Short Story
89 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★ - 56 ratingsBrand new stories, from today’s best writers written exclusively for Radio 4 – the home of the Short Story
Radio 4 is the world’s leading commissioner of new short stories. Expect excellent writing from the hottest names offering compelling snapshots of the way we live now, produced by the experts behind the BBC National Short Story Award and other in-house readings teams.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Minor Disturbances by Cherise Saywell
February 08, 2024 15:41 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBA specially commissioned story from BBC NSSA 2023 shortlistee, Cherise Saywell. Reader: Katie Leung Producer: Elizabeth Allard Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska
Hearing Aids by Roddy Doyle
October 20, 2023 16:12 - 14 minutes - 13 MBA newly commissioned story from Roddy Doyle, author of The Commitments and the 1993 Booker Prize winner, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. Read by Liam Carney Produced by Nicola Holloway Podcast presented by Rick Woska
2023 BBC Young Writers' Award Showcase with Katie Thistleton
September 17, 2023 17:00 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MBListen to the five shortlisted stories from the 2023 BBC Young Writers' Award. Presented by Katie Thistleton and produced by Rick Woska. Creation Written by Daisy Kaye Read by Ruth Everett Produced by Ben Hollands Fridays Written by Evie Alam Read by Laila Zaidi Produced by Ben Hollands Jessie's God Written by Elissa Jones Read by Kate O'Flynn Produced by Lisa Kinga Wahinya Skipper Written by Iona McNeish Read by Abbie Andrews Produced by Rick Woska The Wordsmith Written by Atlas Weylan...
BBC National Short Story Award 2023 - Churail by Kamila Shamsie
September 15, 2023 15:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBTitle: Churail Author: Kamila Shamsie Reader: Zoha Rahman Producer: Ciaran Bermingham Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska
BBC National Short Story Award 2023 - The Storm by Nick Mulgrew
September 14, 2023 15:00 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBTitle: The Storm Author: Nick Mulgrew Reader: Cokey Falkow Producer: Ciaran Bermingham Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska
BBC National Short Story Award 2023 - It's Me by K Patrick
September 13, 2023 15:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MBTitle: It's Me Author: K Patrick Reader: Ell Potter Producer: Tracey Neale Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska
BBC National Short Story Award 2023 - Guests by Cherise Saywell
September 12, 2023 15:00 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MBThe second story shortlisted for the 2023 BBC National Short Story Award. Title: Guests Author: Cherise Saywell Reader: Nahel Tzagei Producer: Ciaran Bermingham Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska
BBC National Short Story Award 2023 - Comorbidities by Naomi Wood
September 11, 2023 15:00 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBThe first story shortlisted for the 2023 BBC National Short Story Award. Title: Comorbidities Author: Naomi Wood Reader: Charlotte Ritchie Producer: Justine Willett Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska
BBC Young Writers' Award Showcase with Katie Thistleton
September 25, 2022 17:00 - 54 minutes - 50 MBListen to the five shortlisted stories from this year's BBC Young Writers' Award
BBC National Short Story Award 2021 - Maykopsky District, Adyghe Oblast by Richard Smyth
September 28, 2021 15:28 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MBThe fifth shortlisted story in this year's NSSA plus an interview with the writer
BBC National Short Story Award 2021 - Toadstone by Danny Rhodes
September 27, 2021 18:20 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBThe fourth shortlisted story in this year's NSSA plus an interview with the writer
BBC National Short Story Award 2021 - Night Train by Georgina Harding
September 22, 2021 18:47 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBThe third shortlisted story in this year's NSSA plus an interview with the writer
BBC National Short Story Award 2021 - The Body Audit by Rory Gleeson
September 21, 2021 15:53 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBThe second shortlisted story in this year's NSSA, plus an interview with Rory Gleeson
BBC National Short Story Award 2021 - All the People Were Mean and Bad by Lucy Caldwell
September 20, 2021 15:01 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBThe first shortlisted story in this year's NSSA plus an interview with the writer
The Little Things by Kiare Ladner
September 16, 2021 13:32 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBArt and a lifelong dream come together in a funny, poignant tale read by Teresa Gallagher
This Sunday by Jade Anouka
July 26, 2021 09:04 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBAn original short story for Radio 4, produced by Becky Ripley.
The McFeggan Offensive by William Boyd
March 26, 2021 18:31 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBThe late great John Sessions reads a story for radio by long time friend and collaborator
The Crongton Soup Kitchen by Alex Wheatle
March 17, 2021 12:33 - 15 minutes - 14 MBA heartwarming tale about family, festive traditions and sibling rivalries.
Progress by Jo Lloyd
March 08, 2021 21:12 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBAn original work for radio from the winner of the 2019 BBC National Short Story Award
Trip and Fall by Maria Thomas
February 26, 2021 18:13 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBMaria Thomas puts a female black academic at the centre of her short story Trip and Fall.
Angela's Mother by Michele Forbes
February 12, 2021 14:03 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBA woman is resigned to an unchanging future, until hope drops through her letterbox.
The Cleaner by Mary Paulson-Ellis
January 30, 2021 13:36 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBA woman returns to her home village in Scotland but is haunted by the past.
Samurai by Fatima Bhutto
January 23, 2021 12:51 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBAn original short story about a father and daughter in search of a home.
A Border Interest by Derek Owusu
January 18, 2021 17:45 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBTwo people meet in a mental health support group. But is one of them hiding something?
A Borderline Interest by Derek Owusu
January 18, 2021 17:45 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBTwo people meet in a mental health support group. But is one of them hiding something?
Post by Elaine Feeney
January 11, 2021 13:25 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBOn the morning of her 80th birthday Joan bumps into twelve year old Fionn at the post box
Young Writers' Award Showcase with Katie Thistleton
September 20, 2020 17:00 - 48 minutes - 44 MBA very special edition featuring all of the shortlisted stories announced for YWA 2020
Scrimshaw by Eley Williams
September 18, 2020 15:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBEley Williams is the next writer in contention for the BBC National Short Story Award, 2020. Her shortlisted entry is a cautionary tale about late night texts and mating walruses, where a very contemporary search for connection lurks beneath wit and wordplay. Charlotte Ritchie reads. 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. A...
Come Down Heavy by Jack Houston
September 17, 2020 15:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBJack 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...
The Grotesques by Sarah Hall
September 16, 2020 15:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBSarah Hall, winner of the 2013 award, and four-time nominee, is the next writer in contention for the prestigious BBC National Short Story Award with a beautifully observed story. On her thirtieth birthday Dilly explores truths about her family, her relationship with her overbearing mother, and the masking of identity. Lydia Wilson 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 perfe...
In the Car With the Rain Coming Down by Jan Carson
September 15, 2020 15:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBJan Carson is the next author shortlisted for this year’s BBC National Short Story Award. In her gently humorous tale of a family get-together that doesn’t go quite as planned. Laura Donnelly 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 S...
Pray by Caleb Azumah Nelson
September 14, 2020 15:00 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MBCaleb Azumah Nelson is the first writer shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award 2020. Ben Bailey Smith reads this powerful, poetic parable about loss, longing and brotherhood. Recalling a hot, remembered summer in South East London, the story is as urgent and universal as it is evocative. This episode also contains and interview with the writer from BBC Radio 4's Front Row. From the short and pithy to the layered and literary, via robust poetics, family hierarchies and maligned yo...
Coming Soon: The National Short Story Award
September 11, 2020 19:03 - 38 seconds - 594 KBStay tuned for the 5 incredible shortlisted stories for the BBC NSSA 2020
Boyfriends by Bryan Washington
May 15, 2020 13:54 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBPoignant story of a young gay man living and loving on the margins of Houston, Texas
Singular by Diana Evans
December 27, 2019 16:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBTwo friend discuss love as one of them re-embarks on the dating scene later on in life
The Book of the Dead by Carmen Maria Machado
December 13, 2019 17:32 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBA specially commissioned short story in which a seduction exacts a high price.
Siren by Holly Corfield Carr
December 06, 2019 15:12 - 14 minutes - 13 MBFrom an island in the Bristol Channel, a distress signal goes out over the airwaves.
The Ice Child by Kirsty Logan
November 01, 2019 19:44 - 14 minutes - 13 MBA story of birth, growth and magic, read by Nicola Ferguson. Producer: Eilidh McCreadie
Her Face by Elizabeth Day
October 25, 2019 07:30 - 14 minutes - 13 MBThe final specially-commissioned work celebrating the 2019 BBC National Short Story Award
Liv by KJ Orr
October 18, 2019 16:04 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBThe forth specially-commissioned work celebrating the 2019 BBC National Short Story Award
Pauzwang Syndrome by Ned Beauman
October 11, 2019 07:30 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBThe third specially-commissioned work celebrating the 2019 BBC National Short Story Award
Open Day by Benjamin Markovits
October 07, 2019 14:41 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe second specially-commissioned work to mark this year's BBC National Short Story Award
Eternity for Pinky and Mop by Ingrid Persaud
September 27, 2019 17:27 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBOne of five newly commissioned works to mark this year's BBC National Short Story Award.
Young Writers Award showcase with Katie Thistleton
September 22, 2019 17:01 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBA special edition featuring all of the shortlisted stories just announced for YWA 2019.
Ghillie's Mum by Lynda Clark
September 13, 2019 15:03 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBAn unusual childhood leads to reflections on intolerance. Read by Stephen Campbell Moore. Produced by Elizabeth Allard.
The Invisible by Jo Lloyd
September 12, 2019 16:22 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBTale about fantasies that make life bearable and what happens when cracks begin to show. Read by Aimee-Ffion Edwards. Produced by Gemma Jenkins.
My Beautiful Millennial by Tamsin Grey
September 11, 2019 15:02 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBTamsin Grey’s story about being alone in a big city finds the comedy in awkward encounters and unsuitable relationships. Read by Katherine Press. Produced by Gemma Jenkins.
The Children by Lucy Caldwell
September 10, 2019 15:36 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBA haunting reflection on motherhood and loss. Read by Jessica Raine. Produced by Elizabeth Allard.
Silver Fish in the Midnight Sea by Jacqueline Crooks
September 09, 2019 15:00 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBA haunting tale of migration, about a fear of not belonging and a yearning to break free. Read by Tamara Lawrence. Produced by Gemma Jenkins.
Hello Stranger by Michael Hughes
September 05, 2019 13:16 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBBeth writes letters to her daughter's father, even though he has no idea the girl exists.