In today’s world, there is ample evidence of the return of borders worldwide; as a material reality, as a concept, and as a way of thinking. Edited by Barbara Korte and Laura Lojo-Rodriguez, Borders and Border Crossings in the Contemporary British Short Story focuses on the ways in which the contemporary British short story mirrors, questions and engages with border issues in national and individual life. It discusses the work of wide range writers including Zadie Smith, Anne Enright, Kamila Shamsie, Valda Jackson, Andrea Levy, Sarah Hall, Hanif Kureishi, China Mieville, Daisy Johnson, Jon McGregor and Helen Simpson, and includes a chapter in which Pete Kalu reflects on his own practice as a Black British writer.
Short Fiction in Theory and Practice 9.1
Latest issue of Short Fiction in Theory and Practice out now, with articles on Alice Munro, and Elizabeth Strout and new collaborative fiction from Rupert Loydell and Amy Lilwall. There is also an interview with Tessa Hadley and a review of new books on editing. Graham Mort’s story, ‘Emporium’ explores the short story as ‘humble’ fiction from a practice-based perspective, introducing the topic ahead of the forthcoming ENSFR conference on this topic.
Narratives of Community in the Black British Short Story
We are pleased to announce the publication of Bettina Jansen’s new book, Narratives of Community in the Black British Short Story, which has just come out with Palgrave. More details can be found here.
Short Fiction in Theory and Practice Special Issues
Short Fiction in Theory and Practice 7.2 and 8.1 & 2 are all available now. 7.2 is a special issue on ‘Haunting in the Short Story’, with articles from the conference held at the University of Angers in 2015. The double issue 8. 1 & 2 contains articles from the ENSFR annual conference held at Edge Hill in 2016 on the theme ‘”Child of the Century”: Reading and Writing Short Fiction Across Media. It also contains an exclusive translation by Lyn Marven of a story by German writer Roman Ehrlich, and an interview with him by Lyn Marven and Andrew Plowright.
9.1, a general issue, is in preparation for early 2019.
New publication on George Saunders’ Pastoralia
George Saunders’ Pastoralia: Bookmarked , by Charles Holdefer – New York: Ig Publishing (ISBN-13: 978-1632460639; $14.95 paperback; £10.89 ; €13.11)
George Saunders’ 2000 short story collection, Pastoralia, is an exaggerated and darkly humorous satire on American life at the turn of the twenty-first century, merging the spirit of James Thurber with the world of the Simpsons. In his entry in Ig’s acclaimed Bookmarked series, award-winning author Charles Holdefer addresses how this collection, and the writing of Saunders, influenced his journey as an author.