In January 2014 I became the organiser of Stroud Short Stories. It is, quite simply, a labour of love.
Stroud Short Stories is a twice-yearly short stories non-profit making event held in the spring and autumn. The aim is to encourage, promote and showcase contemporary short story writing in Gloucestershire. And to provide a varied, stimulating and enjoyable evening's entertainment.
The format is simple but effective one. Writers submit their stories. It’s always free to submit. We choose ten. The authors read them to a packed audience.
All information about submitting stories and about recent SSS events is on our website is http://stroudshortstories.blogspot.co.uk/
Stroud Short Stories was founded by local artist and writer Bill Jones in 2011. I took over from Bill in January 2014.
Our THIRD ANTHOLOGY covering the seven events from November 2018 to May 2022 was published in September 2022. It features 69 stories by 48 authors. It was edited by me. Cover design by James Holland.
The anthology was Short Listed for a Saboteur Award as the Best Anthology of 2022-23.
All info about this and our earlier anthologies, including where to buy and all the authors included, is here.
We held special 5th and 10th year anniversary events at Cheltenham Literature Festival in October 2016 and October 2022. They each featured seven of my favourite stories from the latest SSS Anthology.
Videos of the authors reading their stories in 2016 and 2022 are on our website here. (You may need to scroll down)
Our latest event (on the theme of LOVE) was on Sunday 5 November 2023 and was part of the Stroud Book Festival.
The event, which was our 26th, took place as usual at the Cotswold Playhouse in Stroud, and was a complete sell-out .
As usual ten Gloucestershire authors read the stories we selectd from those submitted.
Our next event will be on Sunday 12 May 2024 when the theme will be Change/Changes/Changing.
As usual ten stories have been selected for the authors to read at our event.
The event will take place at the Cotswold Playhouse in Stroud on Sunday 12 May at 7.30 (doors 7.00).
All info is on the SSS website.
Tickets,priced at £12, are available from -https://www.cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on
More information about our events and about submitting stories is on our website
129 Gloucestershire authors have read at Stroud Short Stories since its inception in 2011. These include Alice Jolly, Adam Horovitz, Philip Rush, Philip Douch, Jo Bousfield, Rick Vick, Andrew Stevenson, Chloe Turner, Debbie Young, Mary Omnes, Peter Adams, Bill Jones, Nimue Brown, Simon Piney, Anthony Hentschel, Ali Bacon, Stephen Connolly, Melanie Golding, Mark Rutterford, Geoff Mead, Nastasya Parker, Steve Wheeler (aka Steven John), Jason Jackson, Joanna Campbell, Sophie Flynn, Emma Kernahan, Robin Booth, Sarah Hancock, Hannah Glickstein, Nick Adams and me.
SSS contact details are on our Contact page.