Short Story

Listen to the five shortlisted stories from this year's BBC Young Writers' Award

The fifth shortlisted story in this year's NSSA plus an interview with the writer

The fourth shortlisted story in this year's NSSA plus an interview with the writer

The third shortlisted story in this year's NSSA plus an interview with the writer

The second shortlisted story in this year's NSSA, plus an interview with Rory Gleeson

The first shortlisted story in this year's NSSA plus an interview with the writer

A very special edition featuring all of the shortlisted stories announced for YWA 2021

Art and a lifelong dream come together in a funny, poignant tale read by Teresa Gallagher

An original short story for Radio 4, produced by Becky Ripley.

The late great John Sessions reads a story for radio by long time friend and collaborator

A heartwarming tale about family, festive traditions and sibling rivalries.

An original work for radio from the winner of the 2019 BBC National Short Story Award

Maria Thomas puts a female black academic at the centre of her short story Trip and Fall.

A woman is resigned to an unchanging future, until hope drops through her letterbox.

A woman returns to her home village in Scotland but is haunted by the past.

An original short story about a father and daughter in search of a home.

Two people meet in a mental health support group. But is one of them hiding something?

On the morning of her 80th birthday Joan bumps into twelve year old Fionn at the post box

A very special edition featuring all of the shortlisted stories announced for YWA 2020

Eley Williams is the next writer in contention for the BBC National Short Story Award, 2020. Her shortlisted entry is a cautionary tale about late night texts and mating walruses, where a very contemporary search for connection lurks beneath wit and wordplay. Charlotte Ritchie reads. From the short and pithy to the layered and literary, via robust poetics, family hierarchies and maligned youth, this year’s shortlist is the perfect reflection of all this ever-flexible fictional form can do. As a star-studded cast celebrate the fifteenth year of the BBC National Short Story award with Cambridge University, the short story, be it humorous, witty or poignant, retains its ability to surprise, delight and move us in equal measure. Now in its fifteenth year, the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious for a single short story. Following the announcement of the shortlist on Radio 4's Front Row, on Friday, 11th September, the five stories in contention for the 2020 award will be broadcast each weekday afternoon on Radio 4 at half past three from Monday, 14th September. Each of the shortlisted writers will be interviewed the evening preceding the broadcast of their story on Front Row, and the winner will be announced live on the programme Tuesday 6th October. All the stories will be available on BBC Sounds after broadcast, and there will be a special edition of the Short Story podcast for each to download. For links and the most up to date information go to bbc.co.uk/nssa This episode also features a taster read by Clare Corbett of The Hotel, a series of ghost stories with a feminist slant which goes out on Radio 4 from 20th September Read by Charlotte Ritchie Producer: Ciaran Bermingham

Jack Houston is the next writer up for the BBC National Short Story Award, 2020. His shortlisted story is about Simone and Jackie, two women living on the edge of society who are caught in a downward spiral of addiction and poverty. Anne-Marie Duff is the reader. From the short and pithy to the layered and literary, via robust poetics, family hierarchies and maligned youth, this year’s shortlist is the perfect reflection of all this ever-flexible fictional form can do. As a star-studded cast celebrate the fifteenth year of the BBC National Short Story award with Cambridge University, the short story, be it humorous, witty or poignant, retains its ability to surprise, delight and move us in equal measure. Now in its fifteenth year, the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious for a single short story. Following the announcement of the shortlist on Radio 4's Front Row, on Friday, 11th September, the five stories in contention for the 2020 award will be broadcast each weekday afternoon on Radio 4 at half past three from Monday, 14th September. Each of the shortlisted writers will be interviewed the evening preceding the broadcast of their story on Front Row, and the winner will be announced live on the programme Tuesday 6th October. All the stories will be available on BBC Sounds after broadcast, and there will be a special edition of the Short Story podcast for each to download. For links and the most up to date information go to bbc.co.uk/nssa Produced by Elizabeth Allard

Sarah Hall, winner of the 2013 award, and four-time nominee, is the next writer in contention for the prestigious BBC National Short Story Award with a beautifully observed story. On her thirtieth birthday Dilly explores truths about her family, her relationship with her overbearing mother, and the masking of identity. Lydia Wilson is the reader. From the short and pithy to the layered and literary, via robust poetics, family hierarchies and maligned youth, this year’s shortlist is the perfect reflection of all this ever-flexible fictional form can do. As a star-studded cast celebrate the fifteenth year of the BBC National Short Story award with Cambridge University, the short story, be it humorous, witty or poignant, retains its ability to surprise, delight and move us in equal measure. Now in its fifteenth year, the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious for a single short story. Following the announcement of the shortlist on Radio 4's Front Row, on Friday, 11th September, the five stories in contention for the 2020 award will be broadcast each weekday afternoon on Radio 4 at half past three from Monday, 14th September. Each of the shortlisted writers will be interviewed the evening preceding the broadcast of their story on Front Row, and the winner will be announced live on the programme Tuesday 6th October. All the stories will be available on BBC Sounds after broadcast, and there will be a special edition of the Short Story podcast for each to download. For links and the most up to date information go to bbc.co.uk/nssa. Abridged by Julian Wilkinson Produced by Elizabeth Allard

Jan Carson is the next author shortlisted for this year’s BBC National Short Story Award. In her gently humorous tale of a family get-together that doesn’t go quite as planned. Laura Donnelly is the reader. From the short and pithy to the layered and literary, via robust poetics, family hierarchies and maligned youth, this year’s shortlist is the perfect reflection of all this ever-flexible fictional form can do. As a star-studded cast celebrate the fifteenth year of the BBC National Short Story award with Cambridge University, the short story, be it humorous, witty or poignant, retains its ability to surprise, delight and move us in equal measure. Now in its fifteenth year, the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious for a single short story. Following the announcement of the shortlist on Radio 4's Front Row, on Friday, 11th September, the five stories in contention for the 2020 award will be broadcast each weekday afternoon on Radio 4 at half past three from Monday, 14th September. Each of the shortlisted writers will be interviewed the evening preceding the broadcast of their story on Front Row, and the winner will be announced live on the programme Tuesday 6th October. All the stories will be available on BBC Sounds after broadcast, and there will be a special edition of the Short Story podcast for each to download. For links and the most up to date information go to bbc.co.uk/nssa. Read by Laura Donnelly Abridged by Rowan Routh Produced by Karen Holden

Caleb Azumah Nelson is the first writer shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award 2020. Ben Bailey Smith reads this powerful, poetic parable about loss, longing and brotherhood. Recalling a hot, remembered summer in South East London, the story is as urgent and universal as it is evocative. This episode also contains and interview with the writer from BBC Radio 4's Front Row. From the short and pithy to the layered and literary, via robust poetics, family hierarchies and maligned youth, this year’s shortlist is the perfect reflection of all this ever-flexible fictional form can do. As a star-studded cast celebrate the fifteenth year of the BBC National Short Story award with Cambridge University, the short story, be it humorous, witty or poignant, retains its ability to surprise, delight and move us in equal measure. Now in its fifteenth year, the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious for a single short story. Following the announcement of the shortlist on Radio 4's Front Row, on Friday, 11th September, the five stories in contention for the 2020 award will be broadcast each weekday afternoon on Radio 4 at half past three from Monday, 14th September. Each of the shortlisted writers will be interviewed the evening preceding the broadcast of their story on Front Row, and the winner will be announced live on the programme Tuesday 6th October. All the stories will be available on BBC Sounds after broadcast, and there will be a special edition of the Short Story podcast for each to download. For links and the most up to date information go to bbc.co.uk/nssa. Read by Ben Bailey Smith Produced by Ciaran Bermingham

Stay tuned for the 5 incredible shortlisted stories for the BBC NSSA 2020

Poignant story of a young gay man living and loving on the margins of Houston, Texas

Two friend discuss love as one of them re-embarks on the dating scene later on in life

A specially commissioned short story in which a seduction exacts a high price.

From an island in the Bristol Channel, a distress signal goes out over the airwaves.

A story of birth, growth and magic, read by Nicola Ferguson. Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

The final specially-commissioned work celebrating the 2019 BBC National Short Story Award

The forth specially-commissioned work celebrating the 2019 BBC National Short Story Award

The third specially-commissioned work celebrating the 2019 BBC National Short Story Award

The second specially-commissioned work to mark this year's BBC National Short Story Award

One of five newly commissioned works to mark this year's BBC National Short Story Award.

A special edition featuring all of the shortlisted stories just announced for YWA 2019.

An unusual childhood leads to reflections on intolerance. Read by Stephen Campbell Moore. Produced by Elizabeth Allard.

Tale about fantasies that make life bearable and what happens when cracks begin to show. Read by Aimee-Ffion Edwards. Produced by Gemma Jenkins.

Tamsin Grey’s story about being alone in a big city finds the comedy in awkward encounters and unsuitable relationships. Read by Katherine Press. Produced by Gemma Jenkins.

A haunting reflection on motherhood and loss. Read by Jessica Raine. Produced by Elizabeth Allard.

A haunting tale of migration, about a fear of not belonging and a yearning to break free. Read by Tamara Lawrence. Produced by Gemma Jenkins.

Beth writes letters to her daughter's father, even though he has no idea the girl exists.