Get inspired to hold your own National Short Story Week event by reading about great events that are happening around the country.
If you have organised an event for the Week please let us know.
Schools
Thousands of Year 7 and 8 students across the UK are taking part in this year's National Short Story Week Young Writer competition. The competition is being run by school librarians and English teachers and is supported by our media partner First News, the children's newspaper. Children must write a short story of between 900 and 1000 words, with the title The Choice. There are still limited places left if you'd like your school to take part.
Libraries
Libraries in over 50 library authorities around the country are planning to celebrate National Short Story Week with book displays, talks and workshops. Look out for posters in your local library for more details.
Online
Aspiring writers are in for a real treat as Sue Cook presents three online specials of her radio programme The Write Lines. Hear award winning and best selling writers share their experiences and tips on writing short stories, writing women's fiction and writing for children. The programmes will be available from Monday October 24th on The Write Lines website, The National Short Story Week website, iTunes and other selected writing and reading websites.
On CD
To celebrate National Short Story Week and to support educational charity The Helena Kennedy Foundation, eleven of the UK's best loved women's fiction writers have donated stories for a double-CD audiobook. Buy the book from here or Amazon.
Events around the UK
Here is just a selection of events taking place for this year's National Short Story Week:
Monday 7th to Sunday 13th November
Torbay Libraries, Devon
We will be promoting our short story stock for the whole of National Short Story Week, 7th to 12th November, as well as giving away free copies of Picador Shots – little books with one or two short stories from well known authors in them. And if you join our Reader Groups, on this year’s prospectus you’ll get a chance to read Helen Simpson’s brilliant collection of short stories, In Flight Entertainment. www.torbay.gov.uk/libraries
Totton College, Southamptom
Totton College Library will again be celebrating National Short Story
Week. We will be displaying our short story collection in the library
as well as running a competition with a prize for the best entry. This
year our competition will be slightly different. There will be four
opening paragraphs, one of which can be chosen to finish as a short
story. In addition and just for fun there will be collaborative short
story writing, where anyone can contribute to various stories by adding
a sentence or a paragraph to what has previously been written.
Poole Central Library, Dolphin Centre, Poole BH15 1QE. Launch 11am – 12am.
29th September Launch and fun short story writing session. Closing Date 31st October / Prizes awarded 10th November 2011
Full of Life Prize Short Story Competition
Competition to write a short story on the theme ‘Full of Life’ in one of 2 categories: Short (500-750 words) or mini (200-250 words). The competition is aimed particularly at unpublished and new writers. Entry forms can be obtained after the launch date from all Poole Libraries and online. Short-listed stories will be read aloud in storytelling and reading groups.
Castle Mead Hospital Radio, Hinckley, Leicestershire
Castle Mead Hospital Radio needs your short stories. Carrot Napper Productions invite writers for National Short Story Week to write a short story to be recorded and enjoyed by patients in hospitals across the Hinckley area in Leicestershire. Please e-mail your short stories in a word attachment to: mail@carrotnapper.com
Writers making a difference, helping hospitals in Hinckley as part of National Short Story Week.
Ashton-in-Makerfield U3A Creative Writing Group, Lancashire
To celebrate National Short Story Week, the U3A group has compiled an anthology of work from members, entitled 'Write On'. Copies will be on sale for £1.50 at the November meeting, when the group is 'Group of the Month'. All profits go to the U3A branch's chosen charity for this year - a children's hospice.
Monday 7th November
Luton Central Library, St George’s Square, Luton LU1 2NG. 11am to 1pm Short Story Writing: A Workshop with Carole Matthews
Join us for a fun session on writing short stories with local author Carole Matthews. Tickets cost £5.00 (£3.00 concessions). This is just one of our book festival events. Go to www.lutonlibraries.co.uk to find out more.
Ashton-in-Makerfield Library, Wigan Road, Wigan WN4 9BH.
Short Story workshop
Ashton-in-Makerfield U3A Reading Group 1 will be discussing a selection of short
stories, including Roald Dahl's Skin. We will also be listening to some of the short stories from the Women Aloud CD.
Tuesday 8th November
The Blue Coat Room, The Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1NS. 2pm to 4.30 pm
Reading & Writing Short Stories - an introductory workshop
This afternoon session, taking place in National Short Story Week, will be a chance to explore the appeal and fascination of the short story. Reading them for enjoyment, discussing them to help our understanding, and even having a go at writing a short story - all these aspects will be covered. Whether you are new to the topic, just getting in to it, or an avid reader or writer of short stories, there will be something of interest for you. Everyone will be able to contribute and to learn in the discussions and practical sessions. Admission is free and there is no need to book - just come along! Any enquiries to Frank Colls, 01452 538366 or Cath Humphris, cathum@btinternet.com or 07929 731598. Tutor: Cath Humphris.
Wedneday 9th November
Emersons Green Library, Emerson Way, Emersons Green, South Gloucestershire BS16 7AP. Start 7.30pm
“Small wonders. The joy of short stories”
Mike Manson and Tania Hershman in conversation about their love of the short story, how to write and publish them and a reading. Mike is an author, editor of Bristol Review of Books and organiser of the current Bristol Festival of Literature. Tania is a science writer turned published short story writer, currently writing her second collection inspired by spending time in the biochemistry lab at Bristol University. Tickets £2.50 (members)/£5 (non-members) available from any South Gloucestershire Library.
St Agnes Library, Trelawney Road, St Agnes, Cornwall TR5 0TP. Starts 7:30pm.
An Evening of Short Stories
"By My Own Hand" - an evening of short stories written and read by members of the St Agnes Writers. Admission £2.00, includes complimentary refreshments.
Dunstable Library, Vernon Place, Dunstable, LU5 4HA. 7-9pm Bedfordshire
Andrew Brammer - Performance Storyteller
Storyteller and award winning local author. Hear Andrew Brammer's tales of growing up in 1970s Dunstable. Pick up a signed copy of his new book and/or CD. A fantastic night out. Refreshments are provided. Please contact the library for a free ticket 0300 300 8056.
Elm Park Library, St Nicholas Avenue, Elm Park, Hornchurch, RM12 4PT. London Borough of Havering.
10.30am to 12noon
Short Story Creative Writing Workshop
Collect hints and tips for writing the perfect short story. For adults. Just turn up or contact Viv on 01708 434975 for further information.
The Dragon Hotel, Crickhowell, Powys. 6:30pm for 7pm.
National Short Story Week : Reading Evening
Bookish is delighted to support National Short Story Week by hosting a Live Literary evening of short story reading. Joining us will Abergavennys 'The Word Counts' writing group. New and experienced writers are encouraged to bring along their short stories to read (5 mins or 800 words max). Contact: Emma Corfield-Walters on 01873811256.
Thursday 10th November
Creative writing workshop
Showfields Library, Tunbridge Wells. 10am to noon
U3a members of the Creative Writing Workshop of Tunbridge Wells are holding a fun session on writing short stories with local author of children's fiction, Tony Streeter. This will be held at the Showfields Library (near Sainsbury's) from 10 am to 12noon. Contact 01892 525950
Malvern Theatres, Grange Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3HB. Starst 7.30pm
As You Read it
As You Read It’ is a new and exciting competition for writers to win the opportunity to read their own short stories on the stage at Malvern Theatres in front of a live audience. More information on website.
Scone Library, Sandy Road, Scone, Perth, Scotland PH2 6LJ. Tel: 01738 553029. 6pm - 8pm
Creative Writing Workshop with Fiona Thackeray
To celebrate National Short Story week, Scone library present a Creative Writing Workshop, led by prize winning author, Fiona Thackeray. Having recently launched her collection of short stories "The Secret's in the Folding," and won prizes including the Soutar Prize and the Neil Gunn Award for her writing, Fiona will share inventive exercises to help you find ideas and inspire you to begin writing. This workshop is a must for all budding writers. Prepare to hold the key to great story writing! This event is free of charge and refreshments will be available.
Grace Dieu Writers’ Circle, Coalville & District Constitutional Club, High Street, Coalville, LE67 3EE. 7pm – 9.30pm Leicestershire
Reading Evening
GDWC is delighted to support National Short Story Week by hosting a Live Lit evening of short story reading. Joining in will be guest readers from Ashby Writers, Charnwood Writers and Runaway Writers, Burton. Numbers are limited and, therefore, booking is essential for this event. Contact: Tony Gutteridge, Treasurer/Competition Organiser: phone: 01455 273591; email: tonygutteridge@live.com for details.
St Mary’s Community Complex Eltham,180 Eltham High Street, Eltham, London SE9 1BJ. 10.00am to – 12.00 noon.
Telling Tales & Taking Tea
An opportunity to listen to short stories from well-known writers and a local author while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee. Call 020 8850 2040.
Liverpool. The MA Victorian Literature Reading Group, formed 13 years ago by a small group of postgraduates from the University of Liverpool, will be discussing Thomas Hardy's The Three Strangers.
Friday 11th November
The Chertsey Bookshop, 95 - 99 Guildford Street, Chertsey, KT16 9AS. Starts 7.30pm.
A Toe in the Water
We are a group of local writers with published work and competition success and also a BT Olympic Storyteller who have decided to hold a performance evening in Chertsey to take the spoken word out into the community. We hope this will be the first of many such evenings. There will be a mixture of poetry and prose, funny and serious but all geared towards an entertaining evening; all of course in a comfortable and easily accessible venue. para-gram.com.
Saturday 12th November
Plymouth Proprietary Library, Alton Terrace, 111 North Hill, Mutley, Plymouth PL4 8JY. 10am to 3pm
Plymouth New and Old
A workshop free to all keen writers run by members of the Plymouth Proprietary Library Writers Group. The theme will be on Plymouth based stories in your chosen genre - bring some along to read aloud or join in a continum of exercises with members of Plymouth's historic library, founded in 1810. Booking essential. Please e-mail plymouthproprietarywriters@gmail.com
Behind the Blue Door @ 177 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex. 10 am – 3 pm (lunch break from 12 - 1 pm)
'National Short Story Week' Writing Workshop
From idea generation to completed flash fiction. In-class writing exercises and creative support. Ideal for beginners and experienced writers.
Workshop fee £35 – Must pre-register via www.MindfulLivingGuide.com or call Sean on 07971 774151
Other events to celebrate National Short Story Week, being held in the run up to the Week itself:
Mondays, 10th October through 14th November
Behind the Blue Door, 177 High Street, LEWES, East Sussex BN7 1YE. 10am – 12 noon
Short Story Writing, from A to Z 6 week course
In celebration of National Short Story Week 2011, we'll explore – through in-class and out-of-class writing, over the course of six weeks – the essential elements of successful short stories.
6-Week Course Fee £95 – Must pre-register via www.MindfulLivingGuide.com or call Sean on 07971 774151.
Wednesdays, 12th October through 16th November
Behind the Blue Door, 177 High Street, LEWES, East Sussex BN7 1YE. 7pm – 9pm
'The Best British Short Stories 2011' Reading & Discussion Course 6 week course.
We will read The Best British Short Stories 2011 (listed on the NSSW recommended reading list), edited by Nicholas Royle, and meet to discuss three or four of the stories each week.
6-Week Course Fee £95 – Must pre-register via www.MindfulLivingGuide.com or call Sean on 07971 774151
Thursday 20th October
The Cornwall Centre, The Langman Room, The Cornwall Centre, Alma Place, Redruth TR15 2AT. 10am for pre-schoolers, 11am and 2.15pm for adults
Short Stories from Cornwall and beyond: Dozmary Pool to the green bus from St. Ives
Join us for the 10th birthday of the Cornwall Centre, the library for all things Cornish. There will be a bit of Cornish magic, some great short stories from Cornwall and elsewhere and a discussion on what makes a good short story with guest author from London, John Tagholm.
This is a free event open to all. You are welcome to bring along a favourite short story. The afternoon session will be followed by a tour of the Cornish Studies Library exhibition and a Cornish birthday tea. Good access by bus and train and there is a nearby pay & display car park on Station Hill.
Tuesday 25th October
Collier Row Library, 45 Collier Row Road, Collier Row, Romford, RM5 3NR. London Borough of Havering.
10.30am to 12noon
Short Story Creative Writing Workshop
Collect hints and tips for writing the perfect short story. For adults. Just turn up or contact Viv on 01708 434975 for further information.
Saturday 29th October
Airdrie Library, Wellwynd, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. Starts 3pm
North Lanarkshire Festival of Books and Writing. Words 2011
Being a child in wartime Glasgow.
Saturday 5th November
Malvern Library, Graham Rd, Malvern WR14 2HU. 3.30pm to 4.30pm.
Painting in Words: the evocative images of Edward Hopper
Local writer Loretta Proctor will be showing images of Edward Hopper pictures and speaking about him and his work, and then explaining how she has written short stories inspired by his pictures. Includes reading.
Other events to celebrate National Short Story Week, being held shortly after the Week itself:
Saturday 19th November
Mad Hatters Team Room, 49 Bridge Street Row East, Chester CH1 1NW. 3pm to 5pm
The Story Cafe
A telling of winter tales, reflections & insights, plus a little bit of creativity. £15 booked online; £20 on the door. All bookings online
Thursday 24th November
Romford Central Library, St Edward's Way, Romford, RM1 3AR. London Borough of Havering.
2pm to 3.30pm
Short Story Creative Writing Workshop
Collect hints and tips for writing the perfect short story. For adults. Just turn up or contact Viv on 01708 434975 for further information.
Harold Wood Library, Arundel Road, Harold Wood, Romford, RM3 0RX. London Borough of Havering. 6pm to 7.30pm
Short Story Creative Writing Workshop
Collect hints and tips for writing the perfect short story. For adults. Just turn up or contact Viv on 01708 434975 for further information.
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