#CBCSummerStory25

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 Full details 

Write a flash fiction story inspired by our prompts to be in with a chance of winning a course place and editorial report! Our #CBCSummerStory25 writing competition is now open for entries. We're hosting this competition over on Instagram (@curtisbrowncreative) from Thurs 31 July to Tues 9 Sept.

Use one of the three writing prompts set by our Founder Anna Davis to write an original flash fiction story or opening scene. Post your response to your Instagram page to be in with a chance of winning a place on one of our popular How to Write Your Novel courses, plus a feedback report from an expert CBC editor on your final task.

Keep reading for prize details and information on how to enter.

Prizes:

Three winners will be awarded a free place on the upgraded edition of one of our popular six-week online novel-writing courses. The winners will choose from: Starting to Write Your Novel, Write to the End of Your Novel and Edit & Pitch Your Novel. Plus they will get an end-of-course report on 3,000 words of their novel from a professional CBC editor (total prize value £405).

Prize may not be exchanged directly for cash. Prize must be redeemed 31 March 2026.

Winners must email help@curtisbrowncreative.co.uk to claim their prizes.

How to enter:

To enter the #CBCSummerStory25 competition on Instagram we want you to write an original flash fiction story or opening scene that continues from one of three prompts set by our Founder Anna Davis:

1. It’s always been my most hated time of year.

2. Something had shattered.

3. It made me smile just to think about it.

Post your chosen prompt’s image graphic to your Instagram grid. You can download the graphics by clicking the buttons below.

Prompt 1

Prompt 2

Prompt 3

Then write your mini story or opening scene in the caption of your Instagram post (up to a maximum of 300 words).

Remember to tag @curtisbrowncreative in the post and use #CBCSummerStory25 in your caption to enter.

Other rules:

  • Please follow the instructions found in the ‘How to enter’ section above.
  • Follow us on Instagram (@curtisbrowncreative).
  • Like this competition post.
  • You must be 18+ to enter. One entry per person. Public accounts only please. This competition is not affiliated with Instagram.
  • Competition starts Thurs 31 July 2025 at 11am. Competition ends Mon 8 Sept 2025 10.00am (UK time) and the winner will be announced in our stories and on our blog at 11.00am Tues 9 Sept (UK time).

We will update this blog by posting the three winning stories on Tues 9 Sept.

Helpful tips:

Here are some of our top tips for writing an opening scene or flash fiction story that transports your reader straight into the action…

  • There isn’t much room in this mini story (we’re asking for a maximum of 300 words) so make sure you get straight into the action and get your readers invested! Make every word work hard and strip away words that you don’t really need. You’ll find you can cover an amazing amount in just a few paragraphs.
  • Don’t rely on clichés. We’d love to see something fresh, new and intriguing. If you do use a well-worn trope, it’s fascinating to do something with it that subverts our expectations. Give us something to hook us in immediately – something which makes the reader curious or establishes a mystery which must be solved.
  • The action doesn’t need to be explosive. An unusual exchange between characters whispered in hushed tones can be just as dramatic as a man bursting into a room with a gun.
  • Take a moment to read over your draft before you press ‘post’. It’s also a good idea to read your #CBCSummerStory25 entry out loud to yourself to see how it sounds.
  • This competition is a great opportunity to have fun and stretch your writing muscles, so don’t be afraid to take some risks or leave the scene on a nail-biting cliff hanger.

We can’t wait to read your summer stories!

 

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