BBC short story prize selects all-female shortlist for fifth time

No space for male authors in race for £15,000 award, whose entries are judged blind

For the fifth time in 13 years, the final contenders for the BBC national short story award are all women.

The five-strong shortlist pits former winner Sarah Hall against the composer Kerry Andrew and new names Kiare Ladner, Ingrid Persaud and Nell Stevens in competition for the £15,000 prize. All five stories will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 ahead of the final decision. Almost 800 entries were submitted for the award, which is run in partnership with Cambridge University and judged entirely blind – selectors know neither the name nor gender of the authors they read.

Continue reading...