Settit Beyene, LISP 2025 Flash Fiction Winner

LISP 2025 Flash Fiction Winner Settit Beyene by 'The Last of Her Kind'

-Tell us about your writing journey.

My first attempt at writing a book was a historical novel about the cinnamon trade but after a few years, I started to write futuristic science fiction where I could make up my own facts.

When living in Italy and Spain, I wrote a book on how to learn languages for the price of a beer (half-pint). Now back in London, I write upmarket commercial fiction, poems and short stories, mostly contemporary.

I was selected for the London Library’s Emerging Writers Programme 2025/2026, where I’m writing a novel. I was also longlisted for the Yeovil Literary Prize for poetry and have wanted to get stuck into writing and reading more poetry since.

- How does it feel to have your work acknowledged, whether through winning a competition or having it published?

Fantastic! I collect rejections like Pokémon so this was a nice change. I’ve entered lots of competitions before and queried agents with a previous novel, you either win or you learn, let’s just say I’ve been learning a lot the last few years…

- What's the most rewarding and challenging aspect of writing a story?

The most challenging thing is letting go, I’m always itching to make changes. They say stories are never finished, they’re abandoned, I agree: I could edit my work until kingdom come and still not be satisfied, it often stops me moving onto something new.

The most rewarding part of finishing a story is, in the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. I’m known for getting my shears out with my writing, I don’t just kill my darlings, I massacre them, whole novels have become short stories with the click of a mouse or deleted completely. My hard drive is littered with the corpses of unviable novels, flawed stories and poetry that won’t see the light of day.

- Please share tips on writing stories.

Ensure there’s a character arc, people read for the journey and with flash fiction, it’s a short trip, so I try to pack everything in, like an overflowing suitcase I’m sneaking past budget airline staff.

For short fiction, I like to include a twist so the reader experiences a slow, creeping realisation of something seeded in the first line.

Also, your title is the first word of your story, it should create intrigue, pose a question or be memorable.

What’s next on your writing journey?

I’m querying agents with a commercial novel and soon I’ll write another book but will let the characters and plot marinate first.

- Would you recommend that writers submit to LISP?

Yes! Competitions can get your work seen, they’re great checkpoints to pass in the journey of writing. LISP have been wonderful in recognising all finalists, so thank you for this opportunity. I can’t wait to read everyone’s work.