A UK native, who is living in Galway, has made the shortlist for the BBC National Short Story Award. Morning, Noon and Night by Claire-Louise Bennett was selected along with four other stories from a whopping 478 entries.
Celebrating its 11th year, the BBC award is one of the most prestigious for a single short story, with the winning author receiving £15,000, the runner-up £3,000, and three further shortlisted authors £500 each.
Claire-Louise Bennett was born in Wiltshire but now lives in Galway. She studied post-dramatic theatre and unstageable plays prior to completing her first book, Pond. The title has been translated into Spanish, Dutch and Norwegian, and has also been published in the US. It was recently shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Claire-Louise’s stories and essays have appeared in The White Review, Guernica, The Irish Times, gorse, and Paper Visual Art Journal, among others. This year she has produced art writing for Temple Bar Gallery & Studios, Nottingham Contemporary, the Tate, and 126 Artist-Led Gallery.
Ms Bennett’s story, which details the life of a failed academic over one day is described as ‘subtly witty and evocative’. The piece is described by judges as “a slow-burning, sensual story filled with loneliness and humour. It is the story of a life where solace is found in the minutiae of the everyday.”
Interviews with each of the shortlisted writers have been broadcast this week and the overall winner of the award will be announced on Tuesday October 4.
