Waterstones Piccadilly, November 7th. Click here for tickets.

This year Paul is judging:

‘The Penny Dreadful Novella Prize’ alongside Sara Baume and Colin Barrett. The ‘I is Another Short Story Competiton’ from Holland Park Press alongside Laura Del-Rivo. The sole judge of the Bare Ficton Short Story Prize. Deadline: Oct 31.

His debut novel is currently shortlisted for The Guardian’s ‘Not the Booker’ Prize.

That Killer First Page

You’ll find out what competition judges and journal editors look for in a short story and how to avoid the rejection pile. You’ll write a short piece and get feedback on that crucial story opening. In a form where every word counts, get tips on staying focused on your story and where to start the action. You’ll also look at submission opportunities; how to find them and where you should be sending your stories.

Focus:
How to get the attention of competition judges and editors
Writing fiction with emotional impact
Writing that killer first page
How to edit your story
Where to send your work

Paul McVeigh’s short fiction has been published in journals inc The Stinging Fly, anthologies and been commissioned by BBC Radio 4. He has read his work for BBC Radio 5, at the International Conference on the Short Story in Vienna, Belfast Book Festival and twice at the Cork International Short Story Festival. Upcoming at Wroclaw Short Story Festival, Poland. He has travelled to Mexico for The British Council to read and discuss the UK short story scene.

He is the co-founder of London Short Story Festival and Associate Director of Word Factory the UK’s leading short story salon.

Reviews for his writing:

“A work of genius” Pulitzer Prize-winning short story writer Robert Olen Butler.               “A wildly important new talent” Laura van den Berg.
“Absolutely loved it. The voice of that story is so arresting.” Jackie Kay
“Beautiful and very moving.” Booker shortlisted Alison Moore
“(one of) Ireland’s most exciting and talented writers. Incredibly moving; poignant but utterly real, funny and beautifully observant.” BBC Radio 4