All women Shortlist for BBC Short story Prize

emilycross · Nov 30, 2009

In light of recent events *cough* publishers weekly*cough* *cough*British Fantasy Society *cough*thought this piece of news would be nice change.

An all-female shortlist has been revealed for the BBC National Short Story Award, with Orange Prize-winner Lionel Shriver battling four other authors for the £15,000 prize.

Author of the Orange-winning We Need to Talk About Kevin author, Shriver is nominated for her story "Exchange Rates", while Naomi Alderman, whose novel Disobedience won the Orange New Writers prize in 2006, is listed for "Other People's Gods". The shortlist also includes Kate Clanchy for "The Not-Dead and the Saved", Sara Maitland for "Moss Witch", and Jane Rogers for "Hitting Trees with Sticks".

Source

Momento Mori · Nov 30, 2009

Well, hooray for an all-woman's shortlist achieved on merit.

However, it is a shame that all the nominees are better known as novelists than short story writers ...

MM

backslashbaby · Nov 30, 2009

I was going to get a chance to prove that I'd find it just as sexist, but a list of 5 sounds reasonable

An anthology of 16 male horror writers and a top-ten list with all males writing about males is just different.

Are the stories veered toward women? I won't have time to look them up till later. Not that 5 stories veered toward women would negate their merit, but I'm betting it's more of a mixed bag than on the PW list.

emilycross · Nov 30, 2009

I fixed the link to the article - Haven't been able to find anything online about the content of the stories.

More than 600 entries were received for the award, which celebrates the best of contemporary British short stories and is part of the national campaign "story", which supports the form. The shortlist was revealed on Friday evening (27th November) on BBC Radio 4's "Front Row".

willietheshakes · Nov 30, 2009

A decision clearly rife with sexism.

Lady Ice · Nov 30, 2009

Lionel's a man's name?

willietheshakes · Nov 30, 2009

Lady Ice said:
Lionel's a man's name?

Up for grabs as of recently, apparently.

aruna · Nov 30, 2009

I'm going to call my next baby girl Henry, and the next boy Emily.

Oh wait, I'm too old....

Momento Mori · Dec 9, 2009

Well, the winner was Kate Clanchy, who took a cheque for £15,000 with only her second ever short story (that sound you hear is me throwing up with jealousy) and Sara Maitland took £3,000 for second place. Full story is here for those interested.

MM

All women Shortlist for BBC Short story Prize

emilycross

is away with the fairies

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

backslashbaby

*

emilycross

is away with the fairies

willietheshakes

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

willietheshakes

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

All women Shortlist for BBC Short story Prize

is away with the fairies

Tired and Disillusioned

~~~~*~~~~

is away with the fairies

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

Makes useful distinctions

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

On a wing and a prayer

Tired and Disillusioned

*