During the weekend the lovely people behind the
Bristol Short Story Prize put on Shortstoryville, their first literary festival celebrating the power of short stories, at the Arnolfini in Bristol. I was honoured to chair the opening session, which showcased the work of Sarah Salway, Alison MacLeod and Janice Galloway, all of whom are highly acclaimed novelists as well as short story authors. The rest of the day featured other equally wonderful writers including Helen Oyeyemi, Tania Hershman and Stuart Evers. I want to publicly thank Joe Melia and the BSSP team for organising an event that was so interesting, original, varied, diverse and celebratory. Thanks too to the audience, who asked such insightful questions and were so supportive. I hope this becomes an annual fixture and expands into a multi-day event. I for one will wholeheartedly support it.
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First they don't smile. L-R Sarah Salway, someone who wandered in off
the street, Alison MacLeod, Janice Galloway.
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| Then they smile! So much funny hee-hee laughter time! |
