The world’s best writers reveal their favourite short stories…

Some of our great writers – from Elizabeth Strout to Mark Haddon – nominate what their favourite short story is, and tell us, in this intimate series, why they love it so much. You can watch the series here, with new choices every week


Elizabeth McCracken’s favourite short story

  • 1st April 2021

Elizabeth McCracken on the short story she loves and thinks you will, too – A Conversation with My Father by Grace Paley

Watch the video


Kathleen Alcott’s favourite short story

  • 25th March 2021

Kathleen Alcott on the short story she loves and thinks you will, too – Twenty Minutes, by James Salter

Watch the video


Rebecca F John’s favourite short story

  • 18th March 2021

The author Rebecca F John on the short story she loves and thinks you will, too – The Ocularist's Wife by Clare Wigfall

Watch the video


Adam Marek’s favourite short story

  • 11th March 2021

Adam Marek on the short story he loves and thinks you will, too – Ava Wrestles the Alligator, by Karen Russell

Watch the video


Leone Ross’s favourite short story

  • 4th March 2021

Leone Ross on the short story she loves and thinks you will, too – Fern by Jean Toomer

Watch the video


Paul McVeigh’s favourite short story

  • 25th February 2021

The Irish author Paul McVeigh on the short story he loves and thinks you will, too – The Tenth of December, by George Saunders

Watch the video


Claire Adam’s favourite short story

  • 18th February 2021

The Trinidadian author Claire Adam on the short story she loves and thinks you will, too – Brackley and the Bed, by Samuel Selvon

Watch the video


Phil Klay’s favourite short story

  • 11th February 2021

The American author Phil Klay on the short story he loves and thinks you will, too – Night Before Battle, by Ernest Hemingway

Watch the video


Alice Ash’s favourite short story

  • 4th February 2021

The British author Alice Ash on the short story she loves and thinks you will, too – Waxy, by Camilla Grudova

Watch the video


Niamh Campbell’s favourite short story

  • 28th January 2021

The Irish author Niamh Campbell on the short story she loves and thinks you will, too – The Dead, by James Joyce

Watch the video