Northern Short Story Festival to take place online

The event, which is celebrating its fifth birthday, will take place on Saturday, May 30.

It features four events: prose writing for poets with Rachel Bower, winner of the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook Short Story Competition 2020 and The London Magazine Short Story Prize 2019/20; interactive fiction with Krishan Coupland, winner of the Manchester Fiction Prize and Bare Fiction Prize; short Story masterclass: using folklore in short fiction with award winning writer CG Menon; and a virtual Pub Quiz with Saboteur shortlisted writer, poet, and Viz contributor Joe Williams.

Rachel Bower said: “I’m thrilled to be part of the Northern Short Story Festival this year. I’ve been so impressed by how swiftly and creatively the festival has responded to the current crisis by moving everything online - and it’s extra exciting that people from around the world can now access the energy and talent of work from the region. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and writing, reading and chatting together about short stories.”

Festival director SJ Bradley said: “In these uncertain times creativity is a beacon for hope, and we’re overjoyed to welcome ticketholders from all over the world to explore the short story form. We are thrilled to host these authors, and to welcome visitors old and new to our workshops and Pub Quiz, held in our virtual pub, the Farewellto Arms.”

Northern Short Story Festival is part of Leeds Big Bookend. Full details can be found at bigbookend.co.uk/nssf.