Best British Short Stories 2026

This series curates the finest short stories published by British writers globally over the past year, inviting readers to explore the best of contemporary British short fiction. Ranging across genre, theme and style, Best British Short Stories 2026 showcases a dazzling array of talent – from established names to emerging voices – as published in literary magazines, journals, anthologies and online during the past year. Among this year’s selection is a genuine literary discovery: a previously unpublished story by Graham Greene, ‘Reading at Night’, unearthed in the archives at the Harry Ransom Center and printed here alongside the very best of today’s writers. Whether you’re a seasoned reader of the form or a curious newcomer, this acclaimed anthology delivers wit, imagination, drama and craft in concentrated, unforgettable doses. With its finger firmly on the pulse of modern British storytelling, the series continues to celebrate the energy and diversity of the short story today. Edited by literary editor and writer Nicholas Royle, Best British Short Stories has become an indispensable resource for readers, students and writers alike – an annual landmark in the UK literary calendar. Featuring: E. Abdeni-Holman, Jenn Ashworth, Lee Ashworth, David Bevan, Graham Greene, Vicky Grut, Livi Michael, Graham Mort, Annemarie Neary, Yoel Noorali, Richard Phoenix, Ray Robinson, David Rudkin, Sara Sherwood, Karen Stevens, Lucy Thynne, Tom Vowler, Will Wiles, and Kieran Wyatt.