The Flash Fiction competition, run by the University of Aberdeen’s Museum & Special Collections is open to writers of all ages with separate categories for children, young adults and over 18s.

Entries are now open for the popular annual fiction competition which asks budding writers to come up with an exciting tale in just 100 words.

The theme for 2022 is ‘an unusual party’ and entries will be judged by successful Aberdeen children’s author Alex McCall.

McCall has created his own piece of flash fiction on the subject and has worked with the University to produce a series of online tutorials to guide budding writers through the creative process.

The winners, who will each receive book vouchers, will be announced on World Book Day – March 3 2022, with entries required by February 27.

Competition organiser, Jen Shaw Assistant Curator of Museums and Special Collections at the university of Aberdeen, said:

“We had a great response to last year’s flash fiction competition, and we can’t wait to read more of your micro-fiction this year – especially as 2022 is a Year of Scotland’s Stories.

“You can have a lot of fun creating a tiny story. Our competition judge, Alex, chose to describe a party in which ‘The cakes must be fluffy with jam of a dozen varieties, cream from three different animals and butter from three more’.

“You can read his whole story (exactly 100 words!) on the competition website and if you need a bit of help, we’ve a series of short, animated tutorials on how to get started with Flash Fiction too!”

Competition details as well as lots of inspiring information about the creative power of books is available at Activity Page: THE CREATIVE POWER OF BOOKS