BBC National Short Story Award 2020

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Stories shortlisted for the National Short Story Award

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BBC National Short Story Award: BBC National Short Story Award 2020: Come Down Heavy by Jack Houston

Come Down Heavy by Jack Houston

BBC Radio 4 - BBC National Short Story Award, BBC National Short Story Award 2020, Come Down Heavy by Jack Houston

Jack Houston's experimental story about two women living on the edge of society.

Jack Houston's experimental story is about two young women living on society's edge who are caught in a downward spiral of addiction and poverty .The reader is Anne-Marie Duff.

Jack Houston is the next writer up for the BBC National Short Story Award, 2020. His shortlisted story is about Simone and Jackie, two women living on the edge of society who are caught in a downward spiral of addiction and poverty. Anne-Marie Duff is the reader.

From the short and pithy to the layered and literary, via robust poetics, family hierarchies and maligned youth, this year’s shortlist is the perfect reflection of all this ever-flexible fictional form can do. As a star-studded cast celebrate the fifteenth year of the BBC National Short Story award with Cambridge University, the short story, be it humorous, witty or poignant, retains its ability to surprise, delight and move us in equal measure.

Now in its fifteenth year, the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious for a single short story. Following the announcement of the shortlist on Radio 4's Front Row, on Friday, 11th September, the five stories in contention for the 2020 award will be broadcast each weekday afternoon on Radio 4 at half past three from Monday, 14th September. Each of the shortlisted writers will be interviewed the evening preceding the broadcast of their story on Front Row, and the winner will be announced live on the programme Tuesday 6th October. All the stories will be available on BBC Sounds after broadcast, and there will be a special edition of the Short Story podcast for each to download.
For links and the most up to date information go to bbc.co.uk/nssa

Produced by Elizabeth Allard

BBC National Short Story Award: BBC National Short Story Award 2020

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

The five stories in contention for the prestigious BBC National Short Story Award 2020.

The five stories in contention for the prestigious BBC National Short Story Award 2020, which is celebrating its fifteenth year.

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BBC National Short Story Award 2020

Come Down Heavy by Jack Houston

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