Paradise Block Longlisted for Edge Hill Short Story Prize

Congratulations to Alice Ash whose debut collection,  PARADISE BLOCK, has been longlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize 2021.

The prestigious prize, now in its 15th year, is the only national literary award to recognise excellence in a published, single-authored short story collection. The 15-strong longlist represents an exciting range of new writing from the UK and Ireland. 

In Paradise Block, mould grows as thick as fur along the walls, alarms ring out at unexpected hours and none of the neighbours are quite what they seem. A little girl boils endless eggs in her family's burnt-out flat, an isolated old woman entices a new friend with gifts of cutlery and cufflinks, and a young bride grows frustrated with her unappreciative husband, the caretaker of creaking, dilapidated Paradise Block.

With a haunting sense of place and a keen eye for the absurd, these thirteen surreal stories lure us into a topsy-turvy world where fleatraps are more important than babies and sales calls for luxury coffins provide a welcome distraction. Lonely residents live in close proximity while longing for connection.

Founded in 2006 by the world’s first Professor of Short Fiction, Ailsa Cox, the prize highlights the intricate artisanship of short story writing and acknowledges the wealth of published collections available. 

A short list will be announced by September, with the winner of the £10,000 prize announced in November.