Meet Tim Collyer, winner of our 2025 Flash Fiction competition with his piece, What Mirrors Cannot Change, now available to read on our winner’s blog page. As part of the prize, we aim to shine a light on emerging writers, and in this episode, we speak with Tim about his remarkable journey into writing, his love for flash fiction, and what’s next for him creatively.

Tim’s story is one of transformation—after surviving a heart attack that nearly took his life, he woke with a fierce determination to write. He threw himself into the world of fiction, entering as many competitions as possible over the course of a year. In doing so, he discovered a passion for flash fiction’s tight, expressive form, and is now planning a flash novella that builds on this love.

Get to know Tim better with our New2theScene presenter and hear how this turning point in life gave him not just a second chance, but a new purpose: to write with urgency, clarity, and heart.

New2theScene is a platform dedicated to discovering new or not-yet-familiar talent. Follow us on Instagram (@new2thescene.official) for the latest offers, news, and upcoming podcast guests. Visit our bookstore at new2thescene.co.uk to order books mentioned in this or other podcasts—and unearth your next great read.