Bristol Short Story Prize
@bristolshortstory.bsky.social
The Bristol Short Story Prize is an international writing competition hosted by the Department of English at the University of Bristol.
https://bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
https://bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
The Bristol Short Story Prize will officially re-open next week!
Writers, get ready - you can submit your short stories from the 19th November. All info on our website (link in bio).
Writers, get ready - you can submit your short stories from the 19th November. All info on our website (link in bio).
November 13, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The Bristol Short Story Prize will officially re-open next week!
Writers, get ready - you can submit your short stories from the 19th November. All info on our website (link in bio).
Writers, get ready - you can submit your short stories from the 19th November. All info on our website (link in bio).
We've been sitting on a very special announcement, and we can't wait to share it with you. Writers - get ready, and stay tuned for updates!
November 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM
We've been sitting on a very special announcement, and we can't wait to share it with you. Writers - get ready, and stay tuned for updates!
Congratulations to this year's winners and to all the writers featured in the Volume 17 anthology.
Read all their stories: bit.ly/4l0zhk8
@zoemeager.bsky.social @morrislau78.bsky.social
#writing #shortstories #writingcompetitions
Read all their stories: bit.ly/4l0zhk8
@zoemeager.bsky.social @morrislau78.bsky.social
#writing #shortstories #writingcompetitions
June 30, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Congratulations to this year's winners and to all the writers featured in the Volume 17 anthology.
Read all their stories: bit.ly/4l0zhk8
@zoemeager.bsky.social @morrislau78.bsky.social
#writing #shortstories #writingcompetitions
Read all their stories: bit.ly/4l0zhk8
@zoemeager.bsky.social @morrislau78.bsky.social
#writing #shortstories #writingcompetitions
Local to Bristol?
Don't miss the 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Launch and Winners' Reception tomorrow, June 28th, at Waterstones, Bristol - Galleries.
Get your free ticket here: bit.ly/3TIoQFU
#writingprize #shortstoryprize
Don't miss the 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Launch and Winners' Reception tomorrow, June 28th, at Waterstones, Bristol - Galleries.
Get your free ticket here: bit.ly/3TIoQFU
#writingprize #shortstoryprize
June 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Local to Bristol?
Don't miss the 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Launch and Winners' Reception tomorrow, June 28th, at Waterstones, Bristol - Galleries.
Get your free ticket here: bit.ly/3TIoQFU
#writingprize #shortstoryprize
Don't miss the 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Launch and Winners' Reception tomorrow, June 28th, at Waterstones, Bristol - Galleries.
Get your free ticket here: bit.ly/3TIoQFU
#writingprize #shortstoryprize
Hurt from tragedy and haunted by bullies, ‘Washing Instructions for Delicate Fabric’ follows a young girl as she tries to fit into a life that wasn't made for her.
📚 @annewilkins.bsky.social's story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 @annewilkins.bsky.social's story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 26, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Hurt from tragedy and haunted by bullies, ‘Washing Instructions for Delicate Fabric’ follows a young girl as she tries to fit into a life that wasn't made for her.
📚 @annewilkins.bsky.social's story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 @annewilkins.bsky.social's story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
It wasn’t part of the plan. In fact, you didn’t even think it was possible… not at your age. But it happened and now an impossible decision sits before you.
📚 Catch Debra's affecting story in our 2025 anthology & meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Catch Debra's affecting story in our 2025 anthology & meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 25, 2025 at 11:31 AM
It wasn’t part of the plan. In fact, you didn’t even think it was possible… not at your age. But it happened and now an impossible decision sits before you.
📚 Catch Debra's affecting story in our 2025 anthology & meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Catch Debra's affecting story in our 2025 anthology & meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
They’re back! They might not look the same, but that doesn’t matter. All that matters is the chance for more time. A compelling story about loss, reincarnation and letting go.
📚 Read Becky’s story in our anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Read Becky’s story in our anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM
They’re back! They might not look the same, but that doesn’t matter. All that matters is the chance for more time. A compelling story about loss, reincarnation and letting go.
📚 Read Becky’s story in our anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Read Becky’s story in our anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
In the aftermath of a devastating fire, rescue crews search for survivors, while a young girl searches for hope in the darkness.
📚 Jillian’s story joins our next anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Jillian’s story joins our next anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM
In the aftermath of a devastating fire, rescue crews search for survivors, while a young girl searches for hope in the darkness.
📚 Jillian’s story joins our next anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Jillian’s story joins our next anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
It’s the morning of the Olympic 100m sprint, a historic day in the making, and yet life goes on. ‘1992’ immerses us in the daily lives of a family just doing their best.
📚 Look for S-L’s story in our upcoming anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Look for S-L’s story in our upcoming anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 22, 2025 at 11:30 AM
It’s the morning of the Olympic 100m sprint, a historic day in the making, and yet life goes on. ‘1992’ immerses us in the daily lives of a family just doing their best.
📚 Look for S-L’s story in our upcoming anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Look for S-L’s story in our upcoming anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
Fran seems destined to a life running the family business – Dikes’ Gas & Goods – until a late-night customer makes her question everything.
📚 Louis’s mysterious story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Louis’s mysterious story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Fran seems destined to a life running the family business – Dikes’ Gas & Goods – until a late-night customer makes her question everything.
📚 Louis’s mysterious story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Louis’s mysterious story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
‘How to Lose a Sister’ is a deeply emotional story about grief, learning to live with it and learning that life can still be beautiful.
📚 Read Issie’s story in our new anthology. Find out more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Read Issie’s story in our new anthology. Find out more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 20, 2025 at 11:31 AM
‘How to Lose a Sister’ is a deeply emotional story about grief, learning to live with it and learning that life can still be beautiful.
📚 Read Issie’s story in our new anthology. Find out more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Read Issie’s story in our new anthology. Find out more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
Stuck. Trapped. Flattened. ‘The Weight of a Man’ is an exploration of family, love and the search to escape pressures outside our control.
📚 Read @morrislau78.bsky.social's story in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Read @morrislau78.bsky.social's story in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 19, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Stuck. Trapped. Flattened. ‘The Weight of a Man’ is an exploration of family, love and the search to escape pressures outside our control.
📚 Read @morrislau78.bsky.social's story in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Read @morrislau78.bsky.social's story in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
What if you had to let go of the things you love, one at a time, until you had nothing left? Could you do it? What if you didn’t have a choice?
📚 @zoemeager.bsky.social's story joins our next anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 @zoemeager.bsky.social's story joins our next anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 18, 2025 at 11:31 AM
What if you had to let go of the things you love, one at a time, until you had nothing left? Could you do it? What if you didn’t have a choice?
📚 @zoemeager.bsky.social's story joins our next anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 @zoemeager.bsky.social's story joins our next anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
In this multi-POV story, we follow a mother and her daughter as they are forced to confront what it means to belong.
📚 @kerrymead.bsky.social’s heart-breaking story will feature in our new anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 @kerrymead.bsky.social’s heart-breaking story will feature in our new anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
In this multi-POV story, we follow a mother and her daughter as they are forced to confront what it means to belong.
📚 @kerrymead.bsky.social’s heart-breaking story will feature in our new anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 @kerrymead.bsky.social’s heart-breaking story will feature in our new anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
Accidentally sharing a bed with a friend is one thing, but doing it with a coworker you hardly know... that's a disaster waiting to happen. Or is it?
📚 Check out @phoebhamiltonjones.bsky.social's laugh out loud story in our upcoming anthology and meet all 15 shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Check out @phoebhamiltonjones.bsky.social's laugh out loud story in our upcoming anthology and meet all 15 shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Accidentally sharing a bed with a friend is one thing, but doing it with a coworker you hardly know... that's a disaster waiting to happen. Or is it?
📚 Check out @phoebhamiltonjones.bsky.social's laugh out loud story in our upcoming anthology and meet all 15 shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Check out @phoebhamiltonjones.bsky.social's laugh out loud story in our upcoming anthology and meet all 15 shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
‘Eggshell White’ brings us face to face with the oppressive darkness that lives beneath the walls, beneath the skin, beneath society’s façade.
📚 Catch @demimondaine.bsky.social's work in our upcoming anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Catch @demimondaine.bsky.social's work in our upcoming anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 15, 2025 at 11:30 AM
‘Eggshell White’ brings us face to face with the oppressive darkness that lives beneath the walls, beneath the skin, beneath society’s façade.
📚 Catch @demimondaine.bsky.social's work in our upcoming anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Catch @demimondaine.bsky.social's work in our upcoming anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
‘Memory Box’ paints a heart-wrenching portrait of life after earth and explores the beauty and sadness that comes with clinging to memories of things long lost.
📚 JR’s story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more & meet all the shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 JR’s story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more & meet all the shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 14, 2025 at 11:30 AM
‘Memory Box’ paints a heart-wrenching portrait of life after earth and explores the beauty and sadness that comes with clinging to memories of things long lost.
📚 JR’s story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more & meet all the shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 JR’s story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more & meet all the shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
This compelling and visceral vignette gives us a glimpse into the life of a teenager trying to live and love as the world crumbles around them.
📚 Emma’s story will appear in our upcoming anthology along with the other shortlisted writers. Learn more: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Emma’s story will appear in our upcoming anthology along with the other shortlisted writers. Learn more: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 13, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This compelling and visceral vignette gives us a glimpse into the life of a teenager trying to live and love as the world crumbles around them.
📚 Emma’s story will appear in our upcoming anthology along with the other shortlisted writers. Learn more: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Emma’s story will appear in our upcoming anthology along with the other shortlisted writers. Learn more: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
‘Borderline’ takes us on a journey of self-exploration. In a divided Berlin, the main character must face the dangers of embracing all aspects of their identity or forever feel incomplete.
📚 Catch @redfernjon.bsky.social's story in our anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Catch @redfernjon.bsky.social's story in our anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
June 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
‘Borderline’ takes us on a journey of self-exploration. In a divided Berlin, the main character must face the dangers of embracing all aspects of their identity or forever feel incomplete.
📚 Catch @redfernjon.bsky.social's story in our anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
📚 Catch @redfernjon.bsky.social's story in our anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB
The 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize shortlist is now live: bit.ly/4k7rSio
A huge thank you to our incredible judging panel: @jancarsonwrites.bsky.social, Kate Johnson and @peacemedie.bsky.social for their time, commitment and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to this year’s shortlisted authors!
A huge thank you to our incredible judging panel: @jancarsonwrites.bsky.social, Kate Johnson and @peacemedie.bsky.social for their time, commitment and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to this year’s shortlisted authors!
May 15, 2025 at 10:41 AM
The 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize shortlist is now live: bit.ly/4k7rSio
A huge thank you to our incredible judging panel: @jancarsonwrites.bsky.social, Kate Johnson and @peacemedie.bsky.social for their time, commitment and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to this year’s shortlisted authors!
A huge thank you to our incredible judging panel: @jancarsonwrites.bsky.social, Kate Johnson and @peacemedie.bsky.social for their time, commitment and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to this year’s shortlisted authors!
Happy publication day to Kasia Jaronczyk, whose new novel, Voices in the Air, was published by Palimpsest Press last week!
We are over the moon for Kasia, whose short story, Lemons, was shortlisted for the 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize.
We are over the moon for Kasia, whose short story, Lemons, was shortlisted for the 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize.
February 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Happy publication day to Kasia Jaronczyk, whose new novel, Voices in the Air, was published by Palimpsest Press last week!
We are over the moon for Kasia, whose short story, Lemons, was shortlisted for the 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize.
We are over the moon for Kasia, whose short story, Lemons, was shortlisted for the 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize.
Congratulations to Maureen Cullen on her debut novel 'Kitten Heels', published by Ringwood Publishing in Oct '24, and on her short story collection, 'Havoc Shore', coming out this June.
We are elated for Maureen, whose story, Havoc Shore, was shortlisted for the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize.
We are elated for Maureen, whose story, Havoc Shore, was shortlisted for the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize.
February 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Congratulations to Maureen Cullen on her debut novel 'Kitten Heels', published by Ringwood Publishing in Oct '24, and on her short story collection, 'Havoc Shore', coming out this June.
We are elated for Maureen, whose story, Havoc Shore, was shortlisted for the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize.
We are elated for Maureen, whose story, Havoc Shore, was shortlisted for the 2018 Bristol Short Story Prize.
The clock is ticking! Only 12 hours left to get those entries in!
BBSP closes for second chance submissions tonight (Feb 5) at 23:59 BST!
Submit your short stories before time runs out: buff.ly/4gqxWA6
Share far and wide ✍️📚
BBSP closes for second chance submissions tonight (Feb 5) at 23:59 BST!
Submit your short stories before time runs out: buff.ly/4gqxWA6
Share far and wide ✍️📚
February 5, 2025 at 11:59 AM
The clock is ticking! Only 12 hours left to get those entries in!
BBSP closes for second chance submissions tonight (Feb 5) at 23:59 BST!
Submit your short stories before time runs out: buff.ly/4gqxWA6
Share far and wide ✍️📚
BBSP closes for second chance submissions tonight (Feb 5) at 23:59 BST!
Submit your short stories before time runs out: buff.ly/4gqxWA6
Share far and wide ✍️📚
The submission portal is now open!
If you didn't get a chance to submit before, now is your chance. The portal is only open until 23:59 BST tonight (5 Feb)!
Visit https://buff.ly/4gqxWA6 and submit your #shortstory for a chance to win!
#WritingCommunity
If you didn't get a chance to submit before, now is your chance. The portal is only open until 23:59 BST tonight (5 Feb)!
Visit https://buff.ly/4gqxWA6 and submit your #shortstory for a chance to win!
#WritingCommunity
February 5, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The submission portal is now open!
If you didn't get a chance to submit before, now is your chance. The portal is only open until 23:59 BST tonight (5 Feb)!
Visit https://buff.ly/4gqxWA6 and submit your #shortstory for a chance to win!
#WritingCommunity
If you didn't get a chance to submit before, now is your chance. The portal is only open until 23:59 BST tonight (5 Feb)!
Visit https://buff.ly/4gqxWA6 and submit your #shortstory for a chance to win!
#WritingCommunity
You have less than 24 hours to submit to The Bristol Short Story Prize with your incredible story under 4000 words! And this flash fiction lover believes there will be some under 1K on the shortlist--the flash fiction community is just so 🔥!
SUBMIT NOW! bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
SUBMIT NOW! bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
January 31, 2025 at 4:42 AM
You have less than 24 hours to submit to The Bristol Short Story Prize with your incredible story under 4000 words! And this flash fiction lover believes there will be some under 1K on the shortlist--the flash fiction community is just so 🔥!
SUBMIT NOW! bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
SUBMIT NOW! bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk