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The BBC National Short Story Award has moved to a new slot to tie in with the broadcaster’s Books on the BBC initiative, as Sue MacGregor takes over as chair.
The award is moving from November to September, with the shortlist announced on 9th September with each of the five stories broadcast on BBC Radio 4 the following week. The winner will be announced on 26th September, live on Radio 4’s “Front Row” programme, with the titles published in a special anthology and as free audio download.
MacGregor, who takes over from James Naughtie, said: “I have always had a soft spot for the short story, ever since being gripped as a child by Edgar Allen Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination . . . The best short stories, the little gems, can have little plot but should have memorable atmosphere, dropping you instantly into someone else's world. I very much look forward to enjoying what should be a bumper crop this year.”
The awards will also accept submissions as electronic entries via email for the first time this year, with a deadline of 5th May. Previous winners having included James Lasdun, David Constantine and Kate Clanchy.