These 20 stories are the winners in the 2017 Retreat West Short Story and Flash Fiction prizes.

A woman ventures out into a marsh at night seeking answers about herself that she cannot find; a man enjoys the solitude when his wife goes away for a few days; two young women make a get rich quick plan; and a father longs for the daughter that has gone to teach English in Japan.

These stories and more make up a wonderful collection looking at relationships of all kinds – the ones we have with ourselves, our lovers, our friends and our mothers. They are funny, poignant, sad and strange but all beautifully written and a fine example of the wonderful writers from all around the world that are creating short stories and flash fictions today.

Joanna Campbell