Short Story
Fiction & Audio Drama
About
Brand new stories, from today’s best writers written exclusively for Radio 4 – the home of the Short StoryRadio 4 is the world’s leading commissioner of new short stories. Expect excellent writing from the hottest names offering compelling snapshots of the way we live now, produced by the experts behind the BBC National Short Story Award and other in-house readings teams.
Episodes
- The 2025 Young Writers' Award Shortlist revealed!
The Short Story podcast reveals the 2025 BBC Young Writers' Award shortlist, showcasing five selected stories. The award, aimed at writers aged 14-18, is a collaboration between BBC Radio 4 and Radio 1, with the winner receiving a mentorin…
- NSSA 2024 - Ghost Kitchen by Ross Raisin
The podcast features Ashley Margolis reading "Ghost Kitchen" by Ross Raisin, a story shortlisted for the 2024 BBC National Short Story Award. An interview with the author follows.
- NSSA 2024 - Nice Dog by Vee Walker
Paterson Joseph reads 'Nice Dog,' a story shortlisted for the 2024 BBC National Short Story Award, by author Vee Walker. An interview with Walker follows.
- NSSA 2024 - Pieces by Manish Chauhan
Rebekah Staton and Hasan Dixon perform 'Pieces' by Manish Chauhan, a shortlisted story for the 2024 BBC National Short Story Award. The episode includes an interview with Chauhan.
- NSSA 2024 - The Barber of Erice by Will Boast
Mark Strong narrates Will Boast's "The Barber of Erice," a story shortlisted for the 2024 BBC National Short Story Award. The episode includes an interview with the author.
- NSSA 2024 - Hamlet, a Love Story by Lucy Caldwell
Lucy Caldwell's "Hamlet, a Love Story," a BBC National Short Story Award 2024 finalist, is read by Lisa Dwyer Hogg. An interview with Caldwell follows.
- 2024 BBC Young Writers' Award Showcase with Katie Thistleton
Katie Thistleton showcases the five shortlisted stories for the 2024 BBC Young Writers' Award, an initiative for 14-18 year olds. This year marks the award's tenth anniversary.
- An Affliction by Lottie Mills
The podcast features 'An Affliction,' a fantastical short story by award-winning writer Lottie Mills, exploring a strange illness at the Saint Francis Invalid Colony. The story is read by Hayley Atwell.
- When Love Sucks by Naomi Wood
Naomi Wood's short story "When Love Sucks" follows a woman who seeks help from an AI dating coach after a heartbreak, leading to unforeseen outcomes.
- Minor Disturbances by Cherise Saywell
Cherise Saywell's commissioned story Minor Disturbances is read by Katie Leung. This episode is from the Short Story podcast.
- Hearing Aids by Roddy Doyle
Roddy Doyle, author of The Commitments, has a new story called "Hearing Aids" commissioned and read by Liam Carney. Nicola Holloway produced the episode, which is presented by Rick Woska.