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Pop star Will Young is to judge the BBC National Short Story Award, which launches today.
He will be joined by chair, broadcaster and journalist Tom Sutcliffe, author Dame Margaret Drabble, Orange Prize-winner Helen Dunmore and BBC Radio 4’s editor Di Speirs to judge the competition, which is in its fourth year, and the world's largest for a short story. The winning author receives £15,000, with the runner-up receiving £3,000 and three further authors £500 each.
The award is at the centre of UK-wide campaign "short"; both launched in 2005 with the aim of expanding opportunities for British writers, readers and publishers of the short story. Shortlisted authors in the past have included Jackie Kay, Hanif Kureishi, Rose Tremain and William Trevor.
Mark Damazer, BBC Radio 4 controller, said: I am delighted BBC Radio 4 is backing the National Short Story Award. In each of the three years of the award's existence the audience has been treated to some wonderful readings of the finalists' work. And there's been a fascinating mix of well known writers and younger talents. I look forward to another year of glorious short story prose.”
The shortlist will be announced on 27th November with the five stories broadcast on BBC Radio 4 each weekday before the winner is announced. The five stories will also be published in a special collection.