September 12, 2024, 3:00pm

Today, the shortlist for the 2023 BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University was announced on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row. The BBC National Short Story Award, now in its nineteenth year, grants £15,000 to the winning author; each other shortlisted author will receive £600.

“From a roster of serious literary names from different fields (short stories, novels and non-fiction) alongside brand-new talent, we have five stories linked by compassion and understanding,” said judge Di Speirs MBE, Editor of Books at BBC Audio, in a press release. “The collision of cultures followed by new comprehension has proved an irresistible theme this year with no fewer than three of the stories reflecting this in original, sometimes heart-stopping ways. The need to adapt and make the most of life whatever the difficulties is another recurring motif and makes for life-enhancing reading! Love in many guises permeates the list, alongside Shakespearean themes and Hamlet himself and for the first time a story narrated by a dog!”

The winner will be announced on October 1. In the meantime, congratulations to the shortlisted writers:

Will Boast, “The Barber of Erice”
Lucy Caldwell, “Hamlet, a love story”
Manish Chauhan, “Pieces”
Ross Raisin, “Ghost Kitchen”
Vee Walker, “Nice Dog”