Tuesday 28th April sees the third Birthday of what has become one of the most successful, most joyful, regular literary event in Oxford, Short Stories Aloud. We at Blackwell’s have been a part of it from the start so have a fair idea of why it has become so successful but to get the real (short) story it is best to hear from the founder, the energy and the inspiration of SSA, Sarah Franklin. Here she shares with us three of the unusual, perhaps unique, features of this fabulous event:
Three things you won’t get from other literary events
Short Stories Aloud, Oxford’s friendliest literary night, is turning three! To celebrate outgrowing our old venue, we’ve moved our monthly shows to our new home in Blackwell’s Broad Street. If you like hearing short stories read by professional actors, you’ll love Short Stories Aloud. If you’re keen for this to be followed up by a rambunctious Q&A session with award-winning authors (including Catherine O’Flynn, Charlotte Mendelson, Margaret Drabble and Jessie Burton), you’re in luck. And (as) if you need other reasons, here are three more. There’s a reason the Huffington Post billed us as ‘unlike any other literary event’:
Reunions. More than one person has been serendipitously reunited with a long-lost friend at Short Stories Aloud. Many, many more have made lasting new friendships at our monthly evenings. This makes me nearly as happy as the next point:
Marriage. We have our first Short Stories Aloud wedding in the offing! Their eyes met over a crowded room full of people telling stories. There is no better grounding for a long and happy life together.
Cake*. Bring a cake (yes, or other baked goods) and you get in for free. There is always a LOT of cake. This is good, if financially insane.
The guest authors for our birthday show on April 28th at 7pm are Daisy Johnson and Tim Clare, with stories read by wonderful Steve Hay and Shelley Harris. Our May 19th show features Lissa Evans and Stuart Evers. If you’re not cake-inclined, this cornucopia of delights is yours for only £5 (£3 for concessions). Hope to see you there!
*in fairness, you could get cake first from our friends at Windsor’s Firestation Bookswap, but they are alas no longer running.
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Broad Conversation 