The title of a famous 1951 novel by Nicholas Monsarrat, soon after made into a memorable film about the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War. Let's hear your thoughts on 'The Cruel Sea' - prose, poetry, memoir, any format welcome. You might be inspired by Ulysses, the Vikings or Gulliver, Melville, the Bounty or the Arctic Convoys, or anything else, in fact or fiction - so long as 'The Cruel Sea' is experienced, in one form or another.

Today (April 22nd) marks the 30th anniversary of the death of Stephen Lawrence in a racially-motivated attack in London. Honour Stephen, and other victims of racial hatred, by writing a critique of racism. Any format - essay, prose, poem, fiction or non-fiction - is welcome.

Write a piece (poetry or prose) that illustrates a 'clash of cultures' - it could be Homo sapiens vs Homo neanderthalensis, Greeks vs Persians, Unionists vs Confederates, Mods vs Rockers, or even an entirely fictional one (e.g. Dwarfs vs Elves, Martians vs Earthlings). The tale can be told from any viewpoint.

'And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.' (Revelation 21.1) I'd miss the sea, for sure, in the afterlife (if I were to take this verse literally). If there were an afterlife (regardless of your own personal faith, just presume for the moment that there is), what one thing (or collective of things) would you miss most from this life if it/they was/were absent for all eternity? Explain why, if you can, concisely (maximum of 100 words for this challenge!)

Use the title of this challenge as a prompt - include the five words - somewhere - in your piece of prose, or poetry - no word limit - be as literal or figurative as you like - and see what flights of fancy these magpies take you upon!

The Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth is almost upon us. Write a piece (prose, poetry, fact, fiction, essay, memoir, polemic, or panegyric) about the (or a) Queen - it doesn't have to be Elizabeth the Second! Open to Brits and everyone else (including the rebels from the former colonies across the pond!).

Write a story, or poem about an unexpected encounter. Your tale can be sacred or profane, dark or humorous, based on fact or fiction - anything goes. No word limit this time!

It's said to be the most cliched of beginnings to a story. But can you write a truly interesting story beginning with the words: It was a dark and stormy night...?