Saturday evening

View from the railway bridge (Chiltern Line, Sudbury Hill Harrow)

"Humped Crossing" (Whitton Avenue West)

Lineup for New Short Stories 11 revealed

Contents

Introduction by Gina Challen – vii

JL Bogenschneider – Miss Maughan – 11

Ursula Brunetti – Satellites – 31

Carol Dines – Forgiveness – 47

Derek Dirckx – Dark in Here – 71

Sarah Evans – Only Human – 91

Jeff Ewing – Fireball Outfit – 111

David Frankel – Meadowlands – 125

Ray French – Voyager – 141

N. Jane Kalu – To Have a Ghost Baby – 159

Marylee MacDonald – Caboose – 167

Jaki McCarrick – The Emperor of Russia – 193

Gerard McKeown – Rabbit Season – 211

Jay Merill – Vole or Mole – 223

Diana Powell – The Watcher – 231

John Saul – The garden designer – 241

Notes on Contributors – 257

~

Thanks to everyone who submitted. It was a privilege and a pleasure to read 292 short stories from around the world. As well as Europe and North America, there were a few from Asia and Africa. One from Nigeria is in the book and another would have been only it was snapped-up elsewhere. Each was a good try and many are sure to find publication before too long. The standard was at least as high as ever, and it was with regret that we had to pass on some due to sheer volume of impressive works received.

The book is being put together now. One of the next tasks is the cover design, which will be in the hands of Stratos, who has designed all the covers to date. Watch this space for news on the progress of the production and publication. (Ed.)

Recent successes for past Willesden short story prize winners

2019

October 2: BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University 2019: “The Invisible” by Jo Lloyd

September 27: Out Now: “The False River” short story collection by Nick Holdstock

September 20: Double chapbook launch. "Past contributors to WH New Short Stories, Brian Kirk and Jill Widner, enjoyed a double win at the Cork International Short Story Festival 2019." (See also Feb. 15)

September 12: Danielle McLaughlin takes The Times/ Audible Short Story Award 2019

August 24: Book launch: “Like Water and Other Stories” by Olga Zilberbourg

July 3: Book launch: "Chalk Tracks" by Gina Challen, twice contributor to New Short Stories

March 13: Danielle McLaughlin receives Windham-Campbell award

Feb 15: Friends of Willesden Herald take both Southword fiction chapbook awards 2019

Kensal Rise Library reopens after 8 years campaign

Just in from Kensal Rise Library:

"This Saturday, 28th September 2019, we are joyfully re-opening as a public library! Come join us from 2pm. After more than 8 years of campaigning, fundraising and community activity - we finally have reached the moment that makes it all worth it. The library is back!

"Come join us for a day of celebration from 2pm on Saturday 28th September for live music, readings and refreshments."

"Ack ack ack ack!" (Transl. Opposition will melt)

Mars Commander ____________ Dominic Cummings

"Toryism Is Not Working"

Jacob Rees-Mogg's attitude to parliamentary democracy,
used to illustrate the collapse of the Tory government's majority