8 March 2024
Many congratulations to Sufiyaan Salam who was recently announced as the winner of the #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize. Sufiyaan triumphed with his novel, Wimmy Road Boyz, which is set on Manchester’s Wilmslow Road and explores masculinity and British Asian identity.
Sufiyaan’s submission was one of 800 which the #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize received. The novel will be published next year by Penguin Random House.
#Merky Books was set up by Stormzy in 2018 to change the publishing landscape and has launched the careers of many new writers.
We can’t wait to read Sufiyaan’s novel and are thrilled to know that his brilliant writing will be reaching many more readers very soon.
Sufiyaan Salam won second prize in the 2022 Bristol Short Story Prize. His story is published by Tangent Books in our Volume 15 anthology.
9 February 2024
Great news for Mubanga Kalimamukwento; she has been recently announced as the winner of this year’s prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, one of the US’s leading awards for a collection of short stories. Mubanga’s winning collection, Obligations to the Wounded, will be published by the University of Pittsburgh Press in October this year.
Judge, Angie Cruz, says, “These thematically linked stories deliver an intricate study of Zambian women living in both Zambia and abroad who are weighing their options of who to love, where to live, where to work. The author, with a poet’s restraint, has written stories that deftly negotiate the challenges and tribulations women face when they feel the pressure and duty to yield to the will of family, community, customs, country, and spiritual beliefs. Obligations to the Wounded is a graceful, touching and generous collection.”
Big congratulations to Mubanga. We can’t wait to see Obligations to the Wounded published. The scheduled publication date is October 8th 2024.
Mubanga Kalimamukwento was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, The Devil’s Ivy. It is published in our Volume 12 anthology by Tangent Books.
4 February 2024
Congratulations to Deepa Rajagopalan whose short story collection, Peacocks of Instagram, will be published by Canadian publisher, House of Anansi, on May 7th.
Here’s more on the collection from House of Anansi’s website: “Engrossing, witty yet devastating stories about diasporic Indians that deftly question what it means to be safe, to survive, and to call a place home.
“In these fresh and intimate stories, Deepa Rajagopalan centres a cast of Indian women who are flawed, enterprising, and filled with desire. In the award-winning title story, an underappreciated coffee shop server haunted by her past attracts thousands of followers on social media with her peacock jewelry. A hotel housekeeper up against a world of gender and class inequity quietly gets revenge on her chauvinist boss. A fiercely independent engineer does not decamp to the sidelines of an affair but takes up space, living her life as variously as possible. A foster child, orphaned in an accident directly attributable to climate change brings down her foster father, an oil lobbyist, in spectacular fashion.
“With an intense awareness of privilege and the lack of it, the fourteen stunning stories in Peacocks of Instagram explore the complexities of love, loss, and desire, and the weight they carry.”
We wish Deepa huge success with the book and in reaching many more readers.
Deepa Rajagopalan was shortlisted for the 2023 Bristol Short Story Prize withe her story, Parasite. It is published in our Volume 16 anthology by Tangent Books.
14 January 2024
“Why Do Horses Run? depicts the darkest aspects of life with frankness, humour and lyrical brilliance. It is a novel that will stay with you.”
Congratulations to Cameron Stewart whose debut novel, Why Do Horses Run?, will be published this April in Australia by Allen & Unwin.
We wish Cameron every success with the novel and hope it brings him many new readers.
Cameron Stewart won the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize with his story, Black Snow. It is published in our Volume 12 anthology by Tangent Books.
1 January 2024
Congratulations to Caroline Vu whose recently published third novel, Catinat Boulevard, was a finalist for the Quebec Writers Federation’s Hugh McLennan Prize.
Catinat Boulevard was published by Guernica Editions in September. Author, Cora Sire, calls it “compelling, intense and audaciously vivid.”
The prize nomination for Catinat Boulevard follows previous awards success for Caroline’s debut novel, Palawan Story, which won the Canadian Authors Association’s Fred Kerner Prize and was a finalist for the Prix de la diversité Metropolis Bleu.
It is great to see Caroline’s storytelling prowess being recognised and finding more and more readers.
Caroline Vu was shortlisted for the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Television Voices. It is published in the Bristol Short Story Prize Volume 10 Anthology by Tangent Books.
26 December 2023
April 2024 will see the publication of Ethel Rohan’s second novel, Sing, I adding to her ever growing list of publications. As well as the two novels, Ethel has had 3 award-winning or nominated short story collections published, a memoir and her stories have appeared in numerous magazines and journals.
Sing, I will be published by US publisher Northwestern University Press who bill it as “one woman’s path to rediscovering herself through music, romance, and a little vigilantism.”
Author, Matthew Salesses, says of Sing I, “Ester Prynn is haunted, like her almost-namesake, by shame. She is living the same life so many of us are, going through the paces, in a loveless marriage, parenting a struggling kid. When a gunman holds up the store where she works, she knows she must change her life. With great compassion and an eye for the beautiful moments of regular life, Ethel Rohan tells the story of how shame can reveal to us that we aren’t being true to ourselves. Rohan is one of our finest writers and this book, like its title, sings.”
Congratulations to Rohan. We look forward to reading Sing, I next year. The novel can be pre-ordered here.
Ethel Rohan was shortlisted for the 2012 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Beekiller. It is published in our Volume 5 anthology by Tangent Books.
13 December 2023
Great news for David Frankel who will see his chapbook, The Hours of Our Lady published by Salò Press early next year. Salò Press are “an independent micro-publisher focusing on poetry & prose of an experimental / weird / surreal / cerebral nature.”
The Hours of Our Lady has a couple of tantalising, pre-publication reviews on its Salò Press website listing. Author of Gigantic, Ashley Stokes, says, “David Frankel’s sharp, alluring fragments read like reports from a disturbing world that, with gradual alarm, we realize is the same one we’re standing in. In these eerie commentaries, we feel flashes of Borges, Labyrinths and Ballard’s Atrocity Exhibition, though neither can fully prepare us for what we are about to experience. Dark-ravaged, ecclesiastical, rain-lashed, these are stories from a reality that before we glimpsed only in the corner of our eye, but now grows bigger, closer, presses in on us, urgently, with fervour.”
Congratulations to David. We really look forward to seeing The Hours of Our Lady next year. It is available to pre-order here: https://www.salopress.com/store/the-hours-of-our-lady/
David Frankel was shortlisted for the Bristol Short Story Prize with his story, Sink Rate. It is published in our Volume 14 anthology by Tangent Books.
23 November 2023
Happy publication day to Flic Everett and her novel, Murder in a Country Village, the second in her Edie York Mystery series.
Published by Bookouture, and set in wartime Britain, Flic’s first book in the cozy historical mystery series, A Report of Murder, has won her many rave reviews. Mhairi McFarlane, author of bestselling titles including Between Us and After Hello, said, “I fell head over heels for Edie and couldn’t put this down. Completely charming and deserves to be a huge hit.”
Murder in a Country Village continues reporter Edie York’s wartime ambitions to record headline news as she stumbles across the body of a peace activist at the bottom of a cliff.
Many congratulations to Flic on the latest Edie York instalment and we hope the series continues to grow in popularity and readership.
Flic Everett was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, The End of the Neighbourhood. The story is available in our Volume 12 anthology published by Tangent Books.
7 November 2023
Congratulations to Brent van Staalduinen who will have his latest novel, Unthinkable, published by Canadian publisher, At Bay Press in February 2024.
Unthinkable is Brent’s fourth novel and his first thriller. Here’s more on it from Brent’s website:
“The Unthinkable has devastated the west coast, turning thriving towns into debris-filled wastelands. Lorry Martens, a former special operations medic struggling with PTSD and living in a reclusive barge community, has long repressed her lethal combat and interrogation skills. All she wants is a simple, peaceful life, but after Neil is murdered, she uncovers his role in an ancient conspiracy. Lorry is pursued into the shattered landscape by the deadly shadows of his secret life, and is forced to rediscover, and confront, the darkest parts of herself.”
It’s great to see Brent’s storytelling talent going from strength to strength and that he is finding more readers all the time. We look forward to February next year!
Brent van Staalduinen won the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize with his story, A Week on the Water. It is published in our Volume 8 anthology and Winners Anthology, available from Tangent Books.
27 September 2023
Congratulations to Sean Watkin who has been signed by literary agent, Jordan Lees, at The Blair Partnership agency.
The agency will represent Sean’s debut novel when it is out on submission to publishers later this autumn. Writing on Twitter, Sean said that he “couldn’t be happier!” with the news.
It’s great to see Sean’s work on the way to reaching many more readers and we hope to see the novel in bookshops very soon!
Sean Watkin was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize with his story, I Walked There. It is published in our Volume 12 anthology by Tangent Books.
12 September
Congratulations to Avril Joy whose latest novel, The Silent Women, was published earlier this summer by Linen Press.
The novel, which is Avril’s third, is set in the 19th century in a women’s asylum. Here’s more from the Linen Press website: “In 1875, Simone Gastrell is conveniently committed to Long Meadows Asylum by her adulterous husband. Distraught but not defeated, she meets the silent women whose lives within the institution are ordered and defined by men. Alice Semple, a herbalist and wise- woman, does not speak, but gives testimony in her notebook. Phoebe Baines, a fragile, damaged young woman, lives within the soundless universe of her interior monologue. In a powerless world, relieved only by precious hours spent in the Airing Courts and gardens, the three women come together in unvoiced friendship. When life behind the asylum walls grows even more dangerous and brutal, they find their voices and use them to fight for survival.”
Great news to see another novel from Avril. We hope she continues to find more readers and we look forward to more of her work coming out.
Avril Joy was shortlisted for the 2012 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Meat. It is published in our Volume 5 anthology by Tangent Books.
3 August 2023
Amazing news to report for Chetna Maroo; her debut novel, Western Lane, published in May this year, has been longlisted for the UK’s most prestigious literary award, the Booker Prize!
The Booker judges say: ‘Skilfully deploying the sport of squash as both context and metaphor, Western Lane is a deeply evocative debut about a family grappling with grief, conveyed through crystalline language which reverberates like the sound “of a ball hit clean and hard, with a close echo.”
The novel has been receiving great reviews: “Terrific . . . Slim, subtle, moving . . . a bold book and a quietly brilliant one” (The Economist); “Few novelists write this simply and richly. With this gorgeous debut, Maroo blows most of the competition off the court.” (The Times); “The beauty of Maroo’s novel lies in [its] unfolding, the narrative shaped as much by what is on the page as by what’s left unsaid.” (The New York Times).
Massive congratulations to Chetna. We will be keeping fingers crossed for the Booker shortlist announcement but this amazing achievement will ensure her brilliant storytelling talent will reach so many more readers.
Chetna Maroo won 2nd prize in the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Wealth of Nations. It is published in our Volume 10 anthology by Tangent Books.
15 July 2023
A very happy publication day to David Frankel and his new short story collection, Forgetting is How We Survive.
The book has been published by Salt in their Modern Stories series and is receiving great reviews. The acclaimed writer and short story supremo, Alison MacLeod, calls it “An unforgettable collection. Frankel is a fearless explorer of the perilous edges of life, where loss, shame and desire haunt and beguile. As readers, we trespass in derelict landscapes, abandoned homes and secret lives. We navigate by glimpse and echo, travelling switchbacks of time and teetering at brinks as big as sinkholes. Here, possibilities glimmer, mystery is sometimes breached, and, just occasionally, beauty flashes like a survival flare.”
It’s great to see David’s stories reaching a wider audience and we hope the book enjoys huge success.
David Frankel was shortlisted for the 2021 Bristol Short Story Prize. His shortlisted story, Sink Rate, is available in our Volume 14 anthology, published by Tangent Books.
4 July 2023
Anne’s novel is the first acquisition for Black and White which is an imprint of Bonnier Books. Quoted on the publisher’s website, Publishing Director of Black and White, Sam Humphreys said: “As soon as I read Anne’s novel, I knew that not only did I have to publish it, I also wanted it to be the book that launched my list. It’s wonderfully captivating, imaginative and rich, and while I can see it appealing to fans of The Night Circus and The Doll Factory, for example, it also feels entirely and brilliantly original. I can’t wait to share it with the world.”
More from Black and White’s website: “Partly inspired by the vast immersive theatre productions of Punchdrunk, The Theatre of Glass and Shadows is set in an alternate London and tells the story of the city’s Theatre District. A walled area south of the river, where all involved are born into their roles, and follow their own rules; even the police have no jurisdiction there. But in a closed world where illusions abound, it’s easy for powerful men to control the narrative, and some will go to any lengths to ensure certain stories are never told.”
Many congratulations to Anne. We can’t wait to see the book hit the shelves next year and know it will find her many new readers.
Anne Corlett won third prize in the 2013 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, Why I Waited. It is published in our Volume 6 anthology, by Tangent Books.
11 May 2023
Happy publication day to Chetna Maroo and her debut novel, Western Lane, which is published today by Picador in the UK.
The novel, which was published in the US earlier this year, has been receiving fantastic reviews: ‘Terrific . . . Slim, subtle, moving . . . a bold book and a quietly brilliant one’ (The Economist); ‘Few novelists write this simply and richly. With this gorgeous debut, Maroo blows most of the competition off the court.’ (The Times); ‘The beauty of Maroo’s novel lies in [its] unfolding, the narrative shaped as much by what is on the page as by what’s left unsaid.’ (The New York Times); ‘Starting off as an intimate tone poem, this story of a squash-obsessed teenager expands into something with the amplitude, depth, and ringing power of a great symphony. In other words–WOW. Western Laneis glorious. You’ll want to read it over and over again.’ (Aravind Adiga, author of The White Tiger).
Huge congratulations to Chetna – we wish her great success with Western Lane.
Chetna Maroo won 2nd prize in the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Wealth of Nations. It is published in our Volume 10 anthology by Tangent Books.
20 April 2023
Some exciting news for Diana Powell; her novel, Things Found On The Mountain, will be published by Seren Books on May 22nd.
Seren describe the novel as a “Hardyesque coming of age story.” From Seren’s website:
“Farmer’s daughter Beth is a child of nature, utterly at one with the rugged landscape on which she tends the farm’s sheep, in a remote valley in the Black Mountains. But change is coming. The modern world arrives with the construction of a reservoir in a neighbouring valley. Part of the mountain is taken away to build the dam; there are people, machinery, noise. Then the farms are emptied of their young men by the First World War, including Beth’s beloved brother Daniel, who goes missing in action. Her mother turns to religion, her father falls silent.
“Beth takes to the mountain, and a solitude interrupted by the arrival of a colony of artists led by the charismatic Eric Gill. And among them is Gill’s apprentice, Gabriel. When the colony moves on, Beth faces a terrible choice: can she leave the Mountain to be with Gabriel?
“At its heart (the novel) is the dramatic landscape, which, like Beth, suffers an end to innocence. This lyrically written novel, reminiscent of Sarah Hall, marks the arrival of an appealing new voice in fiction.”
We wish Diana great success with the novel when it arrives next month and hope she finds many new readers.
Diana Powell won the 2022 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, A Cure For All Our Ills. It is published in our Volume 15 anthology and Winners Anthology by Tangent Books.
18 April 2023
Congratulations to Deepa Anappara who has co-edited the essay collection, Letters To A Writer of Colour, which was published by Vintage to great acclaim last month.
As well as co-editing the collection, Deepa also has an essay featured in the book. Other writers with work in the collection include Madeliene Thien, Xiaolu Guo, Sharlene Teo and Mohammed Hanif.
Addressing assumptions about reading, writing and storytelling, the book has received lots of praise: Nikesh Shukla says: “This book is essential”, while fellow author Pankaj Mishra calls it:”Bracing and moving . . . No one interested in how we read and should read fiction can afford to miss this.”
We wish Deepa every success with Letters To A Writer of Colour and hope it will find many readers.
Deepa Anappara won 2nd prize in the 2013 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, The Breakdown. The story is available in our Volume 6 anthology, by Tangent Books.
3 March 2023
Alys Conran’s novel, Pigeon, has been adapted for the stage by Bethan Marlow and is currently touring Wales until March 25th.
The Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Theatr Iolo production, in association with Pontio began its tour last night in Bangor and will be performed in several theatres across Wales including in Cardiff, Llanelli and Aberystwyth.
Pijin/Pigeon is “set in the shadow of the north Wales slate quarries in the early 1990s, and is a gripping tale about growing up, the power of words, friendship and just how far people will go for love.
“Welsh and English are subtly woven together, and every performance will use integrated captioning in both Welsh and English.”
Congratulations to Alys; we hope the adaptation brings lots of new readers to her work.
Alys Conran won second prize in the 2012 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, Lobster. It is published in our Volume 5 anthology by Tangent Books.
23 February 2023
Congratulations to Stephanie Carty whose debut novel, Shattered, was published recently by Bloodhound Books. This follows the publication of Stephanie’s first short story collection, The Peculiarities of Yearning, by Reflex Press last year.
Shattered’s main character is Christie who works at London’s Somni Company, helping others with sleep disorders. After taking part in a company research trial, she experiences some behavioural and emotional problems, symptoms she strives to keep hidden in order to continue her work.
When she suspects she’s being followed and her life begins to unravel, Christie vows to learn more about the Company’s secretive projects.
It’s great to see Stephanie’s writing reaching many more readers. We wish her great success with Shattered.
Stephanie Carty was shortlisted for the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Born From Red. The story is published in our Volume 10 anthology by Tangent Books.
2 February 2023
A very happy publication day to Dizz Tate and her debut novel, Brutes, which has been published by Faber in the UK and Catapult in the US.
The novel was sold to Faber in a five-way auction and the reception Brutes is receiving shows why there was so much publisher interest in Dizz’s work. Author Sophie Mackintosh calls the novel: “Polyphonically technicolour and lushly textured, Brutes is a defiant elegy to the myth of girlhood innocence. Dizz Tate’s talent is brazen – and brilliant.”
Reviewing the novel in The Times, Laura Hackett writes: “It has been a long time since I read a novel that so viscerally evoked a feeling of place… An astonishing debut that will burrow under your skin.”
Huge congratulations to Dizz. We hope Brutes finds many, many readers.
Dizz Tate won the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Cowboy Boot. It is published in our Volume 11 anthology.
28 January 2023
The Things That We Lost, Jyoti Patel’s debut novel, was published earlier this month by Merky Books. The novel won the Merky Books New Writers’ Prize in 2021 and secured Jyoti its publication.
On their website, the Penguin imprint describe the novel as “a beautifully tender exploration of family, loss and the lengths to which we go to protect the ones we love.”
Author, Nikesh Shukla, calls it “An assured debut from a vital new voice. About family, grief and belonging, Patel weaves an intricate story that will stay with you.” While Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City and Miss Aldridge Regrets, says it is ‘Incredibly moving, this is an immersive novel focusing on grief but also love and relationships. I fell in love with Avani and Nik, characters so real I could hardly believe they’re fictional. Jyoti Patel is a hugely exciting new writer.”
Many congratulations to Jyoti on the publication and we wish the novel every success in finding lots of readers.
Jyoti Patel was shortlisted for the 2022 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, Once. It is published in our Volume 15 anthology.
27 January 2023
Congratulations to Johanna Spiers who has been signed by Amanda Preston at the LBA literary agency.
Johanna, who won 3rd prize in last year’s Bristol Short Story Prize, posted her reaction on Facebook about the news: “This is a lifetime dream come true and I cannot tell you all how happy and excited I am.”
Agent, Amanda Preston, who will be representing Johanna, tweeted: “Thrilled to be working with the incredibly talented @JohannaSpiers and can’t wait to start shouting about her brilliant novel.”
We wish Johanna great success with her novel and look forward to seeing it in bookshops in the near future.
Johanna Spiers won 3rd prize in the 2022 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, OldFish. It also won the 2022 Sansom Award for Bristol-based writers. The story is available in our latest anthology and was published online by Bristol 24/7, here.
15 December 2022
Congratulations to Flic Everett who has signed a three-book deal with publisher, Bookouture, for the first instalments of “a new historical cosy crime series featuring a rookie journalist turned amateur sleuth fighting crime on the Home Front during World War Two.”
Quoted on Bookouture’s website, Flic says: “I am thrilled to have signed with Bookutoure to bring my ‘cosy crime’ series of murder mysteries to readers. I’ve always dreamed of writing crime novels and I’m particularly happy that I can keep on exploring the wartime lives of my characters, who now feel like old friends to me! I’m so grateful to Bookouture for adding me to their stellar list of authors, and for all their encouragement and excitement about my writing. I hope it’s the start of a long and fulfilling new career.”
It’s great to see Flic’s storytelling talent recognised and that she will reach lots more readers.
Flic Everett was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, The End of the Neighbourhood. It is available in our Volume 12 anthology published by Tangent Books.
14 December 2022
Some great news for Rose McDonagh – she has signed a two-book deal with Trapeze Books following a three-way auction. The books were bought by Trapeze editor, Serena Arthur.
The first novel, One Came Back, will be published in the spring of 2024 with the as yet untitled second novel coming out in 2025.
In an article in The Bookseller, publisher Serena Arthur said: “One Came Back is beautifully written, gorgeously tense and delves into loss, memory, mental health, grief and obsession in a brilliant way. The cinematic first chapter will pull you in immediately and haunt you for a while, just as the rest of the book does. It is both intensely accessible and stunningly ominous. I’m honoured to have this unique and well-crafted debut novel be my first acquisition for Trapeze.”
Huge congratulations to Rose. We look forward to seeing both books securing her lots of new readers.
Rose McDonagh was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Dog’s Bone. It is published in our Volume 12 Anthology by Tangent Books.
4 October 2022
With our focus having been on preparing this year’s anthology for printing and organising the 2022 awards ceremony, there are several pieces of exciting publication and other news that happened over the last couple of months that we are yet to share.
Joanna Campbell’s latest novel, Instructions for the Working Day was published in August by Fairlight Books.
From the publisher’s website: “Neil Fischer is travelling to a village in East Germany that he has unexpectedly inherited, his father’ former hometown of Marschwald. Knowing it has been left to deteriorate for decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Neil is determined to restore the derelict village to its former glory, as his demanding late father would surely have wanted. But when he arrives, he is met with hostility, mistrust and underlying menace.
“His only friend in Marschwald is Silke, who is coming to terms with her traumatic experiences during the Cold War and has recently uncovered a shocking truth. As tensions rise, a series of surreal encounters force Neil to contend with his own troubled past, but in his present, all signs point to danger.”
Eluned Gramich’s new novel, Windstill is being published by Honno later this month. “Set in Hamburg in 2015, this compelling d√©but novel by a Welsh-German writer finds Lora staying with her German grandmother following the death of her grandfather. With the arrival of two uninvited guests including Lora’s ex-boyfriend, tensions lead to the uncovering of family secrets,” Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller
Mona Dash and her novel Scattering Stars Like Dust were signed by the Portobello Literary agency in the summer. The agency call it a “stunning novel about mothers and daughters.”
David Frankel will have his short story, Sink Rate, published in Best British Short Stories 2022, edited by Nicholas Royle and published by Salt. The anthology will be published in November this year.
Andre Bagoo’s debut short story collection, The Dreaming was published in August by Peepal Tree Press.
“Bagoo takes a long view of the short story and has a particular gift for stories made of stories: the haircuts along a young man’s stumbling path to wisdom or the sexual encounters that map the history of a failing relationship. There is pathos here, and sometimes anger, but above all Bagoo is a very funny writer, his crystal-clear prose making the most of his dry, self-deprecating humour.” – Jo Lloyd, winner of the 2019 BBC Short Story Award and author of Something Wonderful.
Foday Mannah was announced as the winner of Hachette UK’s Mo Siewcharran Prize for unpublished fiction writers of Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds last week. Foday, who won with his novel, The Search for Othella Savage won £2,500 and his novel will be considered for publication by Quercus.
Congratulations to all; it’s exciting to see these great writers finding more readers.
24 August 2022
Congratulations to Amaryllis Gacioppo on the publication of her non-fiction debut, Motherlands, by Bloomsbury earlier this month.
Farrah Jarral, writing in The Guardian calls the book ‘A remarkable literary debut . . . Part memoir, part travelogue, Motherlands is ultimately an investigation of how we come to understand the past at all.’
Bloomsbury describe the book as ‘Weaving memoir and cultural history through modern political history, examining notions of citizenship, statelessness, memory and identity and the very notion of home, Motherlands heralds the arrival of a major talent that opens one’s eyes to new ways of seeing.’
We wish Amaryllis every success with Motherlands and hope it continues to enthrall readers.
Amaryllis Gacioppo’s short story, Days, was shortlisted for the 2014 Bristol Short Story Prize. It is available in our Volume 7 anthology from Tangent Books.
4 August 2022
It has been great to see Joanna Quinn’s debut novel, The Whalebone Theatre, storming up the bestseller charts in recent weeks.
If you’ve not come across the novel yet, here’s a sample of the amazing reviews and reactions it has been receiving:
“In classic English Country House novel style, (The Whalebone Theatre) focuses on the younger generation amidst a backdrop of scandalous adult misbehaviour. This is a chunky novel to get lost in, full of pacy plotting and luscious language.” The Independent
“One of those big chunky stories that swallows you whole – and it’s beautifully written too.” The Times
“Utterly captivating … Written with great heart, humour and humanity, it’s the kind of book you want to escape normal life to read at every available opportunity.” Elizabeth Day, author of Magpie
Many congratulations to Joanna; we wish her continued success with the novel and her future writing.
Joanna Quinn was shortlisted for the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, The Lost Kings of Somerset. It is published in our Volume 11 anthology by Tangent Books.
14 June 2022
A happy publication week to Catherine Chanter, whose memoir A Child in the Middle has been published by Linen Press.
On her website Catherine, who is also the author of two novels, describes A Child in the Middle as “an intensely personal book, weaving together my own story about the search for my birth parents with wider reflections on adoption, informed by my work with vulnerable children over many years.”
From Linen Press’ website: “This is no ordinary book about adoption. It is Catherine Chanter’s story of her search for her birth parents and follows the twists and turns of that extraordinary detective story. But Catherine also sits on adoption panels and has spent her working life supporting vulnerable children from fractured families. And so it brings together the personal and the professional in a rich and insightful exploration of adoption.
“This book is for everyone interested in or touched by adoption. It speaks to you all from a base of acknowledgement, wisdom, and honesty.”
Many congratulations to Catherine and we hope she continues to reach lots of readers.
Catherine won third prize in the the 2008 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, The Boys Guide to Winning: No.1, Hide and Seek. It is published in our Volume 1 anthology by Tangent Books.
9 June 2022
Many congratulations to Brent van Staalduinen on the publication of his debut short story collection, Cut Road by Guernica Editions last week.
A short interview with Brent, who has also had 3 novels published since winning the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize, plus an extract from one of the stories in the new collection, can be seen here on Canadian website, All Lit Up.
From the publisher’s website: “Containing a rich mix of acclaimed and award-winning stories, Cut Road is a masterful exploration of the loss and scars that conflict always leaves behind. Where soldiers abandon too much of themselves in war zones, parents relinquish control of their children, and friends struggle with change and tragedy. From the working soul struggling with grief to the wounded veteran seeking redemption in a coffee shop to the sweaty tree-planter fleeing a burning forest, in this collection no one–least of all the reader–is left unscathed.”
We wish Brent great success with the his new publication.
Brent, who lives in Hamilton, Ontario, won the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize with his story A Week on the Water. It is published in our Volume 8 anthology.
30 May 2022
Big congratulations to Stephanie Carty whose short story collection, The Peculiarities of Yearning , has just been published by Reflex Press.
Reflex describe the collection as being “pulled together by a thread of exploration of what it means to yearn: to long for, suppress, and ultimately allow what matters to emerge and be acted on, thus reflecting the journey of psychotherapy.”
Writer Angela Readman says the collection, “is a tightrope of psychology and its impact on the body. In sharp prose, girls live in a world without red, natural laws transform, the dead are preserved, DNA disobeys, babies are kept in stasis. Dark, astute and always surprising, this is utterly fascinating writing. Yearning has never been so good.”
It’s great to see Stephanie’s writing reaching many more readers and we hope the collection does really well.
Stephanie Carty was shortlisted for the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Born from Red which is published in our Volume 10 anthology, available from Tangent Books.
30 April 2022
Great news for Aniqah Choudhri; Aniqah’s poem The Unloving Ground has won the €6,000 Moth Poetry Prize, one of the world’s richest prizes for an unpublished poem.
The prize was judged by acclaimed poet, Warsan Shire, who described Aniqah’s The Unloving Ground as, “a lush, gorgeous poem, one that indulges all of the senses, a heartbreaking poem, an unrequited love poem, a poem for a home that does not want you.”
The current issue of The Moth, featuring Aniqah’s winning poem plus the three other shortlisted poems, is available from themothmagazine.com.
Huge congratulations to Aniqah. It’s great to see her writing finding more success and we hope this brings her many more readers.
Aniqah Choudhri’s story, Chicken Heart, was shortlisted for the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize and is available in our Volume 11 anthology, published by Tangent Books.
7 April 2022
Congratulations to Angela Readman on the publication of her new short story collection, The Girls are Pretty Crocodiles by Valley Press.
Booker shortlisted novelist, Alison Moore says, “Angela Readman’s stories have a compelling intimacy and gorgeous imagery, and are often deeply moving, highly recommended reading.”
From the publisher’s website: “Bold, beautiful and spiky, Angela Readman’s stories are both magical and real. Following her acclaimed debut Don‚’t Try This at Home, in this new collection, she approaches the fairy tale with a scalpel. The Girls are Pretty Crocodiles reads like a love letter to girlhood and a ransom note to all the fairy tales we have been told.”
The Girls are Pretty Crocodiles is the fourth book Angela has had published since she was shortlisted for the 2012 Bristol Short Story Prize. It follows a story collection, Don’t Try This at Home, a poetry collection, The Book of Tides, and a novel, Something Like Breathing. We look forward to many more publications from Angela.
Angela’s 2012 BSSP shortlisted story, Yoki and the Toy Surprise, is available in our Volume 5 anthology published by Tangent Books.
31 March 2022
A very happy publication day to Tom Watson and his debut novel, Metronome, which is officially published today by Bloomsbury.
Tom has been receiving great early reviews for Metronome. Naomi Ishiguro calls it “taut, unsettling and so completely charged with both tension and emotion”. While Emma Stonex says the novel is, “a pure, tender, terrifying vision that had me gripped to its beat from the first page. Cleverly imagined and beautifully creepy, it’s a story as moving as it is chilling.”
The novel will also be one of the featured titles on the new BBC2 series of Between the Covers presented by Sara Cox.
We wish Tom huge success with the novel and hope he finds many new readers.
Tom Watson was shortlisted for the 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize for his story, Magda. The story is published in our Volume 8 anthology.
25 January 2022
Many congratulations to Sarah Tinsley on the publication of her debut novel, The Shadows We Cast by SRL Publishing.
SRL describe the book as “a dark novel about consent and control that unsettles ideas about victims and villains.”
We wish Sarah huge success with the novel – it’s great to see her storytelling talent finding more readers.
Sarah Tinsley won third prize in the 2021 Bristol Short Story Prize with I Don’t Know What I’ve Lost, which is published in our Volume 14 anthology by Tangent Books.
20 January 2022
Happy publication day to Rebecca F John and her latest novel, The Empty Greatcoat which has been published by Aderyn Press.
The publication of The Empty Greatcoat marks the start of a very busy year for Rebecca which will also see publication of another adult novel, Fannie by Honno Press in February, as well as her first children’s book, a middle-grade novel called The Shadow Order from Firefly Press in the autumn.
Many congratulations to Rebecca on The Empty Greatcoat, and on the prolific 2022 ahead.
Rebecca was shortlisted for the 2019 BSSP for her story The Sea Thief which is published in our Volume 12 anthology by Tangent Books.
29 November 2021
It’s great to see that a new short story collection, I Am the Mask Maker and other stories by Rhiannon Lewis was published by Victorina Press earlier this month, the same publisher who brought out Rhiannon’s debut novel, My Beautiful Imperial.
The new collection features some of Rhiannon’s stories that have won or been shortlisted in writing competitions, including her 2018 BSSP shortlisted story, The Significance of Swans.
On their website Victorina Press say: “I Am the Mask Maker and other stories brings together eleven of Rhiannon Lewis’s compelling short stories. They transport us to places as varied as plague-ridden Renaissance Venice, a failing antiquarian bookshop in inner-city London, a struggling family farm in 1960s, West Wales, and a soon to be discontinued Heaven where the angels are packing up to leave. Vividly drawn, with wit and subtlety, Lewis’s characters are determined not to be pawns in worlds where the odds are stacked against them; to thrive, they often come up with solutions that are unconventional and unexpected.”
Many congratulations to Rhiannon, it’s wonderful to see more of her work being published.
Rhiannon Lewis’s short story The Significance of Swans was shortlisted for the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize. It is available in our Volume 11 anthology published by Tangent Books.
12 October 2021
Happy publication day to Ruth Brandt and her new short story collection, No One Has Any Intention of Building a Wall, published by Fly On The Wall Press.
The collection takes its title from Ruth’s short story which was shortlisted for the 2011 Bristol Short Story Prize.
From Fly On The Wall’s website: “Ruth Brandt’s debut short story collection tackles stubborn, impulsive and adrenaline-seeking human nature. From the formation of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the early life of Turing, to modern day families, Brandt lays bare the social systems and customs we live by.
“To read and recognise Brandt’s characters, is to recognise humans are social chameleons, an acknowledgement that through pain, loss and memories of war, we can choose to love and live with abandon.”
Big congratulations to Ruth. It’s great to see her writing finding more readers
Ruth Brandt was shortlisted for the 2011 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story No One Has Any Intention of Building a Wall. It is published in our Volume 4 anthology by Tangent Books.
9 November 2021
Congratulations to Rose McDonagh who has been signed by literary agent, Kate Evans at the Peters, Fraser and Dunlop agency.
And in more exciting news, Rose’s short story collection, The Dog Husband will be published by Reflex Press next year. The book is described on Reflex’s website as, “a collection of short, literary fiction themed around different types of belief and linked together by animal imagery. On a Scottish island, a woman believes that her dead husband has come back to her as a dog. In the suburbs of a city, a judge seems to be haunted by a man he has recently sent to prison. On a caravan site, a group of strangers prepare for the end of the world.
“These stories explore the uncanny and the mysterious in everyday settings. Moving from Scottish towns and cities to the remote highlands, creating a strong sense of place, The Dog Husband uncovers questions of faith and madness, desire and our ability to fool ourselves.”
It’s great to see Rose’s talents being recognised and we are really looking forward to the publication of The Dog Husband.
Rose McDonagh was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Dog’s Bone. It is available in our Volume 12 anthology published by Tangent Books.
27 October 2021
Exciting news for Chetna Maroo; her debut novel, Western Lane will be published by Picador in the spring of 2023. The book will also be published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in the US and Knopf will publish it in Canada.
Ravi Mirchandani, Picador’s editor-in-chief, quoted on The Bookseller magazine’s website says: “I was struck by the quiet and powerful economy of Chetna’s writing from the opening pages of her exceptional novel, but as I read on, it was her deft and subtle handling of her themes – of grief and loss, of the immigrant experience, of the misunderstandings that can take place even between those who love and know each other well – that so moved me. So much in this beautiful book, as so often in life, lies between the sentences, in what is not said, as much as in what is.”
We wish Chetna huge success with the novel and in finding lots more readers.
Chetna Maroo won 2nd prize in the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Wealth of Nations. It is available in our Volume 10 anthology, published by Tangent Books.
21 October 2021
Happy publication day to Sammy Wright and his debut novel, Fit, published by And Other Stories.
The novel, which won the 2020 Northern Book Prize, is described as “Charting the impact on a small community of a girl being plucked by happenstance from her foster home and dropped into a dazzling new life as a London model, Fit is a moving, tragic, but ultimately hopeful look at the ways in which poverty and neglect can echo through a life . . . even after you think you’e gotten your fairy-tale ending.”
Actor, Maxine Peake calls Fit “a brilliant song to young people raging against their lot – tender yet unsentimental, and a joy to read”, while writer, Naomi Booth says, “This story haunted me. Wright’s young characters are complex and vividly alive – they’re ingenious, irreverent, intoxicated, traumatised, grieving, violent, vulnerable. Fit presents a picture of contemporary life in the north of England that is by turns tender and deeply unsettling.”
Many congratulations to Sammy and we wish him great success with the novel which, judging by the early reviews it is receiving, is set to find lots of readers.
Sammy Wright was shortlisted for the 2012 Bristol Short Story Prize with his story, Symmetry. It is published in our Volume 5 anthology by Tangent Books.
2 October 2021
Congratulations to Avril Joy on the publication of her new short story collection, this One Wild Place by Linen Press.
The book brings together some of Avril’s previously published stories and some new unpublished work.
From Linen Press’ website: “Combining a poet’s gift for language with a keen naturalist’s eye, Avril Joy takes her readers on journeys across landscapes from Venice to the East Anglian Fens, from Cape Cod to the shore temples of Mahabalipuram. Moving and poignant, told with an unerring compassion, the characters are both vulnerable and strong in adversity. Avril Joy explores first love, families, marriage, childhood, mothering, social class, escape, gardens, birds, seas, tides and stray dogs. These are stories about the wild places we call home.”
We hope Avril’s new collection is a huge success and her stories continue to delight many readers.
Avril Joy was shortlisted for the 2012 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Meat. It is available in our Volume 5 anthology from publisher, Tangent Books.
29 September 2021
Great news for Dizz Tate; her debut novel, Brutes, will be published by Faber & Faber in the UK and Catapult in the US in 2023, after the novel was bought in a five-way auction.
Faber commissioning editor, Emmie Francis, quoted in The Bookseller said: “Brutes is a classic, virtuoso coming-of-age story, one that depicts the crucible of young female invincibility and vulnerability. It’s a work of fiction that boasts an extraordinary commitment to craft; to sentences, images, sensations and their possibilities. Tate is a British talent working in a deeply compelling and fresh way, and Faber is a lucky publisher to help launch that into the world.”
Many congratulations to Dizz. It is so good to see prestigious publishers getting behind her storytelling talent and to know that she will find many more readers in the future.
Dizz Tate won the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Cowboy Boot which is available in our Volume 11 anthology and the Winners Anthology from publisher Tangent Books.
23 September 2021
Many congratulations to Habiba Cooper Diallo on the publication of her book, #BlackInSchool this week by Canadian publisher, University of Regina Press.
From the publisher’s website: “#BlackInSchoolis Habiba Cooper Diallo’s high school journal, in which she documents, processes, and resists the systemic racism, microaggressions, stereotypes, and outright racism she experienced while being Black in school in Canada.
“Powerful and eye-opening, Cooper Diallo illustrates how our schools reinforce rather than erode racism.”
The book is receiving lots of coverage in Canada and many glowing reviews. Dolana Mogadime of Brock University calls the book: “Vivid, candid, and courageous. A must-read for all educators”, while writer, Jael Richardson says, “A critical perspective on anti-black racism in the education system from the people we need to hear from most on this matter‚ Black students.”
We wish Habiba huge success with the book and hope it finds many more readers worldwide.
Habiba Cooper Diallo was shortlisted for the 2020 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Desert Blues. The story is published in our Volume 13 anthology by Tangent Books.
21 September 2021
Great news for 2010 Bristol Short Story Prize winner, Valerie O’Riordan who has been signed by literary agent, Tom Drake-Lee at the DHH agency.
Valerie, who is co-editor at the review site, Bookmunch, senior editor at The Forge Literary Magazine and a lecturer in Creative Writing at Bolton University, says, “I couldn’t be more excited to have signed with DHH, and I’m really delighted to be working with Tom – he understands exactly what I’m trying to do with my work and I think we’ll make a really fantastic team.”
Many congratulations to Valerie. We wish her every success with the future and hope her work reaches many more readers soon.
Valerie O’Riordan was the winner of the 2010 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Mum’s the Word. It is published in our Volume 3 anthology and available from Tangent Books.
16 September 2021
Congratulations to Liz Tresidder who has been signed by literary agent, Euan Thorneycroft at the AM Heath agency.
Liz says: “I was so excited to sign with Euan at AM Heath, who took an interest in my novel after I was accepted onto the London Library Emerging Writers Programme. As an unpublished writer, being shortlisted for the Bristol Short Story Prize back in 2019 gave me an invaluable boost in confidence that encouraged me to start working on my novel and apply for new opportunities.”
It’s great to see this exciting development for Liz and we hope to see lots more of her work hitting the shelves soon.
Liz Tresidder was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, from the forest, which is published in our Volume 12 anthology by Tangent Books.
8 September 2021
Congratulations to Jennifer Harvey whose third novel, The Vanishing Child was published by Bookouture at the end of August.
From Bookouture’s description of the novel: “A heart-wrenching and emotionally charged novel about small-town secrets and the price of facing up to the truth. Fans of Liane Moriarty, Nicole Trope and The Silent Daughter will be gripped from the very first page until the final, heart-stopping twist.”
The Vanishing Child is Jennifer’s third publication in the last two years and we hope it delights readers as much as her first two novels.
Jennifer Harvey was shortlisted for the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, ESO 378 Nebula. It is available in our Volume 10 anthology.
6 September 2021
“[Sonal Kohli] has a way of absorbing the reader in her world, and also revealing very delicately how that world is surprising, unexpected, and in flux‚” says Amit Chaudhuri on Sonal Kohli’s debut novel, The House Next to the Factory, which has just been published by HarperCollins India.
From the publisher’s website, “Set largely in Delhi between 1980 and 2010, the nine interlinked stories in The House Next to the Factory follow Kavya and her post-Partition immigrant family, their servants, tutors, cousins and lovers, their loneliness, aspirations and small-scale ambitions.
“Delicate and finely textured, Sonal Kohli’s extraordinary debut lays bare the complexities of class and culture, even as it evokes the loves and triumphs, the pull of incongruous desires and the tragedies of everyday life.”
It’s great to see Sonal’s storytelling talent reaching more readers and we wish her huge success with the book.
Sonal Kohl’s story, The Outing was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize and published in the Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Volume 12 by Tangent Books.
3 September 2021
Congratulations to Uschi Gatward whose debut short story collection, English Magic, was published by Galley Beggar Press last week.
Reviewing the book in The Guardian, Lara Pawson calls it, “A striking debut collection of unsettling short stories. Reading English Magic, you catch yourself searching for clues, but this exquisite debut invites us to trust our imaginations.”
Great news for Uschi and we wish her huge success with the book.
Uschi Gatward was shortlisted for the 2013 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, Pink Lemonade. It is published in our Volume 5 anthology by Tangent Books.
31 August 2021
Happy publication day to Emily Bullock and her new short story collection, Human Terrain, published by Reflex Press.
From the publisher’s website, “Human Terrain deals with female voices and working-class existences, ordinary lives transformed by loss and love. Stories full of dark humour and deep tenderness that depict the characters’ struggles to understand their place in the world.”
Emily won the 2011 BSSP with her story, My Girl. She was subsequently signed by the Johnson & Alcock literary agency, and went on to have her first novel, The Longest Fight, published by Myriad Editions in 2015. It was shortlisted for the Cross Sports Book Awards and listed in The Independent’s Paperbacks of the Year. Inside the Beautiful Inside, her second novel, published last year, is based on the true story of James Norris. Norris was an American marine who was chained to a stake for fourteen years in Bethlem Hospital for the Insane in London in the early nineteenth century.
Many congratulations to Emily. It is great to see her work finding more and more readers.
Emily’s 2011 BSSP winning story is available in our Volume 4 anthology.
5 August 2021
Jane Healey looks set to build on the success of her award-winning debut novel, The Animals at Lockwood Manor , with the recent release of her second novel, The Ophelia Girls.
Jane, who was shortlisted for the 2013 Bristol Short Story Prize, won last year’s Historical Writers’ Association’s (HWA) Debut Crown Award for The Animals at Lockwood Manor and early reviews of her new novel suggest more awards may be on the cards. Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters, says, “This is a potent, mesmerising portrait of girlhood desire, betrayal, beauty and death, sensuously written and passionately told”, while Anna Bailey, bestselling author of Tall Bones, says, “This is a vivid, sensuous novel that captures the feelings of passion and devastation of girls on the brink of womanhood and life itself, and I can’t recommend it enough.”
We wish Jane huge success with the novel and hope it brings her many more readers and awards.
Jane Healey was shortlisted for the 2013 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, Pool Boy, which is published in our Volume 6 anthology by Tangent Books.
24 June 2021
Congratulations to Mona Dash on the publication of her short story collection, Let Us Look Elsewhere. The book, which was published last week by the excellent Dahlia Books, is officially launched tonight, June 24th.
Mona was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize and is also the author of a novel, a memoir and two collections of poetry.
From Dahlia Books’ website: “A young boy refuses to ferry his boat. A woman orders a British accent to fit in. A lover sends messages into the void. Disconnection and desire go hand in hand in this powerful collection. From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the glitz and glamour of Vegas, and the everyday streets of London, these beautifully observed stories explore human frailties and triumph.”
Irenosen Okojie calls the collection: “wonderful, richly rendered and triumphant.”
We wish Mona enormous success with the collection and hope it finds many, many readers.
Mona Dash was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, The Sense of Skin. It was published in our Volume 12 anthology by Tangent Books.
18 May 2021
A very happy publication day to Ethel Rohan and her short story collection, In the Event of Contact, published by Dzanc Books.
The book won the 2019 Dzanc Short Story Collection Prize and is receiving great reviews: “In The Event of Contact is a remarkable collection of understated yet powerful stories about people who trespass, and are trespassed against. Rohan writes with such sensitivity and compassion, and long after I was done reading, I kept thinking about her characters and how uniquely she gave witness to their complicated lives and private pain,” wrote Edan Lepucki, New York Times bestselling author of California.
And Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You and With or Without You, says: “Rohan’s stories are small electric shocks of discovery. Here, in a perfect dozen, she writes about how love and wonder can coexist right alongside betrayal, danger, rage. How can such a collection be both unsettling and redemptive? How can any of us tease out light in our darkness? Rohan’s alchemy points the way.”
Many congratulations to Ethel and we wish her huge success with the collection.
Ethel Rohan was shortlisted for the 2012 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, Beekiller, which was published in our Volume 5 anthology.
15 April 2021
A very happy paperback publication day to our 2017 winner, Dima Alzayat, and her short story collection, Alligator and Other Stories.
Since it was published in hardback last year, Dima’s collection has been shortlisted for the 2021 Dylan Thomas Prize and was a finalist for the prestigious PEN/Robert W Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collections in the US earlier this year.
Alligator… has also received numerous rave reviews. “How does it feel to be an alien at home? . . . Sardonic, monstrous, tender, these well-crafted tales show us circumstances that might be our own, and let us see them through the eyes of others,” said The Sunday Times, while LitHub asserted, “Alligator contains several stories of breathtaking power . . . Start reading now and you can say you were an early fan, because Dima Alzayat combines superb writing with razor-sharp imagination and focuses on social injustice, racial violence, and global immigration.”
Dima is represented by literary agent, Juliet Pickering at the Blake Friedmann agency. Juliet signed Dima after judging our 2017 competition and said shortly after signing her: “Dima is so skilled at balancing the subtle pathos of everyday events with something that runs much deeper. The voices of her characters are recognisable, but yet come from a place we have yet to really uncover and explore in fiction, a reflection on Dima’s own Syrian-American background, which offers a perspective that was new to me. I’m always keen to find fresh, talented and largely-unheard voices, and Dima’s is definitely one of those.”
Congratulations to Dima and we wish her huge luck in the forthcoming Dylan Thomas Prize winner announcement.
Dima Alzayat won the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Ghusl, which can be found in our Volume 10 anthology, published by Tangent Books, as well as in Alligator and Other Stories.
9 April 2021
The fourth novel in Jonathan Pinnock’s Mathematical Mystery series has just been published by Farrago books. Bad Day in Minsk, “a witty thriller set in a murky world of murder, mystery and complex equations”, promises plenty of humour and gripping action.
Jonathan has embarked on a ten day blog tour to support the publication of his latest work and we wish him huge success with the novel.
Jonathan Pinnock was shortlisted for the 2010 Bristol Short Story Prize for his story rZr and Napoleon which is published in our Volume 3 anthology.
3 March 2021
“Chloe Wilson’s stories are spooky, profound, thrilling, hilarious and unbelievably beautiful. I want to read everything she’s ever written, everything she’ll ever write‚” says writer, Anna Funder, of Chloe Wilson’s debut short story collection, Hold Your Fire, which is published today by Scribner in Australia.
Chloe, who won second prize in the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize, has received a great early reception for the collection, and the acclaim looks set to grow as more readers discover her work. Award-winning author, Fiona McFarlane, comments, “The stories in Chloe Wilson’s Hold Your Fire are full of wit, intelligence, savage humour, and dark surprises‚”, while fellow writer, Ceridwen Dovey, says, “These stories are wonderfully strange, complex yet funny; they are otherworldly and unearthly but at the same time an expression of how we live in the world right now. Chloe Wilson is the magician who by her art brings to light all we usually prefer to keep hidden.”
A very happy publication day to Chloe and we hope Hold Your Fire continues to excite and captivate readers everywhere.
Chloe Wilson’s short story, Powerful Owl, won second prize in the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize and is available in our Volume 11 anthology, published by Tangent Books.
24 February 2021
Brent van Staalduinen, winner of the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize, continues his prolific output with a new YA novel, Nothing But Life, which was published a week ago. The novel follows teenage Dills as he tries to deal with his family’s involvement in a horrific crime.
The novel, the Canadian writer’s second in six months and third overall, is having a virtual launch event on Thursday February 25th at 8.00pm EST (Canada). The event will also be raising funds in support of the Kids Help Phone, a Canadian charity that provides help and support for children.
Bestselling author, Roz Nay, says of the novel, “Capturing perfectly the tender chaos of adolescence, Nothing but Life grabs you by the heartstrings and won’t let go. Beautifully written and satisfyingly redemptive”; while fellow author, Amanda Leduc says, “Brent van Staalduinen has once again created an unforgettable character and voice. Nothing but Life is a gentle and yet razor-sharp look into what hurts and heals us, filled with a wisdom that permeates every sentence.”
We wish Brent enormous success with his latest publication.
Brent, who lives in Hamilton, Ontario, won the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize with his story A Week on the Water. It is published by Tangent Books in our Volume 16 anthology.
4 February 2021
Happy publication day to Danielle McLaughlin and her debut novel, The Art of Falling. Danielle, who was shortlisted for the 2012 and 2014 Bristol Short Story Prize, has been receiving widespread praise for the book: Roddy Doyle calls it, “a gripping novel and a sharp, entertaining examination of the nature of art and its power to inspire and corrupt”, while John Self reviewing the novel in The Times, says, “The Art of Falling doesn’t make a prize shortlist or two this year, we should riot.”
Congratulations to Danielle and we wish her huge success with the novel and hope it gains her numerous new readers.
Danielle McLaughlin was shortlisted for the 2012 and 2014 Bristol Short Story Prize and published in our Volume 5 and Volume 7 anthologies, which can be ordered from Tangent Books, here.
15 January 2021
Congratulations to 2017 BSSP shortlistee, Kate Lockwood Jefford, on winning the 2020 V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize. Kate’s winning story, Picasso’s Face, can be read here.
Judge Kate Clanchy calls the winning story “a beautifully sustained study of character and place, elegantly shaped and beautifully written.” Fellow judge, Derek Owusu, says Picasso’s Face is “a story you read more than once, each time picking up on the skilfully placed subtleties that enhance the experience.”
The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize was founded by the Royal Society of Literature in 1999 to commemorate the centenary of the celebrated short story writer.
Many congratulations to Kate – it’s great to see her work finding more readers and receiving more acclaim.
Kate Lockwood Jefford was shortlisted for the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, They Even Painted Over Dead Flies. The story is published in our Volume 10 anthology and is available from Tangent Books.
11 January 2021
Great news for Sonal Kohli, who was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, The Outing; Sonal has been signed by literary agent, Seren Adams, at United Agents.
And in more good news, Sonal’s collection of linked stories, The House Next to the Factory, will be published by HarperCollins India in August this year.
Many congratulations to Sonal and we look forward to the book coming out later this year, by which time it will hopefully be in line to be published in many more parts of the world.
Sonal’s story, The Outing, which was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize is available in our Volume 12 anthology published by Tangent Books.
18 December 2020
More exciting news for another of our 2016 shortlistees: Tom Watson’s debut novel, Metronome, will be published by Bloomsbury in spring 2022.
Bloomsbury’s publishing director, Emma Herdman, quoted in The Bookseller says: “Tom’s novel is one of the most atmospheric and visual books I’ve read in a long time. It’s speculative but deeply recognisable; beautifully written but with a plot that keeps you compulsively turning the pages. We are so delighted to welcome Tom to the Bloomsbury list and can’t wait to help readers discover his accomplished, unsettling debut.”
In the same article, Tom adds: “I couldn’t be more delighted to work with Emma and the team at Bloomsbury to publish Metronome. They’ve shown such enthusiasm and support, and I feel humbled to see Metronome at the same house as legends such as Madeline Miller, Ben Myers (shortlisted for the 2014 BSSP), and so many other heroes.”
Many congratulations to Tom. We hope Metronome finds many readers when it comes out in 2022.
Tom Watson was shortlisted for the 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize for his story, Magda. It is published in our Volume 9 anthology by Tangent Books.
16 December 2020
Congratulations to Vimi Bajaj who has won the Literary category in this year’s Book Pipeline: Unpublished writing competition.
Vimi’s winning manuscript, Vermilion, “is a work of international literary fiction and takes place in modern day India, at a time when violence against women has reached critical mass. Ranging from the newsrooms of the New India to the “whiskey parties” of the Delhi elite and the tea-stall conversations of the urban poor, Vermilion is an exploration of an India where even the poor have cell phones and internet access, where village rituals coincide with cable TV, and there is finally space for the truth to emerge, if only a few courageous individuals can be heard.”
Many congratulations to Vimi – it’s great to see her superb writing receive more recognition and more readers.
Vimi’s short story, Gauri and the Nightwatchman, was shortlisted for the 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize and is published in our Volume 9 anthology by Tangent Books.
26 November 2020
Jane Healey, who was shortlisted for the 2013 Bristol Short Story Prize, has been announced as the winner of the Historical Writers’ Association’s (HWA) Debut Crown Award for 2020.
The prestigious award is presented to the year’s best “historical novel by a first-time fiction author of any nationality first published in the UK in English.” The HWA is an organisation of authors, publishers and agents of historical writing that supports and creates opportunities for its members, and promotes and raises the profile of historical writing. The announcement was made via video and can be seen here:
Jane’s winning novel, The Animals at Lockwood Manor, is set at the start of World War Two and follows Hetty Cartwright as she undertakes the evacuation and safekeeping of the Natural History Museum’s collection of mammals at the troubled and secret-infested, Lockwood Manor. The book was shortlisted for the HWA award with other widely celebrated historical novels of 2020, including Lauren Wilkinson’s American Spy and Sara Collins’ The Confessions of Frannie Langton.
Reacting to the announcement on Twitter, Jane wrote: “Utterly stunned by this!!! Let out the maddest sound when I saw my book pop up on the screen!”.
Many congratulations to Jane – it’s great to know that her excellent debut will be finding even more readers.
Jane’s brilliant short story, Pool Boy, was shortlisted for the 2013 Bristol Short Story Prize and is published in our Volume 6 Anthology by Tangent Books.
29 October 2020
Congratulations to our 2011 winner, Emily Bullock, whose second novel is published today.
The novel, Inside the Beautiful Inside, is based on the true story of James Norris an American marine who was chained to a stake for fourteen years in Bethlem Hospital for the Insane in London in the early nineteenth century.
It has been receiving great reviews already: The Observer calls it, “Startlingly original and poetic. Bullock combines horror and brutality with unexpected moments of tenderness,” while Nick Rennison reviewing it in The Sunday Times, says, “The voice she (Bullock) gives to Norris as memories and delusions meld in his disintegrating mind is a haunting one.”
We wish Emily huge success with the novel and hope it finds many, many readers.
Emily won the 2011 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, My Girl. She was signed by the Johnson & Alcock literary agency after her BSSP win and went on to have her first novel, The Longest Fight, published by Myriad Editions in 2015. It was shortlisted for the Cross Sports Book Awards and listed in The Independent’s Paperbacks of the Year.
Emily’s 2011 BSSP winning story is available in our Volume 4 anthology.
21 October 2020
Happy publication day to Jennifer Harvey whose second novel, No More Secrets is officially published today by Bookouture in paperback, ebook and audiobook.
This is Jennifer’s second novel to be published this year and looks set to follow the great reception her debut, Someone Else’s Daughter, received.
We wish Jennifer every success with the new novel.
Jennifer Harvey was shortlisted for the 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, ESO 378 Nebula. It is available in our Volume 10 anthology
29 September 2020
Congratulations to our 2015 winner, Brent van Staalduinen, whose new novel, BOY, was published recently by Canadian publisher, Dundurn Press.
BOY is Brent’s second novel and has been receiving great praise: Miriam Toews calls it “Exquisite….BOY is a perfectly compelling protagonist”, while Timothy Taylor, author of The Rule of Stevens, says it is “A mesmerizing coming of age story that manages to be both magical and intensely real. BOY takes readers on a journey of personal growth in the face of at-times frightening and mysterious obstacles.”
The novel will be officially launched on Thursday, October 1st with an online event featuring readings and music. The event starts at 7pm ET (Canada). A clip of Brent reading from BOY is available here.
Brent, who lives in Hamilton, Canada, won the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize with his story A Week on the Water. It is published in our Volume 8 anthology.
15 September 2020
Congratulations to Uschi Gatward who has recently secured a book deal for her debut short story collection, English Magic.
Uschi, who was shortlisted for the 2013 Bristol Short Story Prize, will have the collection published in 2021 by prestigious independent publisher, Galley Beggar Press.
Commenting on The Bookseller website, Uschi said, “I’m very happy indeed that my book has found a home with such an exciting and brilliant publishing house. Galley Beggar published my story, Beltane, three years ago, and it’s wonderful that they’re now putting out the whole collection.”
And Sam Jordison of Galley Beggar said in the same piece, “We’ve been waiting for years to be able to put out a collection of short stories, but the right one hasn’t come along. Until now. Uschi Gatward’s English Magic has that precious quality where every story resonates, and the sum of all the stories together is even greater than the individual parts. They’re funny, they’re heart-breaking, they’re human‚ and they tell us something real about the world.”
We wish Uschi great success with English Magic and look forward to its publication in autumn 2021.
Uschi Gatward was shortlisted for the 2013 Bristol Short Story Prize with her story, Pink Lemonade. The story was published in our Volume 6 anthology by Tangent Books.
29 June 2020
Great news for last year’s BSSP third prize winner, S. Bhattacharya-Woodward; Shaoni has been signed by literary agent, Matthew Turner, at the prestigious Rogers Coleridge and White Literary Agency. The agency represents some of the highest profile writers currently at work, including Zadie Smith, Ian Rankin, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Kate Atkinson.
Shaoni also recently won third prize in the 2020 Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award for the short story collection on which she is working, Zolo and Other Stories. The award is named after legendary agent, Deborah Rogers, and seeks to continue Rogers’ work in supporting emerging talent.
Huge congratualtions to Shaoni on her ever-inceasing success and we look forward to reading lots more of her work in the future.
S. Bhattacharya-Woodward won third prize in the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize for her story, Zolo. It is published in our Volume 12 anthology
25 June 2020
Many congratulations to J.R. McConvey who has been awarded a Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for his debut collection of stories, Different Beasts. Published last year, the collection of 12 stories includes Between the Pickles, which won second prize in the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize.
Kobo, based in Canada and one of the world’s largest ebook and audiobook online retailers, present the Emerging Writer Prize of $10,000 in three categories to debut Canadian authors. Joel triumphed in the speculative fiction category.
Judge, Andrew Pyper, acclaimed prize-winning author of several novels including The Killing Circle and The Demonologist, commented: “The twelve stories of J.R. McConvey’s Different Beasts are, indeed, different and frequently beastly. This is involving, often surprising, tension-filled short fiction told with a cinematic eye – the kind of storytelling that burns certain images into the reader’s mind.”
We wish Joel continued success with the book and his future writing. It’s great news that many more readers will experience his unique storytelling.
J.R. McConvey won second prize in the 2015 Bristol Short Story Prize with his story, Between the Pickles. It was first published in our Volume 8 anthology.