Stories
A selection of Caroline’s published and award-winning stories
WINNER, BATH SHORT STORY AWARD
“No point waiting till the gale’s shrieking under the door, lifting the rug and toppling the kitchen chairs. Soon as the screen starts rattling on its hinges; soon as the window cracks set to whistling—that’s when I get on out and sing to the wind.”
“The writing is gorgeous, rich with allusion […] with beautiful turns of phrase on every page.”
Sam Hodder, Blake Friedmann Literary Agency and Judge.
A story of protest, set in a poor New Orleans community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Speaking to the politics of poverty, A Gap Shaped Like the Missing is a story of those forgotten and overlooked; of a community healing, and speaking out, through song. It is published in the 2019 Award anthology, available on the link below. A Gap Shaped Like the Missing can be read in the ‘Look Inside’ Kindle sample.
WINNER, COSTA SHORT STORY PRIZE
“I trail my finger through the white lotion on my stomach and draw myself a six pack.
‘Anyone fancy a swim?’”
Dad has never been much of a role model, if Billy’s honest, and so far this holiday, nothing seems to have changed. Today, though, is a day like no other.
Selected one of three winning stories by a panel of judges which included writers Adele Parks and Kit de Waal, Breathing Water was awarded first prize after public vote. A 1200-word extract from this story about love, loss, and the strains and bonds of family is available to read on the link below.
SHORTLISTED, BATH SHORT STORY AWARD
“You can’t go to war in red socks, child.”
As her grandsons prepared, twenty-five years before, to join their country’s fight for independence, Nana knitted furiously: they would need warm clothes for the mountains. But today she must face up to the chain of events her stitches set in motion.
Set in the Southern Caucasus, this story of the futility of war, and of guilt, loss and forgiveness, is one of twenty stories shortlisted and published in the 2018 Award anthology. The anthology is available on the link below.
SHORTLISTED, MSLEXIA NOVELLA COMPETITION
“What kind of man gives his daughter for a bet?”
1832, Co. Cork. Siobhán dreams of learning to read and a job behind the counter at Hegarty’s. But cholera’s on the way, and anyhow, Daddy has other plans. Does Mam’s dark magic hold the key?
One Thread to Bind You is as yet unpublished. If you would like to know more about this historical novella, or be kept abreast of publication plans, please contact me.
PRIZE-WINNER, LINK AGE SOUTHWARK 25TH BIRTHDAY WRITING COMPETITION
“Perhaps inside she was tiny, like the last in a set of Russian dolls.”
Set in a wintry seaside town, this short story about loneliness and the unexpected spark of friendship was written for the 25th anniversary of a London charity supporting older people in the community. Bread Lady won third prize and is available to read in full on the link below.
This is a small selection of stories from my planned new collection.
If you would like to read more, or to be kept up to date with news of publication, please do get in touch.