The Short Story Now

The Short Story Now

A brief guide to the UK short story scene

At Salt, we’ve long believed the short story is one of the most vital, dynamic, and exhilarating forms of writing. It’s where new voices emerge and established writers experiment. It’s where big ideas are distilled into unforgettable moments — intense, agile, and made for our times (and those times may be dark).

Yet for all its brilliance, the short story can sometimes seem a little overshadowed by the novel. That’s why we wanted to shine a light on the people, places, and prizes that keep the form alive and thriving across the UK today. Here’s our guide to the current short story scene — and how to get involved.

Journals, Magazines & Digital Platforms

Short fiction finds its home in a network of independent magazines and journals, each with its own distinctive flavour. They remain one of the best ways for readers to discover new talent — and for writers to place their work.

Some of the key outlets include (though this list is by no means exhaustive):

Digital-only spaces also offer superb opportunities for readers and writers alike. Look out for Fairlight Books’ Short Story Portal, and Comma Press.

Independent Publishers Keeping the Form Alive

While large publishers often shy away from short stories, independent presses continue to lead the charge, offering a home to bold and brilliant collections. Nicholas Royle is a lifelong champion of the form and his own press, Nightjar, produce beautiful single-story pamphlets that are little treasures.

At Salt, we’re proud to have been at the forefront of short story publishing for over two decades. Salt Modern Stories is our new dedicated series for the short form — showcasing some of the most distinctive voices working in the UK today, from acclaimed names to thrilling new talents.

This year’s titles includes:

The Mellow Madam and Other Stories
Saying Dirty Things in Regional Accents
I Hear You

You can explore our entire short story list here: Salt short story collections

Competitions and Prizes

The short story prize scene continues to offer important recognition — and a platform for emerging writers. Some of the key awards include:

Courses, Mentoring & Development

For writers looking to hone their craft, there are several brilliant courses and mentoring opportunities across the UK:

Anthologies and Annual Collections

If you’re looking to explore the best in current British short fiction, there’s no better place to start than the annual Best British Short Stories, edited by Nicholas Royle and published by Salt. Bringing together standout work from across magazines, journals, and anthologies, it’s an essential snapshot of the form today.

Other notable anthologies include:

  • Comma Press Anthologies
  • Bridport Prize Anthology
  • Bath Short Story Award Anthology

Where to Submit

If you’re a writer looking to place your work, here are some of the best-known venues open to submissions:

Open Submissions:

Competitions:

Discovering More

A Personal Anthology – a Substack run by Jonathan Gibbs offers an extraordinary overview of short story writers and their personal favourite short stories. This online project exists in the first instance as weekly Substack email, sent out on Friday afternoon. Each week a guest is invited to pick and introduce twelve of their favourite short stories and, where possible, link to them online.

Final Word

The British short story continues to surprise, to challenge, and to dazzle. Whether it’s the thrill of a single perfect page or the slow burn of a collection that lingers in the mind, this is a form that remains alive with possibility.

At Salt, we’re as committed as ever to bringing the best short fiction to readers everywhere. The story continues.

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