Short Story - podcast cover

Short Story

BBC Radio 4•www.bbc.co.uk
Fiction
Drama

Brand new stories, from today’s best writers written exclusively for Radio 4 – the home of the Short Story

Radio 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.

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Episodes

The 2025 Young Writers' Award Shortlist revealed!

Lauren Layfield presents this year's special showcase of the five shortlisted stories for the 2025 BBC Young Writers' Award. Alongside the 20th anniversary of the National Short Story Award, this year's BBC Young Writers’ Award with Cambridge University is open to all writers between the ages of 14 –18 and was created to discover and inspire the next generation of writers. It is a cross-network collaboration between BBC Radio 4 and Radio 1. The winner receives a personalised mentoring session wi...

Sep 14, 2025•48 min

NSSA 2024 - Nice Dog by Vee Walker

Narrated by Duby, a feisty chihuahua, the story "Nice Dog" follows his adventures in Nice with his owner, Papa Rémy. When a drug dealer and his Rottweiler become entangled with their peaceful alley, Duby uses his extraordinary sense of smell to expose the criminal underworld, leading to unexpected heroism, community bonding, and a heartwarming reunion for Papa Rémy. The episode concludes with an interview with author Vee Walker, discussing her inspirations for the unique story.

Sep 20, 2024•34 min

NSSA 2024 - Pieces by Manish Chauhan

Rebekah Staton and Hasan Dixon read Pieces by Manish Chauhan, the third story shortlisted for the 2024 BBC National Short Story Award, followed by an interview with the author on BBC Radio 4's Front Row Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska

Sep 18, 2024•35 min

NSSA 2024 - The Barber of Erice by Will Boast

Mark Strong reads The Barber of Erice by Will Boast, the second shortlisted story for the 2024 BBC National Short Story Award, followed by an interview with the author on BBC Radio 4's Front Row Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska

Sep 17, 2024•34 min

NSSA 2024 - Hamlet, a Love Story by Lucy Caldwell

Lisa Dwyer Hogg reads Hamlet, a Love Story by Lucy Caldwell, the first shortlisted story for the 2024 BBC National Short Story Award, followed by an interview with the author on BBC Radio 4's Front Row Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska

Sep 17, 2024•36 min

2024 BBC Young Writers' Award Showcase with Katie Thistleton

Katie Thistleton presents a showcase of the five shortlisted stories for the 2024 BBC Young Writers' Award, celebrating its tenth anniversary. The episode features readings from each story and interviews with the young authors, who share insights into their creative process, inspirations, and what being shortlisted means to them. Themes explored include neurodiversity, AI, human desire, and the power of narrative.

Sep 15, 2024•52 min

An Affliction by Lottie Mills

A specially commissioned short story for BBC Radio 4 by the award-winning Lottie Mills. In this fantastical tale, a strange illness takes hold of those living at the Saint Francis Invalid Colony... Lottie Mills won the BBC Young Writers Award in 2020, and her debut collection, Monstrum is published in 2024. In her stories, Lottie delights in the uncanny, the unusual and the unique power of outsiders. Reader: Hayley Atwell Producer: Justine Willett Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska...

May 21, 2024•15 min

When Love Sucks by Naomi Wood

A new short story for Radio 4 by the award-winning writer, Naomi Wood. Nursing a broken heart, a woman turns to an AI dating coach for help - with unexpected results. Writer: Naomi Wood is the winner of the 2023 BBC National Short Story Award, and author of three novels, including the award-winning Mrs Hemingway, and a new collection of stories, This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things. Reader: Rose Robinson Producer: Justine Willett Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska...

Apr 25, 2024•14 min

Minor Disturbances by Cherise Saywell

A specially commissioned story from BBC NSSA 2023 shortlistee, Cherise Saywell. Reader: Katie Leung Producer: Elizabeth Allard Podcast presented and produced by Rick Woska

Feb 08, 2024•14 min

Hearing Aids by Roddy Doyle

A newly commissioned story from Roddy Doyle, author of The Commitments and the 1993 Booker Prize winner, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. Read by Liam Carney Produced by Nicola Holloway Podcast presented by Rick Woska

Oct 20, 2023•14 min
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