Wena Poon Q and A
The author WENA POON joined us for a live online Question and Answer session. Read the full transcript, here.
Theory Put to Practice
‘Reading other writers on writing is one thing. Reading theorists is another.’ MIKE SMITH finds that theory, too, can offer practical advice to short story writers.
Small Wonder 2011
Last weekend, KATHERINE ORR and ALISON MacLEOD went to the Small Wonder Short Story Festival at Charleston House in East Sussex. Read about the festival’s many lively readings and events, and about crossing paths with the Bloomsbury group.
Pregnant with meaning:
In her first Thresholds post, CAROL FENLON discusses three analyses of Ernest Hemingway’s ‘Cat in the Rain’ and offers her own interpretation of the story.
The Twinkle in Edna’s Eye
MARY COSTELLO reveals her delight in seeing EDNA O’BRIEN win the Frank O’Connor Award on Sunday.
We Recommend – Forms of Devotion by Diane Schoemperlen
FELICITY SKELTON had not heard of the Canadian writer Diane Schoemperlen, but bought a copy of her book to read on the plane ‘because it was attractive to look at and not too heavy to carry in my handbag.’
We Recommend – Flannery O’Connor
‘Flannery O’Connor is funny and wise, and her writing takes my breath away.’ KATH McKAY recommends O’Connor’s COMPLETE STORIES and the essay collection MYSTERY AND MANNERS.
Polly Samson’s Introduction to The Doll
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to VIRAGO PRESS for allowing us to re-publish POLLY SAMSON’S introduction to the Daphne du Maurier short story collection THE DOLL. This post is available exclusively to members of THRESHOLDS. Not a member? Then why not sign up now!
The Debate: Reading Short Stories
Must stories be read slowly and deliberately in order to appreciate them fully, as CHARLES E. MAY suggested in a recent post, or can they be skimmed and read quickly as entertainment and still be valued? MIKE SMITH argues that they can.
Whose Culture? Whose Anarchy?
‘Suddenly, without quite becoming front-page news, the short story has hit the UK headlines.’ PAUL MARCH-RUSSELL discusses plans to reduce the number of short stories broadcast on BBC Radio 4.