Anton Chekhov’s ‘New Year Martyrs’
In a special festive post, we bring you Anton Chekhov’s short story ‘New Year Martyrs’: ‘”Happy New Year, Happy New Year…” he mumbles, staring blankly at the ceiling and breathing heavily…’
In Praise of Auggie Wren
With just a week to go until Christmas, ERINNA METTLER introduces us to her traditional festive read, ‘Auggie Wren’s Christmas Story’ by Paul Auster.
Best of British 2013
‘Bursting with suppressed emotions, vengeful acts and a chilling atmosphere…’ ALEX RUCZAJ learns a thing or two from The Best British Short Stories 2013 anthology.
The Life of an Emerging Writer
In this essay, RENIA SIMMONDS discusses the life of emerging short story writer George Lambor, as he worked towards writing fame.
Jambula Tree
KIRSTY WALTERS finds inspiration in Jambula Tree and Other Stories, an anthology of tales from the 2007 Caine Prize for African writing…
Short Story Masterclass… with Deborah Levy
In the second instalment of this series of SHORT STORY MASTERCLASS PODCASTS, acclaimed author DEBORAH LEVY talks with Steve Wasserman about enigmas, filling in the gaps, and the difference between writing short stories and poetry.
A Wee Glass of Malt
For Jackie Kay, the short story form is like drinking whisky: ‘You can have a wee malt but if you tried to drink a whole pint of whisky you’d be dead, so there’s something about the intensity…’ GINA CHALLEN examines Jackie Kay’s writing styles in Wish I Was Here.
A Perception of Madness
‘Homework and tea. Pretty much the extent of concern for any average teenager on returning home after a day’s schooling. On top of that, though, this teenager is dealing with the sense that their mother’s gone mad…’ KATHRYN HALL takes us inside ‘The History of History’ by Ali Smith.
On Aimee Bender
‘Aimee Bender is a writer who turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, and vice versa…’ In this Author Profile piece, DEBBIE KINSEY looks at the influences behind Aimee Bender’s writing life.
One Thousand Tales to Read Before You Die
In this feature, MIKE SMITH explores The World’s Thousand Best Short Stories: ‘Some of the stories are still well-known and still anthologised regularly. Some of the authors are still household names. But many, too, are long forgotten and it is amongst these that I have found the greatest reading pleasure…’