The BBC National Short Story Award (known as the National Short Story Award in 2006 and 2007) has been described as "one of the most prestigious [awards] for a single short story"[1] and the richest prize in the world for a single short story. It is an annual short story contest in the United Kingdom which is open to UK residents and nationals. As of 2017, the winner receives £15,000 and four shortlisted writers receive £600 each.
| BBC National Short Story Award | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Best short story by a UK national or resident |
| Sponsored by | BBC Radio 4 with Cambridge University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Presented by | BBC (formerly National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) |
| Formerly called | National Short Story Award (2006–2007) |
| First awarded | 2006 |
| Currently held by | Comorbidities, Naomi Wood (2023) |
| Website | BBC National Short Story Award |
| Television/radio coverage | |
| Network | BBC Radio 4 |
Award and history
editThe BBC National Short Story Award is an annual short story contest in the United Kingdom which is open to UK residents and nationals.[2][3] It aims to increase interest in the short story genre, particularly British short stories.[3] As of 2017, the winner receives £15,000 and four shortlisted writers receive £600 each.[4][5] The award has been described as "one of the most prestigious [awards] for a single short story"[1] and the richest prize in the world for a single short story.[6] However, the Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award is greater, at £30,000.[7]
It was founded in 2005 and announced at the Edinburgh International Book Festival the same year.[8] The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) were the main sponsor, with support from BBC Radio 4 and Prospect magazine.[2] Originally, winners received £15,000 while runners up received £3,000 and shortlisted writers £500 each.[6][8] In 2008, the BBC became the main sponsor and the award was renamed from the "National Short Story Award" to the "BBC National Short Story Award".[2]
Winners and shortlisted writers
editIn 2009, only women were featured on the shortlist.[9] This happened for the second time in 2013 and the fifth time in 2018.[10][11] In 2018, prize judge Di Speirs noted that the BBC National Short Story Award has never had an all-male shortlist.[12] Short stories written by women typically account for between 50 and 70 percent of all submissions.[13]
At 26 years of age, Canadian writer D. W. Wilson became the youngest ever recipient of the award in 2011.[14][15] In 2020, Sarah Hall, who won the award in 2013 and 2020, became the first writer to have won the award twice.[16] In 2012, in honour of the 2012 Summer Olympics hosted in London, the competition was open to a global audience for one year only.[17] Ten stories were shortlisted, instead of five, and Bulgarian writer Miroslav Penkov won.[18]
Controversies
editIn 2007, BBC Radio 4 chose not to broadcast the short story "Weddings and Beheadings" by Hanif Kureishi after a militant group claimed to have executed the BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.[19] Kureishi argued that this was an act of censorship by the BBC.[19]
References
edit- ^ a b "London Met alum shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award | News from the School of Art, Architecture and Design". London Metropolitan University. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "BBC Radio 4 – BBC National Short Story Award – The 2016 Award". BBC. ISSN 2421-3667. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ a b Ezard, John (4 April 2006). "Richest short story competition draws huge entry". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "The BBC National Short Story Award Shortlist". Granta. 15 September 2017. ISSN 0017-3231. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Lucy Caldwell wins 16th BBC National Short Story Award". BBC. 19 October 2021. ISSN 2421-3667. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ a b Lea, Richard (4 July 2008). "Field narrows in race for richest story award". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ Staff writer (19 February 2012). "OMG: Text speak short story in running for £30,000 prize". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ^ a b Edemariam, Aida (24 August 2005). "Keep it brief". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ Flood, Alison (27 November 2009). "All-female shortlist for BBC National Short Story award". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Bury, Liz (20 September 2013). "All-woman shortlist for BBC short story award 2013". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ Flood, Alison (14 September 2018). "BBC short story prize selects all-female shortlist for fifth time". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Flood, Alison (14 September 2018). "BBC short story prize selects all-female shortlist for fifth time". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Spiers, Di. "BBC Radio 4 - BBC National Short Story Award - What I've learned from 15 years of the BBC National Short Story Award". BBC. Interviewed by Sophie Haydock. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "DW Wilson is youngest winner of BBC Short Story prize". BBC. 26 September 2011. ISSN 2421-3667. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Macdonald, Fleur (28 September 2011). "Youngest-ever winner of the National BBC Short Story Award". The Spectator. ISSN 0038-6952. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Flood, Alison (6 October 2020). "'Master' of short story Sarah Hall becomes first to win BBC prize twice". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Alison Flood (14 September 2012). "Deborah Levy joins shortlist for BBC international short story award". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
- ^ "BBC short story prize to go global for Olympic year". BBC. 9 December 2011. ISSN 2421-3667. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ a b Gibson, Owen (17 April 2007). "BBC accused of censorship after cancelling short story broadcast". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 April 2024.