The Writing.ie Short Story of the Year

Now in its second year, the Writing.ie Short Story of the Year provides an invaluable opportunity for new and established voices to shine. Many outstanding novelists have launched their careers with short stories, a form that has a special place in Irish literary tradition.

Last year’s winner Billy O’Callaghan said, “It is no exaggeration to say that winning the Writing.ie Short Story of the Year Award has changed my life. I have been writing for several years now, and for most of that time it has been a bit like trying to push a piano up the side of a mountain. Not only has it been a vindication of all my hard work, it has put me, suddenly and definitively, on the map.”

Vanessa O’Loughlin, Founder of Writing.ie: “At the heart of Irish writing online, Writing.ie is a global platform, promoting established authors while drawing on their wisdom and experience to provide unparralelled resources for new and aspiring writers. We are thrilled that the Short Story of the Year shortlist reflects this, featuring both stellar names in the world of Irish Fiction as well as new and exciting emerging voices. Just like last year, this is a shortlist to watch.” 

2014 shortlisted stories can be read at Writing.ie

WINNER:

Rest Day by John Boyne

Published in The Irish Times

John Boyne’s novels for adults and young readers include The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and A History of Loneliness, which is shortlisted for this year’s Irish Novel of the Year Award.

SHORTLIST:

Absence by Christine Dwyer Hickey

Published in The House At Parkgate Street (New Island)

Christine Dwyer Hickey is a novelist and short-story writer. She has won many prestigious prizes, including the Irish Novel of the Year Award. She is a member of Aosdána.

Priesteen by Ciaran Folan

Published in The London Magazine

Ciarán Folan has had stories published in New Irish Writing, The Dublin Review & The London Magazine and has won RTÉ’s Francis MacManus Competition twice. He is the author of the story collection Freak Nights (New Island).

Paprika by Frank McGuiness

Published in Surge (The O’Brien Press)

Frank McGuinness lives in Dublin and lectures in English at UCD. His internationally-acclaimed work includes The Factory Girls, Baglady, and the award winning Observe The Sons Of Ulster Marching Towards The Somme.

Five Days to Polling Day by Danielle McLaughlin

Published in The South Circular

Danielle McLaughlin’s first collection of short stories will be published in Ireland in 2015 by The Stinging Fly Press, and in the UK and US by John Murray and Random House.

Eveline by Donal Ryan

Published in The Irish Times

Donal Ryan is the author of two novels, The Spinning Heart and The Thing About December. His first collection of short stories will be released in March 2015.