Stroud Short Stories

We are open for submissions for our 12 May 2024 event on the theme of Change/Changes/Changing

Our 27th event is on Sunday 12 May 2024 and is on the theme of Change, Changes or Changing. Submissions are OPEN. We close on Sunday 24 March at 23.59.

Writers, please view the change theme as widely as you like - everything from climate change and changes in society to changes of season, lives, mood, mind, direction, opinion, heart, habits, behaviour, plan, sides, gear, appearance, clothes, home, rooms, courses, schools, nappies, circumstances, state, name, law, train, flight, diet, hairstyle, tastes, styles, roles, partner, places, spots, the guard, physical, mental or emotional changes. You name it! You can decide.

Stating the obvious, it must be a short story.

Ten stories will be selected from those submitted and the authors will read their work to a packed audience of around 150 people. The event will be held at the Cotswold Playhouse in Parliament Street, Stroud on Sunday 12 May 2024 at 7.30pm (doors 7.00).

The rules and how to submit are here. As always, it will be free to submit and we will accept both unpublished and previously published stories.

I will be co-judging with the brilliant short story author and novelist Ali Bacon this time. Here are our judges.

It's important to check out my tips for writing for SSS which are here.

Under our legendary Rule 11 (now 12!) the authors who read at the November 2023 event are unable to submit to this event.

Ali and I are very much looking forward to reading your brilliant stories.

John