Emily Slade wins Lucy Writers Flash Fiction Competition

Lucy Writers is an online platform showcasing the best writing and artwork from women and non-binary creatives all over the world. In collaboration with Lucy Cavendish College, the platform brings together Lucy students, alumnae and Fellows, as well as creatives from outside the College community.

After launching in January, the platform held its first Flash Fiction Competition last month. It has announced the winner as Emily Slade (pictured), with her micro-story ‘A Very British Rebellion’. Held in collaboration with Retreat West, Byte The Book and writer My Ly, the competition received many excellent submissions on the theme ‘Rebellion’, with entries from all around the world. The judges were thrilled by the inventiveness on display, and the innovative use of flash fiction. Emily’s piece caught the judges’ attention with strong dialogue, off-kilter humour, jolting imagery and taut structure.

Emily said she was “thrilled” to win the competition. A singer-song writer from Hertfordshire, Emily is a Lucy alumna: at the College, she completed a Master of Studies in Creative Writing in 2018. She’s now working on her first Young Adult novel, Don’t Tell, about a teenager trying to reconcile her love and fear of her dad, who has bipolar disorder. As the competition winner, Emily has a place on Retreat West’s online flash fiction course, and received a year-long membership from Byte The Book, as well as having her winning entry published in their newsletter. Read her story here.

Head Judge and Lucy Writers Creative Writing Editor, Tilda Bowden, described it as:

"An accomplished piece of writing, with a confident use of dialogue…a really fantastic use of flash fiction."

The platform’s Founding Editor-in-chief and Lucy alumna, Hannah Hutchings-Georgiou, said:

“The sharp and comic use of dialogue carries the characterisation brilliantly… the story should not be underestimated for its commentary on local borders, un-neighbourly hostilities and the petty aggressions we visit on strangers.”

My Ly, guest judge and sponsor of the competition, said:

“It was a real delight to read all of the entries, however Emily’s submission was the most ‘complete’ one and encompassed everything that flash fiction should be. I was impressed by her razor-sharp wit, fantastic dialogue, the unique interpretation of the theme, and, of course, its tight plot and development of the short story form.”

Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone from Byte The Book observed:

“A tale of two halves, Emily Slade’s ‘A Very British Rebellion’ plays with specifically British cultures of difference and silence to powerful and poignant effect. A very worthy winner.”

Amanda Saint, novelist, publisher and founder of Retreat West, said:

“Emily's Slade's winning story is multi-layered and reveals much about the psyche behind the British 'my home is my castle' belief. I look forward to working with her.”

Lucy Writers welcomes submissions from all women and non-binary writers, whether they’re established or new-to-the-writing-desk. Lucy Writers wants to hear from you: let the platform be the space for your words. Send submissions here, and visit the website to learn more.

Lucy Cavendish College has a strong tradition of celebrating and supporting creative writers – most notably with the prestigious Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. Our 2019 winner was announced last week; read about it here.