After the success of Manchester Northern Quarter’s first-ever Short Short Story Slam in April, writing collective Flashtag Manchester (comprising Sarah-Clare Conlon, David Hartley, Benjamin Judge, Tom Mason and Fat Roland) are bringing their flash fiction fight back to the bright lights of the city centre for a second bout.

The next slam takes place on Tuesday 8 July, 7.30pm, at Gullivers on Oldham Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. It’s £1 on the door for audience members; free for competitors. Brave writers do battle with short but sharp stories and the audience decides the winner. Cash and glory to be won. Blood and ink to be spilt.

Kate Feld praised April’s Slam on her Guardian-endorsed blog The Manchizzle: “The Flashtag team were experts at wringing the maximum entertainment from the experience while also maintaining a friendly and supportive vibe throughout.”

Meanwhile, Simon Sylvester, winner of the Short Short Story Slam April 2014, and author of flash collection Marrow and brand-new novel The Visitors, said:  “I won’t forget the sense of community I experienced at the slam – an amazing crowd; events like the slam are a howl of affirmation that stories are alive and people are hungry to share them.”

Flashtag’s July Short Short Story Slam is now open for competitors to apply – slots are limited to 12 and are allocated on a first come-first served basis. Competitors are required to bring with them three separate stories of no more than 200 words each to read out in a maximum of three rounds (depending how far through the competition they progress!). Full entry details are at http://www.shortshortstoryslam.co.uk.