompts for writing effective flash:
prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com/p/tips-and-p...
prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com/p/tips-and-p...
Reposted by Anne Howkins
Do you write flash fiction? Do you enter flash fiction writing competitions?
FFF Competition Thirty-Two
100 to 300 words
1 W £165.00
2 HC £77.00
3 SL £66.00
#flashfiction
#writingcompetitions
£4.40/ £2.95 p.entry
Ends 23/2
Read the rules!
All the info...
freeflashfiction.com/current-comp...
FFF Competition Thirty-Two
100 to 300 words
1 W £165.00
2 HC £77.00
3 SL £66.00
#flashfiction
#writingcompetitions
£4.40/ £2.95 p.entry
Ends 23/2
Read the rules!
All the info...
freeflashfiction.com/current-comp...
January 12, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Do you write flash fiction? Do you enter flash fiction writing competitions?
FFF Competition Thirty-Two
100 to 300 words
1 W £165.00
2 HC £77.00
3 SL £66.00
#flashfiction
#writingcompetitions
£4.40/ £2.95 p.entry
Ends 23/2
Read the rules!
All the info...
freeflashfiction.com/current-comp...
FFF Competition Thirty-Two
100 to 300 words
1 W £165.00
2 HC £77.00
3 SL £66.00
#flashfiction
#writingcompetitions
£4.40/ £2.95 p.entry
Ends 23/2
Read the rules!
All the info...
freeflashfiction.com/current-comp...
Reposted by Anne Howkins
I was tempted to go full clickbaity on this one and title it:
“You won’t BELIEVE which MPs made nearly £70k from X”
But honestly?
You already know.
It’s Farage and the lads who shout most loudly about "protecting women and children" all while taking money from X.
Because of course it is.
“You won’t BELIEVE which MPs made nearly £70k from X”
But honestly?
You already know.
It’s Farage and the lads who shout most loudly about "protecting women and children" all while taking money from X.
Because of course it is.
They Say They "Protect Women and Children". X Paid Them Nearly £68,000
Four MPs. 691 hours. A platform facilitating abuse. And a silence that tells you everything.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 2:29 PM
I was tempted to go full clickbaity on this one and title it:
“You won’t BELIEVE which MPs made nearly £70k from X”
But honestly?
You already know.
It’s Farage and the lads who shout most loudly about "protecting women and children" all while taking money from X.
Because of course it is.
“You won’t BELIEVE which MPs made nearly £70k from X”
But honestly?
You already know.
It’s Farage and the lads who shout most loudly about "protecting women and children" all while taking money from X.
Because of course it is.
Huge thanks to @freeflashfiction.bsky.social for publishing this little one. Written in @mattkendrick.bsky.social Go with the Flow course last year.
You Can’t Ever Get a Champagne Cork Back in the Bottle
by
Anne Howkins
@anneh23.bsky.social
#FlashFiction #writingcommunity #flashfiction #shortfiction #fiction #writing #writerslift #microfiction
freeflashfiction.com/fiction/you-...
by
Anne Howkins
@anneh23.bsky.social
#FlashFiction #writingcommunity #flashfiction #shortfiction #fiction #writing #writerslift #microfiction
freeflashfiction.com/fiction/you-...
You Can’t Ever Get a Champagne Cork Back in the Bottle – Free Flash Fiction
21 You’re not asleep, but if you keep your eyes shut nobody will talk to you, not that anyone will, they’re all grimly holding themselves together. The waiting room’s reek of unwashed bodies, vomit an...
freeflashfiction.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Huge thanks to @freeflashfiction.bsky.social for publishing this little one. Written in @mattkendrick.bsky.social Go with the Flow course last year.
My little stories didn't make the cut, but congratulations to everyone whose stories did!!
DRUM ROLL!!!! 🥁🥁🥁
It gives me great pleasure to announce the SPARKLING longlist for the Welkin Writing Prize 2026.
Congratulations to all the writers on this list. And commiserations to everyone else. The standard was incredibly high:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-prize...
It gives me great pleasure to announce the SPARKLING longlist for the Welkin Writing Prize 2026.
Congratulations to all the writers on this list. And commiserations to everyone else. The standard was incredibly high:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-prize...
Welkin News | MattKendrick.co.uk
A writing prize open to all forms of narrative prose, be that flash fiction, short-short, vignette, haibun, hermit crab, prose poem or work that sits outside such labels.
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 12:07 PM
My little stories didn't make the cut, but congratulations to everyone whose stories did!!
Reposted by Anne Howkins
Hi, everyone! We're back with new posts this week! 💡
We hope you're doing well as we enter into this new year, and as a reminder, we are open for previously published submissions!
We hope you're doing well as we enter into this new year, and as a reminder, we are open for previously published submissions!
January 5, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Hi, everyone! We're back with new posts this week! 💡
We hope you're doing well as we enter into this new year, and as a reminder, we are open for previously published submissions!
We hope you're doing well as we enter into this new year, and as a reminder, we are open for previously published submissions!
Reposted by Anne Howkins
That's it folks!!!!
Entries are now closed for another year!
An INCREDIBLE 1277 (!!!) entries have been received. A record. I have some tough choices ahead.
The longlist should hopefully be coming your way on the 8th January. That's next Thursday!
Good luck!
Entries are now closed for another year!
An INCREDIBLE 1277 (!!!) entries have been received. A record. I have some tough choices ahead.
The longlist should hopefully be coming your way on the 8th January. That's next Thursday!
Good luck!
a red circle with the words that 's all folks written in white
Alt: In red circle, the words "That's all Folks!" appear
media.tenor.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:03 PM
That's it folks!!!!
Entries are now closed for another year!
An INCREDIBLE 1277 (!!!) entries have been received. A record. I have some tough choices ahead.
The longlist should hopefully be coming your way on the 8th January. That's next Thursday!
Good luck!
Entries are now closed for another year!
An INCREDIBLE 1277 (!!!) entries have been received. A record. I have some tough choices ahead.
The longlist should hopefully be coming your way on the 8th January. That's next Thursday!
Good luck!
Huge thanks to these lovely people making me very happy by publishing my stories in 2025 (and a couple due out in January)
@trashcatlit.bsky.social @thehooletsnook.bsky.social @bulbculture.bsky.social @nnfdc.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @thin-skin.bsky.social @bathflashaward.bsky.social
@trashcatlit.bsky.social @thehooletsnook.bsky.social @bulbculture.bsky.social @nnfdc.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @thin-skin.bsky.social @bathflashaward.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Huge thanks to these lovely people making me very happy by publishing my stories in 2025 (and a couple due out in January)
@trashcatlit.bsky.social @thehooletsnook.bsky.social @bulbculture.bsky.social @nnfdc.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @thin-skin.bsky.social @bathflashaward.bsky.social
@trashcatlit.bsky.social @thehooletsnook.bsky.social @bulbculture.bsky.social @nnfdc.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @thin-skin.bsky.social @bathflashaward.bsky.social
White Christmas Day in Sofia!
December 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
White Christmas Day in Sofia!
Reposted by Anne Howkins
Your pre-Christmas update. That's 800 entries now. Absolute mayhem. Last year's FULL TOTAL was 819, and there are still 9 days to go!!! Wow!
PS I'm exhausted but spellbound by all your brilliance.
PS I'm exhausted but spellbound by all your brilliance.
December 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Your pre-Christmas update. That's 800 entries now. Absolute mayhem. Last year's FULL TOTAL was 819, and there are still 9 days to go!!! Wow!
PS I'm exhausted but spellbound by all your brilliance.
PS I'm exhausted but spellbound by all your brilliance.
Thanks to @bulbculture.bsky.social for giving this little one an outing!
The light is on for Anne Howkins! @anneh23.bsky.social 💡
"Glass is Just Melted Sand" is an exquisitely crafted and haunting story that will undoubtably become one of your new favorites.
Check out Anne's truly gorgeous lyricism over at the site!
www.bulbculturecollective.com/read/glass-i...
"Glass is Just Melted Sand" is an exquisitely crafted and haunting story that will undoubtably become one of your new favorites.
Check out Anne's truly gorgeous lyricism over at the site!
www.bulbculturecollective.com/read/glass-i...
Glass is Just Melted Sand - Anne Howkins — Bulb Culture Collective
He dreams of broken bottles and the sea.
www.bulbculturecollective.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Thanks to @bulbculture.bsky.social for giving this little one an outing!
Reposted by Anne Howkins
I've taken the reins for this month's #Mondettes - it's my end-of-year round-up of some of my favourites from 2025, also known as the MAFFIAS!!!
mondettes.substack.com/p/december-2...
mondettes.substack.com/p/december-2...
December 16, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I've taken the reins for this month's #Mondettes - it's my end-of-year round-up of some of my favourites from 2025, also known as the MAFFIAS!!!
mondettes.substack.com/p/december-2...
mondettes.substack.com/p/december-2...
Reposted by Anne Howkins
The Govt’s new strategy to phase out animal experiments is a step forward - but it's not bold enough. It targets low-impact areas and avoids real reform. 🐾
💥 Email your MP and demand stronger action: secure.animalfreeresearchuk.org/page/181459/...
#AnimalFree #HerbiesLaw #KinderScience
💥 Email your MP and demand stronger action: secure.animalfreeresearchuk.org/page/181459/...
#AnimalFree #HerbiesLaw #KinderScience
November 11, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The Govt’s new strategy to phase out animal experiments is a step forward - but it's not bold enough. It targets low-impact areas and avoids real reform. 🐾
💥 Email your MP and demand stronger action: secure.animalfreeresearchuk.org/page/181459/...
#AnimalFree #HerbiesLaw #KinderScience
💥 Email your MP and demand stronger action: secure.animalfreeresearchuk.org/page/181459/...
#AnimalFree #HerbiesLaw #KinderScience
Reposted by Anne Howkins
UK Gov’t plans to phase out animal testing — a first step.
But we need action ✊
Our 4 priorities push for real progress for animals & science. 🐾
Read more: animalfreeresearchuk.org/animal-free-research-uks-four-priorities-for-ending-animal-experiments
#HerbiesLaw #AnimalFree #KinderScience
But we need action ✊
Our 4 priorities push for real progress for animals & science. 🐾
Read more: animalfreeresearchuk.org/animal-free-research-uks-four-priorities-for-ending-animal-experiments
#HerbiesLaw #AnimalFree #KinderScience
November 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
UK Gov’t plans to phase out animal testing — a first step.
But we need action ✊
Our 4 priorities push for real progress for animals & science. 🐾
Read more: animalfreeresearchuk.org/animal-free-research-uks-four-priorities-for-ending-animal-experiments
#HerbiesLaw #AnimalFree #KinderScience
But we need action ✊
Our 4 priorities push for real progress for animals & science. 🐾
Read more: animalfreeresearchuk.org/animal-free-research-uks-four-priorities-for-ending-animal-experiments
#HerbiesLaw #AnimalFree #KinderScience
Reposted by Anne Howkins
“Funding from Animal Free Research UK has made this project possible.”
Meet Josh, who’s building an animal-free 3D lymph node model to study how mouth cancer spreads - using human cells, not mice. 🔬
A step toward better, kinder cancer research. 💙
#AnimalFree #KinderScience
Meet Josh, who’s building an animal-free 3D lymph node model to study how mouth cancer spreads - using human cells, not mice. 🔬
A step toward better, kinder cancer research. 💙
#AnimalFree #KinderScience
December 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
“Funding from Animal Free Research UK has made this project possible.”
Meet Josh, who’s building an animal-free 3D lymph node model to study how mouth cancer spreads - using human cells, not mice. 🔬
A step toward better, kinder cancer research. 💙
#AnimalFree #KinderScience
Meet Josh, who’s building an animal-free 3D lymph node model to study how mouth cancer spreads - using human cells, not mice. 🔬
A step toward better, kinder cancer research. 💙
#AnimalFree #KinderScience
Eek, launched a little story into the ocean that is the @welkinprize.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Eek, launched a little story into the ocean that is the @welkinprize.bsky.social
Reposted by Anne Howkins
FlashGiving! Today is the last day to get your name in the hat to possibly win $200 holiday $$. Just like/share this post or the original one. We'll choose a winner randomly tonight and announce tomorrow! Be sure to tag @smokelong.bsky.social to let us know you've entered!
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
FlashGiving! Today is the last day to get your name in the hat to possibly win $200 holiday $$. Just like/share this post or the original one. We'll choose a winner randomly tonight and announce tomorrow! Be sure to tag @smokelong.bsky.social to let us know you've entered!
Reposted by Anne Howkins
UK friends who, like me, might have some relatives thinking of voting Reform, you might want to tell them about this. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Lancashire’s Reform-run council plans to close care homes and day centres
Questions about potential conflict of interest as council’s cabinet member for social care owns private care company
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM
UK friends who, like me, might have some relatives thinking of voting Reform, you might want to tell them about this. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Anne Howkins
NFFD will open our MicroFiction Comp ((up to 100 words) & subs to our new anthology (theme to be announced) on 1 Dec. More details coming soon!
a cartoon drawing of snoopy sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper
ALT: a cartoon drawing of snoopy sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
NFFD will open our MicroFiction Comp ((up to 100 words) & subs to our new anthology (theme to be announced) on 1 Dec. More details coming soon!
Reposted by Anne Howkins
We’ve nailed the slogans. We’ve got the mugs, the hashtags, the “It’s okay not to be okay” posters.
What we don’t have is access to actual care.
In todays piece, I discuss Movember, men and the gap that exists between talking and being heard.
🐻
What we don’t have is access to actual care.
In todays piece, I discuss Movember, men and the gap that exists between talking and being heard.
🐻
Movember: Great Moustaches, Terrible Mental Health Infrastructure
We’ve nailed the slogans and motivational posters. Now it’s time to build the bloody scaffolding underneath them
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
We’ve nailed the slogans. We’ve got the mugs, the hashtags, the “It’s okay not to be okay” posters.
What we don’t have is access to actual care.
In todays piece, I discuss Movember, men and the gap that exists between talking and being heard.
🐻
What we don’t have is access to actual care.
In todays piece, I discuss Movember, men and the gap that exists between talking and being heard.
🐻
Ooh, it's still there...
www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2025/10/31st...
Hot on the heels of the Longlist here’s the shortlist of 20 as selected by judge @kazbarwrites.bsky.social for our 31st Award. Congratulations to all!
Hot on the heels of the Longlist here’s the shortlist of 20 as selected by judge @kazbarwrites.bsky.social for our 31st Award. Congratulations to all!
31st Award Short List
Huge congratulations to the twenty authors who have made our 31st Award short listAuthor names are yet to be announced, so while it is fine to share you are on the short list, please do not identif…
www.bathflashfictionaward.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Ooh, it's still there...
Reposted by Anne Howkins
Very well researched piece by UCL - Wind power has cut £104bn from UK energy costs since 2010.
The only answers to better energy security and overall lower energy costs are more wind power and renewables - implemented in a way that allows for a just transition.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The only answers to better energy security and overall lower energy costs are more wind power and renewables - implemented in a way that allows for a just transition.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Wind power has cut £104bn from UK energy costs since 2010, study finds
Reduction comes from energy generated from windfarms and lower cost of gas owing to lower demand
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Very well researched piece by UCL - Wind power has cut £104bn from UK energy costs since 2010.
The only answers to better energy security and overall lower energy costs are more wind power and renewables - implemented in a way that allows for a just transition.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The only answers to better energy security and overall lower energy costs are more wind power and renewables - implemented in a way that allows for a just transition.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Delighted to see my story on this list, thank you!
www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2025/10/oct-...
Very late in the day but at last our Oct 2025 Longlist. Congratulations to all. And apologies for the delay
Very late in the day but at last our Oct 2025 Longlist. Congratulations to all. And apologies for the delay
Oct 2025 Long List
Congratulations to all the authors who have made our Award long list and huge thanks to all who entered.Author names are yet to be announced, so while it is fine to share that you are on the long l…
www.bathflashfictionaward.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Delighted to see my story on this list, thank you!
Reposted by Anne Howkins
This is an interesting piece but I just read it going “the missing bit is the section on how the internet has fried everyone’s brains”.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Buxton: Why one small town with very little immigration turned to Reform UK
How national concerns affected a local election in the heart of the Peak District.
www.bbc.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:26 AM
This is an interesting piece but I just read it going “the missing bit is the section on how the internet has fried everyone’s brains”.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Anne Howkins
there you have it folks
she can't pay back what she swindeld but she can buy a £10 million home. in america 👇
MICHELLE Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman have bought a £10 million home on America’s
billionaire island” 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2557373...
she can't pay back what she swindeld but she can buy a £10 million home. in america 👇
MICHELLE Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman have bought a £10 million home on America’s
billionaire island” 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2557373...
Michelle Mone buys £10 million flat on Florida’s ‘billionaire island’
MICHELLE Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman have bought a £10 million home on America’s “billionaire island” ...
www.thenational.scot
October 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
there you have it folks
she can't pay back what she swindeld but she can buy a £10 million home. in america 👇
MICHELLE Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman have bought a £10 million home on America’s
billionaire island” 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2557373...
she can't pay back what she swindeld but she can buy a £10 million home. in america 👇
MICHELLE Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman have bought a £10 million home on America’s
billionaire island” 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2557373...