Author: Willesden Herald

Current submissions call progress

Out of about 58 short stories received to date for New Short Stories 11, twelve remain under consideration, of which a couple appear to be contenders for a place. The closing date for submissions is 30 September 2019 but the book will not proceed to production unless and until enough first class short stories are received. There is no need to worry because as yet it is only mid-August and there is likely to be a late rush and often, unlike biblical wine, the best is saved till last. Submit

The Sunday Times / Audible Short Story Award Shortlist, 2019

Read excerpts from the six short stories and bio’s of the writers, including Danielle McLaughlin who won the Willesden Herald international short story award 2013, when our judge was David Means. Link: Sunday Times

Story of the Month, August 2019

The Willesden Herald New Short Stories Story of the Month

August 2019: Dark Song by Roberta Dewa

“I slip into the water. I didn’t plan to swim, but there’s still static fizzing in my veins from last night’s concert and as the river laps me up I’m cooling down, the static disappearing into a string of bubbles streaming out all around me and rising up from the deep channel, like there’s a diver down there somewhere.“

Robie Dewa - Photo by Ursula Kelly Photography

Roberta Dewa has always written fiction, and in her twenties published three historical novels with Robert Hale. While studying for various degrees she published poetry and short fiction, including a first short story collection, Holding Stones (Pewter Rose Press, 2009). In 2013 she published a memoir, The Memory of Bridges, and a contemporary novel followed: The Esplanade (Weathervane Press, 2014). Since retiring from university teaching, she has been writing poetry and short stories again, and in November 2017 won the Willesden Herald prize with her story Dark Song. She is currently coming to the end of the first draft of a new novel.

Continuing our retrospective series, “Dark Song” is included in Willesden Herald: New Short Stories 10 having won first prize in the WH short story competition 2017. Visit Robert Dewa – Author and Lecturer.

* Photo copyright (c) Ursula Kelly Photography

The New Yorker: “She Said He Said” by Hanif Kureishi

Text and reading by the author in The New Yorker online (limit on free access applies)

“Hanif Kureishi wrote the screenplays for My Beautiful Laundrette and Le Week-End, among other films. He has published eight novels, including, most recently, The Nothing.”

Did you know?: We’re on Duotrope.com

For many years, the Willesden Herald has been listed by Duotrope, for which we are very grateful as it has greatly helped in bringing writers from around the world to our submissions page. Why not take a look at their features for writers? You won’t see a more impressive resource for writers seeking opportunities to place their work. And while you’re there, you might like to take a look at their listing for New Short Stories 11. You can see the basic listing, which is excellent, and if you sign up you can get even more info.

Irish Times: Who’s-Dead McCarthy, a new short story by Kevin Barry

“… The main drag was the daily parade for his morbidity. Limerick, in the bone evil of its winter, and here came Con McCarthy, haunted-looking, in his enormous, suffering overcoat. The way he sidled in, with the long, pale face, and the hot, emotional eyes. …”

Read the story in full in the Irish Times.

From Being Various: New Irish Short Stories, edited by Lucy Caldwell and published by Faber & Faber. Kevin Barry’s latest book is Night Boat to Tangier (Canongate).

Now reading for New Short Stories 11

We are open till September 30 for submissions to the latest in our series of short story anthologies, featuring the best new writing from around the world.

You can find plentiful examples of what we like in our back issues and also in our Story of the Month features, as well as in the periodicals listed under Links. We’re generally looking for literary fiction not genre stories. The only payment we can offer at this time is two copies of the book when it is published.  Full details are set out in the submission form.

“Willesden Herald: New Short Stories 11” will be published simultaneously in the US and UK in early 2020 and will be available from the main online booksellers by print on demand. We can also do print runs on favourable terms when bulk orders are requested.

Please follow our New Short Stories blog and The Willesden Herald for updates and features that may be of interest. (Submit)