We want to offer a huge congratulations to this year’s twelve longlisted 40 WORDS writers!

As always, the standard has absolutely exceeded our expectations and filled us with admiration at how these writers achieve so much, using so few words.

You are warmly invited to attend the online launch of ‘micro’ Issue 22 of ‘The Bangor Literary Journal’ which will feature the twelve pieces selected for the 2025 40 WORDS longlist. The launch will be available to watch on our YouTube channel on Sunday 28th September at 9pm. You will hear the longlisted writers read their pieces and our 2025 poetry and prose winners will be announced.

You can join the free event at 9pm on Sunday 28th September here: https://www.youtube.com/@thebangorliteraryjournal5608

Please spread the word!

Amy & Paul

2025 40 WORDS LONGLIST

Seán Carlson: ‘Stranded’

Kay Cuthbertson: ‘String of Perils’

Denis Mayne: ‘Night on the Coastal Path’

Peter Adair: ‘Dr Finlay’s Casebook, 2025’

Rhona Stephens: ‘Sijo’

Chris Cottom: ‘When they came for the mime artists, I did not speak out’

Marie Studer: ‘Love Song’

Siobhan Ward: ‘In the queue at the post office’

Heidi Edmundson: ‘Everything Leaves its Mark’

Chris Cottom: ‘Fewer than Ever at the Regimental Reunion’

Rhona Stephens: ‘My Next Pair of Shoes’

Denis Mayne: ‘The garden of an early nineteenth century farmhouse in the grounds of a first millennium settlement rath.’

Notable Mentions

Peter Gardiner: ‘Untitled’ (SS Guard)

Rosaline Callaghan: ‘please’

J. W. Surface: ‘Rain and Diapers’

Stephen Smythe: ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’

Terry Hickland: ‘Moving Worlds’

Chris Cottom: ‘They both worked in Sofas and Armchairs’