October 2025 Newsletter – The Shortlist

A little later than expected, as I usually try to get this email out in September, I can finally reveal all 30 shortlisted entries for Hysteria 2025. Congratulations to everyone listed.

Even if your name doesn’t appear on the list doesn’t mean your entry wasn’t worthy of making it on to the next stage; it was simply that there were too many exceptional entries to include.

All finalists are listed in alphabetical order:

Short Story Category

• Adele Evershed – Por Una Cabeza
• Brandon Keaton – Laugh Tracks
• Glenn Holmes – People Rain and Street Jazz
• Julie Bailue – 15 Hour Bride
• Mrs J R Tucker – Your Call
• Rachel Swabey – Seabeast
• Sally Curtis – Shedding
• Sarah Breen – Consumed
• Stephanie Percival – Reaching Home
• Stephen Welsh – When Harry Met Sally

Poetry Category

• A C Clarke – Enchanted Fairgrounds
• Ann Gibson – A Pressing Problem
• Anne Babbs – Perspective
• Christine Griffin – Barbie Doll
• Glen Wilson – Glossy Ibis
• Heather Cook – Meeting a Friend
• Helen Kay – Mrs Edwards Is At Home
• Iain McGrath – Mother Nurture
• Kate Woodward – Hush
• Simon Tindale – Rock Bottom

Flash Fiction Category

• Chris Cottom – The Beauty Of Maths
• Denarii Peters – Spring Dream, Autumn Folly
• Dorothy Buchanan – Hope the fighting Temeraire will help him sleep
• Laura Besley – What happens if you keep the cameras rolling after the kiss
• Lee Irving – Levelling Up Down Town
• Lindy Newns – All the thanks I never offered
• Peter Wright – Oh I do like to be beside the seaside
• Russell Lloyd – From Law to War
• Sadie Fleming – Cubicle 4
• Taria Karillion – Dadji’s Bucket List

I can also reveal this year’s cover, any guesses which entry inspired it? Leave a comment below with your best guess and one lucky person will win a copy of the anthology in paperback.

That’s all for now though folks, until November’s newsletter when the category winners will be revealed.

With love, light and laughter
Linda
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