O. Henry’s ‘The Gift of the Magi’
In a special Christmas post, we bring you O. Henry’s festive story ‘The Gift of the Magi’: ‘Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas…’
An Interview with Hassan Blasim
Join VICKI HEATH in conversation with Iraqi writer HASSAN BLASIM and translator JONATHAN WRIGHT, as Hassan’s second short story collection launches in the UK.
Story: Helen Dunmore’s ‘With Shackleton’
We’re delighted to offer you a wintery story by Helen Dunmore – award-winning novelist, short story writer, poet and children’s author.
‘A thud, a squeal, a pair of hot, tight arms around her neck. “It snowed! There’s millions of snow in the garden!”‘
Short Story Masterclass… with Michèle Roberts
MASTERCLASS PODCAST: In the third of our Short Story Masterclass series, leading story writer, novelist and poet Michèle Roberts talks to Steve Wasserman about shoes, mud, the subconscious in writing, and mother-daughter relationships.
Short Story Slam
PODCAST: Every year, the Small Wonder Short Story Festival plays host to the Slam – a chance for the audience to read their three-minute stories in front of a crowd of writers…
The Best British Short Stories 2012
In her essay, LELA TREDWELL looks at book burnings, burials and elimination: ‘Historically, obliterating books has always been a difficult business. One The Best British Short Stories 2012 knows a thing or two about.’
Death and the Compass
‘His stories are populated by a wild cast of brigands, adventurers and detectives…’ EMILY CLEAVER recommends Jorge Luis Borges’ short story ‘Death and the Compass’.
The Maker by Jorge Luis Borges
In his essay on Jorge Luis Borges’ short story collection The Maker, DANIEL SPINKS discusses ‘the intricate manner in which Borges takes an idea from history, religion, literature or philosophy and plays with it…’
Colm Tóibín’s ‘A Song’
ANUSHREE NANDE looks at ‘The Song’ by Colm Tóibín: ‘A narrative told in limited third person that unfolds not unlike a song. Introductory chords, initial stanzas that slowly build up to the chorus and the repeat of this structure, all of which is building up to the final crescendo…’
Story: Kate Clanchy’s ‘The Real Story’
STORY: Read ‘The Real Story’ by Kate Clanchy. ‘To be honest, Giles, I’d like a little more credit and a little less blame. I’d like you, and the directors, and actually, the whole firm of Burns Pope Wilde, Literary Agents, to remember how and where this whole story started…’