Jul 13, 2016 | Joe Melia
We are delighted to announce the 40 stories and writers selected for the 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize longlist. We received a total of 2,160 entries and, once again, feel very fortunate to have been sent so many wonderful stories. It has been inspiring to see the vast number of styles, themes, structures, voices, characters,…
Jul 04, 2016 | Joe Melia
We have more exciting publication news to report. Pigeon, Alys Conran’s debut novel, was published last month by Parthian. The Wales Arts Review calls it “heart wrenching” and “thoroughly engaging”. It was simulataneously published in English and Welsh (translated by Sian Northey) and was the Welsh Book Council’s English-language Book of the Month for June.…
May 17, 2016 | Joe Melia
Congratulations to our 2015 winner, Brent van Staalduinen, on the publication of his debut novel last month. Saints, Unexpected has been published by Canadian publisher Invisible Publishing and was launched in Brent’s home town of Hamilton, Ontario. We wish Brent every success with the novel and hope it will be published in more countries very…
Mar 16, 2016 | Joe Melia
Many congratulations to Richard Fifield whose debut novel, The Flood Girls, was published last month by Simon and Schuster in the U.S.. The book has been receiving great reviews from bloggers, readers and the press. Kirkus Reviews calls it a “lovable chronicle of small-town insanity” and Publishers Weekly says it is an “excellent fiction debut…hilarious…
Feb 26, 2016 | Joe Melia
Joanna Campbell’s debut short story collection, When Planets Slip Their Tracks, has been published by Ink Tears. This is the latest in a succession of recent achievements by Joanna, including the publication of her debut novel, Taking Down the Lion (Brick Lane Publishing), last year and her triumphant winning of the 2015 London Short Story…
Jan 29, 2016 | Joe Melia
Many congratulations to Danielle McLaughlin, whose debut collection of short stories, Dinosaurs on Other Planets (John Murray), was published earlier this month in the UK and has been receiving widespread acclaim, just as it did when it was first published in Ireland by The Stinging Fly last year. Here are some of the great reviews…
Jan 19, 2016 | Joe Melia
We’re thrilled to have another fantastic judging panel for this year’s Bristol Short Story Prize. The panel will be chaired by the brilliant Tania Hershman. Tania is the author of two celebrated short story collections, The White Road and Other Stories (Salt, 2008), which was commended by the judges of the 2009 Orange Award for…
Dec 04, 2015 | Joe Melia
In the fifth and final of our Best Short Stories of 2015 features there are many more great collections to celebrate. A huge thank you to all those who contributed and we hope you enjoy discovering new writers and stories as much as we have. Helen Dunmore (Award-winning, celebrated writer of short stories, poetry, novels…
Dec 03, 2015 | Joe Melia
Our 2015 short story celebration continues……. Chioma Okereke (Writer of fiction and poetry, Chioma’s debut novel, Bitter Leaf (Virago), was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize in 2011 – Africa Best First Book. She was a runner up in the 2013 Costa Short Story Award) While the publishing industry is on its quest for what…
Dec 02, 2015 | Joe Melia
More great short story recommendations coming up in today’s selection of 2015’s best collections: Sinéad Gleeson (Arts journalist & broadcaster, Sinéad presents The Book Show on RTÉ Radio 1 in Ireland. She is the editor of the short story anthologies The Long Gaze Back and Silver Threads of Hope (New Island Books)) A Manual for…
Dec 01, 2015 | Joe Melia
Here’s part 2 of this week’s look at the best short story collections of the year. Enjoy! Elizabeth McCracken (Author of 2 story collections and 3 novels, Elizabeth’s most recent collection, Thunderstruck & Other Stories (Vintage), won the 2015 Story Prize. She is James A. Michener Chair in Fiction at the University of Texas)…
Nov 30, 2015 | Joe Melia
2015 has been a great year for short story collections. We thought we’d celebrate this by inviting some writers, readers and publishers to select their favourite collections of the year. A huge thank you to all those who have submitted their recommendations. We’ll be posting the selections every day this week until Friday, so please…
Oct 27, 2015 | Joe Melia
We are very excited to announce that the 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize is open! The closing date for entries is 30th April 2016. Stories can be on any theme or subject and entry can be made online via the website or by post. Entries must be previously unpublished with a maximum length of 4,000…
Oct 22, 2015 | Joe Melia
The 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize will be launched next Tuesday, October 27th. And ahead of opening our new competition we are delighted to announce our brilliant new judging panel for 2016. They bring with them huge experience, knowledge and uncompromising commitment to short stories. They are also wonderful supporters of new and established writers.…
Oct 19, 2015 | Joe Melia
Our 2015 Awards Ceremony took place in the most appropriate setting imaginable – the wonderful Reading Room in Bristol’s Central Library. It was great to welcome 11 of this year’s shortlisted writers to the event and celebrate their writing. Our guest speaker for the evening…
