Costa Short Story Award - Deadlin Friday 1st August.

In 2012 we launched the Costa Short Story Award, voted for by the public.

2012
Winner: Avril Joy for Millie and Bird
Second: Chioma Okereke for Trompette de la Mort
Third: Guy Le Jeune for Small Town Removal

2013
Winner: Angela Readman for The Keeper of the Jackalopes
Second: Kit de Waal for The Old Man and the Suit
Third: Tony Bagley for The Forgiveness Thing

All shortlisted stories are available here for you to download and enjoy:

Download and Listen to the 2012 Stories
Download and Read the 2012 Stories

Click here to read more about the 2012 Authors
Click here to read more about the 2013 Authors
This Year's Costa Short Story Award

Entry for this year’s Costa Short Story Award opens on Monday 30th June and closes at 4pm on Friday 1st August. Please make sure you download and read the Terms & Conditions carefully before entering your story. Good luck!

Entry is now open:

ENTER YOUR SHORT STORY HERE

Download Terms and Conditions

Click here to read more about this year’s Judges

Key Dates


Entry July 2014

Shortlist AnnouncedLate November 2014

Download and VoteDecember 2014 until mid-January 2015

Winner Announced January 2015



2013 Costa Short Story Award Finalists




Produced and recorded for the Costa Short Story Award by Spoken Ink



DOWNLOAD ALL SIX STORIES (.ZIP)



Still Water, BCBy Erin SorosRead by Barbara Barnes

"And it’s my turn. The men nod as I stroll up to shoulder myself into their game, Olaf strapped to my back, legs kicking. I bounce him up and down to the wheezing beat of Whisker’s harmonica. You are my sunshine ..."


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The Forgiveness ThingBy Tony BagleyRead by Sam Dale

"It never not comes up, the forgiveness thing. It isn’t always the first question, but everyone gets round to it at some point. ‘What people want to know is...’ Here it comes now, only seconds after she sat down...."




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The Gun ShearerBy Clare ChandlerRead by Jenny Funnell

"Brittle gum tree branches were brushing against the kitchen window making a squeaking noise and Oriel scribbled a note to remind herself to ask someone to cut them back. She turned to take the kettle off the stove ..."

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The Keeper of the Jackalopes By Angela ReadmanRead by Nicola Barber

"The best bit is the bit that used to scare her. Once the skin has been removed, the rabbit lies on the table, its bunny suit taken off. It can be anything it wants. Clary strokes the cool fur...."


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The Old Man and The SuitBy Kit de WaalRead by Constantine Gregory

"They sit in the cool of the basement under a low ceiling and two pools of yellow light. They have a stool each and matching eyes. The walls are stacked tight with bolts of wool and satin, mohair and silk ..."



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The Papakh HatBy Sheila LlewellynRead by Robert Cohen

"Tanks clatter past at six, heading from the barracks to the town centre. I roll over and try to squeeze another half-hour. A second convoy rattles the window, waking me up for good. The day begins much like any other has for the last few months in Tabriz...."



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