As you may well have seen from posts by m’colleagues, we now have publication dates for both the UK meet related anthologies, along with a list of the confirmed contributors so far.  As a member of the selection committee I’m delighted to tell you that both anthologies have got a fantastic line-up of stories, all exploring different aspects of what it means to be British – and we were thrilled to see that some of our favourites were by newer authors.

British Flash – to be published on 16th June as a free ebook, this will contain flash fiction stories of up to 1,000 words.

Contributing authors: Alex Beecroft, Stevie Carroll, Charlie Cochrane,
Erastes, Elin Gregory, Sandra Lindsey, Clare London, JL Merrow,
Josephine Myles, Zahra Owens, Caroline Stephens, Lisa Worrall and
Serena Yates.

Tea & Crumpet (cover pending) – to be published by JMS Books on 3rd July as an ebook. Print copies should be available in time for the Meet on 23rd July. All profits to future UK meets.

Contributing authors: Alex Beecroft, Stevie Carroll, Jennie Caldwell,
Charlie Cochrane, Elin Gregory, Clare London, Anna Marie May, JL
Merrow, Josephine Myles, Zahra Owens, Jay Rookwood, Chris Smith, Lisa
Worrall and Serena Yates.

We’re still expecting more stories in for both anthologies – further contributors tbc.

My story in Tea & Crumpet, Good Breeding, is about that most British of subjects, class.  In my British Flash stories, Worst Pub in London (m/m) and Like a Girl (f/f), I’ve tried to reflect the multicultural makeup of Britain today.

Other contributors have explored themes including cricket, the royal wedding, freezing cold beaches and punting on the Cam, and there are some welcome reappearances by already-published characters.  As Josephine Myles said, raise your rainbow brollies high and celebrate!