Dearest compatriots, collaborators, friends, foes, gentlepeople, unicorns (both sparkly and plain), folkingtons, allies and everyone in between and either side and up and down and diagonal and round and round the whole glorious spectrum of humanity.

You may have heard about a rather unpleasant exclusionary flash fiction competition that’s been doing the rounds on Twitter lately. Not just exclusionary, but implying members of the LGBTQ+ community are somehow comparable to scenes of graphic violence or torture. Yeah. Not exactly what we want to see from a writing competition in 2018.

But you cannot fight hate with hate. The answer is love. Only love and always love. Whatever damn kind of love you’re into. Because love knows no bounds, people.

And so. Writers’ HQ are running a flash fiction competition on the theme: From LGBTQ+ With Love, with all proceeds going to MindOut, a mental health service for LGBTQ+ people.

Specifically, we want your LGBTQ+ stories, your stories of love, grace and compassion (and most importantly your creative swearing). Here’s the lowdown in a handy bullet list – click here for the full rules, FAQs and entry form:

• Word limit: 500 words
• Deadline: 30th November 2018
• 1st prize: £100 + 12 months Writers’ HQ membership + 3 writing retreats
• 2nd prize: £50 + 6 months Writers’ HQ membership  + 3 writing retreats
• 3rd prize: £25 + 3 months Writers’ HQ membership + 3 writing retreats
• Honourable mention: £25
• Judges: Kirsty Logan and Paul McVeigh
• Theme: LGBTQ+, love, acceptance, charity, grace (swearing and profanity highly encouraged)

SUBMIT YOUR STORIES HERE!