Never Mind the Baubles
flash fiction for the festive season!
Wednesday 18 December, Zoom, 7.30pm
Tickets: £3/£2*
(Writers selected to read will be admitted free)
The end of the year has traditionally seen people - whatever their faith or lack of it - gather to share food, each other's company, and stories. Some celebrate Christmas, others Hannukah, Rohatsu, Kwanzaa or the winter solstice: most celebrate each other.
So... we're inviting local writers to submit a story about the season to share with us all. Beyond being topical (and broadcastable, of course), there are no rules: tinsel and tears are equally valid, and gifts might turn out to be welcome or unwelcome, physical or metaphorical. Stories might sparkle with joy and compassion, but then again a little darkness is hardly unexpected so close to the longest night. The Spirit of the Season might be found in dreams, on the drinks trolley, or loitering outside the garden gate in harem pants and an exotic hat. We're looking for imaginative, original writing: it's December - give generously!
NB: as well as your selected piece, we will ask you to recommend a book that might make a perfect festive present. (The book can be as exuberant or macabre as you wish, but we do expect at least a loose link to the season.) Be prepared to name the book and briefly explain why you've chosen it.
To find our how our writers have responded to this prompted theme, simply sign up and tune in on the night. Paper hats entirely optional!
Submissions
Submissions are open until 23 November. Anyone aged 14 or older and living, working or studying in Buckinghamshire (including Milton Keynes), Bedfordshire or Northamptonshire is eligible to enter two flash fiction pieces of up to 500 words each. We will select our favourites to be read on the night by their writers, who will get free admission to the event.
MinK2025 Creative Writing Competition
Don't forget you can also enter our 2025 Creative Writing Competition. It's open to anyone aged 14 or older and living, working or studying in Buckinghamshire (including Milton Keynes), Bedfordshire or Northamptonshire, who can submit flash fiction piece, creative non-fiction and/or poems. There will be cash prizes for winning entries, which - along with highly commended submissions - will appear in our next MinK anthology, to be launched at our Spring Festival in April 2025. Entries will close in January 2025.