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…
Oct 15, 2015 | Joe Melia
The 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize has been won by Canadian writer, Brent van Staalduinen. His haunting story, A Week on the Water, thrilled the judges. Sara Davies, chair of the judging panel, says that it is “a story that perfectly illustrates the art of narrative understatement. On the surface it’s about fishing, but as…
Sep 28, 2015 | Joe Melia
Once again this year we are very fortunate to be publishing an anthology featuring 20 fantastic writers. And with the 2015 Awards Ceremony only 12 days away, we are delighted to introduce the 20 writers who are in the running for this year’s top prize. Michael Bird is an award-winning journalist and writer…
Sep 26, 2015 | Joe Melia
Each year we run an anthology cover design project with final year Illustration degree students at the University of the West of England. We are always astounded at the quality and originality of the work submitted by the students. Many congratulations to Imogen Clifton whose design (right) we are delighted to be using for this…
Sep 16, 2015 | Joe Melia
Yana Stajno‘s debut novel, Rules for Thursday Lovers, has recently been published by Clink Street Publishing. In Yana’s own words the novel: “Juxtaposes the mundane responsibilities of getting older with a never ending thirst for affection and adventure”. The Portobello Book Blog calls it “A highly entertaining read” and book blogger, Victoria Goldman, calls it…
Aug 28, 2015 | Joe Melia
Paul O’Reilly’s debut collection of short stories, The Girl Missing From the Window, has recently been published by Doire Press to great acclaim. Hubert O’Hearn, writing in the San Diego Book Review, says: “Ireland is truly blessed by its wealth of great short story writers who have been nurtured and encouraged by storytelling tradition with…
Aug 06, 2015 | Joe Melia
Lu Hersey is a vital part of the Bristol Short Story Prize. As a founding member, a reader of submissions and key decision maker in selecting the longlist, she has played a crucial role since the very beginning. Lu’s debut novel, Deep Water, has recently been published by Usborne to great acclaim. Malorie Blackman calls…
Aug 05, 2015 | Joe Melia
It is with great pleasure that we announce the shortlist for the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize. The 20 stories on the list will be published in the 8th Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology and are in the running for the £1,000 first prize. As in previous years we have been extremely fortunate to…
Jul 28, 2015 | Joe Melia
2015 is turning into a memorable year for Joanna Campbell. Her debut novel, Tying Down the Lion, was published last month by Brick Lane Publishing. Yesterday the novel, set in late sixties Berlin, was included in the longlist for the Guardian’s high profile Not the Booker prize. Congratulations to Joanna on this great accolade and…
Jul 22, 2015 | Joe Melia
It is with great excitement that we announce the 40 stories selected for the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize longlist. We have had a wonderful time reading this year’s entries – 2,420 stories from all over the world which have shown us in a thrilling way the infinite possibilities short stories offer to writers. We…
Jul 06, 2015 | Joe Melia
Angela’s Readman’s debut short story collection, Don’t Try This at Home, was published by And Other Stories in May and has been receiving brilliant reviews ever since: “a strong collection…sustained by a surprising subtlety” Kirkus Review “a masterclass in the surreal” The Independent “These are all delightful, odd, insightful, and original stories” Bookmunch “an evocative, memorable…
Jun 02, 2015 | Joe Melia
Nobody Will Ever Love You, Anthony Howcroft’s debut short story collection, has recently been published by Ink Tears. The remarkable thing about the book is that each of the stories has either won a prize in a writing competition or been previously published in a literary magazine. Katie Fforde says that Anthony is “an exciting…
Mar 18, 2015 | Joe Melia
It has been wonderful to see the great reception Catherine Chanter’s debut novel, The Well, has received since it was published by Canongate a couple of weeks ago. Sally Hughes calls it a “beautifully written fable for a modern age” at We Love This Book, and Chris Lynch at The Skinny says it is “superb:…
Mar 02, 2015 | Joe Melia
Many congratulations to Emily Bullock whose debut novel, The Longest Fight, set in the gritty world of post-war London boxing, was published by Myriad Editions last month. The book has been getting great reviews – “With her debut novel Emily Bullock shares something special” says Tina Koenig at The Skinny, “I was knocked out by…
