Flash point

Fabulous news last week was that National Flash-Fiction Day was awarded funding by the Arts Council, so get Wednesday 16 May in your diary right this ruddy minute as it's going to be tippety-top. There will be loads of events and activities taking place around our fair land: check out the NFFD website for updates.

In Manchester, the FlashTag collective will be plaguing, sorry, pleasuring (heh) the general public with their short-short stories during daylight hours, then later on they'll be showing films of the goings-on at an evening bash - which will also include readings, a flash slam contest and a glittering awards ceremony - organised by Bad Language at the wonderful 3 Minute Theatre in Afflecks. Collaborate Here and For Books' Sake are also involved in the rainy city, running performance coaching classes, and there will be writing workshops led by some of the region's best talent, including Valerie O'Riordan.

There is also a flash fiction-writing competition (closing date 1 April), and winners will get to read at the Manchester event (it doesn't matter where you're based; just make sure you're available to read in Cottonopolis on 16 May). The entries will be judged by brilliant Manc-based writers David Gaffney, Emma Jane Unsworth and Cathy Bryant, so get scribbling. For full details, click here.