“Every year we choose a book that we hope will capture the imaginations of the people of Dublin, of all ages and walks of life, and I know that Nora will prove a rewarding reading experience for all who engage with One Dublin One Book 2022. For the centenary of the publication of Ulysses, it’s important for us to honour the contemporary writers Joyce has inspired, as well as the woman who inspired him. We look forward to working with Nuala O’Connor to create a programme of events next April that we hope will encourage many discussions and conversations.”
Dublin City Librarian, Mairead Owens
Author: Stephen Moran
I was born in Dublin and made my way to London on a bike in my mid-twenties. It’s where I can still be found though ever further out, most recently as far as Harrow. I no longer own a bicycle.
David Butler wins the Benedict Kiely Short Story Prize 2021
“Unless He Is Born Again” by David Butler was our Story of the Month for August, 2020
Congratulations to David Butler on winning this competition, which is part of the Omagh Literary Festival, and named in honour of the great Irish short story writer Benedict Kiely. It’s always gratifying to see past contributors making more waves. (Ed.)
Story of the Month, October 2021
We're back with all new stories. Here's something to think about because, you know, nothing at all is happening in the world these days, is it? Read the whole story before you make up your mind about this one. It might not be just what you think. (Ed.)
The Willesden Herald Story of the Month
October 2021: How They Do by Jack R. Johnson
“Al Nash kept the dark secret of his hair loss hidden under his favorite blue
canvas Navy cap, and pulled it even lower as he told his son, Troy Nash, about
Robert E. Lee …”
Jack R. Johnson is a monthly columnist for North of the James Magazine in Richmond, Virginia; an editor of The Alliance for Progressive Virginia blog and a contributor to Style Magazine. His published works include short stories, articles and the novel, An Animal’s Guide to Earthly Salvation. His latest novel, In Black and White, is scheduled to be published by Propertius Press in 2022.
Leave Society – a new novel by Tao Lin
Tokyo – a novel by Nicholas Hogg
Nicholas Hogg’s short story Paradise was included in the first Willesden Herald New Short Stories anthology. He has gone on to great things. Visit NicholasHogg.com.
Johnny Boy – a novel by John Califano
JOHNNY CARUSO IS BORN into the urban turmoil of 1950s and ’60s working-class Brooklyn. Wedged between the limited worldview of his parents—alcoholic and abusive Bellisario and browbeaten, unstable Maria—and his liberal-minded older brother and sister, young Johnny struggles to navigate his childhood and adolescence.
Verve House Books
Thank you to John Califano for including Willesden Herald New Short Stories in the Acknowledgments for Johnny Boy. His story Independence Day was our Story of the Month, August 2018.
The Coward, a novel by Jarred McGinnis
July 2021: Spectacular debut novel by Jarred McGinnis, whose short story “Learning Stick” in New Short Stories 4 showed the brilliance that would eventually lead to Canongate publishing his novel The Coward.
You won’t find a more uplifting read in these dark times.
Irvine Welsh
Want to buy from proper bookshops?
Short Stories: Listings of Willesden Herald books from websites that support local bookshops
- Willesden Herald books from Blackwells.co.uk
- Willesden Herald books from Bookshop.co.uk
- Willesden Herald books from Hive.co.uk
- Willesden Herald books from Waterstones
Poetry: Last Night’s Dream Corrected (2006)
- Last Night’s Dream Corrected from Blackwells.co.uk
- Last Night’s Dream Corrected from Bookshop.co.uk
- Last Night’s Dream Corrected from Hive.co.uk
- Last Night’s Dream Corrected from Waterstones
Poetry: Southernmost Point Guest House (2014)
- Southernmost Point Guest House from Blackwells.co.uk
- Southernmost Point Guest House from Bookshop.co.uk
- Southernmost Point Guest House from Hive.co.uk
- Southernmost Point Guest House from Waterstones
To browse all our back issues, click Anthologies. Maybe buy one or two? Go wild.
* All Covers by Stratos Fountoulis
Story of the Month, December 2020
We're back to sharing favourite stories. How could anyone not love a story that contains the line "I was a cactus."(?) And don't tell me it's not December, months last for years now! Ed.
The Willesden Herald Story of the Month
December 2020: Christmas Present by Lynsey Rose
“I wrote this a few years ago, when we were asked to write a story with the theme of Christmas for my writing group. Of course, Christmas is a crappy theme so you have to go the full ‘Carrie’ with it. Happy Christmas!“
Lynsey Rose is the author of the novel First Aid Kit Girl, described as “girl meets razorblade meets boy…”
Vote for Writing.ie Short Story of the Year 2020
Isele: Read “To Have a Ghost Baby”
Good news, you can now read N. Jane Kalu’s affecting story To Have a Ghost Baby in Isele Magazine. Originally featured in our own New Short Stories 11, it’s lovely to see it attaining a wider readership.
Story of the Month, September 2020
I dedicate the last of our 2020 lockdown series, and our last publication for the time being, to all those who have lost their lives and those bereaved in the Covid-19 pandemic. Follow the guidelines and stay well till all this is over. See you on the other side. (Ed.)
The Willesden Herald Short Story of the Month
September 2020: As Long as it Takes by Susan Haigh
“For Mireille, grief seems like an impossible dream.”
Sue Haigh is a writer and Creative Writing tutor. She lives in North East Fife when she isn’t living in her cave house in France. Her work has been published in a number of journals and anthologies, including Northwords Now, New Writing Dundee, Mslexia, The Scottish Arts Trust anthology, Cadenza, Sunpenny Anthology, Dundee University Review of the Arts, The Short review and a number of academic journals.
As Long as it Takes was originally published in the Scottish Arts Trust Story Awards anthology (Scottish Arts Trust, 2019)
New Short Stories 