We are delighted to announce the fiction and poetry and shortlists and general longlist for the 2022 FORTY WORDS Competition. Thank you to everyone who entered and huge congratulations to those who appear on the lists this year. All shortlisted writers are invited to read their pieces at Issue 18’s launch at Fealty’s Bar, Bangor, Co Down, NI, where the winners of this year’s competition will be revealed.

Poetry Shortlist

P. W .Bridgman     Union Jack

Linda McKenna      Found Poem

Hildred Crill      Last Call

David Atkinson   ‘’What Is to Be Done?’’

Robin Holmes    Recital

Verity Peet    Always go to dinner first

David Atkinson     Pressed

Seamus Mc Dermott     Silk Eyelid

Fiction Shortlist

Réaltán Ní Leannáin      Tattoos

Jacob Surface          Grandpa

Yvonne Boyle          Skyfall

Stan McWilliams         House Band

Stephen Smythe       Klepto

Lisa Marie Lopez      Keepsake

Réaltán Ní Leannáin     Generations

Stephen Smythe       First Date

Longlist

Sarah-Jane Ross Redwood

Stephen Smythe      GSOH Essential

Lynda Tavakoli      Sing

Lucia Kenny     Final Contents

Karen Mooney      A Gulp of Swallows

Lorraine Carey      Ten

Hildred Crill       Come Evening

Seamus Mc Dermott     The Tuns