So the shortlist for this year’s Bristol Short Story Prize was announced today, and I still seem to be hanging in there. I’m really excited about this one, for several reasons. First of all, in just three years, the BSSP has emerged as one of the “biggies” (nearly 1500 entries this year, which is almost as many as the Fish). Secondly, the shortlisted stories all go into a nicely produced anthology. And thirdly, I get a cheque for £50 even if this is as far as I get!
It’s also nice to see a few Twitter chums in there as well: Claire King, Valerie O’Riordan and Clare Wallace. The prizegiving and announcement of the winners is on July 17th and I’m really looking forward to being there. The nailbiting starts now.