Once again a big thank you to Meg Pokrass,for judging the Pokrass Prize, named for her as one of the founders in 2017 (along with Jude Higgins) of Flash Fiction Festivals UK. The first festival was held in Bath. This is the fifth year the Pokrass Prize contest has been open to festival participants. Each time, Meg has offered a very interesting visual image and words to include, as a prompt for your stories. The contest is open to anyone booked on to the festival (whether for the whole weekend, a single day or for the pre-festival workshop).

Meg says

Write a story (maximum 400 words) about a couple dealing with something difficult. Set the story in winter. See if you can conjure a feeling of cabin fever.. Try and include at least 1 of the prompt words.

Prompt words: leaning, palm, low, freckles, crushed, frost, burst, star, thigh, fold, itch.

Photo by Louella Lester

The first prize winner receives £50, a book from Ad Hoc Fiction and publication on this website and in the festival anthology and the two runners- up receive a book and publication.

The deadline for the contest is midsummer’s day, June 21st 2026 And the winners will be announced at the festival on Saturday 18th July. Stories should be sent with no identifying details on them as email attachments in word docx to story@flashfictionfestival.com. Your name and Pokrass Prize in the subject line of the email.

Do enter if you have booked. Good odds and good prizes! Good luck

Jude, February 2026.