Hysteria 8

Hysteria 8 is the anthology of finalists in the Short Story, Poetry and Flash Fiction categories from the Hysteria Writing Competition 2021. The competition opens each year on the 1st of April each year and closes at midnight on the 31st of August. You can find out more about the competition, including rules and guidelines for entries on my website: www.lindaph.me. Never underestimate the power of words combined with each other to evoke an image, feeling or emotion. We are a species that tells our shared history and understanding through stories, poetry and song. And never has that been more important than now. We change our perspective and our understanding when we listen to the words others use to describe their experiences, hopes and dreams. And by coming together to share these words we gain a sense of what we have lost when we believe we are separate. Perhaps it's time now to put aside the differences the words we use appear to create and recognise that this is simply a different understanding. This year, the anthology contains many entries from countries I would never have expected to see, and I hope that this is perhaps the first of many such publications. As usual, I am awed and humbled that so many, often not writing in their native language, are able to put into words things that impact my soul in a deep and very meaningful way. My congratulations go to everyone who appears in the anthology, you are the best of an excellent bunch.