Gill O'Halloran
@quickasaflash.bsky.social
Lido-lover, inhales music,exhales poems + flash @BathFlashAward, @OxfordFlash anthologies, @Smokelong Quarterly. Winner @Prop_Pencil comp 24, NFFD 25 Editors Choice, WestWord 25. Shortlisted Fish & Cambridge Prizes 25. Pushcart nominated.
I'm so happy to be the winner. Congrats to @alisonwassell.bsky.social and @abbywilliams.bsky.social + long and shortlisters. Thanks @scooterwriter.bsky.social for judging and @smokelong.bsky.social of course where this began.
The results are in for the third quarter's flash fiction category as judged by @scooterwriter.bsky.social
Many congratulations to the authors - and also to all who made the long and short lists. The standard was very high!
flash500.com/flash-fictio...
#flashfiction #WritingCommunity
Many congratulations to the authors - and also to all who made the long and short lists. The standard was very high!
flash500.com/flash-fictio...
#flashfiction #WritingCommunity
Flash Fiction: Winners
flash500.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I'm so happy to be the winner. Congrats to @alisonwassell.bsky.social and @abbywilliams.bsky.social + long and shortlisters. Thanks @scooterwriter.bsky.social for judging and @smokelong.bsky.social of course where this began.
I've learnt a lot since joining Smokelong + I owe a good few successes to their prompts.
It's FlashGiving! Follow @smokelong.bsky.social if you don't already, then like and share this post to get your name in the hat to win $200 holiday money. Deadline is midnight ET, November 26th! Winner chosen randomly on Nov 27th. Please tag @smokelong.bsky.social so that we know you've posted!
November 8, 2025 at 9:20 AM
I've learnt a lot since joining Smokelong + I owe a good few successes to their prompts.
www.facebook.com/share/p/17ep...
I made the finalists' list for the London Independent Story Prize. It's about David Bowie's brother. Very happy to place this one. It was born in March Micro Marathon, thank you @smokelong.bsky.social
I made the finalists' list for the London Independent Story Prize. It's about David Bowie's brother. Very happy to place this one. It was born in March Micro Marathon, thank you @smokelong.bsky.social
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:43 PM
www.facebook.com/share/p/17ep...
I made the finalists' list for the London Independent Story Prize. It's about David Bowie's brother. Very happy to place this one. It was born in March Micro Marathon, thank you @smokelong.bsky.social
I made the finalists' list for the London Independent Story Prize. It's about David Bowie's brother. Very happy to place this one. It was born in March Micro Marathon, thank you @smokelong.bsky.social
Buy it for the stories. Buy it for the charity your money will support (wilderness places and wilderness creatures)
There are 27 short fictions in our print anthology - two of them deal beautifully with stories of escape 🦝
If these teases tempt you, you can grab a copy for less than £10!
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
What Comes to Light by @quickasaflash.bsky.social 💜
Thin Place by @justine1902.bsky.social 💜
If these teases tempt you, you can grab a copy for less than £10!
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
What Comes to Light by @quickasaflash.bsky.social 💜
Thin Place by @justine1902.bsky.social 💜
November 6, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Buy it for the stories. Buy it for the charity your money will support (wilderness places and wilderness creatures)
Well that was a nice surprise. I somehow missed reading the longlist and only saw the shortlist today, and my story's on it! ( note to self: subscribe!)🫰
The following international competitions are open for entries:
Flash fiction judged by @scooterwriter.bsky.social (closes 30 Sept)
Novels judged by @bookouture.bsky.social (closes 31 Oct)
Short story judged by @wendyclarke.bsky.social (closes 28 Feb 2026)
Find out more here: flash500.com
Flash fiction judged by @scooterwriter.bsky.social (closes 30 Sept)
Novels judged by @bookouture.bsky.social (closes 31 Oct)
Short story judged by @wendyclarke.bsky.social (closes 28 Feb 2026)
Find out more here: flash500.com
Flash Fiction writing competition
Flash 500 is the home of writing competitions for Flash Fiction, Short Stories and Novels. Enter yours today and win cash prizes.
flash500.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Well that was a nice surprise. I somehow missed reading the longlist and only saw the shortlist today, and my story's on it! ( note to self: subscribe!)🫰
Wow. Tom Weller has written a series of Scrap Boys flashes, incl. 'Rangers', 'Bottles', 'Hunger', but I think this one's his best.
FLASH FROGTOBER👻🐸
“Wrestling” by @tomwellerstories.bsky.social is now up!
Art by Sophia Eisenbart Macias
flash-frog.com/2025/10/27/w...
“Wrestling” by @tomwellerstories.bsky.social is now up!
Art by Sophia Eisenbart Macias
flash-frog.com/2025/10/27/w...
Wrestling by Tom Weller
They all hear the crowd, a whooshing roar, a sound like a train entering a tunnel. But there is no crowd, just a weed-choked backyard, a chain-link fence chattering when the wind blows, the whooshi…
flash-frog.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Wow. Tom Weller has written a series of Scrap Boys flashes, incl. 'Rangers', 'Bottles', 'Hunger', but I think this one's his best.
Reposted by Gill O'Halloran
Once in a blue moon I write a poem.
November 4, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Once in a blue moon I write a poem.
Well done to the winners!
October 31, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Well done to the winners!
Huge congrats to the shortlisters, you stars! (not me). And good on us nearly-got-there longlisters. I'm thrilled to now have 2 in the 2025 anthology, but still chasing that elusive shortlist! Kudos to @bathflashaward.bsky.social for the professionalism + @kazbarwrites.bsky.social for the judging.
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 3:04 PM
Huge congrats to the shortlisters, you stars! (not me). And good on us nearly-got-there longlisters. I'm thrilled to now have 2 in the 2025 anthology, but still chasing that elusive shortlist! Kudos to @bathflashaward.bsky.social for the professionalism + @kazbarwrites.bsky.social for the judging.
This will be worth tuning into. 7pm UK time.
Reading and launch party for Five Stories by Travis Flatt
We've got: Kleopatra Olympiou, Fiona McKay, Ani King, Katherine Plumhoff, Coleman Bigelow, Lucas Flatt, Mario Aliberto, and Liz Rosen
(NOV.2, at 3PM NYC time)
www.sandandgravelpress.com/readings
We've got: Kleopatra Olympiou, Fiona McKay, Ani King, Katherine Plumhoff, Coleman Bigelow, Lucas Flatt, Mario Aliberto, and Liz Rosen
(NOV.2, at 3PM NYC time)
www.sandandgravelpress.com/readings
Travis Flatt Chapbook Release 11/2 — SAND AND GRAVEL PRESS
www.sandandgravelpress.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This will be worth tuning into. 7pm UK time.
Oooh, just seen. One of my submissions is on the longlist, the one I least expected! A morale booster. Congratulations to everyone.
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 29, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Oooh, just seen. One of my submissions is on the longlist, the one I least expected! A morale booster. Congratulations to everyone.
Just found this gem. Odd, funny, smelly, and emotional, like all the best stories!
I was SO busy this week, I missed my short story "Grown Boy" going up at Intrepidus Ink. Not tomorrow, like the video says, but live now.
It's flash, so takes only a few minutes to read. Go check it out.
#amwriting #flash #flashfiction #magicalrealism
intrepidusink.com/grown-boy/
It's flash, so takes only a few minutes to read. Go check it out.
#amwriting #flash #flashfiction #magicalrealism
intrepidusink.com/grown-boy/
October 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Just found this gem. Odd, funny, smelly, and emotional, like all the best stories!
Reposted by Gill O'Halloran
Berwick Bank could kill more birds than any other windfarm on Earth, devastating colonies of Gannets, Puffins and Kittiwakes off Scotland’s coast. 🚨
We support renewables, but not at catastrophic cost to seabirds already in crisis.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JE...
We support renewables, but not at catastrophic cost to seabirds already in crisis.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JE...
Add your voice to a campaign to stop an offshore wind farm that threatens seabirds
YouTube video by RSPB
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Berwick Bank could kill more birds than any other windfarm on Earth, devastating colonies of Gannets, Puffins and Kittiwakes off Scotland’s coast. 🚨
We support renewables, but not at catastrophic cost to seabirds already in crisis.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JE...
We support renewables, but not at catastrophic cost to seabirds already in crisis.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JE...
Reposted by Gill O'Halloran
Really looking forward to hosting this panel discussion on "Emotional Depths" with @claudiamonpere.bsky.social & @dawnsteffler.bsky.social. Should be such a great event. It's a week on Monday at 7pm GMT for anyone who'd like to sign up:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
October 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Really looking forward to hosting this panel discussion on "Emotional Depths" with @claudiamonpere.bsky.social & @dawnsteffler.bsky.social. Should be such a great event. It's a week on Monday at 7pm GMT for anyone who'd like to sign up:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
I witnessed the birth of this flash at @flashficfestuk.bsky.social in @fionamckay.bsky.social 's excellent workshop and look at it now - beautiful! Congrats Rosaleen!
Thanks #MilkCandyReview for getting 'The Suitcase of Lost Belongings' out there! And thanks @corrineleith.bsky.social for the prompt and @fionamckay.bsky.social for the feedback to get there!
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/10/09/t...
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/10/09/t...
The Suitcase of Lost Belongings ~ by Rosaleen Lynch
She can’t take her children in the suitcase. They would fit if she emptied it. They could top and tail in the folds of the quilt she made of their clothes, but there’s not even enough room for thei…
milkcandyreview.home.blog
October 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I witnessed the birth of this flash at @flashficfestuk.bsky.social in @fionamckay.bsky.social 's excellent workshop and look at it now - beautiful! Congrats Rosaleen!
What a lovely surprise, a first for me. Congrats to the other nominees and thank you Trash Cat. Made my day!
We are thrilled to share our nominations for @pushcartprize.bsky.social
@francesgapper.bsky.social
@adlibby.bsky.social
@quickasaflash.bsky.social
@stephaniecarty.bsky.social
@maireadwrites.bsky.social
@emilyrinkema.bsky.social
Good Luck you fabulous Trash Family 💜
@francesgapper.bsky.social
@adlibby.bsky.social
@quickasaflash.bsky.social
@stephaniecarty.bsky.social
@maireadwrites.bsky.social
@emilyrinkema.bsky.social
Good Luck you fabulous Trash Family 💜
October 18, 2025 at 2:16 PM
What a lovely surprise, a first for me. Congrats to the other nominees and thank you Trash Cat. Made my day!
Reposted by Gill O'Halloran
“Enough cannot be said about Aldridge-Morris’s ability to pin an era. She is simply a wizard of time-and-place vibe.”
Check out our review of Cold Toast by Kathryn Aldridge-Morris! ❄️🍞🐈⬛
@kazbarwrites.bsky.social
www.claudineliterary.net/coldtoast
@kazbarwrites.bsky.social
www.claudineliterary.net/coldtoast
Cold Toast by Kathryn Aldridge-Morris | A Review
www.claudineliterary.net
October 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM
“Enough cannot be said about Aldridge-Morris’s ability to pin an era. She is simply a wizard of time-and-place vibe.”
www.smokelong.com/stories/anot... The joy of being part of @smokelong.bsky.social fitness is that you get prompted to read stories long after they were published. This one by @elissafield.bsky.social is amazing.
Another Problem Eels Don’t Need - SmokeLong Quarterly
Cocaine washed into the River Thames and wildlife experts made headlines crying out – not for the traffickers’ lost bump and the chance for thousands of Londoners to stay longer into the glitter of a ...
www.smokelong.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:33 AM
www.smokelong.com/stories/anot... The joy of being part of @smokelong.bsky.social fitness is that you get prompted to read stories long after they were published. This one by @elissafield.bsky.social is amazing.
Love Ani's work, discovered via @smokelong.bsky.social fitness groups. She always manages to write something that builds and builds and hits you in the gut. This one's no exception. Plus plenty of other good stories to be found in @claudineliterary.bsky.social
I’m so happy this piece found a home with @claudineliterary.bsky.social: www.claudineliterary.net/aniking
The whole inaugural issue is fantastic!
The whole inaugural issue is fantastic!
Ani King | Family Patterns: Cyanocitta cristata
www.claudineliterary.net
October 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Love Ani's work, discovered via @smokelong.bsky.social fitness groups. She always manages to write something that builds and builds and hits you in the gut. This one's no exception. Plus plenty of other good stories to be found in @claudineliterary.bsky.social
Aww thanks Underbelly.
This week’s Thursday Throwback features Steal Yourself for a Brighter Day by Gill O’Halloran ( @quickasaflash.bsky.social ). Told through the candid, distinct voice of a child, the gritty narrative carries a spark of defiance.
Read it now in Issue 1.
Read it now in Issue 1.
October 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Aww thanks Underbelly.
I entered 4 stories as I loved being in last year's anthology. 3 made it into the top 10% but sadly for me that's as far as it went this year. Congratulations to all the longlisters and good luck for the shortlist.
October 2, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I entered 4 stories as I loved being in last year's anthology. 3 made it into the top 10% but sadly for me that's as far as it went this year. Congratulations to all the longlisters and good luck for the shortlist.
Source: Instagram share.google/9ltU3nwXWRlV...
Led By Donkeys on Instagram: "Looks like Michelle Mone is going to have to sell that yacht (she’s just been ordered to pay back £122m to govt after supplying useless PPE and sticking the profits in a tax haven)"
60K likes, 1,656 comments - ledbydonkeys on October 1, 2025: "Looks like Michelle Mone is going to have to sell that yacht (she’s just been ordered to pay back £122m to govt after supplying useless PPE and sticking the profits in a tax haven)".
share.google
October 2, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Source: Instagram share.google/9ltU3nwXWRlV...
Reposted by Gill O'Halloran
It's publication day for FUEL ebook—with 75 prizewinning flash fictions plus TWELVE bonus flash stories not in the print book! It's a great read *and* all profits go to UK fuel poverty charities. The print book raised over £4k; winter is coming, help us raise more: www.fuelflash.net/product/fuel...
October 1, 2025 at 9:50 AM
It's publication day for FUEL ebook—with 75 prizewinning flash fictions plus TWELVE bonus flash stories not in the print book! It's a great read *and* all profits go to UK fuel poverty charities. The print book raised over £4k; winter is coming, help us raise more: www.fuelflash.net/product/fuel...
Beautiful!
A print run of 50 of my '26 calendars will be on pre-order in my Etsy shop tmrw (Thurs) from 8pm UK time.
I create each of my photos using recent neuroscientific research-looking at them alters brain biochemistry & is likely to trigger dopamine release in your brain &...cont'd in following post 🧵
I create each of my photos using recent neuroscientific research-looking at them alters brain biochemistry & is likely to trigger dopamine release in your brain &...cont'd in following post 🧵
October 1, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Beautiful!