Thursday, June 30, 2011

ShortStoryVille - Bristol's first Short Story festival!

Now, if you are in Bristol, anywhere near, or prepared to travel for the love of the short story on July 16th - then do it! ShortStoryVille is the brainchild of Joe Melia, the organiser of the Bristol Short Story Prize, and will culminate in the awards ceremony for this year's prize, all held at Bristol's Arnolfini arts centre. The entire afternoon leading up to that event is filled with short story goodness, including some of my favourite writers: Janice Galloway, Alison McLeod, Sarah Salway, Sarah Hilary, Stuart Evers...! I am very honoured to be part of it, and can't wait to be in the audience for the events I am not participating in. Just check this out:
12.00 – 1.00 Women and Short Stories - panel discussion chaired by writer, broadcaster and critic Bidisha. Often ignored in ‘greatest’ and ‘best of’ lists in other areas of literature, it is widely acknowledged and chronicled that women have led the way in the development of the short story. Is there something specific to the form, missing in other genres, that enables women writers to be taken as seriously as their male counterparts? Are short stories the most emancipated form of literature? Bidisha explores the bond between women and short fiction with 3 of the UK's most celebrated short story writers: Janice Galloway, Alison MacLeod and Sarah Salway. Tickets £3

1.30 – 2.30 Reading Short Stories - panel discussion chaired by acclaimed short story writer Tania Hershman. Is there an art to reading a short story? Is it very different from other forms of fiction? Does it depend on where a story is read: a collection, single story in a magazine, on an ereader? Tania is joined by three passionate short story readers- book reviewer and blogger David Hebblethwaite, Clare Hey, former editor at HarperCollins and founder of trailblazing, digital-only short story publisher Shortfire Press and Scott Pack, publisher at The Friday Project, influential blogger, commentator, reader, and creator of the popular meandmyshortstories blog. Tickets £3

3.30 – 4.30 Helen Oyeyemi and Stuart Evers - Editor of Venue magazine, Joe Spurgeon, interviews two of the UK’s most exciting writers. Helen Oyeyemi’s Mr Fox (Picador) and Stuart Evers’ Ten Stories about Smoking (Picador) are two of this year’s most anticipated books of short stories, both taking a different approach to the linked stories tradition. Helen and Stuart will be signing copies of their latest books in the Arnolfini bookshop after the interview. Tickets £3. Sponsored by Venue magazine.
5.00 – 6.00 Choice Cuts - The Bristol area pulsates with an abundance of brilliant short story writers. Sample some of the finest exponents’ stories, including Patricia Ferguson, Tania Hershman, Sarah Hilary, Amy Mason, Emma Newman and Gareth Powell. Compered by poet, publisher and performer Bertel Martin. This is a free, ticketed event and likely to be very popular so please book early.
Light Studio – Following on from their brilliant exhibition last year, Henbury School art students present original mixed media prints inspired by Nastasya Parker’s short story ‘The Meek Inherit’ published in last year’s Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology.  Free, no ticket required.

Dark Studio – Showing throughout the day, Fairfield School’s Year 11 animation students adaptation of Craig Hawes’ short story ‘Pictures in the Dust’ published in the Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Volume 2.  Free, no ticket required.

Reading Room – Display of magazines and journals that publish short stories - one aspect of the vibrant and di­verse world of short story publishing. Lots of real gems on show.
The 2011 Bristol Short Story Prize Awards Ceremony will be the closing event of the festival.

Tickets available from Arnolfini box office : phone 0117 9172300 or visit www.arnolfini.org.uk 

We are extremely grateful for the funding and sponsorship help of Arts Council England, Bristol City Council, Venue magazine, Arnolfini and The Bristol Hotel in making this exciting event happen.

I really hope to see you there! I am so excited about this happening in my home city - short stories and more short stories...

14 comments:

Sara said...

Hello! I keep looking at this event, then looking at the train times hoping they've miraculously got faster - it sounds wonderful, but I just don't think I can do it!
Will probably have to settle for reading about it instead...

Marisa Birns said...

I will be sad. Was hoping I could take a trip across the ocean, but, alas...

Have a wonderful event!

Downith said...

What a shame - I'm away. Sounds wonderful.

Tania Hershman said...

Sara, NOOOOO! Want to come the night before? You are very very welcome.

Marisa, we will be sad too. No chance...?

Downith, I think it will be! Next year, eh?

Neil said...

" Is there an art to reading a short story? Is it very different from other forms of fiction?" Can you write a report after that one, pretty please? I'd rather like to know the answer!

Laura said...

Hi there Tania! Well, I for one am really looking forward to all of the events. Think it's going to be a very interesting day - and will be good to catch up with you there.

Tania Hershman said...

Neil - I will, of course... I am sure there are many answers to that one!

Laura, me too! Looking forward to seeing you there.

PS Sara - sorry, confused you with another Sara, my apologies!

Jo said...

Hi Tania!
I've nominated you for a Stylish Blogger Award. See my blog for details: http://www.theyellowroomeditor.blogspot.com/

chillcat said...

This sounds so perfect for where I am! Hawking short stories and wanting to believe there is a market and audience out there. No second edition? Please post a full report!!
best wishes, catherine

Philip Sington said...

Just found your blog. Very interesting and useful. The 'LITMUS' collection looks very promising also. Definitely one for my reading pile (which, thanks to the proverbial pram-in-the-hall, has grown to a structurally unstable height!)

Tania Hershman said...

Jo - thank you, will check it out, I am very honoured!

Catherine... there IS an audience and a market, it just takes a little more diging to reach it. don't give up!

Philip, great to meet you - I am really looking forward to your event with Pat Barker, greatly enjoyed Einstein Girl!

Neil said...

Well, there is a market, but surely not one you can earn a living from.

Deb Rickard said...

I've booked my tickets and am looking forward to it!

Debs

Tania Hershman said...

Neil - ah yes, if we are talking about earning a living, the word "market" does take on a different and less shiny meaning.

Deb - looking forward to meeting you!